Rating: 
Summary: Wow! I didn't know what I had been missing.
Review: Alright, I love music more than anyone I know. The apple earbuds did OK for about the first week, but they always made my hears hurt and began to distort soon thereafter.. I saw these on sale and thought I'd give 'em a try. GLAD I DID! I hear lots of things in the music I have never heard before. They are also very comfortable, and I haven't had any trouble with them sliding out of my ears.
Can't wait to start using these at the gym!
Bottom line, get these! Especially if you already spent lots of money on something like an iPod, at least make it sound as good as it can.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent value but not as good as the E3
Review: Got the E2 for $75.00 at MicrophoneSolutions.com with Coupon Code F75E2Very good for the price and WAAAAYYY better than any other stock earphones that came with my iPod. Still prefer my Shure E3 ($135 at the same place w/ code F135E3200)
Rating: 
Summary: Sure, they sound good, but they HURT your ears!
Review: I bought a pair and I pretty much never wear them anymore. They definitely sound great, and they block out all external sound, so all you hear is the music. . . BUT, I find them very uncomfortable to wear. The so-called "flex sleves" are relatively hard plastic. After about 1/2 hour in my ears they really start to hurt. The foam sleves are marginally better, but take a lot longer to put in.
I think there is a variation on this product that has soft rubber sleves with ridges, rather than the plastic "cones". Those are probably a lot more comfortable (and expensive).
Rating:
Summary: Great sound with a finicky fit
Review: I bought the pro version of the E2Cs -- the e2, from Guitar Center for $70. They do warm up after a few days of use. I found the foam pads the most comfortable, as well as having the best isolation. You must play with them to get the best sound, because the angle into your ear is critical to the way the sound comes out. My only real complaints were that I could never remember which was the left earpiece and which was the right, which made a big difference in the bass output, and that if your ears are dry inside they move about too easily. I have really dry ears and the foam is kind of "scrapey" unless I dampen the foam with a drop of water. Also, the best way to insert the earpeces is to twirl each one between your finger and thumb to compress the foam, then pop each in and let the foam expand to fit your ear canal. Compared to the Sonys, the e2Cs have smoother treble and are less "bright," with a fuller midrange and tight but not bottomless bass. I think they're more natural and less "pumped up." I totally recommend them for travel, especially airplanes and mass transit like busses and subways. For home use I prefer over-ear phones such as Sennheiser 590s or Grados, because they are more comfortable in general.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent product, blows any earbud away!
Review: I bought these earphones for a combination of uses - travel, exercise, casual listening, etc. They are great. The noticeable background noise attenuation is perfect for flights, busy airports, mowing the lawn or anywhere you want to tune out the outside world. Bass response is very good, I'd call it neutral (which is the best thing a serious music fan can ask for.) These earphones are very low profile and unobtrusive to wear. They do not create the fatigue I get while wearing regular headphones for a long period and the sound blows away the numerous earbuds I have tried. I use the flex fit sleeves which are very comfortable. By cinching up the sleeve on the cord, they stay in place with minimal fuss even while exercising. I strongly recommend these earbuds to anyone who wants immersive, comfortable and excellent sound.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasently surprised
Review: I bought these headphones to go along with my MP3 player. I've never owned any high-end headphones before and was wary about the price tag. At first I was a bit disappointed, so I packed them away and didn't break them out until I had to go away for a trip. Using these headphones on an airplane and airport were enough to convince me. I was shocked to only hear the sound of my music and not that of the kid screaming 3 rows ahead of me. It was incredible and since then I've come to notice details in my music that I couldn't hear before. It's like somebody cleaned my ears and i could finally hear my music the way it was supposed to be heard. These are a great investment, especially if you live in a big city and want to block out everything but your music.
Rating: 
Summary: good isolation, semi-awkward design.
Review: I bought these headphones to use on the subway and for running as my excellent sennhauser headphones are far too bulky for either task. When I first received the headphones, I was very upset as I nearly stripped the skin inside my ear trying to get the standard plastic issue inserts to stay in for more than 2 seconds. Needless to say, I was totally unsuccessful. I think it is a pity that they designed the reusable plastic ones so poorly that many people can't use them. I tried every size to no avail. I'm sure this is so they will be forced to buy the foam ones as replacements on a regular basis.
I then tried the foam inserts on another day. They did fit, but i really don't like that you have to wrap the cord behind your ear, otherwise they won't stay in. Once they are in, the ambient sounds are well blocked and the sound quality is very good (for classical music - it is a bright sound, particularly good for vocal music - I don't know about other music). The foam, though, looked and felt dirty from the first day. It's gross to say, but unless your ears magically produce no wax, I don't see any way around this fact.
If it were on this basis alone, I would still give the headphones a 4 star rating based on sound quality and isolation, but the fact is, you CANNOT RUN WITH THESE HEADPHONES. Every bounce, even if you are simply walking quickly, sounds like someone tapping a microphone. They earpieces are too heavy to be jostled even slightly, so you hear them tap inside. After a few minutes, they inevitably fall out anyway during a run.
So, in sum, these are great for static listening - they really do block out a myriad of sounds and are excellent for use on public transportation, but unless my ears are particularly sensitive to such things, I find them less than totally comfortable and unusable as headphones for running. For $100, I should be able to use them in any circumstance.
Rating:
Summary: The best in-ear, noise-blocking earphones available!
Review: I have used the Etymotic ER6 and also the Shure E2c's for a couple years now (since January 2002 I think). I use them extensively - probably averaging 2-3 hours daily. In my opinion they are both the best in-ear and isolating earphones in existence. I started with the Etymotic ER6's and then bought the Shure E2's as soon as I saw them advertised. I use them mostly while working out in the gym and yes--don't tell anyone-- while riding a bicycle. I know it's not the safest, but I'm addicted. As far as comparing the sound quality, I am not an expert and cannot tell much of a difference between the two. The main difference I have noticed is that the Shure E2c's have significantly better amplification than the Etymotics at the same volume settings on my MP3 player. Otherwise they are both so far above any of the dozens of other earphones, earbuds and headphones I have used that there is really no comparison. I could never go back. I use the Shure E2c's more now because they stay in my ears better as a result of their design which allows the cables to wrap around my ears. Also the cables have heavier shielding which decreases noise from wind and from the cables brushing against my clothes. The other advantage is that the Shure offers a 2 year warranty, whereas with the Etymotic's I could find no published warranty and they charged me $60 for a replacement after owning them for a few months.
Unfortunately both earphones take quite a beating with all the physical activity. I'm on my second pair of Etymotic ER6 and my 3rd pair of Shure E2c's. The problem seems to be broken wires from motion and pressure associated with weightlifting. This is unfortunate, but I have not found any way to avoid it nor have I found any better in-ear earphones (with similar noise-blocking) to replace them.
Rating:
Summary: Best Headphones ON the Market.
Review: I just got my e2c's to replace the standard earbuds that came with my Ipod. The difference is astounding. It makes me want to buy the e5c's to see if anything can sound better. The high's are crystal clear and the bass is deep and punching.
Rating:
Summary: Shure E2C - So good it's scary
Review: I just got these earphones and they are very different than I thought they would be. Don't get me wrong - I love them. I live in Manhattan and was not ready for the change that would happen when I put these guys in my ears. Basically I can't hear anything but the music. I'm missing subway stops, almost getting hit by cars. People talk to me and all I see is lip flap. I'm in my own little music world walking around scared that something is going to happen that I can't hear. Like: "Hey look out, watch your head!" Or "Hey look out for the taxi it's gonna hit you!" But when it's a good song I don't seem to care... Unless the subway decides to go express and I end up on Delancy street. Anyway - the sound is awesome. It does take some time getting used to the them in your ear - but so far, so good.
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