Ear Candy
David A. Dodson

Take the factory ear buds that came with your iPod, portable DVD player, MP3 player, PlayStation Portable or whatever and throw them in the garbage. That's right; toss them in the trash. As of May 4th, 2005 they're obsolete. Worthless. Crap. For on that fateful day, the savants of sound over at HeadBanger Audio have introduced their Universal Ear Subs, the only way that any self-respecting audiophile should listen to their system. The big idea: an electronic amplified subwoofer built into the chord and specially designed earpieces deliver high definition audio directly to the ear.

Super easy to use, simply install two AAA batteries (included) into the subwoofer, turn the switch on and pop the plug into the headphone port of whatever you're listening to. The results: Indescribable. Sound effects, music and dialogue come through like a high-end theater system. It's a shame that sound producers and engineers spend so much effort and time on these projects only to have them so poorly rendered on tiny speakers or stock headphones. It's like having access to the Philharmonic Orchestra and being forced to listen to them through a tin can and kite string. With HeadBanger Audio's Universal Ear Subs, every voice is clear and distinct, every explosion actually hits and atmospheric noises finally draw you into the movie or game like they've never had the chance to do before.

And what they do for music has to be experienced to be believed; highs and mids come through with crystal clarity while bass hits harder than any headphone I've ever heard. These are absolutely a quantum leap in portable sound design.

Bottom line is if you use earphones and you're not using Headbanger Audio's Universal Ear Subs, then you're simply cheating yourself out of the listening experience. For about thirty bucks you can grab a pair anywhere electronics are sold or from one of the dealers listed at www.HeadBangerAudio.com. Your ears are incomplete without them.