We're always banging on about how you really need to buy a pair of earphones instead of relying on the tat that comes with your MP3 player. Sennheiser's CX 300s were particularly good value at £30 -- they're not the best quality in-ear 'phones on the market, but they're a damn sight better than the bundled rubbish. Of course, they, like most earphones, are designed for mainstream players with standard 3.5mm jacks. Now, with a new 2.5mm model, smart phone users can enjoy them too.

In-ear headphones are not for the faint-hearted and getting the right fit can take some practice. Without a tight seal inside your ear canal, bass quality is likely to be sacrificed and your chances of blocking outside noise greatly diminished.