I have been in the market for a new pair of headphones for quite a while now. I decided to read reviews of noise cancelling headphones and I still haven’t been able to make a decision! I had heard that Bose brings the best sound to your eardrums, but that Beats by Dr. Dre are close to Bose’s quality with a kick of style. One thing that both products have in common is that they come with a hefty price-tag. Beats Studio Headphones are $349.50 retail. Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones are $299.95 retail. But what if you want strong sound with noise isolation, along with enough style to make a few people stop and stare, all for an affordable price? I could not find the right product. A friend of mine suggested I look at dj equipment sites, as they often have some of the best headphones that match the style and quality I wanted, but I stumbled onto something else.
I received an email about a brand new range of durable headphones from a couple of companies that you would probably never guess would be working together. Philips, known as a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle, and lighting teamed up with O’Neill, a Californian surf, snow, and lifestyle brand, to bring a kick-ass pair of headphones to my door. I’m sure they’d sound great through a phono preamp!
The headphones were actually designed with athletes in mind. They are made to be able to withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle. They are also extremely customizable, coming in different shapes, sizes, and colors. The headphones I received are called “The Stretch” in Black Bordeaux (black and red). They are tough, flexible, and include a really cool tangle-free red and black cable that matches the headphones. And they really feel good on my ears.
I am not a big fan of ear bud headphones, but if that is your play, Philips | O’Neill offers a pair called “The Covert” and 6 color options in a line called “The Specked.”
My “Stretch” pair has made me very happy, but if I could try another pair from the Philips | O’Neill line, it would be a pair of “The Snug.” Like The Stretch, The Snug is a durable headphone. It also had the capacity of folding up, which is perfect for someone who is always on the go. They have the same powerful sound as The Stretch, but might even look more comfortable than my pair, which happens to be pretty damn comfortable.
I found a pair of The Stretch on Amazon for a fraction of the price of a pair of Bose or Beats by Dr. Dre headphones (click here for the link to the Amazon page). With the holidays coming up, it might be a good purchase for a loved one or a good client!
More pictures, below.
