[elk0019]

budget is 200 $ and noise blocking is a must but i really hate earbuds, i don't like sticking them in my ears

 

[elk0019]

someone?

 

[CENTRAL]

Having used the AKG K 330 for a year for rock/ metal I firmly recommend these. Fit is shallow so they are not intrusive or unpleasant.

The sound is out of the world for the money. They might not cost much, but i try hard to justify the money I spent on the Etymotics...

 

[Scott549]

If you want noise blocking, you have to either stick something in your ear or buy headphones with noise cancellation.

 

[elk0019]

but can earbuds actually be compared to headphones in terms of performance?

edit: they just don't look like they can even hope to compair to headphones...

 

[Scott549]

I found my Klipsch X5 to be as satisfying as a Grado SR-60. They do cost a lot more, though, and you have to stick something in your ear.

 

[Jeff Guidry]

I have similar requirements, but I don't have a problem with insertion. I recently lost my UE Super.fi 5's, and I am looking for something cheaper and less fiddly (they were a bit of a pain to insert and loop around the ear) that would give me a similar sound signature. I especially liked the solid bottom end for hard rock/heavy metal.

Any advice appreciated.