Check Out These Cans: Ultrasone iCans

Don't have $1,500 for those ultra-luxe Ultrasone Edition 9 headphones? Well, Ultrasone's awesomely-named iCans are a pretty good substitute, and they'll only set you back $129.

The all-white-and-silver iCans are designed to match your iPod. They feature an over-the-top-of-the-head design that rests the headstrap a bit further back on your skull. They don't ride directly vertically, and they aren't "behind the head" either. They sit at about a 30 degree angle from vertical, which actually makes them quite comfortable.

They sound great, too. They're smaller than the Edition 9 and don't completely cover the ear, but the drivers are much larger than your usual standard headphones. Bass is big, and highs are sparkling. In a noisy environment you'll find yourself cranking up the audio to compensate for the ambient sound, but this is a minor complaint and, really, not Ultrasone's fault. Thanks to the design of the headphones, the company claims you get the same audio volume with 40% less pressure on the eardrum, which means less risk of hearing damage and loss.

The iCans fold up uniquely for storage. Over-the-head phones can take up a lot of space in your bag and are prone to damage due to their awkward design. The iCans feature a nifty hinge that lets the earphone pieces swivel inward, which lets the headphones lie flat. When collapsed, the whole thing isn't much thicker than an iPod and fits nicely in the palm of your hand.

Altogether the iCans are an excellent alternative for those of you who dislike earbuds and want a little better sound quality out of your over-the-head headphones... without spending a fortune.