Best headphones for iPods

Round-up by: Nate Lanxon

Last updated: 15 Sep 2008

Whether new or old, your iPod will only sound as good as their headphones let it. We've picked four essential upgrades to consider, depending on your budget. If you want to hear your music as it should sound, you should put aside at least £30 for headphones.

Probably the most popular earphone used with MP3 players are Sennheiser's CX 300s. They can be snagged for around £30, offer vastly improved sound quality and bass over the iPod earbuds, and block out heaps of noise.

Sennheiser's CX 500s are one of our favourite pairs to recommend to anyone as a first upgrade. They're a great choice for joggers or gymaholics, as the in-line remote offers quick access to volume controls. They're extremely lightweight and comfortable, and offer sound quality twice as impressive as the CX 300s.

Denon's C751s clock in at around £150 and look like bullets. Nevertheless, they offer beautiful sound, with exceptionally clear and powerful bass. They block out tonnes of sound, too, and our in-house dance music connoisseur says they're the best earphones he's ever listened to electronic music through.

CNET UK music editor Nate Lanxon's personal headphone of choice for outdoors, Shure's SE530s are arguably the best earphones in the world; they're also among the most expensive. With three separate drivers in each ear, they produce a massive wall of sound, each with loads of detail, amazing mids and skull-crushing bass.