Etymotic makes really nice IEM's. I've never heard them but I've read enough glowing reviews over the years to trust that they're great.
I'd also have to recommend
Shure. I have a pair of E2C's and E4C's (both discontinued), and they're both great. They isolate so well that I frequently wear the E4C's when I'm mowing the lawn. With the foam earpieces, they work just like a pair of foam earplugs and put me in a nice and quiet sonic cocoon. They're very clean and detailed, similar to Axiom's, IMHO. Bass can be a little lacking if they're not seated just right, however.
The first major drawback with IEM's is that some people don't like wearing them. Some find them very uncomfortable. If you go the IEM route, make sure you get them from somewhere that allows returns. Since everyone's ears are built a little differently, they just don't work for some people. Try out all of the ear-pieces that will come with it.
The second drawback is that you have to be EXTREMELY careful with the volume levels. They're very sensitive and obviously stuffed in your ear, so you'll find that a fraction of the 'normal' volume you use with regular headphones should be sufficient. You can really damage your hearing if you crank up your MP3 player, so be careful. And for goodness sake, don't *EVER* plug into someone else's MP3 player without first lowering the volume.
And if you're looking for a good online retailer for headphones, I'd have to recommend
HeadRoom. I think they ship to Canada. Usually great prices, great return policy, and they have always been pleasant to deal with. Not unlike Axiom, you'll deal with a real person if you have any questions or problems. And no, I have no relationship with them, other than a satisfied customer.
