Headphones to make phone calls easier

Smartphones offer a lot of conveniences, especially for people on the go, but using one for its most basic function — making a phone call — can tie up your hands and actually limit your mobility.

Accessory makers are there to help. There are plenty of options to make crisp calls with headsets and headphones, which offer the added benefit of freeing both hands while talking. And as hands-free calling has gained acceptance, you will most likely notice fewer awkward looks in your direction when it appears you're talking into thin air.

With headphones that come in bright colors and offer a booming bass, Skullcandy caters to younger consumers. For that reason, most of its headphones are moderately priced, about $30, but come with limited extras. So the company introduced the Fix, a line of in-ear headphones that are designed to stay put during rigorous activity. The Fix earbuds provide a strong seal, ensuring that they won't fall out. That seal also tends to dampen a lot of ambient noise, which could be good or bad, depending on what you are doing. The one-button and three-button versions sell for $50 each, and designer models are available for $10 more.

For people looking for headphones that work with devices other than iOS, Klipsch is a good place to start. The company just released Reference, a line that offers Klipsch's acclaimed acoustic engineering inside a sleek package. For comfort, Reference headphones are equipped with patented oval ear tips that Klipsch says will more naturally fit the contours of the ear canal. The Reference R6i is compatible with iOS devices. This summer, Klipsch is planning to release the R6m, which will work with Android, BlackBerry and Windows smartphones. The headphones are $100 each; a model is available without a microphone for $80.

Breaking the $100 price point on in-ear headphones can be tough to justify. Fortunately, Bose delivers with its MIE2 headphones, which were designed for a mobile lifestyle. Not only do they offer clear, full audio, they also provide a secure fit with Bose's StayHear ear tips. The tips incorporate stabilizers that fit inside the outer portion of the ear.

The MIE2 comes in two versions, one for iOS devices (the MIE2i) and one for all others; each for $130. For those who are more active, the new FreeStyle model costs the same but comes in brighter hues and has a durable, sweat-resistant design.

NEW YORK TIMES