In September I posted about Creative Lab's Aurvana X-Fi Headphones and called them nirvana. I didn't think they could improve on them, but this brand-new model, Aurvana Live! , is just as good, only without the noise-canceling feature.

Featuring natural, "live" sound and rich bass tones in comfortable, lightweight design, the headphones are a steal for $149. (By comparison, the Aurvana X-Fi costs $299.)

The true sound is due to a powerful Neodymium magnet driver with ultra-thin bio-cellulose diaphragm plus in-depth acoustic tuning,so you hear every drumbeat and every strum of the guitar, the way the artist intended it.

If the nosie-canceling feature isn't important to you (though I love it for plane travel), then these are a great pick. There's a handy comparison chart on this page so check which features matter to you, and pick the ones for your lifestyle.