If you’re still searching for that perfect headset for your iPhone, then look no further. The Etymotic hf2 (high fidelity, hands free) Headset + Earphones make for an exceptional pair. Easy-to-use and great sounding, they’re a fantastic way to rid yourself of the uncomfortable, white plastic knobs that Apple likes to call a stereo headset.

Over the past several weeks, I had the opportunity to test the Etymotic hf2 in New York City’s crowded streets and on the subway. In short, I am impressed. But before we get to that, let’s start with the pack-ins and bulid.

Package

The hf2 comes with a set of assorted eartips (flange, rubberized, and soft foam), filter tool with 2 replacement filters (keeps earwax out and smooths frequency response), and a small soft case for storage and transport. Overall build quality of the headphones is excellent. The cord is rubberized and feels sturdy, with reinforced areas at the base of the plug and eartips to help prevent wear. The plug is fairly small, making it slim enough to fit the 1st generation iPhones - a huge plus for us early adopters. As for the microphone, it’s placed close enough to the mouth so that you don’t have to physically hold it up to your face while talking.

Performance

I should start here by saying that if you’re opposed to sticking something deep inside your ear canal, then these earphones might not be for you. With the standard flange tips, you’ve got to really wedge them in for a proper fit and acoustic response, which for me was somewhat uncomfortable. My favorite tips for fit and comfort were the round rubber eartips. They were comfortable, sealed well, and didn’t have to be put so deep in the ear. Once fitted, the hf2’s were pretty secure. Walking, jogging, and turning about, they stayed in place with me through every step.

The hf2’s were great to use while navigating the city. The snug fit of the earphones make for excellent noise isolation, enough to drown out the noise of city streets and subway cars. They were great for my daily commutes and allowed me to listen to tracks at a reasonable volume without my music fighting the outside world for attention. Also, if you’re like me and tend to carry your phone in your pocket, then you’ll enjoy using the microphone. It’s got a simple, easy-to-use Send/End button that answers and ends calls, and also plays, pauses, tracks forward, and tracks back your music.

Overall sound reproduction was fantastic. I listened to several types of music to get a good feel for the hf2’s capabilities. All types of music come across clear and well-balanced. There is sufficient bass to pound out tracks by Timbaland without being overpowering, Phantom of the Opera vocals are sharp, and instrumentals from Coltrane are crisp enough to impress.

Conversations on the hf2 are also effortless and clear. Everyone I spoke to mentioned that my voice came across clearly. Of course, with great acoustics and passive noise-isolation, hearing them was effortless as well. In fact, I often found myself engaged in a conversation, only to realize that once the earphones were removed, I was speaking quite loudly. It was like putting on the headset and shutting out the world so that you could have your own personal 1-on-1 conversation.

If you’re still searching for that right pair of headphones, I urge you to give the Etymotic hf2’s a chance. Having already accumulated several pairs headsets and phones from various manufacturers, these have quickly become my favorite. They’re well-built, easy-to-use, sound great, and have a quality mic.

Cost: $168