When it comes to comfort, functionality, and just plain great sound from a set of earbuds, Sony’s MDR EX75 earbuds are among the highest rated across the board. Sony has been in the earbud game for quite some time, setting the standard for inside the ear canal earphones since the EX70′s and EX71′s were on the market. These earbuds retail for just under $50, but you can easily pick up a pair online for well below that price.

The highs are vivid without sounding tinny, and the lower frequencies respond with punchy strength. You get that terrific thump in the lows, where the bass really pounds on large speaker systems, and you can turn the volume way up while experiencing hardly any distortion. That’s not to say that high volume is even necessary with the EX75′s. The silicon earpieces provide such excellent noise isolation from external sounds that you can listen at relatively lower volumes and still experience awesome sound quality. This is a bonus for any user who is concerned with maintaining good inner ear vitality.

Speaking of earpieces, what’s really great about the EX75 earbuds is the shape of the earpieces that fit into your ear canals. Many of the companies putting earbuds on the market seem to think users are simply looking for an earphone that sticks into the ear canal. Sony’s MDR EX75 earbuds certainly fit in the ear canal, but they fit snuggly as well as comfortably to deliver an exceptional listening environment without neglecting the fact that people want earbuds that stay in the ear. Add this to the fact they are remarkably lightweight, and you get a comfortable set of earbuds that deliver awesome sound without taxing the hell out of your ears.

Sony MDR EX75 earbuds come packaged with three sets of silicon earbuds to fit just about any size ear canal. The set is also offered in black, silver, and white options to match most users aesthetic needs, and the EX75′s come with a hard plastic case to protect your earbuds when they’re not being used.

Here are some specifications for the Sony MDR EX75 Earbuds:

• Frequency response: 6 to 24000 Hz
• Impedance: 16 Ohm
• Power Handling Capacity: 100 mW
• Sensitivity (db): 103dB/mW
• Cable length: 2 ft with additional 2 ft extension
• Connector: 3.5 mm gold plated miniplug
• Weight: .14 oz

The EX75′s match up with their competition for a price well under the $50 price point. Other earbuds of similar sound quality and design differ from the Sony EX75’s only in name brand and price range and could easily retail for five times the going rate.

Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket earbuds (actual model name SC-FMJ) come in a variety of colors – black, silver, gold, green, pink, purple. Inconspicuous they are not! The overall metallic look of the earbuds along with the metal mesh style cable really catch the eye, so the Full Metal Jackets are a cool addition to anyone looking to accessorize their wardrobe while still listening to their favorite music.

Powerful bass, clean mids, and crisp highs, the FMJ’s are great throughout the entire spectrum, and they have great sound isolation ability for their price. In fact the noise isolation is so great that you really need to stay aware of your surroundings while using Skullcandy Full Metal Jackets. For this type of sound, craftsmanship, and sleek look, you would probably expect to pay well above $50.

Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket earbuds come with three silicon gel earpieces (small, medium, large) that provide fairly descent sound isolation and excellent comfort. The foam “Comply” tips that fit over the standard earpieces are what really kick the sound isolation and comfort into high gear. FMJ’s also come with a pull string, nylon mesh carry bag to protect your earbuds while not in use. The 1.2 meter length cable just adds to the convenience and comfort of using these earbuds with your favorite media device.

Here are some specifications for the Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket Earbuds:

• Frequency response: 16 to 20000 Hz
• Impedance: 16 Ohm
• Max rated output: 500 mW
• Cable length: 1.2 m
• Connector: 3.5 mm gold plated miniplug
• Weight: 0.4 oz

You’ll never have to worry if they break, because all Skullcandy products comes with a limited lifetime warranty that protects your earbuds from manufacture defects. And even if you do somehow break your earbuds due to some fault of your own, Skullcandy offers a coupon for fifty percent off your next purchase of a Skullcandy product. All you have to do is register your Full Metal Jacket earbuds on Skullcandy’s website at the time of your purchase. Bottom line, FMJ’s are among the best, highest rated earbuds for under $50.

When it comes to products built for the professional musician or the sound connoisseur, Sennheiser is a name that has been synonymous with quality since 1945. But superior quality and a keen attention to meeting the end-users needs doesn’t always have to come at an equally high price. Sennheiser CX300 earbuds are priced well under the $50, so you wont have to squeeze your pocketbook to get high fidelity sound out of your portable music player or gaming device.

Even though Sennheiser doesn’t market its CX300’s as being designed for sound isolation, when properly fitted these earbuds allow only minimal intrusion from external sounds. The earpieces are made of soft, high-grade silicon, which enhances the superb sound quality and provides incredible comfort over longer periods of usage.

The quality of sound output by the CX300′s is phenomenal, with great responsiveness throughout all the highs, mids, and lows. Its no wonder the Sennheiser CX-300′s are among the highest rated earbuds below $50, the CX300-S and CX300-B are comparable in sound quality and construction to those falling into the more expensive price ranges. Sennheiser markets their eabud set as being “bass-driven”, and while the CX300′s definitely offer fantastic lows, the bass doesn’t drown out the clarity from the rest of the sound spectrum.

Sennheiser CX300′s also come in several colors – silver, black, pink, white. The variation on the CX300 nomenclature gives away the color you will be using. For instance Sennheiser CX300-S are the silver model and CX300-P are the pink model. The earbuds also come packaged with a small nylon travel bag and three sizes of earpieces for a snug fit in just about any ear canal. In addition to the superior sound reproduction, the lightweight design, snug fit, and soft earpieces make for an extremely comfortable listening experience.

Here are some specifications for the Sennheiser CX300 Earbuds:

• Frequency response: 18 to 21000 Hz
• Sound pressure level: 112 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.2%
• Impedance: 16 Ohm
• Cable length: 3.9 ft
• Connector: 3.5 mm miniplug
• Weight: 0.1 oz

Sennheiser’s CX300-S and CX300-B earbuds are among some of the highest rated earbuds within the $50 price range. The CX300’s come with a two-year warranty, which is very practical for most consumers’ use and buying habits. The warranty runs out at a significant time past the point at which the average user would go looking for a new set of earbuds in conjunction with an upgraded music or gaming device. Sennheiser could have easily required a price much greater than $50, but the CX300 earbuds provide a huge bang for your hard earned bucks.

The Razer Moray Noise Isolating Gaming Earbuds are among the highest rated earbuds, putting out a powerful sound and a dynamic range. And at a price point well under $50, Razer Morays are a terrific set of earbuds that wont cost more than the device with which you are planning to use them.

Morays are marketed as being engineered for a portable gaming environment such as PSP and Nintendo DS, but they are remarkably suitable for any portable media device. Razer states in their advertisements the Morays are engineered for powerful bass-driven stereo sound and excellent clarity in the mid/high ranges. This statement is certainly true as the bass is noticeably deep and full with crisp, clear mids and highs.

Razer Morays even come with some very handy accessories to store and use your earbuds while on the go. Similarly to the Maximo iM-490S iMetal Sound Isolation Earbuds and also for a price tag well under $50, Razer Moray earbuds also include three sets of interchangeable earpieces for ear openings of various shapes and sizes, as well as a cool carry case and an airplane adapter. The carry case is soft, sturdy, and small enough to comfortably store your earbuds and accessories, and the airplane adapter is a great addition for frequent travelers so you can avoid those shoddy earphones the airlines give out.

Noise isolation is achieved by way of the earpieces that are designed to form to the wearer’s ear canal. And with three different sizes included in the package, the Razer Moray will fit the ear canal of practically any user. This is a bonus not only because it provides an excellent listening environment, but Razer Morays also reduce the need for increased volume from your device that basic earphones require to overcome outside noises. So with Razer Morays, you can keep your volume level quite below what would be necessary for standard earbuds while still maintaining the same level of ear sound perception.

What’s great about Razer Morays is the feature designed to provide sound isolation also provides a secure fit perfect for listening while staying active. These earbuds stay in place while working out at the gym or during long periods of cardiovascular exercise. When you get sweaty, Razer Morays wont fall out of your ear canals. So in addition to being great for blocking exterior noises, they are loads more comfortable and user friendly than the obnoxious earphones that come with mp3 players and portable gaming devices.

Here are some specifications for the Razer Moray Noise Isolating Gaming Earbuds:

• Frequency response: 20 to 11000 Hz
• Sound pressure level: 110 dB
• Impedance: 17 Ohm
• Max rated input: 20 mW
• Cable length: 1.3 m
• Connector: 3.5 mm miniplug
• Weight: 0.4 oz

So as you have probably gathered, you would be hard pressed to find a set of earbuds with such a high rating that are well under the $50 price mark.

If you are searching for a set of stylish earbuds that are rated among the highest sets on the market for under $50, then the Maximo iM-490S iMetal Sound Isolation Earbuds are most likely what you are looking for. The provide everything the average person is looking for in an sound isolation earbud – great sound reproduction in the low ranges as well as the mids and highs, outstanding exterior noise impediment, durability, and great looks on top of all of this. The “S” in Maximo’s iM-490S indicates the earbuds were designed with Sansa products in mind, but in reality these earbuds are perfect for any portable media device – and all for a price below $50.

Maximo’s iM-490S iMetal earbuds are constructed of a lightweight metal alloy exterior and silicon rubber earpiece tips. The standard length cable (approximately 48 inches) is complimented with an additional 2 foot extension cable perfect for times when you want your music player set further away from you or carried in a hip pouch or backpack. The high-fidelity 9mm neodymium drivers and gold plated 3.5mm gold plated stereo plug usually reserved for higher-end, more expensive earbuds helps to put out great volume along with crisp sound throughout the highs and mids. The iM-490S iMetal earbuds provide near perfect sound isolation for just about any ear canal size. The sound isolating earpieces really put the icing on the cake when it comes to putting out fantastic punch in the lower ranges for the bass connoisseurs.

The iM-490S iMetal Sound Isolating Earbuds come packaged with three sets of earpieces – small, medium, and large. The earpieces are also exceptionally comfortable, soft, and durable, and they fit generally any ear canal to get that snug seal necessary for the sound isolation. In addition to the 2-foot extension cable, the set also includes a clamshell carry case to protect your earbuds while stored for transit, very similar to the Razer Moray In-Ear Noise Isolating Gaming Earbuds. The sturdy yet stylish carry case will help to extend the life of your earbuds in addition to the already durable alloy metal and silicon construction. If this weren’t already a great bargain at a price under $50, the iM-490S iMetal Sound Isolating Earbuds come with a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.

Here are some specifications for the Maximo iM-490S iMetal Sound Isolation Earbuds:

• Frequency response: 18 to 22000 Hz
• Sound pressure level: 100 dB
• Maximum SPL Output: >120dB
• Cable length: 4 ft plus 2 ft extension
• Connector: 3.5 mm gold plated stereo plug
• Weight: 0.8 oz

The Maximo iM-490S iMetal are among some of the highest rated earbuds for under the $50 price point, especially once you factor in all the valuable accessories Maximo throws into the package.

Altec Lansing has designed a great set of earbuds for well under $50. The UHP336 Snugfit earbuds are among the highest rated earbuds and provide excellent, precise sound quality. Altec Lansing markets their UHP336 Snugfit earbuds as being “The Upgrader Series”, and this is a very accurate description of this great little set of earbuds. Don’t let the price fool you either. UHP336 earbuds are priced well below $50, a significant price reduction from their mid $130 price point not too long ago. But price is only a small part of the equation for most consumers – the real test is in the sound quality of this great little set of earbuds.

Altec Lansing UHP336′s produce an extremely precise sound through the highs and mids, with smooth yet sturdy bass that very much compliments the other tonal ranges. You’ll definitely notice the incredibly natural instrument and vocal digital representations of your favorite songs and performances. Believe me, you will hear aspects of songs that you’ve never heard before on those old favorites that you swore you new backwards and forwards. Many new users report a short “break-in” period that is necessary with these earbuds. After a day or two of steady use, you will notice a bit more clarity in the lower ranges, so don’t think you have a defective pair when you first take them out of the box. The drivers are also precision vented to provide the space needed for precision lows.

As far as construction, Altec Lansing put some great design characteristics that ensure the UHP336′s really stand out compared to their competition. To start, the construction is extremely sturdy and durable, ensuring you wont be out buying a new pair when these earbuds are broken after a month of use. On the contrary, the earbuds themselves can put stand heavy use, and they feature a detachable cable in case it may need replacement. And at a mere third of a pound, you will hardly realize you have them in your ears as you enjoy very high fidelity sound. The gold plated 3.5 m stereo plug also ensure you get great connection and the ability for higher volume settings.

UHP336 earbuds come with what Altec Lansing calls a “Universal Fit Kit”. Basically you get five different pieces to add or take away from the earbuds to you can get a near custom fit. They come preinstalled with a double-flanged earpiece set that you can switch out for a single flange piece. Either flange set provides great sound isolation, terrific for those noisy train rides or bus stops. An added foam ring is also available for even greater outside noise reduction. The fit is outstanding too, making the UHP336 earbuds a great set for working-out or running. The Altec Lansing UHP336 Snugfit earbuds come with a neoprene carry case so you can wrap up and store your earbuds when they are not in use.

Here are some specifications for the Altec Lansing UHP336 Snugfit Earbuds:

• Frequency response: 15 to 20000 Hz
• Noise Isolation: 26 dB
• Input Sensitivity: 115 dB/mw
• Impedance: 13 Ohms
• Cable length: 46 inches (1.2 meters)
• Connector: 3.5 mm gold plated stereo plug
• Weight: 05. oz

Bottom line, Altec Lansing UHP336 Snugfit earbuds are easily among the highest rated earbuds for under $50. Great design, easily customizable, and amazing sound quality. You wont regret buying these earbuds.