Jasmine France,
Senior Associate Editor
May 20, 2009
OK, so maybe 100 bucks or less isn't cheap in the scheme of things, but when you take into consideration that some of the most highly rated, excellent-sounding in-ear headphones can cost more than $400 (or, if they're custom molded, close to a grand), a $75 pair suddenly doesn't seem so pricey. Plus, can you really put a price on great sound quality? Chances are, you're not getting it from the cheapo stock earbuds that most manufacturers include with their MP3 players. Taking that into account, we've rounded up a selection of great earbuds that cost less than $100. If you're looking for something even cheaper, check out our roundup of headphones for less than $50.
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| Product name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $95.99 to $99.99 | $69.99 to $79.99 | $62.99 to $64.06 | $94.98 to $104.54 | $52.95 to $69.99 |
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| Review date | May 19, 2009 | May 23, 2008 | December 05, 2008 | October 24, 2006 | February 23, 2006 | November 27, 2006 |
| The Bottom Line | The Klipsch Image S4 earphones offer up sound quality on par with and better than sets that cost many times as much; they are a spectacular choice for anyone looking for new earbuds. | The Philips SHE-9850 In-Ear Headphones are an excellent choice for style-conscious listeners who demand comfort and detailed audio response. | If you own a new iPod or iPhone 3GS, the Apple In-Ear headphones are a great value. Owners of older iPods and iPhones will have to decide whether the mic and remote compatibility issues are worth overlooking for the substantial boost in sound quality. | The Sony MDR-EX90LP earbuds sound as good as their $100 price tag suggests, but there's nothing particularly exciting about them. They're just good headphones with an understated design. | Ultimate Ears' no-frills Super.fi 3 Studio in-ear headphones deliver a clear, balanced audio response. This set should be your top choice in the $100 price range. | The V-moda Vibe headphones are a great option for style-conscious bass-addicts looking for some worthy portable headphones. |
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| Features | ||||||
| Headphones Form Factor | In-ear canalphone | In-ear ear-bud | In-ear ear-bud | In-ear canalphone | In-ear canalphone | Ear-bud |
| Sound Output Mode | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo |
| Connectivity Technology | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| Headphones Type | Headphone - Binaural | Headphones - Binaural | Headphones - Binaural | Headphones - Binaural | Headphones - Binaural | Headphones - Binaural |
| Product Type | Headphones - Wired | Headphones - Wired | Headset - Wired | Headphones - Wired | Headphones - Wired | Headphones - Wired |
| Product Description | Headphones | Philips SHE9850 - Headphones | Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic - Headset | Sony MDR EX90LP - Headphones | Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 Studio - Headphones | V-moda Vibe Headphones |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
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