Right, I need recommendations for some new bud earphones.
I've used Shure ones since 2006. But they keep breaking at about the two year warrenty point.
My first pair died just after it expired. My second just before, so I got my current pair as a free replacement. Now they've died in exactly the same way as the other pairs (low volume in one ear).

So I'm looking for Shure audio quality (I love he sound quality), but better reliability.
I don't care if they're active noise cancelling or not, just as long as they're soft ear buds. I don't want ones that are hard plastic in the ear or ones that sit on top of the ear.

Any ideas?

I bought denon ah-c560r (I think). Been going for over a year. Came with three different sized silicon type earbuds and a set of foam ones as well.

I've tried several different in-ear buds; they all make my ears hurt after 10 minutes of listening even with the smallest earbuds available, so cannot give any personal input. This website is very useful however:

http://www.headphonereviews.org/

Not the most expensive, and surely not audiophile like Jon would recommend (if he could). But for everyday use I wholeheartedly recommend my Sennheiser CX-300 IIs. However, with the standard tips they're average at best. With replacement foam tips from Comply (bought from amp3.co.uk) they're amazing! The foam makes all the difference. They're snug in my ears, LF is tight and responsive, rather than indefinitely low, but with a warmth they belies the open and natural sound of the rest of the freq range. They lean towards punch over outright transparency, but that mostly suits their intended use for me.

They're also my third pair of Sennheiser headphones in 15yrs. But I'm not naive enough to think that indicates reliability of an entire brand these days.

+1 on the Sennheisers.

I also recommend the Sennheiser's, I use the Sennheiser CX 400-II Precision headphones myself, £40 very well spent.

Sennheisers too for me, not sure of the model number but they were about £35 - I suspect near the bottom of their range, but the best ones I've ever had. Just the right balance between deep bass, clear mid tones and crisp high end. Would definitely buy again.

Check eBay, got mine off a UK seller doing them cheap cos of the Chinese knock-offs, presumably

After the Shure's the Sennheiser ones mentioned will be like listening to music through cotton wool, Denon make lovely but expensive earbuds, the sound quality isn't too bassy though, difficult to match the Shure listening experience in a tiny earbud.

I can't compare the two, having never tried Shure, but Sennheiser buds are the best I've heard.

A two year old £30 quid pair blew away a £100 pair of Philips buds too.

In that case Spreadie, try some Shures

Shure sounds like a brand of condoms.

They're not, they make microphones.

Just an FYI for those with an interest in such things - Denon AH-P372 Portable On Ear Stereo Headphones (Black), £17.99 TODAY ONLY, Play.com

http://tinyurl.com/7z3zk24

Shure *are* generally fantastic. But much like their mics they're at least twice the price and I don't think they're twice the quality. Denon also make some nice 'phones/IEMs but honestly the CX-3/400 from Sennheiser are fantastic value and sound great. But to those who haven't tried Comply tips, they fundamentally improve any pair of headphones you use them with. I'd rather spend £50 tops on decent phones and tips than £80 on marginally better phones.

However, it does depend on intended usage AND your favourite types of music...