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CNET Reviews - Most Popular Portable Audio Devices

Rank Most Popular Titles
1 Klipsch Image X5 earphones
The Klipsch Image X5 earphones are a bit of an investment, but they're worth it if you demand excellent audio quality and have had trouble with earbud fit in the past.
2 Microsoft Zune 120GB (third generation, glossy black)
The Zune 120, with a unique focus on music discovery, is a fierce competitor to the iPod Classic. The Zune's substantial storage capacity combined with its Zune Pass music subscription makes it an ideal solution for restless music fans with large appetites.
3 Apple iPod Nano (fourth generation, 8GB, silver)
The fourth-generation iPod Nano is easy on the eyes and the wallet, and you can't beat its hardware and user interface design. Just be sure to give iTunes 8 a spin before committing.
4 Sony NWZ-S738F Walkman (8GB, black)
Thanks to excellent sound quality, integrated noise-canceling functionality, and several smart music sorting options, the Sony S-Series Walkman is a superb choice for music aficionados.
5 V-Moda Bass Freq earphones (black)
V-Moda's Bass Freq earphones are the perfect accessory for bass-loving Creative Zen Micro owners who are on a budget. If you prefer less low end, look elsewhere.
6 Sony NWZ-S736F Walkman (4GB, black)
Thanks to excellent sound quality, integrated noise-canceling functionality, and several smart music sorting options, the Sony S-Series Walkman is a superb choice for music aficionados.
7 Koss PortaPro Headphones
Koss hit a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there's no denying the sound quality here: they're the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.
8 Samsung YP-P2 (8GB, black)
The Samsung YP-P2 is an excellent-sounding MP3 player that will appeal to those looking for a cool touch-screen interface and stereo Bluetooth capability.
9 Apple iPod Nano (fourth generation, 16GB, silver)
The fourth-generation iPod Nano is easy on the eyes and the wallet, and you can't beat its hardware and user interface design. Just be sure to give iTunes 8 a spin before committing.
10 Bose QuietComfort 3
With the QuietComfort 3s, Bose has done a remarkable job of shrinking its popular noise-canceling headphones while achieving similarly impressive sound quality--but that engineering feat doesn't come cheap.
11 Apple iPod Nano (fourth generation, 16GB, pink)
The fourth-generation iPod Nano is easy on the eyes and the wallet, and you can't beat its hardware and user interface design. Just be sure to give iTunes 8 a spin before committing.
12 Creative Zen (16GB)
We're hard-pressed to find anything not to like about the Creative Zen. It's a great option for anyone looking for a great-sounding, pocketable MP3 player with an excellent, video-capable screen and plenty of extra features.
13 JVC HA-NC250 Noise Canceling Headphones
The JVC HA-NC250 Noise Canceling Headphones make a great travel companion for those who demand quality sound. And they may not be cheap, but they seem that way next to the Bose QuietComfort 3.
14 Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones
Travel-happy audiophiles will be infinitely pleased with the Shure SE530s, but these earbuds should also be a consideration for anyone who has half a grand to drop on some sweet headphones.
15 SanDisk Sansa e260 (4GB)
The SanDisk Sansa e200 series offers a boatload of features for a reasonable price, in a package that is much nicer than that of past SanDisk models. For those looking for a high-capacity, compact, skip-free MP3/WMA player, start with the e200 series.
16 Philips SHE-9850 In-Ear Headphones
The Philips SHE-9850 In-Ear Headphones are an excellent choice for style-conscious listeners who demand comfort and detailed audio response.
17 Zune (30GB, black)
The Microsoft Zune, with its intuitive interface and solid playback performance, will please most users. But lukewarm format support and the cool but limited Wi-Fi capability will have advanced users seeking more. The Zune is a very good start, though.
18 Sennheiser CX 300 headphones (black)
If you're looking for an affordable, decent-sounding pair of earbuds, start with the Sennheiser CX 300. Sennheiser's first in-ear design sounds like a winner to us.
19 Sony NWZ-E438F Walkman (8GB, black)
The Sony E-Series Walkman is a great value. It's an excellent option for anyone looking for an easy-to-use MP3 player with a pocketable design, a long battery life, handy features, and solid sound quality.
20 Microsoft Zune (second generation, 80GB, black)
The Zune has blossomed from an ugly duckling into a worthy iPod alternative.
21 Creative Zen X-Fi (16GB)
The Creative Zen X-Fi's plastic design leaves a little to be desired, but that doesn't detract from the fact that the player is an incredible value overall: for an extremely competitive price you get a boatload of features and great sound quality.
22 Sennheiser HD280 Pro
Sennheiser's versatile headphones sound great on DVDs and all kinds of music.
23 Shure SE110 Sound Isolating Earphones (black)
If you're looking for a relatively affordable pair of earphones that can withstand both audiophile scrutiny and physical abuse, the Shure SE110 can rise to the challenge.
24 Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones (black)
The Bose In-Ear Headphones are a hybrid set, falling right between regular earbuds and canalphones. They don't block out noise, but they do provide much more bass than stock earbuds--almost too much, in fact.
25 Shure SE102 MPA
The Shure SE102 MPA Sound Isolating Earphones are definitely a step-up from the headset that came with your music phone, but not everyone will find them comfortable.