I always go for sennheiser headphones they aren't super expensive and they do have good sound and last a good while, I really think it's hard to find anything better for the price.
If you live in a reasonably large city - one of the things that you can do is to find some stereo stores (independent audiophile type places) where you can actually demo some of the headphones (they probably won't let you do it with in-ear, but maybe). That way you know what you like. Also, the prices for headphones and in-ear don't really vary all that much (meaning you are not going to find the online price a lot less than the B&M stores - so you can buy them there, and may even be able to trade them back for something else if you don't like them within a week or two... You would also be able to try some of the really expensive ones, to see "what the big deal is" compared to the less expensive. Just don't let them talk you into special cables and the like - they might make a difference, but not worth it at the low end. When you get the Sennheiser 800's ($1500) and a headphone amp ($1500) - then the $200 cable is probably worth it.... Good luck with your search. On a personal recommendation - I have owned numerous Sennheiser and Sonys.. My favorite Sonys are the MDR-V6 - that model has been around for about 30 years - good track record - although a bit out of your price range (although they do go on sale for about $80 occasionally). The inexpensive Sennheisers I have not been so impressed with - I currently have the HD 600's which are no longer being made - but expensive, and excellent. From my friends that own them - they LOVE the Grado's, and those also have a very long, and excellent history of sound quality. The Grado 60's have been around also for a very long time - you will be getting established sound quality. As mentioned above - the 80's are a newer model, but are developed on a model with proven reliability and sound quality.
