All earbuds will sound crap (maybe the ones costing over $200 sound better), even the cheapest on ear headphone sounds better.
btw google earbuds and ear infection.
If by "buds" you mean the typical cheap hard hunks of plastic like what come for free with most phones, then I absolutely agree. If you are including canalphones and IEMs that have soft tips to get a good seal, then I completely disagree. The majority of portable, on-ear headphones are uncomfortable and sound bad. I'll take a good pair of $50 IEMs over any of the $50 on-ear headphones on the market. In fact, I would probably take the MEE M6 (under $20) over any of those same $50 on-ears.
OK, I always feel sorry for parents at Xmas, so I'll give it a try. Please note that I have NOT heard any of these and I have no idea just how badly they suck.
MEElectronics RX12P: http://www.amazon.com/MEElectronics-In-Ear-Headphones-Inline-Microphone/dp/B00F1CLEZM/ref=sr_1_25?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1418001103&sr=1-25
Monoprice: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082709&p_id=10154&seq=1&format=2
Another Monoprice: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082709&p_id=11616&seq=1&format=2
JVC Marshmallow: http://www.amazon.com/JVC-HAFX32A-Marshmallow-Earbuds-Green/dp/B00F5HFCD8/ref=sr_1_5?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418001686&sr=1-5&keywords=Marshmallow
Many years ago I used a previous version of the JVC Marshmallow for a short time. I found them too dark - the treble was very recessed. I have no idea what the latest versions sound like.
BTW, the #1 reason why in-ear headphones break is that the owner takes them out of their ears by pulling on the wire. The #2 way that they break is by winding them around your phone and stuffing them in your pocket. The #3 way is that you step on them or sit on them in your car.
