Canalphones: The Top 5 Rated In-Ear Headphones

Headphones for me are a necessity of life. When I'm at home I have my Sennheisser HDR130 wireless, but these do not port easily. So, when I go out walking, jogging, or just relaxing at the beach, I have a pair of lightweight headphones that I use with my MP3 player. Of all the various types of portable headphones and earphones available, what I love most is the canalphone, or in-ear phone. These have always provided me with the greatest sound and eliminated any distractions. The canalphone will give you clear, full range audio while blocking outside noises. This is both and bad. Doctors have never recommended it and safety experts say that some slight availability to outside noises can prevent accidents. Personally, I don't care and neither do millions of others. Here are five of the top canalphones on the market.

Philips SHS8000
I list these first because this is the set that I own and love. The SHS8000 offers great sound and no distortion. The best feature about these phones is the rubber, low profile ear hooks attached. I don't know about you, but I have small ears and ear canals that are simply not made for holding things in place. With the ear hook, I don't have to worry about the phones popping out and swinging around by the wire. If and when they work themselves out, They are still right there at my ear. This set sells for $29.99 and can be bought at your local Target or online from www.amazon.com.

Shure E2c
In the past couple years, Shure has made a tremendous impact in the headphone industry by offering ultra premium quality and ultra premium prices. But not every Shure product has that high price tag. The E2c Sound Isolating Earphones are a great example of quality design at reasonable prices. They run for $59.99 and comes with a variety of sleeves that fit into the ear for any size or softness.

Etymotic Research ER6i
These earphones were scientifically devised to cancel the white noise of traffic and air travel; they deliver a higher level of noise cancellation than electronic noise cancellation. These canalphones provide rich and full sound and also come with small 3-flange disposable canal sleeves and disposable eartips. They can be found at www.amazon.com for $74.30.

Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro Earphones
Ultimate ears is a mid-to-high range earphone that delivers what you pay for. At $189.99, they are not cheap, but they are well worth the price. The Super.fi 5 Pro delivers the closest quality sound you can get to the professional models worn on stage and television. They deliver precise audio at the highest levels of quality.

Shure E5
For the very best quality and for those who have the money to spare, we go back to Shure with their E5 series. These are the best of the best and they better be at prices upwards of $350.00. The dual driver design and precision audio, along with extra comfort features make these the best canalphones that money can buy.

If you are in the market for a new set of earphones, try the canalphones. One of these we have looked at is sure to suit both your needs and your budget.