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Best earbuds for less than $100

Jasmine France Jasmine France, Senior Associate Editor December 8, 2008

OK, so maybe 100 bucks or less isn't cheap in the scheme of things, but when you take into consideration that some of the most highly rated, excellent-sounding in-ear headphones can cost more than $400 (or, if they're custom molded, close to a grand), a $75 pair suddenly doesn't seem so pricey. Plus, can you really put a price on great sound quality? Chances are, you're not getting it from the cheapo stock earbuds that most manufacturers include with their MP3 players. Taking that into account, we've rounded up a selection of great earbuds that cost less than $100. If you're looking for something even cheaper, check out our roundup of headphones for less than $50.

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Product name
Apple In-Ear headphones
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Apple In-Ear headphones

Price $79.00 $86.64 $99.00 to $106.24 $64.99 to $99.99 $78.00 to $94.08 $69.94 to $79.99
CNET editors' rating
Average user rating
Review date December 05, 2008 May 23, 2008 July 10, 2003 October 24, 2006 February 23, 2006 November 27, 2006
The Bottom Line If you own a new iPod, the Apple In-Ear headphones are a 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. The Philips SHE-9850 In-Ear Headphones are an excellent choice for style-conscious listeners who demand comfort and detailed audio response. These small, cone-shaped earbuds offer excellent isolation and pro sound quality. The Sony MDR-EX90LP earbuds sound as good as their $100 price tag suggests, but there's nothing particularly exciting about them. They're just good headphones with an understated design. Ultimate Ears' no-frills Super.fi 3 Studio in-ear headphones deliver a clear, balanced audio response. This set should be your top choice in the $100 price range. The V-moda Vibe headphones are a great option for style-conscious bass-addicts looking for some worthy portable headphones.
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Features
Response Bandwidth 5 - 21000 Hz
20 - 20000 Hz
Info unavailable 5 - 25000 Hz
Info unavailable 12 - 22000 Hz
Headphones Form Factor In-ear ear-bud
In-ear ear-bud
In-ear canalphone
In-ear canalphone
In-ear canalphone
Ear-bud
Sound Output Mode Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Stereo
Color Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Black
Black
Gunmetal black
Microphone Operation Mode Mono
Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable Info unavailable
Connectivity Technology Wired
Wired
Wired
Wired
Wired
Wired
Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
Headphones - Binaural
Headphones - Binaural
Headphones - Binaural
Headphones - Binaural
Headphones - Binaural
Product Type Headset - Wired
Headphones - Wired
Headphones - Wired
Headphones - Wired
Headphones - Wired
Headphones - Wired
Recommended Use Digital player
Portable audio system
Info unavailable Portable audio system
Info unavailable Info unavailable
Product Description Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic - Headset
Philips SHE9850 - Headphones
Shure E2c - Headphones
Sony MDR EX90LP - Headphones
Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 Studio - Headphones
V-moda Vibe Headphones
Manufacturer Warranty Info unavailable Info unavailable 2 years warranty
Info unavailable Info unavailable 1 year warranty
Remote Control Info unavailable None
None
Info unavailable Info unavailable None
Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications
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