Q:I am buying a digital SLR [single lens reflex (camera)]. Is optical stabilization or sensor-shift stabilization better?

A: Both work extremely well. Optical stabilization is slightly more effective, but to have a 100 percent stabilized system every lens must incorporate stabilization. This increases weight, complexity and cost, as well as the available selection of lenses. Canon, Nikon and Panasonic are the biggest proponents of optical stabilization.

Sensor-shift stabilization is built into the camera so every lens you mount is stabilized. Almost all Olympus, Pentax and Sony SLRs incorporate sensor shift stabilization.

I've used both and have come to favor sensor-shift stabilization. I know that optical is slightly more effective but I am willing to give up a bit of effectiveness for the luxury of having every single lens I mount on the camera stabilized, especially my close-up lenses.

If I were shooting sports or wildlife with extreme telephoto lenses I would opt for optical stabilization.

Q: I saw your article last week about cars and iPods, and I have an iPod question, but a more common one. I want to get better sound out of my iPod's earphones but I am a college student and don't have a big budget. Can I get something worthwhile for $50 or less?

A: NuForce, known in audio circles for its high-end yet affordable electronics, has introduced some affordable earphones that have been getting raves everywhere. The $49 model includes a microphone so you can use them as a telephone headset with an iPhone. They aren't compatible with all iPods, so be careful. You can see them at www.nuforce-icon.com.

There also are some interesting new options from The Speaker Co., a division of D&M Holdings, the parent company of Denon, Marantz, McIntosh and other high-end brands. I and other reviewers (see www.audioholics.com) have been very impressed with what it has done in a short period of time.

It's well known that in high-end audio a lot of companies with perfectly good products come and go. What The Speaker Co. has done is take proven designs from such manufacturers, tweaked them and mass produced them to sell at prices that belie their sound quality and beautiful finish. For example, their top-of-the line inwall speakers are based on models from MB Quart, a defunct German manufacturer known for good sound. The Speaker Co.'s widely praised TSAT home theaters and TST tower speakers are tweaked designs from Sapphire, another late speaker manufacturer. Like their speakers, The Speaker Co.'s earphones and headphones appear to be designs originating from well-regarded manufacturers.

The Speaker Co. has small isolating earphones from $39.99 to $119.00, and active noise-canceling headphones for $69 and $79. At the time of this writing if you use coupon code HEADPHONE50 you get 50 percent off of any earphone or headphone purchase, making a good deal irresistible! (I bought the top noise-canceling ones myself for less than $40 with this deal.) If you are not satisfied, you can return them for a full refund, and that to me makes this an offer where you can't go wrong. See them at www.thespeakercompany.com.