Creative has released these ZEN Aurvana earphones, which are said to block out 90% of ambient noise. The $100 phones are apparently first being released in Singapore. But they should be available in the U.S. soon because they are already featured prominently on Creative’s site. The earphones weigh just 13g, making them the lightest in their class according to Creative, and come with a number of accessories, including two sets of three different size earbuds, an airplane adaptor, cleaning tool, and a rather slick looking travel case.

Via: DMT

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It also functions as a splitter and allows you to share your music with two other people (3 mini-headphone jacks total).

It increases the battery life of your MP3 player, because the player does not have to function as the amplifier. It does not distort the frequency response of the audio (the specs are: 20 to 20,000Hz +/- 2 dB).

Home Page: Boostaroo.

Available from Amazon for $26.

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• Universal
  fit design
• Outstanding
  bass response
• Outstanding
  vocal tone
• ComfortEar™ custom
  fit sleeves available (at additional cost – ear impressions required
  for this option)
• Great
  upgrade to similar systems

Response:
20 hz to 20,000 hz
Driver: FSI proprietary F/R
Impedance: 32 ohm
Sensitivity: 118dB
Isolation: 25 dB
Cable: 45″ standard
Connector: Standard 1/8″ Stereo Gold Plug
Accessories: Carrying Case (Pouch Type)

Best Price:
$143.10 (FutureSonics)

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Blocks external noise with comfortable sound-isolating sleeves that contour to the inside of the ears.

Shure E3c Sound Isolating Earphone -
The replacement of the acclaimed E1, the E3 uses low mass, high energy micro-speakers
to deliver incredibly precise sound with secure, comfortable, acoustic isolation
for an outstanding listening experience where ever you are. Whether listening
to your home stereo, computer, or portable CD or MP3 player,
this earphone offers studio-quality performance of the highest order.

• Smallest of Shure E-series Weighing only 0.9 ounce – less than 1 ounce
• Instead of bulky headphones, E3 wearers get form-fitting earpieces
  that stay securely inside the ear without uncomfortable headbands
• Sound isolation prevents outside noise from interfering with the music,
  and creates a quiet space for exceptional Audio clarity
• The studio grade, low mass, high energy micro-speakers employ balanced
  armature technology for more efficient Output and
  extended high frequencies
• Compatible for use with 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) audio output ports
• Includes carrying case
• Soft, flexible sleeves in the Fit Kit gently contour the inside of
  the ear for a comfortable, secure fit
• 60-Inch cable with Gold-plated connector
• 2 Year Shure Warranty

Best Price: $179 (B&H)

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Recommended by: ZDNet, CNET and Wired Magazine.

From ZDNET:

The name Etymotic means “true to the ear” and is pronounced “et-im-oh-tik.” We’re huge fans of the company’s ER-4P earbuds but it retails for a whopping $330. The ER-6 Isolator earbuds, meanwhile, carries a list price of $130 and is designed to offer most of the performance and features of its pricier sibling for a lot less money.

The ER-6 earbuds come with both silicone rubber and foam eartips, which the user can swap. They’re designed to fit into your ear canals, like earplugs, to block out ambient noise. We judged their effectiveness to be the equal of active or battery-powered noise-canceling headphones. There’s just one caveat: some buyers, particularly those with smaller ear canals, may find the eartip insertion rituals a bit daunting or unpleasant (you really have to jam them in). Also, the rubber eartips in particular have a tendency to attract earwax and will have to be cleaned regularly. But this reviewer found the ER-6 to be highly comfortable–arguably more so than other top in-ear headphones, including the Shure E3c or the Etymotic ER-4P. On the other hand, some CNET editors preferred the fit of Shure’s E3c and Sony’s less expensive MDR-EX71SL.

As with those in-ear models, when we walked or moved, we heard the ER-6’s wires rubbing against our clothing. You get used to the sounds over time, but they’re there, and the ER-6’s very thin and superflexible wires are prone to tangle; ours did, even after we carefully stowed the headphones in their carry pouch.

Ah, but the ER-6’s sound is extraordinarily fine. Because of its noise-isolation attributes, on a roaring NYC subway train, we were able to listen to our iPod at very moderate volume levels; we didn’t have to blast our ears to enjoy our music. Then again, if you want to play loud, the ER-6 can achieve fairly high levels with a portable MP3 player, though the ER-4P was able to play louder.

Listen, and you’ll hear a purity to the sound that few ‘phones can match; we were constantly surprised by the ER-6’s ability to resolve even the most subtle details of our music collection. Bass response is excellent–deep and well defined–for an earbud-type headphone. Bass buffs will be happier with a full-size Grado SR60 ($69), our iPod headphone champs. However, overall the ER-6’s sonics are cleaner and far more resolved than the SR60’s. As always, your buying decision is a matter of identifying your priorities.

The Etymotic ER-6 Isolator is available from Amazon

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