ATLANTA, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- 10rate editors Steve Holdgren and Brian Jones tried out all sorts of headphones and headsets to determine which were the best. Sound quality always received the most of the weight in tests, but other factors like portability, durability, and usefulness came into play as well. For headsets, mic quality was important while battery usage in wireless headphones was a big deciding factor.

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Steve Holdgren first covered Headphones Ratings from any category. He looked for comfort, good range of sound, a long cable, compatibility with many devices, and style when deciding which pair was the best. The Beyerdynamic DT 235 over-the-ear headphones won the top spot with a rating of 9.5 because of their ability to "produce dynamic sound with clear, sharp highs and mids and a tight bass with little distortion." Steve also noted their low price as an exceptional value.

Brian Jones looked at the Top Noise Canceling Headphones for the second category to be rated. Noise canceling and isolation ability was the biggest factor when determining a rating with the power source and price as other important factors. Brian chose the Bose Quiet Comfort 15 as the best of the best. These are battery powered but are rated to last more than 35 hours. Brian noted the added bonus of "a second cord is included that has a mic and a three-button remote that works specifically with Apple products" as additional strengths.

Beyond the Best Headphones overall editors checked out all sorts of headphones in specific categories. Different types of headphones are good for many different purposes. Brian's Earbuds Reviews list covered which pair sounds the best while maintaining comfort and durability. The Shure SE215 earbuds with an inline mic won the best quality award for the category. Brian said, "Bass is one thing Shure had in mind when they were designing these earbuds. The range of sound is great but tends to be a little heavy on the low side, leaving the sound a touch unbalanced. Noise isolation is another important thing these earbuds do well," in his review.

Wireless headphones are great for workouts or walking around town without getting into a tangle. Brian was also in charge of the Wireless Headphones Reviews page. Compatibility with different smartphones and tablets was one of the most important features when it came to rating wireless headphones. The best value award when to Jaybird's Freedom Sprint headphones. Besides being "perfect wireless headphones for your daily workout," Brian said these headphones have
"4mm drivers that are a bit small when comparing these to other headphones out there, but you still get crisp sound that is perfect for workouts."

Gamers have a completely different set of needs when it comes to their headphones. Gamers use headsets to hear games with exceptional clarity and to communicate effectively. Steve Holdgren assigned Gaming Headsets Ratings based on surround sound quality, comfort, noise isolation, and mic quality. The Earforce XP400 headset was granted the number one slot on the list. The biggest positive his review noted was the dual-band wifi connection that avoids interference from other electronic devices.

10rate.com conducts reviews in various product and services categories and publishes "Expert Top 10 Lists for Everything in your life." The company's web site strives to "Make it Easy" to select from the hundreds of choices there are in the product and service market place. All products and services are thoroughly researched by the companies expert editors prior to receiving a rating on a 1-10 scale. In addition to product reviews the companies editors write guidelines, buying guides and articles on various topics surrounding each product or service category covered to help educate the consumer. 

Media Contact: Rena Day, 10rate, 4042280131, rena@10rate.com

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SOURCE 10rate