V-Moda Vibe In-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone (Gunmetal Black)

Pros: Noticeable bass thump, but not overpowering; vibrant high notes; nice wire wrapper; comfortable in ears

Cons: Build of wire not as sturdy-looking as some

Summary: I got the highly-acclaimed Shure E3C's as an upgrade to my iPod Nano earbuds. A mistake: I found little difference in sound; in fact, the Apple earbuds seemed like they had better bass. So I continued the search for earbuds that were more comfortable with better sound. I think I've found them with the v-moda vibe. They come with different sleeves to optimize fit. I don't see much sound isolation like the Shure's, but it reduces ambient noise a little by blocking it. The major difference is the v-moda's have a deep, rich bass without giving a headache, while adding brightness to the treble, just enough to bring out the sounds of such things as tambourines, making them seem more lifelike. I haven't worn these for many hours at a time yet, but so far they seem comfortable. The wires are light enough they don't need to be draped over the ears or anything, but they're thinner than the Shures, which could make them more susceptible to wear. No problems so far. Would recommend them to those who want a full sound experience. I listen to everything from rock to blues to country and jazz, and they all sound great. It comes with a nice flexible wire wrapper to help prevent wire knots, which are easy to get with earbuds.

Note: if you buy these straight from v-moda, they give you a trial period where, if you don't like them, you can return them, free of charge.