A lot of the helmets on the market nowadays are pretty much identical in safety measures. So one brand isn't going to necessarily protect you more than any other.
I have had the best luck with Giro and Smith. Here's why:
-Venting: both brands have been great at managing airflow, keeping me cool during a bootpack, and toasty when the winds whip the chairlifts. I'd suggest looking at one with adjustable/closeable vents.
-Adjustable: both brands have basically the same type of micro-adjustment to snug up the helmet. Maybe this comes from having mtn biked a lot, but I prefer this method over some of the other padding systems. (The technology is nearly identical.)
-Comfort: they just are. But everyone's head is different, try on a bunch to see which one feels the snuggest and most well-conformed to your head.
As for headphones... both brands above have headphone compatible models and work great from what I hear. I don't personally use them, for whatever reason I've always found music distracting when I'm skiing, but that's just me.
Some other brands to check out would probably be Bern, Red, Pro-Tec.
A lot of helmets out there aren't sold with audio systems, BUT DO HAVE compatible systems from brands like Skullcandy, that are made to fit perfectly in with your helmet. For instance, I have a Smith Variant Brim and could get an audio system for it.
As a side not, do you not like using earbuds under a helmet OP?
