'Tis the Season

Think of selecting an MP3 player like picking a vacation spot, and choosing an iPod is the equivalent of going to Cancun. They've got sun and surf…but surely there's more to the world than the iEverything popularity implies. To whit, we endorse the new Creative Zen. This flash-based player has a 2.5-inch LCD screen with stunning clarity for video and photo playback and an intuitive interface—much like its lead competitor. But the Zen also boasts an FM radio, SD card expansion to access added media files, and an internal microphone to let you capture field recordings of that Zulu tribal chant. The credit card-sized player weighs a feathery 2.1 ounces, offers plug-and-play simplicity similar to a flash drive, and can read all types of audio and video files, including support for unprotected iTunes files. Little touches like custom-selecting a background image and assigning your own shortcut key, plus travel-friendly includes such as an alarm clock, flesh out the myriad additional features. But perhaps superior audio quality, 16 gigs of storage space, and 25-hour battery life for audio are reasons enough to think beyond the expected. The only disappointment? Interacting with the SD card stops all other player functions, so if you want to use the Zen to browse your photos while flying back home, you won't be able to listen to music unless you install the images onto the Zen itself. A minor quibble, and one likely remedied in future iterations of the player. ($250; www.creative.com)

Your player, of course, will only sound as good as the speakers you use. So, consider ditching the factory-issue models and upgrading to Shure's SE110s. These in-ear noise-reducing headphones come with a wide variety of ear pads that vary in both size and style (rubberized or foam), offering a welcome range of comfort. Some will have to adjust to the feeling of in-ear speakers rather than your typical ear buds, and wrapping the wires over the ears rather than just letting them dangle takes some getting used to. But once you hear your favorite song, or even the sound effects on some sub-par in-flight movie, you'll be converted. The sound quality is nonpareil, clear and subtle, vivid and detailed. Better still, unlike most noise-cancelling head phones, these won't cost more than your MP3 player. ($120; www.shure.com)

To keep both player, headphones, and various cables and accessories organized, turn to Waterfield. This San Fran-based company has been diligently producing some of the most stylish electronic bags on the market. For the kit above, opt for the iPod suede jacket ($9) to wrap the Zen in a soft-to-the-touch protective sheath and the iPod travel case ($35 for the small) to carry the player and its sundry cables in one stylish, fully padded bag. (www.sfbags.com)