I previously wrote about Etymotic ER4P Headphones in June 2003. And they continue to be my headphones of choice. Folks they are just fab. But they are expensive (Currently $219 at headphone.com).

But if you want to get the absolute Pepsi-Max out of your Ipod than those are the headphones to buy.

Trust me. You WILL be able to hear the difference.

(Wearing the supplied headphones after listening to songs with the etymotic's is like having a couple of carrots stuck in your ears!)

Now, naturally that is a lot of bucks. So this doesn't come into the 'must buy' category. The ones with the ipod are good. They just aren't as good. Hell, I would like to drive a Porsche...But a Ford will get me there! Just not in quite the same style... Your call. Just know that the etymotic's are miles better.

In fact, while I was looking into this weeks ramble I came across another set of ear bud headphones for $900 which are getting rave reviews - http://www.ultimateears.com/UE-10_PRO.htm - (You can read a comparison of the etymotic's and these ones here) - Now, having never used them. I can't recommend them. But I did speak to a guy at headphone.com about them, and apparently the boss of that company chooses the Ultimate Ears UE10-Pro's to wear himself. In any case it does serve to show that just when you think something is expensive, someone else comes out with a diamond encrusted version that makes you feel even poorer!

For me the Etymotics are still fab.

In any case the message is to test out some alternative headphones with the Ipod. Because you really can do much, much better on the sound front than the supplied pair.

So, those are currently my top picks in terms of using an apple ipod with some style!

Buying that little lot was not cheap. But I figure that at least I can get the most out of it. And that doesn't even touch on the photo abilities of my new toy! At the moment I don't really have any need to store photographs on it. But if I did then it would be an awesome addition to any digital photographers arsenal. Because it means that you can forget messing about with limited space storage cards when you are on holiday. As you suddenly have a 'photo storage' device that has a whole 60 GB available.

Plus, I have only had this about two months. And because the device has the capability to have accessories plugged into the top of it (and is very popular - hence the demand is there for manufacturers to produce more). All manner of add ons are springing up all the time to enhance it. So I don't expect it will be long before I find something else that will make it even more useful.

The Apple Ipod Photo 60GB is not a cheap option. But if you want a stylish MP3 player with great sound, a plethora of add-ons and are not that worried about the money (Spending £300 or more on something that plays MP3's can hardly be considered a necessity!) Then it makes a great choice for some summer listening.

Copyright - Stuart Brown