The Best Travel Gadgets of 2009

Earbuds and earphones don't quite reproduce the studio experience of quality over-the-ear headphones — and the gap just widened. Dr. Dre and Monster Cable have collaborated on their second set of headphones in the Beats by Dr. Dre line with the Beats Solo. The sound is awesome, just as it was in the first generation. But the Beats Solo comes with a built-in hi-fi mike and ControlTalk, a controller on the headphone cable that lets you easily adjust volume and playback. And as with the earlier Beats, this one is nice and small, so you won't feel like you're wearing a helmet.

Beats Solo: $199.95