I've been getting tired of the stock iPod headphones; even though I don't beat the crap out of them, they just don't last. I did get a set of Griffin Ear Jams, which has contributed to me sticking with them as long as I have.

Still, it was time (particularly with flights next week) to get better headphones. We were at the mall last weekend, and the Apple Store at Oakridge had Shure E2c earphones in stock. I had been considering Etymotic and Bose earphones too, but nobody had Etymotic in stock, and the Bose earphones are a young product that was getting mixed reviews on comfort.

Oy gevalt.

If you've never worn "noise isolating" headphones, you don't know what you're missing.

The earphones block most ambient noise, much like decent earplugs. The upside? You can run the earphones at much lower volumes than you could regular earphones or noise-canceling headphones. The downside? Well, I found that I can hear myself walk when I'm wearing them. Internal sounds, like chewing and breathing, are much more noticeable.

Still, it's worth it. Definitely worth it.