£8 Sony pair from Argos for me, very good sound quality (that is, for the earphone's I've bought in the past), on par with an Olympus pair that was also very good whichcame bundled with a voice recorder.

I'll never pay more than £10 on an earphone, because I always, always, lose the sound in one or both ears usually within months or within 1-2 years in every earphone and headphone I have bought. Every single one (expect my current Sony pair). Any ideas why? Even my wireless headphones I use at home play out of one ear only unless I twiddle the volume slider to exactly the right position (and that seems to change on a week by week basis).

It's appalling, really. Are earhones just not built to last? I feel as if they are a continual investment for me.

/rant