Creative Zen Aurvana earphones

Noise-blocking buds that don't cost the Earth.

If you want music on the move with plenty of power, but without damaging your hearing, these noise-isolating earphones could be the answer.

Big bass-bin headphones may sound good, but they make you look like a commuting cyberman and cause unseemly ear-sweat. Creative's in-ear wonders, though, are tiny - and reasonably priced compared to many rivals - but perform like troupers.

Stick 'em in your lugholes and they block out the noise of trains, road drills and bus-stop loonies. That means clearer, stronger sound, without the need to push the volume to deafness-in-later-life levels. Whether you're listening to something bass-heavy, like the Gorillaz' Feel Good Inc or something more lugubrious, like Barber's Adagio for Strings, these are up to the job.

It does take a bit of getting used to, having your earholes wedged shut. You can hear the noises your throat makes, during gaps in the music, and if you can't get a good fit, they're prone to popping out, catapulting you back into the real world. For their size and price, though, they're exceptional.