Filters stop the ear wax. They have been selling Etynomics for about 20
years, so this isn't a big deal.

All earphones need maintenace. Most of the earbuds are so cheap that
when the foam rots, you just buy another earbud. The over the ear
phones need to have the seals replaced eventually. The plastic gets too
hard to make a seal. The open air headphones like the Grado models
mentioned need new foam every few years.

My grado SR125s have become electrically intermittant and they are not
field servicable. I'l get around to fixing them, but I've been really
happy with the Etymotics. They supply a small case for them so that you
can just stuff them in your pants pocket when not in use.

http://www.etymotic.com/
http://www.etymotic.com/pdf/er6-isolator-manual.pdf
http://www.etymotic.com/pdf/er4-userguide.pdf

I had the opportunity to try both the ER6 and the more expensive ER4. I
couldn't tell the difference, even though the published specs are quite
different.

wrote:
But what do you use to clean that messy old ear wax out of them
expensive earbuds?
cuhulin