Best non-canal earphone under $100?

[wtobiasjr]

Apologies in advance if this question is dumb, but I've spent the past few days searching the forum and I couldn't find an answer.

I bought a pair of Sony MDR EX-71 earphones a few years ago to replace the original earbuds that came with my iPod back in 2004. While the sound was okay, I found these canal-style earphones to be very uncomfortable. My ears would start to hurt after about an hour of listening. In contrast, I loved the comfort of my original Apple earbuds. With the black foams attached, they were comfortable and fit snugly for whatever I was doing, whether it was jogging or falling asleep.

So...I'm looking for a recommendation for earphones that fits like Apple's original earbuds (that is, an earphone that sits in the ear but which you don't have to insert into your ear canal). Ideally, I'd like one with better sound and quality than Apple's earbuds. My original Apple earbuds developed an irritating buzz-like vibration in the left earphone after about a year of use. I guess I blew it out playing music too loud or something, but I would have expected it to last more than a year.

Anyway, I'd love to know if a good, affordable non-canal earphone exists. Any recommendations would be sincerely appreciated. Thanks!

[kinex]

I recently purchased a pair of Bose in-ear earphones and they're stunning. They actually have bass and brilliant clarity. The thing about them is that they're sort of a hybrid between in-ear and out of ear, and they're amazingly comfortable - I forget they're there after I've had them on a few minutes. I got them for $100 and I don't think you'll find them for any less, but I am definitely impressed.

[captainnewbie]

the Yuin earphones are supposidly the best in the industry.

http://www.head-direct.com/products.php?m=5

[wtobiasjr]

Thanks for the recommendations. Based on the comments here and at head-fi.org, it looks like Yuin is probably the way to go for a non-canal earphone. I wish they made a version in iPod white, but if the sound quality, comfort and durability are as high as has been reported, I think I'm sold.

Does anybody have any thoughts about the relative value of the PK2 ($79) versus the PK3 ($49)? Any substantial differences I should be aware of? I think the PK1 is out of my price range and, besides, I don't have or want to use an amp...

[kraftyd]

go grado. hands down. buy the sr-60's if you want cans that make many more well-known alternatives look like a joke that are twice the price. if youve already bought a set of alternatives, some have high resale value you can get up to 50 bucks and get more satisfying headphones to boot.

[kraftyd]

go grado. hands down. buy the sr-60's if you want cans that make many more well-known alternatives look like a joke that are twice the price. if youve already bought a set of alternatives, some have high resale value you can get up to 50 bucks and get more satisfying headphones to boot.
Oops i misread the thread title. My apologies.

[Failed Engineer]

go grado. hands down. buy the sr-60's if you want cans that make many more well-known alternatives look like a joke that are twice the price. if youve already bought a set of alternatives, some have high resale value you can get up to 50 bucks and get more satisfying headphones to boot.

It's funny about your reply, because the SR-60 are great headphones, and the PK2 is basically a SR60 earbud sonically. Certain things do not come over, most notably the soundstage of the Grado, but as close as you can possibly get with the limitation of the earbud design.

I recommend them wholeheartedly.

As far as the differences between the PK3 and PK2, it depends on what type of bass you like. The PK2 is not weak by any means, and it is very tight, but the PK3 gives a little more "oomph" in the department. The mids on the PK2 are quite a bit better and very-Grado like. I'm not necessarily a big bass guy so the all around higher sonic quality of the PK2 appealed to me. But there are those (and quite a few) that prefer the PK3 thanks to the extended bass.

I don't think you can go wrong between the two. The decision comes down to preference and budget.