Just because a set of headphones looks cool doesn't mean it will sound great. In fact, the dirty little secret of audio manufacturers is that most of the trendy, over-the-ear, "can"-style headphones you see hipsters wearing on the subway sound muddier than the East River. So it's nice to see a new company that's trying to mix superior sound quality with head-turning style.

South Korea-based Phiaton has just introduced its high-end MS 400 headphones to the U.S. market, and after trying out a pair, we are impressed with the great listening quality and hot look of these 'phones. While the fire-engine red headband and ear pads are sure to draw attention, it's the solid bass, accurate high and mid tones, and crisp overall fidelity that really interest us. The MS 400 uses studio-grade 40mm electrodynamic drivers and boast sensitivity of 98dB with 32 Ohm Impedance and maximum input power of 1000 milliwatts. What that translates to is a pro-level audio experience at a consumer-level price. The snug but comfortable fit helps cut down on sound leakage and made the MS 400 behave like noise-canceling headphones—but without the annoying compression on your ears and without batteries.

Cost: $249
Further information:
www.phiaton.com