I had a pair of Sony MDR's ($30 ones) and my friend said try my monster beats ($300 one). I thought they sounded amazing. I was going to grab a pair and my local future shop but, i thought i should do some research first. I was looking for a store that i can test headphones before buying them and i found bay bloor radio and they had the beats as well. I went there tried the beats and i was pretty much sold but, i looked at the wall of headphones and none of the designs intrigued me except one. The Denon AH-D1100's and they were $159.99.So i got on my phone did a little research and i didn't get any reviews on it because, at the time it was a new release.The design and price was good but,what about sound. So i put it on listened to my dubstep, hip hop and techno music and i was like "Damm this sounds sick!" The bass was great and not only that it was clear!!! and they were sooo confortable. So i bought those Denon's instantly and a year later still happy with my purchase and i am glad i saved $140!!!! So in conclusion i saved money and got great QUALITY headphones by taking my time, doing research and trying them on.
On a side note:
I wish the good headphone companies could come out with an active style in ear headphone. I know sienhiser did with the addidas but, they aren't practical. I currently have my Bose MIE2's and they are great for activities and sound decent but, they have no sound isolation . Monster came out the the iSport that is fully waterproof and the design looks to be great for activities and they are inear so i know they will isolate. I am going to return my MIE2's and try these out. I will update and let you know how these work out.
added: review for iSport:
http://reviews.audioreview.com/monster-isport-immersion-earphones-review/3
He was convinced that they were amazing, and then I told him about the other brands that he could choose from that were half the cost. 
