[Top photo: (from left) Sony MDR-570LP Headphones, Sony MDR-770LP Headphones, Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b Active Noise Cancelling Headphones and Creative Aurvana In-Ear2 Earphones]

By Melvin Seah

What is a great media player without quality cans? Do not neglect the humble earphone - a good pair makes the world of difference to sound quality.

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Price: $318
Booth: 6108

Frequent travellers will love the active noise-cancelling headphones, ATH-ANC7b, from Audio Technica. A hottie - it won the 2010 CES Innovation Award - the microphone of the ATH-ANC7b picks up external noise and cancels it by 90 per cent. So, even if you are not listening to music on the plane, switch them on to enjoy quieter surrounds for some shut-eye. It folds flat into an included carrying case and comes with a flight adaptor.

Freebie: Free designer leather iPhone or iPod case and portable mini speakers worth a total of $149.

Promotion: Stand a chance to win a limited-edition 50th anniversary MINI Cooper bicycle (worth $1,339) and other attractive prizes.

Creative Aurvana In-Ear2 Earphones
Price: $149
Booth: 6298

Discerning music lovers should test this pair of Creative Aurvana In-Ear2 earphones. They use a precision armature driver and an acoustic mesh for warm, full sound with punchy bass. Listening to a wide genre of music, vocals or soundtracks on them is a pleasure. The earbuds plug snugly into the ears to reduce ambient noise by 95 per cent without noise-cancelling circuitry, saving battery power.

A flight adaptor lets you plug the set into the audio connector of your seat and a travel case keeps the cables tucked away neatly.

Sony MDR-770LP Headphones and MDR-570LP Headphones
Show price: TBA* (usual price $89 and $69)
Booth: 3rd floor, The Concourse

These are your regular-guy headphones but the 30mm driver units and Neodymium magnets they use deliver decent audio. Soft urethane-cushioned earpads ensure comfort.

*TBA: To be announced