ISO Best In-Ear Reference Phones

I picked up a pair of the over-priced M-Audio IE-10 Earphones and I must say.... they sound like utter crap. I swear everything >300hz is rolled off so I might as well be referencing through a telephone.

I see they sell the IE-20 and IE-30 for more bass response but they come with an even more ridiculous price tag.

Anyone else using In-Ear phones that don't sound like shit? I'm tempted to pick up some 30$ ipod phones or some sony type.

I use these at work, so I can't really be wearing my k271's up in here.

Pssh... I wear my k271's at work...

Anyways you might want to glance at this site: http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-headphon...r-monitor-type/

They got a good list at the bottom with ratings, reviews, and prices.

I use these etymotic ones http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er4.aspx (the ER.4S) you can get them for less than 200 (like $180) if you look around a bit. The ER.4P are better if you want to use them anywhere because they need less power and are almost as accurate. You just need to remember that changing the filters often enough is really important, because they sound "like 10X better" if they have a new filter in them rather than one that is a couple of months used, like WAY better. Anyways, I still love using them, you feel more "in" the sound rather than having a speaker and air between you and the sound, and they block out almost everything else. They are also very durable, I've dropped mine in a cup of water and they dried out and continued working again. I actually left it in the cup of water overnight even on accident. They have amazing high frequencies. Low frequencies are not so good (because they are in-ears, remember to get a good seal) but you can still "hear" all of the bass just doesn't rumble your head or anything, you need a decent amp to get good bass I think.

Can headphones ever be used successfully in place of monitors?

nobody is going to believe this, but ive never been a fan of earbud headphones before until i bought my hand held xm radio by pioneer.

they came with some pioneer in ear headphones that sound FUCKING AMAZING. i was blown away by how good the bass was, it was better than any headphone i had previously owned including some high end sonys, and Akgs. I think it has something to do with the way it creates an air tight seal. Old ear bud headphones did nothing as far as sealing up the air in your ears, but these new kinds are like a mixture of earplugs and headphones. i just cant get over how great they sound. I dont mix with them at all because they are probably inaccurate as hell but just for pleasurable listening and bass they are fantastic.

acid1's post just clarified that what im talking about are called 'ear canal' headphones not ear bud.