I have bought several sets of cheap-o ($15-$30)earbuds and have been disapointed with all of them.
I finally bit the bullet and purchased the earbuds that live music performers wear. They are noise isolating (26dB) and have great sound. Also I could look at and listen to them before I purchased them. They brand I purchased was M-Audio model IE-10 and cost $100. I found them a my local Guitar Center. They had several different models and more expensive ones to choose from.
If I had bought these to begin with, I would of saved money.
Mark

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We can put a man on the moon, but concrete and asphalt cannot be made to meet evenly.

IMHO you'll never beat custom moulded ear plugs with built-in monitors. Because they're moulded to your ear shape you really don't know they're there when wearing them.

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H
'02 Tiger955i in black.