Check out this page (http://www.macobserver.com/featurereview/2004/05/07.1.shtml) from The Mac Observer, which features a great article on the basics of in-ear headphones, including a great set of side-by-side capsule reviews of what's currently available, from the $15 low-end Koss Plugs to the $800 high-end UE-Hybrids (yes, adelsamson, there are buds you don't have - yet). ;)

I had the pleasure of trying out the Shure E5c today. Fantastic! A must for true audiophiles (of course, that means one would have to rip at high bit rates like AIFF or lossless). The down side of this dual driver micro speaker (that's what it is) is that one tends to notice all the imperfections of a song. From hisses to snap, crackle and pops. On the upside, you get to hear the instruments that you didn't hear before. Awesome! It got me dancing!

sir elbert, so do you think plugs like the E5C wouldn't be worthwhile if your collection isn't up to AIFF quality to fully appreciate it?