Apple's £54 In-Ear headphones are a necessary upgrade from the standard bundled headphones -- and quite reasonably priced too. They are worn in the inner ear, providing a sound-isolating experience that lets you focus on what's important: the mu

Great sound; stylish design; comfortable ear tips; a spare set of mesh caps; in-line microphone with an iPod remote control

The all-white design will show wear over time; iPhone users can't take advantage of the headphone's in-line volume control; owners of older iPods can't use the remote and microphone

If you own a new iPod, the Apple In-Ear headphones are great value. Owners of iPhones and older iPods will have to decide whether the mic and remote compatibility issues are worth overlooking for the substantial boost in sound quality

If you read our reviews, you'll know that as far as mid-range sound-isolating earphones go, we have a soft spot for the Klipsch Custom-3s. Well, now we have been introduced to the Sennheiser IE 7s, and boy are they giving the Klipsches a run for thei...

All-round decent performance; warm, powerful sound; rich bass; comfortable

Treble not as airy or sparkling as some other models

At this price point they're a strong alternative to the Klipsch Custom-3s, with an ever-so-slightly deeper bass, but equally impressive abilities with vocals and acoustic music -- they're generally attractive all-rounders

We loved the way the Sennheiser IE 8 sound-isolating earphones added warmth and depth to our broad music collection. With the added bonus of being able to manually adjust the bass, these earphones are more than worthy competitors to the Shure SE530s. Be p...

Stunning bass performance and overall sound quality; solid design

We've heard sweeter treble from other models

A blindingly impressive pair of earphones, and more than worthy competitors to the Shure SE530s. As long as you like deep bass, these earphones will bring out dance, drum 'n' bass, rap, rock, metal and pop with admirable skill

Entry-level earphones

Powerful sound; comfortable; very bassy

Bass can be too overpowering

The Denon AH-C252 earphones are very heavy on the bass and generally an extremely loud pair of earphones. If you prefer power, volume and bass over sonic accuracy and tonal balance, the AH-C252s may well please you

High-end, sound-isolating earphones

Performance with jazz, vocal, acoustic and folk music; extremely balanced, clear and detailed sound

Design and fit; high end lacks a certain brightness

Although not a pair of earphones we'd recommend to a user wanting extreme comfort, the Klipsch Custom-3 earphones are without question a pair we'd recommend for their sound quality -- balanced, powerful and bursting with detail

Semi-open headphones with quirky design

Functional design; excellent 3D sound; low price tag

Hair gets caught in the collapsible band; some people will dislike the '80s aesthetic

Koss hits a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there's no denying the sound quality here: they're the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home cinema enthusiasts

Over-the-ear earphones for the gym

Inexpensive; uniquely designed; understated style; detachable clip

Ear loops aren't adjustable; package doesn't include a case or any extras; some music sounds muffled

The Sony MDR-AS20J Active headphones are a suitable choice for MP3 player owners who simply want a more secure pair of earphones for the gym, but don't need better audio quality than that of stock earbuds

Mid-range earphones

General sound quality; warm tone; great comfort; good sound isolation; snug and secure; suitable for gym use

Lack of deep bass; less inspiring treble performance

An excellent all-rounder, with good detail, a balanced, warm sound and superb comfort and fit. Deeper bass and brighter treble exists in competing models, but for almost all genres of music and in most listening environments, the SHE9850s will impress and...

Lightweight headphones for jogging and the gym

Lightweight, understated design; stay in place during activity; extras are handy

Won't be comfortable for all users; don't fold down for compact storage; sound quality suffers if you can't get a proper seal with the ear

If you're looking for a lightweight, headband-style headphone for the gym, the Sony MDR-AS100W Active Headphones fit the bill, but comfort could be an issue for some users

High-end closed-back headphones

Sound quality; comfort; design; sonically balanced; terrific detail

Mid-range lacks warmth

In the £200-300 price bracket, Denon's AH-D2000s are truly outstanding. Masses of detail and a sonically neutral, balanced sound make these superb reference cans