Hello. Hello, hello even. I've spent the better part of yesterday browsing the forums and threads here and I'm a bit in awe of just how deep the rabbit hole goes, that is, just how much of an audiophile world there really is out there, how incredible the iPod world is. All my friends think I'm insane, and while I do not have the home theater systems and budget that some of you guys definitely have, I know I can do better than the $15-$30 pieces of CRAP that companies like Sony, Panasonic, and Maxell put out in most music stores.

I've recently hopped into the wonderful world of the Apple iPod (40gb model, 3rd gen) and though this kind of steep investment was completely out of character for me, I quickly learned that I need a better set of headphones to compliment the slick little unit.

Now, here's a funny story about what I consider to be my first set of REAL headphones, that is, the set that first opened my ears to the possibilities of hi-fi portable audio. They were, ironically enough, a set of $50 Radioshack 'phones. Specifically, the "Titanium Pro 35" model. I never heard of quality Radioshack headphones in my life but I've since noticed that on the actual headphone plug, the Koss logo shows up. So I imagine this is some cross-marketed Koss set, and let me tell you, they are GREAT compared to what I was used to before this. (And I probably just caused half of you to roll around your respective floors laughing.) But still, you can't deny that there isn't a significant quality increase between this set and a $15-$30 dollar piece of plastic that's sold in most stores.

Unfortunately, I didn't treat them too well (threw them into my bookbag throughout the day when not in use) and their foam earpads deteriorated. I wound up picking up ANOTHER identical set on clearance for $15, also from a Radioshack. They too are on their last legs, and now that I have a true portable media library solution, require something more powerful, more durable, more feature-filled, and ultimately, more permanent.

I am hoping that this community can provide me with possible solutions to this little dilemna. Here is what I need:

~$50 (+/-) price range. I know I won't get something awe-inspiring, but I must be realistic and recognize my limits. Feel free to post things of slightly higher prices if you TRULY feel they are an incredible price/quality value.
High quality sound.
Portable design, obviously.
Non-earbud style (foam, leather, muffs...)
Designed to muffle (not necessarily true noise cancelling) mass transit background noise. Closed/sealed design.
Durable, or at least coming in some kind of case for my bookbag. Collapsible would be nice too.
External volume control on the wire. A must to compensate for the swell of subway noises, and preserve iPod battery life. Solid closed isolation + powerful range of sound might serve as an alternate for volume control.

So, is there something out there for me? Can you guys help a guy out over here? Links to product pages would be great, but I'll take any kind of help at this point. Obviously, I'm very partial to Koss, and was this close to purchasing their Porta Pro model, which seems to have EVERYTHING I could want (assuming that the sound quality is comparable to their Pro 35 model) aside from that crucial volume control.

Thank you humbly in advance.

Edit - I understand that by the nature of these boards, a variation of this question has probably been asked countless times by newbies. I apologize in advance, but I did browse the boards searching for some kind of information on a product that would work well for me, but coulnd't find anything specific. Also, if this is the wrong board for this type of post, then that's another apology I owe... ;)

Edit 2 - I'm currently looking over some Sony Eggoes, V6s, and Senn PX-200s. Porta Pro's are pretty much out of the question thanks to their open nature and lack of isolation.