Ten of the best... noise-isolating earphones

Jays S-Jays

The first thing you notice about the s-Jays earphones is the extensive set of accessories packed into the box. To ensure a comfortable fit and good sound-isolation, Jays include no less than six different sets of earpieces in different sizes, as well as a one-size-fits-all set of foam earpieces. You also get a carrying case, airline adaptor and a ‘splitter’ that lets you connect two sets of ‘phones to your music player. There are even four sets of filters to keep the earphones from getting clogged with waxy bits. After all that, we were pleased to dsicover that the sound quality wasn’t a disappointment – the ‘phones provide clear definition across the entire frequency range, and a full, strong bass sound that rivals the more expensive Shure and Sennheiser models.

Reg Rating 90%
Suggested Price £65
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Klipsch Image X5

They may be the most expensive set of earphones in this group, but Klipsch’s X5 set ertainly serves up a treat for your ears. The first thing we noticed is that the tapered, bullet-shaped earpieces were more comfortable than any of their rivals, and also helped to maintain a good noise-isolating seal that blocks out background noise very effectively. Actually, the first thing we noticed was the ridiculous ‘russian doll’ packaging consisting of layer upon layer of plastic and cardboard, but we forgave Klipsch for this when we heard the quality of the sound produced by the X5. Shure’s SE310 may punch out slightly stronger bass, but the vibrant mid and high frequencies of the X5 were unmatched in their clarity and brightness.

Reg Rating 90%
Suggested Price £180 Find the best online price here
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