Every time I see someone listening to an iPod with its original white earphones, I can't help thinking, 'That's someone in serious need of an upgrade.'
You're just not getting the full sound your iPod is capable of when using cheap headphones. And in a city where people judge you by your watch and your mobile phone, can you risk going out in public wearing anything but the best earphones available?
When you live in a place like Hong Kong and travel a lot, odds are you want to shut out peripheral noise. If that's the case then sound-isolating earphones, which fit into your ear canal, are the way to go.
I never thought I'd be comfortable shoving something so far into my ears but now I'm used to them, I can't go back to regular earphones.
Shure shot
The flagship product of Shure's Sound Isolating Earphone line has recently had its name changed from E500PTH. The tiny SE530PTH earphones (above right) have three drivers - one tweeter and two woofers - for excellent sound across the spectrum, including surprisingly warm bass. The supplied kit includes three sizes of flex and black foam sleeves as well as a triple-flange sleeve, so getting a comfortable fit is easy. There's also an extension cable and a zippered nylon carry case.
