Gadget review: Denon AH-C260R In Ear Headphones with Remote for iPhone

A trip to HMV or Currys Digital will reveal a wall of headphones and earphones. Watching my girlfriend trying to select from this sensory barrage of marketing claims reminded me of just how difficult it is to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Without being able to rip open the packaging and stick them in your ears, purchasing decisions tend to come down to the biggest brand with the nicest packaging. Not a good way to choose earphones.

This week I’ve picked up a set of Denon’s mid-range, yet affordable AH-C260R earphones. The first thing that stands out is the three-button remote controller. Designed for iPhones, a tap answers calls, a squeeze on the left/right buttons adjusts volume and the centre button activates play/pause/forward/rewind. Although hardly revolutionary, I’d struggle to go back to earphones without this useful addition.

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In the sound quality department Denon has employed a Radial Cascade Damper to reduce the annoying ‘thump thump’ sound that often occurs when earphone wires bump against your body. This works a treat, especially when I took them jogging.

Other strange-sounding technical wonders built-in include an Acoustic Optimizer and Neodymium Magnet Driver Units. The grimy bass of Dance Wiv Me by Dizzee Rascal came out thumping, a random selection of Beethoven’s Symphonies was delivered with poise and precision and the C260Rs even helped Maroon 5 sound good.

For the money, these are the best iPhone earphones I’ve tested.

• £39.99 from www.argos.co.uk and www.asda.com

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