Endless Paradigm

Hi, my sony headphones broke today and so I need a new pair (I'm a bit of an audiophile).
I've got it down to either the
EX500
or the
EX90

They both have very similar specs (almost identical) but they have different prices. I have a friend who can pick up a pair for me from Hong Kong, With the EX500 about $40 aus more, ($185) and the EX90 ($148). I'm trying to decide what's better to buy, as the EX500 is newer and looks better, but what's the real advantage over the EX90?

Also, if you know of a pair of earbud style headphones around those prices that I can get in aus that are better could you reccomend some?

SHURE SE210

LOOK AT THEM LOOK AT THEM NOW.

http://www.minidisc.com.au/shure-se210-s...-1262.html

that's some win right there.

By rule of thumb, I follow this list of elite phones:

In-Ear phones: Sennheiser, Creative, Sony
Normal Earplugs: Sony, Creative, Sennheiser or some occasional Philips
Over Ear headphones: Bose, Philips, Altec Lansing, Sennheiser
Neckphones: They're gay.... >_>

As for the model... if you're an audiophile, then you'll not be satisfied by what others tell you. I suggest that you decide your budget and go and try out different headphones within that budget. Use the above guide if you want, but its my preference and in no way an expert opinion... also the fact is that I don't have much of a variety here.... sadly..

I currently use:
In-Ear phones: Sennheise CX180 (cheap stuff, but pretty awesome... quick replacement for my broken creative.. will be buying better Sennheisers later on)
Over Ear:  Philips SHP2700 (pretty decent and cheap)....

I've got some cheap-as-chips Sennheiser HD205's that aren't too bad. My only problem with them is that they are a little tight or 'clampy'. But that means they don't fall off when you start air drumming/guitaring/moshing...

if you want style go for skullcandy if you want real sound go for Sennheiser

Sennheiser or AKG for the win.

well i currently own a cheap sony earphones and im still using it for almost 2 years and it still working well, though i have bought another sony expensive earphone

I find that many people would invest in a good mp3 player/phone etc, but cut back on the headphones... really a bad way to go

Yea, I got a Toshiba X-30 which I put rockbox on, very customizable, very good quality.
This is a list of headphones that I've looked at, and they seem quite good.
Sony
-EX90 - $148
-EX500 - $185

Shure
-SE210 - $142
-

Senn
-CX400 - $100

Creative
-EP830 - $54.50
-Aurvana In-Ear - $145.41