ASTELL & KERN BILLIE JEAN

$479, astellnkern.com

Astell & Kern’s vampy new wired earphones not only bear the name of one of pop-rock’s most famous temptresses, but also the fruits of Jerry Harvey Audio’s patented Freqphase waveguide tech, designed to deliver accurate multi-frequency sound. Harvey used to tour with Van Halen as a sound engineer before bringing his knowledge to the masses, and the expertise helps elevate these earbuds. A wide soundstage is served up, thanks to the inclusion of an Acoustic Chamber Sound Bore design. To say these earphones are aimed at those wanting high-quality audio on the move is a dramatic understatement – even the cables are kevlar, copper and silver. We’re expecting nuanced detail and fat-ass bass.

T3 SAYS: Astell & Kern’s new headphones, as pretty as a beauty queen, are gearing up to rock you hard.