Yamaha EPH-30

Yamaha EPH-30 Inner Ear Headphones (white)

Once you dip below the $50 mark in the portable headphone market, you're generally going to be looking at a noticeable drop-off in sound quality. That's why we're always pleasantly surprised to come across a pair of earphones that manage to provide good audio at a low price--even better if they're comfortable, as well. The Yamaha EPH-30 is one such set, and though it's not without its pitfalls, we have no qualms about recommending these $40 earbuds. The Yamaha EPH-30 earphones aren't going to win any awards for quality in the design department, although we're willing to cut them a little slack because of their low price and solid sound. The cable is thin and tangle-prone and seems fairly fragile, and the earpieces are made of cheap-feeling plastic. On the plus side, you can choose from either white or black versions, both of which offer a splash of style with some chrome-colored accenting. This makes the earpieces slightly more jewelry-like, which may be more appealing to some than others. It's worth noting that the white version picks up dirt pretty easily. Also, these earbuds feature a staggered Y-cable with the right side longer than the left so that you may wear the cord behind your neck more easily--good for working out.