Anyone who has owned an iPod or other MP3 player knows the discomfort that can be caused by stock earbuds. In fact, fit is one of the chief reasons to replace those 'buds with something more worthy of your ears. In the realm of comfort, we've come across few pairs of in-ear headphones that hit the nail as squarely as Maximo's iMetal iM-590 Isolation Earphones. This $60 set may not sound as good as some competitors in its price range, but the superior noise isolation and ultra cushy fit make it a solid option for frequent fliers with a penchant for comfort in a compact design.

Ultimate Ears has been a familiar name to musicians and other audio professionals for a decade, but the company has gained quite a following with its consumer line as well. Earphones in its various lines range in affordability and scale nicely, from discerning listeners to audiophiles. At the bottom end, you have the MetroFi line, which has recently enjoyed a refresh in the form of the 220 and 170 earphones, the latter being the subject of this review.

Phiaton edged its way into the headphone market last year with its MS 400 Moderna Series headphones, an eye-catching set that brought solid sound quality and comfortable construction to the table. Now, with the considerably more portable PS 300 Noise Canceling headphones, the company continues its tradition of sleek design and plush comfort. These on-ear 'phones pack in a slew of travel-friendly accessories and, at $299, cost $50 less than the competition from Bose.

Shure has several models in its SE line of in-ear headphones, starting with the SE110s ($90 list) and moving all the way up to the SE530 ($500 list). Its newest model for 2009 is the SE115, which, at $120 list, is a step-up from the SE110 but still would be considered more of an entry-level model in the Shure line. The SE115s feature Shure's signature sound-isolating design and the Dynamic MicroSpeaker technology, which purports to offer a "warm, detailed audio listening experience." We're not sure we agree with the last part of that statement, but if there's one thing the SE115s do deliver, it's bass.

Anyone who has owned an iPod or other MP3 player knows the discomfort that can be caused by stock earbuds. In fact, fit is one of the chief reasons to replace those 'buds with something more worthy of your ears. In the realm of comfort, we've come across few pairs of in-ear headphones that hit the nail as squarely as Maximo's iMetal iM-590 Isolation Earphones.

As much as we like regular wired earbuds for listening to music, we would probably go for a stereo Bluetooth headset instead if it was an option. Not only does it free you from dealing with wires, but it's also easier to use in the gym or when running in the park. And thankfully, a lot of music phones come with stereo Bluetooth capabilities these days, and many stereo Bluetooth headsets also have call-handling capabilities.

Stereo Bluetooth headsets may not be as popular as their mono cousins, but ever since more cell phones have adopted stereo Bluetooth, they're sure to gain more attention. They're also a good choice for working out at the gym, since you'll have fewer wires that get in your way. The LG HBS-250 is one of a few stereo headsets LG has produced, and indeed we think it's a good option for when you're running on the treadmill or just running for the bus. It retails for a rather pricey $119.95, but you can get it online for closer to $70.

As an increasing number of mobile phones incorporate a music player into their features, more and more stereo Bluetooth headphones are unleashed onto the market. The audio quality offered is still not on par with wired models, but the headsets offer the advantage of cord-free listening. Still, size can be an issue for some: very few models offer an earbud-style design, and even then, there are often larger earpieces attached.

When the Jabra BT8010 arrived early this year at CES, we declared it one of the more innovative products we've seen thanks to its dual function as both a mono and a stereo Bluetooth headset--just add a secondary earpiece to convert from mono to stereo. While we loved the idea, we were rather disappointed with how big and heavy the earpieces were.

Samsung is no stranger to stereo Bluetooth headsets, with the SBH500 and the sporty SBH700 debuting a few years ago. But the SBH600, its most recent model, is possibly its best yet. The soft padded SBH600 is comfortable to wear and has excellent sound quality thanks to hi-fi audio fidelity and noise-reducing technology. Though it's not quite meant for sport activities because of its size, the SBH600 is an excellent headset if you care about fit and performance. The Samsung SBH600 retails for $149.99, but you can get it for around $100 online if you shop around.