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The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Page 7 of 30

Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 2
The Bose QuietComfort 2 Acoustic Noise-Cancelling Headphones do three things amazingly well: 1.) Cut out that background WOOSHHHHHH! noise on airplanes, 2.) Play music flawlessly, and 3.) Are so comfortable that you'll literally forget you have them on.


Courtesy of Bose.
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There's something about cutting out the air-stream and jet-engine sounds that takes a lot of the angst out of air travel. These headphones don't eliminate all sounds — you'll still be able to hear the attendants ask you what you'd like to drink — but you'll arrive a lot more refreshed. Match them up with an excellent MP3 player (see the iPod nano), and all you'll have to do is close your eyes to make 90 percent of the annoyances melt away.


The only significant downside to the Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones is the $299 price tag. (Tip: You'll save on shipping and in most cases sales tax if you buy them from Crutchfield or one or two other vendors.) Another nit is the fact that if the battery dies, everything dies, including your ability to hear music.

Even so, this product oozes quality and perfection. You'll want to give yourself a pair too.  more info>


Honorable Mention: Pro Tech NoiseBuster Headphones
Pssst! Want to save $250 on noise-cancelling headphones? Pro Tech's NoiseBuster Audio Headphones are only $50 before December 31, 2005. Surprisingly, both the noise-cancelling functionality and the audio quality are very close to the quality of the Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones.


The NoiseBusters fold up to a small size for toting around, and they work as audio headphones even if your battery dies. The tradeoff is in the build quality and in the way they feel (a little cheap and not as snug). The NoiseBusters are quite usable, though, and they're an excellent value. This could be the perfect $50 gift for the frequent traveler on your list.  more info>




Courtesy of Crumpler Bags.
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