Best In-Ears (iPod replacements) in the $100 USD Range?

**DonH50** · 08-07-2012, 01:18 PM

Per the title, my son has gone through another pair of cheapie earbuds. I am thinking of getting him something that is hopefully more durable and with better sound, for less than a fortune. If they are under $50 that's great, and I could stretch to maybe $120 or so. Suggestions? I know little about earbuds and figured I might as well ask here first.

Thanks! - Don

**lloydelee21** · 08-07-2012, 02:56 PM

Hi Don...i think it is either avguide.com or tonepublications.com that has a 2012 review of headphones including in-ear. I think it is avguide.com

**lloydelee21** · 08-07-2012, 02:57 PM

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/news/mar..._mikros_70.htm

Martin Logan introduces in-ear as well. higher than the stated budget...$149.

**Ron Party** · 08-07-2012, 03:21 PM

Hi Don. You may find some useful info in this thread.

**DonH50** · 08-07-2012, 05:48 PM

Thanks very much guys, gives me some places to start!

Ron -- I figured there was already a thread but did not see one in this subforum; did not think to explore elsewhere (duh!)

**Keith_W** · 08-07-2012, 06:14 PM

Don, with any in-ear 'phones the most common point of failure is the joint between the cable and the phone. This happens because people wrap their cable around their music devices and then put it in their bags. The bulbous phones then exert traction over the cable, eventually causing the joint to fail. It is after all held on by a tiny drop of solder! Some 'phones have detachable cables that eliminate this problem. I am not aware of any in the sub $100 range, but I haven't looked in the market for a long time. I have a pair of Ultimate Ears (now Logitech) Triple-Fi 10 Pro's which not only sound great, but have detachable cable and replaceable ear foams - but this is quite a bit more than $100.

**Asamel** · 08-07-2012, 07:55 PM

Grado has some nice in ear phones.

**rblnr** · 08-07-2012, 09:02 PM

Etymotic makes good stuff in that range -- very clean sounding.

**cjfrbw** · 08-16-2012, 12:42 PM

Had a pair of Altec Lansing UHP336 for a year and an half before they broke, $48 at Amazon, very good sound but hard to get good seal, used for gym, so $3 per month was OK for that use.

Ordered a pair of Etymotic HP5, $99 at Amazon, which have a good reputation for sound, decent for durability. Ultra Ears models have good sound reputation, but poor build and durability reputation.

I only buy them expecting them to last for a year or two with portable and gym use, if they go longer, good.

**DonH50** · 08-16-2012, 12:52 PM

I picked up the Altec Lansings and set of Comply foam earpieces. That seemed to be the optimum trade of performance, isolation, and comfort according to the reviews I read. My boy has them now but I have not asked what he thinks (just got them Tuesday and I have been swamped at work and way tired at home).