EggXpert

Here is some info first:

 -Budget is $150

-I will use these for 100% music for my Zune

-I listen to about 50% metal (All That Remains, Trivium, etc.) and 50% Trance/Techno (Daft Punk, Pendulum, etc.)

At the moment, I own a pair of JVC Marshmellow canalphones, which provide pretty good quality and such for its price (which I believe was $30). I want to purchase a new pair since the right bud's piece seems to be tearing apart and they have fell in the mud twice. I prefer these canals to provide a pretty good amount of bass and REALLY good noise isolation. I live in a generally noisy, annoying, area so I want to block out all that stuff when I'm relaxing before I sleep with these headphones. I have been looking at a few companies, and have seen a company called Shure (looked at the 110s/210s), and Ultimate Ear, and Superfi.

 So, I know that NewEgg doesn't have any Shures or Superfi's, but I would rather purchase these headphones at a local Best Buy or something. So can someone please give me some suggestions. Thanks guys.

Give SENNHEISER a look and a listen if you can. I purchased a $150 pair on sale for like $99.

I wouldn't have anything else anymore !! Love 'em !. When you can feel bass in them you know

they are good.

Are you looking for accuracy (Ultimate Ears/Shure*/Etymotics)? or something you can listen to for relaxation/fun (Sennheiser/Bose)?

Accurate headphones often requires an amplifier as well as a high quality audiosource (>128kbps) to show their potential and prevent noise (they are super sensitive to audio noise). People describe accurate headphones as sounding "colder". Fun headphones are more lenient in terms of audio source quality and often times offer more bass with a sonic signature similar to full size headphones.

*Shure headphones tend to be sort of a middle ground between "fun" and accuracy leaning closer to the accuracy side.

Personally, I have the Sennheiser CX500. They have amazing bass for something the length of your thumbnail and can be had for very cheap on Newegg. If you buy it from other e-tailers, watch out for counterfeits.

Keep in mind that if you have never used in-ear headphones before, they will feel very wierd the first few weeks. Also, there is very little "3d audio positioning" and it sounds as if its coming from the center of your head and not the headphones.

I would personally recommend that you head over to CNET and check out their reviews, they have always been accurate in my experiences. Or check out V-moda Vibes (http://www.v-moda.com/collection/modaphones/vibe.aspx) they run about $80 and have excellent bass response, although it may be too much for some people. I gave them a test run and being an AV tech and musician I was very impressed, the sound is very dark and warm. To avoid post-mortem pumeling of a horse, ItchyPillow is correct about "accuracy" sets though they are cold in my experience and I personally enjoy the warmer feel of "fun/relaxation" sets but that is my opinion. Kind of a backwards idea coming from an audiophile looking back but still the V-moda's rock some serious face. Also try the Philips SHE-9850 In-Ear Headphones, they run around the same price bracket as the V-moda's but they lack the same bass response that the V-moda's have (described as "mushy" by CNET). If you have more questions go ahead and PM me or respond or whatever, good hunting.

 

Cygnus_Omega

I have a pair of Sharp HP-MD33 canalphones, got them at audiocubes.com. They sound brilliant. Powerful but not overpowering bass, full meds, clear and unrestrained highs. The Sennheiser CX-500 and the Creative EP-630 are rebranded version of these great ear-phones, however I've tried the Creatives and somehow they don't sound the same as the original Sharp earphones. They are originally designed for mini-discs but can be used on any device that has a 3.5mm jack. I've heard that the Denon AH-C351 are very similar in quality as well. I try to avoid Skullcandy earphones because I've heard they are very bass heavy. I've also owned Sony Fontopias before, but I am very satified with the Sharps, and they aren't that expensive either, around 50 shipped straight from Japan! I don't know if you can still get them at audiocubes though, if you can't then I'd suggest a pair of Denons from them.