These are not high-end headphones with big drivers and fluffy cushions; the Vibrato are earbuds, but they offer a greatly improved performance and fit over the garden variety earbud. For the size and fit they provide good sound reproduction, a handy phone function and a low profile look. If you like using ear buds, these are a very good option.

At Appletell, we’ve suggested numerous times that you upgrade beyond the horrible headphones that came with your iDevice. Trouble is, we’re often recommending headphones that cost $200 and up. That’s not always a viable option, so I was happy to discover you can get the audio improvement you need out of SOL Republic’s $100 Tracks headphones without sacrificing the functionality of iDevice control.

WIth a half in-ear, half earbud style, the PS 20s look like no other earbuds or in-ear canal (IEC) earphones. Earbuds traditionally offer more accurate high and mid range reproduction due to their positioning and open design, while IECs offer more driving bass by channeling all the sound straight into the eardrum. The PS 20s, Phiaton’s lightweight and budget friendly model, offer excellently balanced sound reproduction and rich, but not overwhelming, bass.

Jack Cotter over at our sister (cousin?) site E-Gear had the opportunity to try out Audio-Technica’s ATH-WS55 Solid Bass Headphones, and he offers pretty much the same advice we do whenever we try out a solid set of cans… “If you are still using earbuds, and miss the sound of the bass, treat yourself to these Audio-Technica Solid Bass Headphones.”

Despite being optimized to deliver “thumping bass,” Fanny Wang’s on-ear headphones still manage to deliver a well balanced and enjoyable listening experience, even if club dance beats are not your primary taste in music. WIth a (disputed) unmistakable design and some genuinely thoughtful extras, these cans are a competitive entrant into the sub-$200 headphone range. A few minor drawbacks, however, may keep them from being a clear choice for all listeners.

Signeo USA is about ready to kick off the SOUL by Ludacris brand with an initial 5-model line-up of high definition headphones that offer “… the elite sound caliber of a professional headphone with a distinct flair for self expression and style.” Driven Ludacris’ vision, and supported by an award-winning design team, the line dons a sleek form factor and presents an array of eye-catching colors and uniquely designed styles.

If you’re a regular reader of Appletell, you know we’re fans of Moshi products. Their iDevice accessories almost always land amongst our favorites, and their Mac accessories have been outstanding complements to Apple’s melding of form and functionality. Moshi has now jumped into the audio arena with their Vortex in ear headphones with iPhone mic. The result is a decent listening experience for the price, but with plenty of room to improve.

Now that I’m not stuck with tape hiss from the Walkman or 128 kbps MP3 files, audio reproduction has become more important. Now that I’m wearing them for longer periods of time, comfort has become more important. Now that my portable audio player of choice does more than just play audio, functionality has become more important. And when it comes to adequately handling all three, the Sennheiser HD 238i headphones are amongst the best I’ve used.

The sub-$100 market for headphones is saturated with mediocre-to-poor performers, as audiophiles are usually looking to spend more and neophytes are often won over by slick design rather than acoustic performance. This makes the Denon AH-D510R headphones a breath of fresh air for anybody who needs cans that are big on high-quality sound and easy on the wallet.

EarPollution’s Comfort Series of headphones reminds me somewhat of the SkullCandy brand. Their aim is to be hip and to provide great audio quality at the same time. In terms of those two goals, I’d say the CS40 headphones do the trick. However, these headphones also focus on something that others might not: comfort. When EarPollution throws the words “comfort series” into this product line, they really mean it.