DJ Gregg Gillis (a.k.a. Girl Talk) gets dance floors banging with dizzying mash-ups of everyone from Biggie and the Pixies to Britney and Elton John. We asked the mix master to test out this year’s hottest new headphones. Turntables not included.
BOSE QC15
$300
Lowdown: Business travelers are drooling over these headphones, which Bose claims kill more noise than ever.
Gregg says: “I’m jamming Masta Ace’s ‘Born to Roll,’ and I’m missing the low end, but the rest is really bright. As long as you’re not mastering your album, these’ll definitely do the trick.”
AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-ANC1
$130
Lowdown: This ultra-portable pair produces a big sound while canceling 85 percent of outside noise.
Gregg says: “I like these ’cause they’re small, and you can hear music even when the batteries die. I wish they had more low range, though—where’s the bass?”
MONSTER BEATS SOLO
$200
$200
Lowdown: Monster’s smash hit Beats by Dr. Dre just got mini-sized.
Gregg says: “Full disclosure: I’m a fan of Dr. Dre. I think these look great, and as I expected, the bass bangs. Now that he’s finished up the headphones, when’s Detox dropping? Get on it, Dre!”
SHURE SRH750DJ
$188
$188
Lowdown: The ear cups rotate so you can rock ’em on one ear when spinning records.
Gregg says: “They’re geared more for DJing than viewing movies, but I’d bring ’em on board, since they’re tough. And the sound is balanced, with rich bass and a clear high end."