Last minute tech gifts 2010: Astro A*Star Ear Buds

Note: As the holidays reach fever pitch, Technotainment will be offering some last minute gadget gift suggestions this week. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our more complete gift guide that ran in the paper right around Thanksgiving for several other ideas for the tech hound on your list. Happy holidays to all.

Astro A*Star Ear Buds – Astro has already made one great product for audiophiles this year – the A30 headset. But as portability becomes the watchword in so many forms of entertainment, the company has pivoted and added Ear Buds to its product line.

At $80, the A*Star buds aren’t cheap – but they’re less than several competing brands. And, like the A30s, they provide a high quality sound experience with a heavy bass and nuanced range. No matter how loud I cranked up the volume there was no distortion.

Built with gamers in mind, they can be used with consoles or PCs, but they’re also real handy for iPhone players thanks to a dedicated call button built into the microphone.

While they don’t move Ear Buds into a new direction, the A*Stars are well made and, thanks to a flat cable instead of the usual rounded one, tangle-resistant. That’s something your recipient will love he or she has a habit of shoving their ear buds in a bag.

One hurdle: You can only currently buy Astro products through the company’s Website, so order these now for any chance to get them in before Christmas.