i've been using the s4's for a while now and they are 100 times better when used with Comply Tx-100 foam tips. the foam tips provide better isolation and bass as well as a more secure fit. i got the medium size tips and they fit great. do yourself a favor and invest in these foam tips. you can thank me later.

I used to have the Bose buds, loved them, put my own earpieces on them, lasted me two years. The next pair I bought were the Grado Lab igi's. So far they are fantastic, crisp sound with good balance.

I researched headphones for weeks trying to find the best pair for my money. From my research I came to the conclusion that anything with one driver then becomes based on comfortability and preference. For ex, some headphones are made to respond to bass better, and are better for exercising, etc. But overall, they are are very similar in the $100 price range.

It came down to the Grado Lab igi's, the s4's, and the Shure 215's. I decided to go with the Grados just cause it seemed like a good brand overall.

My next step is to get pair with multiple drivers in it....Shure's or Westone's or Audeo's......I heard once you try these you really can't use anything else...better be that way for $500+ lol

After a very careful research for 2 weeks, it was between the JVC FDX80, Rock-it R-50, and Shure SE215.. I went with the 215's ltd. edition. So far, really dig them but itching to really put them to the test- I'm in the 'burn-in' process. After tom, I'll get a real feel for them but excited already as is. At first, I hated the over the ear & behind cord but after the first day got used to them and actually prefer it that way...they never fall out, which was always an issue with my last pair. The cord is detachable so that should make it easy in case I need to replace them.

Seriously, those 535's or Westone 3's must be something crazy worth all that $$$.

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I go through earbuds pretty fast. I had a pair of Bose earbuds, and they lasted just over a year, so the warranty was up. The Bose earbuds sounded fairly decent as far as depth, but the bass wasn't great, and they didn't cancel noise at all. I still haven't found a pair of earbuds that can last as long as a couple years. I won't spend very much money on earbuds any more. I'd like to invest in a good pair of over the ear headphones while I'm working or whatever on a computer. I sometimes where earbuds in bed because I am a light sleeper, and music drowns out background noise. I have had a pair of skull candy headphones I use for those occasions or just for packing around. The skull candy earbuds aren't the greatest, but surprisingly they've lasted longer than many other pairs I've owned.

Gotta agree with the Klipschs in the earbud category. They are comparatively inexpensive and they offer great sound. Had a pair myself until the cord got caught on my chair and and my foot snagged the earbud