We’re no audiophiles but we all love our music whether its country or pop, rock or dance. Take a walk outside and you’ll see many people with the headphones on as they commute to or fro, work out at the gym and even in the office. If you’re looking to invest in a nice pair of headphones instead of the generic ones that come with your iPod or Walkmans (not that they’re bad), read on for a quick 101 on these ear pieces.

There are a number of headphone styles, all of which provide different sound quality, form factor and comfort. You first need to identify where you will be using them and what sort of music you frequently listen to.

EARBUDS

Earbuds are tiny earpieces which fit into the bowls of your ear or deeper. They usually come free with your audio devices, are super portable and cheap. They’re tiny form also makes it good for those who wear glasses or require noise isolation when out on the streets. However sound quality is not as superior as over the ear headphones and not everyone finds them comfortable. You can get earbuds for as low as RM10 in Malaysia.

EAR PAD HEADPHONES

Ear pad headphones are small pads that go over your ears but don’t cover them completely which means there will be sound leaks and you get to hear outside noise as well. These type of earphones are pretty portable and good if you still want to be aware of your surroundings but not if you’re in a library or the office. They’re also in the mid-price range of RM30 onwards for a decent pair. Comfort-wise we’d give these a 7 out of 10.

FULL SIZE HEADPHONES

Full size headphones have ear cups that surround your ears completely making them fairly large. While they may be comfortable for users who have smaller heads, the same cannot be said for those with larger crown sizes.  These type of headphones are usually popular among gamers, audio work and home users. The bulky size does not make them portable but they provide great bass response, sound clarity, and isolation from outside noise because of it’s heavy padding. Full size headphones are the most expensive and they range anywhere from RM100 onwards depending on your needs.

Apart from the above choices you also want to consider features such as noise cancellation which takes a sample of the noise around you and plays an inverted version of that sound in your ears hence cancelling out the noise around you and also battery life.

KLIPSCH MODE M40 NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES

If you want the best in personal audio technology, the Klipsch Mode M40 Noise Canceling Headphones provides up to 45 hours of ANC on a single triple AAA battery, which is double of what other ANC headphones in the market can afford. Without the batteries, this prestigious headphone serves as a full-functioning stereo headphone.

The Klipsch Mode Noise Canceling Headphones are both fashionable and luxurious with its lightweight ear cups made out of premium leather, high density memory foam for hours of listening pleasure and and an adjustable headband for a perfect and secure fit. These headphones are made with durable materials used in high end eyewear so you can be rest assured that you’re receiving all round quality with Klipsch.

The Klipsch Mode M40 headphone features an Apple-based mic and three-button remote system for taking calls and controlling music on iPods, iPhones or iPads. The mic and remote functionality supports Apple’s iPads, iPods and iPhones.

“The attention to detail throughout the development of the Klipsch Mode speaks volumes to the look, feel and sound performance of the product,” said Mike Klipsch, president of global operations for Klipsch.

“It was important we provide a headphone that serves as both an ANC and stereo headphone to ensure Klipsch fans have the potential for anytime listening. By doing so, we have created yet another industry-leading position for the brand in the heavily-saturated headphone marketplace.”

The Mode M40 headphones are stunning and a far cry from your usual black and bulky headphones. These come in a bourbon finish with blazed copper accents with collapsible ear cups that fit nicely into the included brown-leather carrying case. They also come with a two-year warranty, one AAA battery, microfiber carrying case, airline adaptor and ¼-inch adaptor.

The Klipsch Mode M40 retails for RM1,599.00 and is available at selected Epicentre, MacStudio and Machines stores.

Klipsch is one of the first U.S. loudspeaker companies and has been building premium speakers since 1946. Today, Klipsch sells hundreds of premium speakers for every lifestyle, application and budget. The brand’s diverse product portfolio encompasses home theater, professional cinema, installed whole-house contracting, commercial, computer speakers, iPod docks and headphones.