My final mini-roundup review takes a cursory look at some of the best IEMs for $200 and above. Part 1 features items under $100, while Part 2 outlines a few between $100-$200. None of these articles is meant to be exhaustive, as I have left out some notable brands. Also, I have excluded plenty of good portable headphones from companies like Audio-Technica because they are not IEMs and do not isolate from outside noise. For listeners on the go, I highly recommend an IEM over conventional headphones that do not provide passive isolation. You may have noticed that BOSE has been left off my lists. Suffice it to say that I am in agreement with 98% of the audiophile world that BOSE is not hi-fi and is generally very overpriced. More »

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Part two of my round-up review features what I deem to be among the best IEMs at under $200. Before the list starts, I have to caution consumers about the potential dangers of IEMs. Be extremely careful when crossing the street while wearing these, and never under any circumstance should you use an IEM on a bike, driving a car, near dangerous machinery, or on a hazardous work-site like a construction area. More »

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So most of you probably own at least one iPod, Zune, or other MP3/PMP player. These devices usually cost several hundred dollars and apparently based on the iPod’s monumental success, millions of people are happy to pay for them. When it comes to the most crucial part of the sound reproduction chain, the earbuds, few people actually invest in a good pair. Aside from sound quality benefits, I contend that there is also an invaluable reason for buying some good in-ear-monitors: they can save your hearing. More »

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A recent European study has shown that people who listen frequently to music from their mobile players are at serious risk of permanent hearing loss. The situation is so dire that the European Commission is now suggesting that all MP3 music players have volume limits with an 85db maximum output. Research reveals that in some cases, people are cranking their music up to 120db, which is akin to hearing an airplane take off! More »

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