Creative Labs Aurvana X-Fi Noise-Cancelling Headphones

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Two AAA batteries fuel the headphones. Flick the power on and select the X-Fi option, and the headphones improve most MP3 files. Both 128Kbps and 196Kbps recordings of Green Day's "Minority" had distinctly heftier sound. In fact, X-Fi gave music a boost in any format, compressed or not.

We wish that X-Fi CMSS-3D, the 3D-sound-simulating component of Creative's X-Fi technology, worked as well as the compressed-music enrichment feature did. Unfortunately, most surround simulators fall flat – and X-Fi CMSS-3D is no exception, sacrificing sound quality just to trick your ears. Unless you enjoy listening to music through six tinny channels, forget about using CMSS-3D.

That gripe aside, we found plenty to love. The solidly constructed cans were comfortable to wear. And though the noise-cancelling technology didn't fully silence ambient sounds, it did reduce the drone of a commuter bus.

The Aurvana X-Fi is not inexpensive. But the nearest competitor, Bose's QuietComfort 2, costs just as much and offers half the features. Which would you rather have – headphones that merely block noise, or headphones that block noise and improve your music? The choice is obvious.