The popularization of portable media players such as Apple’s iPod line and with mobile phones and other portable devices having multimedia playback capabilities, the need for portable and personal audio devices has spurred the entry of different brands of speakers, amplifiers and other audio products in the market.

Examples of these brands include Sweedish brand Urban ears, Audio-Technica from Japan and AKG Acoustics and of course, BEATS Audio from the United States to name a few. These brands usually offer premium products that cater to consumers with high purchasing power. For those who are unwilling to spend a huge sum of money for a pair of headphones or earphones, one of the industry’s pioneer brands, Philips is offering an affordable line of headphones that’s meant for the budget conscious consumer. But does the lower price tag equate to a lower quality product? Here’s my review of the Philips SHL3000BR headphones in case you’re interested.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

The SHL3000BR is part of Philips’ DJ-style headphones line-up and is neatly packed in a sealed plastic and paper carton. Opening the box would reveal the very few things you’ll get when you purchase the product. These include a small introductory manual and the headset itself, and that’s it (and yes, I’m serious, that’s all you’ll get).

DESIGN & SPECS

The Philips SHL3000BR is a very pretty headset. It comes in a variety of colors including white, black and brown. The one that we got was the brown one with black accents. The entire headphone is made from plastic with a matte finish and is very light-weight. The headband is very flexible and fits comfortably with the shape of the head.

The earshells are adjustable up to 90 degrees. The outer part of the earshells although made from plastic has a metallic finish in a circular pattern which gives the product a somewhat premium feel. The inner part of the earshells houses the 32mm speaker driver that delivers powerful and dynamic sound. The soft leather (we’re not sure if it’s genuine leather) cushions on each earshell allows for comfortable listening as well as an easy way for cancelling background noise.

The length of the headband is also fully adjustable which allows the headset to fit any head size. The SHL3000BR also comes with a 1.2m long cable that gives users flexibility when using the product. Moreover, the cable is encased in thick and durable rubber which ensures that the SHL3000BR will last longer than most ordinary headsets.

SOUND QUALITY

The Philips SHL3000BR features a closed type acoustic system provides excellent sound isolation, which works well together with the extra bass boost that the 32mm speaker provides. On the other hand, volume levels, sound crispness and clarity are just average.

I tried using the headphones on my iPod and when I tried to change the EQ settings, I found out that there are very minimal changes when it comes to the sound quality that the drivers produce. It would have been nice if Philips developed an app that can help control the equalizer settings for smart devices.

THE VERDICT

All in all, the Philips SHL3000BR is quite a headset with average to above average quality. I really like the design of the product, specifically the combination of different textures Philips used in different parts of the headset such as the metallic circular pattern on the earshells. The cushion that lines the earshells is very comfortable but is not really that practical in very hot and humid environments such as the Philippines.

I would have also loved if the headset had remote control buttons to help users adjust volume levels easily. I would also prefer if there is a software that can help adjust sound equalizer settings for smartphones and other related devices. Nevertheless, with a price tag of below P2,000, the absence of such features is really quite understandable. In fact, compared to other models from other brands like Monster, AKG or Audio-Technica, the SHL3000BR features and design is really quite a bargain and I wouldn’t mind recommending the product to anyone.

What are your thoughts about the Philips SHL3000BR? Tell us be leaving a comment below. You can also add us up on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus or subscribe to our blog for more Filipino Lifestyle stories.

Music has always been an important part of our lives. We Filipinos love singing in the shower, humming a song while doing household chores, listening to the radio, watching MTV or MYX and of course we all love videoke.

And being the music-loving people that we are, we always like to bring our portable media players with us and listen to our favorite songs while working, on the road or when we just want to do some sound tripping.  But the thing is, headphones, especially the good quality ones, aren’t always the best fit for your latest hairdo or the new dress you just got from the mall. Or are they?

Here are some of the most stylish yet fully functional headphones for the audiophile fashionista.

AIAIAI Capital Headphones

Made with reinforced fiberglass and nylon, the AIAIAI Capital provides wearable and comfortable headphones.  It features a foldable design, a 3-button inline remote, titanium high performance drivers and a design that’s resistant to rain, snow and hail.

Urbanears TANTO

The Urbanears Tanto is a very minimalistic earphone that is made out of super lightweight materials. The cord of the Tanto is made out of fabric while the drivers are attached to the headband using ball joint construction which ensures optimized ergonomics.

The 3.5mm connector of the Tanto also ensures its compatibility with popular devices like that from Apple, Samsung, LG, Blackberry, HTC and more.

Purity by MONSTER

From the makers of Beats Audio comes another stylish headphone – the Purity. The Purity headphone was created for Nokia and was intended to be the partner audio accessory for their Lumia line of cellphones. It features high-definition speakers, tangle resistant cables and an in-line mic with phone and music controls.

The headphone comes with a hard shell carrying case and is compatible with all types of devices that have a 3.5mm audio port.

Marshall Major

Marshall has always been known as one of the best manufacturers of audio equipment. Their speakers usually adorn concert grounds and events. It is also the brand of choice to most musicians. So it is without a doubt that headphones created by Marshall also offer the same quality as their other audio products.

The Marshall Major headphones are no exception. This audio accessory has a fully collapsible construction that allows for easy storage and transportation. The speakers are lined with super soft ear cushion to allow for comfortable music playback. It also has a 6.3mm adapter that allows users to use the headphone to other sound systems that use the 6.3mm standard.

PHILIPS Citiscape

Philips is another well-known brand not only in audio equipment but also other household appliances. They’re one of the most accessible to most consumers as Philips products are sold in a number of different malls and audio equipment stores in and around the metro.

One of their most stylish headphones in their lineup is the Philips CitiScape Headband Headphones. This audio accessory features a close acoustic system, a mylar dome diaphragm and dynamic 40mm speakers.

So there you have it. Some of the market’s best headphones that allows for form to meet function. If you have any of these headphones with you, then you don’t have to worry about being out of style even with your new hairdo or even with your newly bought outfit.