[Ericus Rex]

My earbuds just died after 7 years of near-daily use.  I figure I got my money's worth.  So now I need recommendations for a new, awesomer sounding pair!  I'd prefer noise isolating earbuds (so long as I can walk with them without that dreaded Wah-Wah effect!) and would like something in the $100-125 range, maybe a little more if something is really kick arse!

Thanks!

[funkmonkey]

sounds like you might be looking for IEMs, and not "earbuds"  buds rest in the outer ear; IEM's (in-ear-monitor) are inserted into the ear canal, and by virtue of this design they block out a good amount of background noise...  $100 should buy you a great sounding pair, and you would most likely have to spend a few times that before you get into the next level.  Cruise over to headfi.org and see whats shakin.  One tip though... before posting your question, you should spend a good amount of time reading whats already been written.  Also include what your old ones were, what kind of sound you like (i.e. neutral, bass heavy, high end detail, midrange forward...).

If it's buds you are looking for Yuin PK2s are great sounding and a bargain at around $70 last I looked.  The IEM market changes daily, but I have been happy with my Q-jays for about 4 years now.

Good luck, let us know what you find.
Cheers

PS- also there are after market tips available, specifically foam ones that might help with any "wha-wha" effect...

[Tyson]

Etymotics are the most detailed, while Shure is more bass heavy.

[Russell Dawkins]

I've owned my Etymotic Research ER4S for 15 years and still enjoy them. My first set lasted 10 years and I'm 5 years into my second set.
You don't get tired of accuracy - makes all of your music more interesting.

Etymotic makes two basic types - moving coil (the cheapest models) and balanced armature.
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/epcomp.html
Recently, they introduced models with the Apple style 3 button control and an inline microphone.
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/hscomp.html

A few of these fit your price criteria.

Since you seem to be a heavy user, I'd spend more up front. You will get your money's worth.

Compared to many headphones which hype the bass, the ER4S may sound a little thin down there. Etymotic made one model which is more aimed at the average mp3 player user who thinks hyped top and bottom (as is typical of Sony headphones, for example) is normal - even desirable; and that is the ER4P:
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er4-wrfy.aspx
It also plays around 12 dB louder with a given amplifier which makes it more compatible with pretty well any built-in headphone amp.

[Dan Driscoll]

Ditto what funkymonkey said; IEMs are what you're looking for and they are noise isolating, rather than canceling. I have a set of Klipsh Image X-5s and love them. Very detailed and the best bass performance I've ever heard in an IEM.

These are normally $200+, but Amazon has them on-sale right now, in your price range. Amazon X-5 link