TDK's EB-400 earphones are some of the cheapest canalphones available, and they're a good upgrade from the standard earbuds of many MP3 players despite a few problems.

The GrooveStyle aren't the best sounding headphones by a long shot, but their stylish design means they are a slight upgrade on many of the standard ear buds packaged with portable music players.

Audiophiles won't be impressed, but if you're after a solid upgrade to your regular iPod headphones, then the GrooveAtomic is an ideal, low-cost choice.

TDK's EB-300 in-ear headphones aren't anything special but considering the price tag that is to be expected. They are a decent, cost effective alternative to your stock MP3 player earbuds.

If you're after a high quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones and can do without the TalkThrough feature found on Sennheiser's PXC450, then the cheaper PXC350 are a great alternative.

Offering the best noise cancelling out of any pair of headphones we've heard, Sennheiser's PXC450 offer a great choice for frequent travellers; just make sure you can charge the hefty cost back to your company.

A typically high quality product from Sennheiser, the PXC250 headphones offer a good alternative to products from Bose if you're looking for something a little cheaper. The audio quality is impressive although it doesn't quite beat what's produced by some top tier IEM manufacturers.

Creative's Aurvana in-ear headphones aren't the best headphones you'll ever hear, particularly if you listen to guitar driven tunes, but nonetheless they provide a comfortable and reasonable sounding alternative to your iPod ear buds.

If you're looking for a cheap but effective alternative to your stock MP3 player ear buds, then Sennheiser's MX series offers a lot of good choices. They don't provide the best quality audio around, but they are a noticeable improvement over default iPod ear buds.

The EB-500's design is ideal for sporting activities, but these headphones are let down by poor sound quality overall.

Philips' SHE9700 offers a good option for people looking to try their first IEM. While audiophiles won't be impressed, less discerning listeners will appreciate the small comfortable design and good quality audio.

If you're after a high end pair of IEMs, you will be hard pressed to find better than the Ultimate Ears Triple.Fis. Their sound signature is more detailed and less bass heavy than their main competitor, the Shure E500s, but they are every bit as impressive.