I've typically been using $20 ear buds for my iPod but never considered them for serious audio. Today I saw some Klipsch ear buds for about $200. Can you get serious audio quality once you move above the disposable quality level? I'm thinking that ear buds are probably the most frequently used speakers on the planet and maybe I should invest in some. Not ready to drop $200, but are there any under $100 that are good?

I've got a pair of Klipsch image s4 buds that I use mostly for listening to music on the move but also for checking mixes; I couldn't recommend them highly enough. I think I paid £50 for them about 5 years ago. Absolute bargain. They don't have the detail of a good pair of open back cans but they're excellent considering their price.

I have a pair of Etymotic Research hf5 in-ear earphones. They're $129 list. Inherently noise-cancelling by design rather than electronics. I used them when flying. Beat the crap out of the Bose headsets they handed out on the plane. The only downsides are: 1) getting used to them, and 2) they can block ear moisture (which turns into "wax") after extended periods of time.
 
But the sound? Amazing!
 
http://www.etymotic.com/c.sumer/earphones/hf5.html

Sennheiser CX300II-great bass and highs-comfortable for around 90 minutes and around $70.
on my second pair.....

I've never liked ear buds and always found that they were either too thin or too bassy, until I tried these:
 
http://www.amazon.com/DUNU-DN-1000-earphone-dynamic-drivers/dp/B00GH752AI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439384549&sr=8-1&keywords=dunu+dn-1000
 
They made me a believer. They are hybrids in that they have both dynamic drivers (for bass) and Balanced Armature drivers (for mids and highs). I have always appreciated good quality speakers and headphones, and these "ear buds" are great sounding.
 
And no, I don't own any stock, lol.
 
Regards,
Dan

Sennheiser IE6's here. I like them. ~$100

If you really want to go big (~$1000, yes I said thousand) look at THESE
 
True In Ear Reference Monitors. I love mine.
 

shop and study here:
 
http://www.headphone.com/

I had no idea there were so many high end options. Thanks for sharing.
 
Do most people mix for ear buds as part of the production process?

I verify on 5 sets of headphones
 
1. ATH-M50
2. Sennheiser IE6
3. Sennheiser HD-600
4. AKG K240
5. Ultimate Ears Reference Monitors
 
in ARC thru Mackie HR824 monitors with Adam Sub8
 
and in the car too