I've pretty much decided to get a Sansa Clip sometime soon for gym duty, but I need help picking out some phones. I would prefer something cheap, so I won't feel bad if they get smashed by dumbbells or something.

I currently use either my PX100s or my KSC75s, but the ambient noise is so great that I have to turn them way up, which probably is destroying my ears. My gf has some marshmallows, but I hate their sound. I'm currently leaning toward the Head-Direct RE2s. Anything else that's good and (preferably) well under $100?

I have a Sansa Clip and use it 5 times a week when I go running about an hour or so. I too use the JVC Marshmallows which I was going to recommend to you, but I see you don't like them. I actually have to get a good seal for them to sound good which isn't a problem that much for me. I tried using the KSC75 but like yourself the ambient noise is too great. Maybe E2Cs. I haven't used them for running, but you might be able to get a better seal with them because of the selection of tips

I just use my Er6is I have two pairs so I extra won't mind if they get squashed. One is filthy and sweat covered and one is only tainted with my ear wax.

I use the Mylar X3i when I'm at the gym.

The Philips SHE9500 ain't half bad too for use when at the gym.

The X3i gives better isolation when using the double flange tips. The Philips only comes with single flange tips.

Sigh, I know nothing about these things. After some research, I suppose the following are around the same price/quality range: E2C, UM1, ER6i, RE2, im716, C700.

Anything else?

Where do I even buy Mylarones?

Oh, btw, I probably should've mentioned this, but I listen to mostly metal at the gym.

I'd knock off the iM716 due to fit/availability and E2c due to sound/price.

I've been looking at the Ultimate Ears super.fi 4's for my cellphone. Since the list price is around $129.95, I'm betting that it might go for less than $100 when sales and discounts kick in.

I actually went and got some Klipsch Image X5s on sale. They seem pretty microphonic, but maybe I'm just dumb, and all the little earplug things are microphonic. I swear, I can hear myself chew and swallow; it's weird. I haven't tried running with them, yet...

I wouldn't count on anything that doesn't loop around the ears to be not microphonic.

I wouldn't count on anything that doesn't loop around the ears to be not microphonic.

That's kinda what I figured. Oh well, I couldn't wait for a looper to go on sale.

The timing on my purchase worked out pretty great, though, because I just scored a new 4gb Clip for $38 shipped today!

I used the Marshmallows. Considering the noise in the gym, they worked fine. I lost them, got another pair and then lost those. At least they were cheap.