There's no easier way to improve the sound quality of your iPod than to swap out the original Apple earbuds for something better. With the right 'phones (and quality audio files, of course) the iPod is capable of producing truly excellent sound. To help you find the right step up the audio ladder, we've rounded up nine current in-ear-canal headphones (also known as "canalphones"). A complete discussion of what makes this kind of headphones unique is available in our in-ear-canal headphone primer, but the quick description is that canalphones fit down inside your ear canals and are designed to block most external noise.
Prices of the models reviewed here range from $25 to $350, and the range in sound quality is equally wide--though sound quality isn't strictly proportional to price. Construction quality and included accessories also vary from one pair of canalphones to the next, though most manufacturers include, at the least, multiple sizes of eartips and some kind of carrying case. Other possible add-ins include cleaning tools, cable extensions, and adaptors for connecting the headphones to home stereos and airplane audio jacks. (None of the models tested here have controls for the iPhone and recent iPods, though some do have inline volume controls.)
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