Altec Lansing Backbeat Titanium

Pros: Bass is smooth and blends nicely, even if it may be exagerated.

Cons: Smallest ear plugs are still considerably large/causes pressure, Instruments like symbols can sound piercing, one extra plug in my fit pack has a slice through it.

Summary: The only stores that had stock of the Altec Backbeat 326 sold them for $79.99. I bought them direct for the same price from Canada and after a few days of back-orders, it shipped on time. For $79.99, I took cnet's word for not having a problem in recommending them. For this price, sound quality and comfort has to be very decent. In comparing to my stock headphones from an old Samsung Yepp Audio player, and my Panasonic RP-HG 20 headband phones, these are quite different. Yes the bass here is more present, they make the seal easily in the ear-canal. I can't put my finger on what it is, but some tracks sound artificial on the Backbeat 326. The symbol based beat in "Rihanna's - Umbrella" sounds smeared compared to the above mentioned headphones. I notice that turning up the volume to anything higher than normal makes vocals and sharp sounding drums sound piercing. If you can grab these In-ear 'phones for the lowest price ($40), then they are worth it. I feel that a higher price is not worth the money due to the sound reproduction of music.