Philips' SHE9850 headphones are another strong entry into the mid-range IEM space. Their bass could be a little punchier and more controlled, but for the price these IEMs offer a clear, smooth and well-balanced sound.

Sony’s MDRAS100W headphones are marketed as 'Sports Active', but we found them too uncomfortable to wear for anything more than short bursts. Sound quality is good and they block out a lot of background noise, but make sure you try them on before committing to a pair.

The Black Cube Linear is a great product. It's a great addition to your home audio setup if you have expensive headphones that require amplification. Even if you don't, the Black Cube Linear will provide a noticeable boost in sound quality for cheaper headphones.

Creative’s EP-830 in-ear headphones are a great option if you need decent sound quality as well as noise isolation. The headphone cable can cause a bit of discomfort if it's not secured, but these are decent quality in-ear buds.

An attractive pair of entry-level IEMs, the Philips SHE9800 headphones won't blow away audio enthusiasts, but their sound is relatively well balanced and the wide sound stage is excellent.

These headphones are fantastic for listening to high-quality audio. They're balanced, even, and reproduce all frequencies admirably. Their only stumbling point is that they're too good at exposing the inadequacies of compressed MP3s and poor recordings.

AKG's K701 headphones are some of the best on the market. They aren't as bass-heavy as some of their competition but the low-range notes are still impressive and when combined with the detailed mid-range and sweet highs, you get a fantastic, smooth audio experience.

Creative's HN-605 headphones are a low cost entry into the noise-cancelling headphone market. They don't do anything extraordinary and users looking for top quality audio will be disappointed, but aside from that they do a reasonable job.