5 comments about Sony MDR-ED21LP Fontopia In-The-Ear Headphones.

1. I received these headphones quicker than was originally told. They have incredible sound for headphones so small. Very rich bass and no crackle, even at loud volumes. I am still trying to find a comfortable position for them to sit in my ears. I would strongly recommend these to anyone.



2. For a general use earbud, these are my favorites. Perhaps I have strangely shaped ears, but I can't stand the typical iPod earbuds. It hurts trying to cram them in my ears and then they just fall out again. These ones sit snugly in my ear with out any discomfort and have very good sound reproduction, for the price. My first pair lasted for six years of heavy use and now I'm on my second pair. These can't be beat, in my opinion.



3. great value for the money. Consumer Reports recommended these headphones and they were not wrong. good sounding, comfortable fitting, reasonably priced headphones. my son is on his third set, because he keeps losing them. greatly valued product.



4. The Sony MDR-ED-21LP ear headhones are the best. I have tried several others and none compare. You can't go wrong with these!



5. I don't know, I guess it depends on your ears. I always liked and trusted Sony. I will like and trust Sony in future, but these simply weren't made for my ears. It hurts just trying to put them in. And the sound isn't that great (if you think this sound is the best, you simply don't know what good quality sound is), quite average. But if they fit you ears, I guess it's not a bad deal for the price.

5 comments about Skullcandy Smokin' Bud, 3.5 - White.

1. Liking the 'inked' skullcandies so much, I bought a pair of these when they quit working. Big mistake. Muddy bass ruins the tone completely and they end up sounding like crap, even when you use an equalizer setting to balance it out, they end up sounding like crap. Buy some Sannheiser headphones instead for a bit more.



2. The only think I gave to say about this product is that it's perfect. The noise reduction feature is better than my big heavy noise reduction headset. I just love it!



3. Super comfortable! I have never seen an earbud with same design. The silicone (I assume) rings that attach to the earbuds make these fit incredibly well! You get three different size rings to choose from. They really stay put in your ears and don't fall out easily like so many other types out there. And I can wear these for hours without getting that annoying ache in my ears. Plus they really block out the sound since they seal into your ear so well. I love having the volume control on the cord, especially since so many songs are recorded at different levels. The only negative comments I have are that I don't like that the cords for each earbud are different lengths. The left ear is much shorter than the right ear. I also think the rubber coating could be a hair thicker so they wouldn't tangle quite as much. But these are worth dealing with for all the positives!
   
   The comfort and fit is unbeatable, especially for this price.



4. The color design is quite attractive and fun, and the earbuds are one of the best I've owned. Skullcandy is a good brand, and this product represents them well. No real downsides, the spound quality is awesome and the product on the whole is just very good, and for alot less than other quality earbuds.



5. These are good earbuds. The bass isn't super strong, but overall sound quality is great for the price. You get what you pay for. If you're looking for unbelievable sound you're going to have to pay a lot more money than you would for these headphones.

5 comments about Sony MDR-V600 Studio Monitor Series Headphones with Circum-Aural Earcup Design.

1. I ordered these after buying several (supposedly decent) pairs (and returning them).
   
   I love these. The sound is so clear - they sound great even turned up very loud (they have the capability to go much louder than I could ever stand) Vocals are super clear, while the subtlety of the other instruments and little bell sounds and stuff on the tracks can be heard very well. Nice bass also.
   
   I am like "the princess and the pea" when it comes to comfort, and THESE THINGS ARE SUPER COMFORTABLE!! I can hardly feel them. I wear glasses, and other headphones pressed my glasses against my head which hurts, these don't.
   
   I don't think they mention it in the product description, but they do cancel alot of ambient noise -- my phone just rang, and I totally did not hear it with these on my head. Soooo.... I highly recommend these.



2. This product is what we needed for our sons' therapeutic listening. It has worked out beautifully.



3. this headphone is very good, I use this headphone everyday, the sound that comes out of this headphone is just amazing, the sound is very clear and loud enough for your enjoyment, I would definitely recommend this headphone.



4. Im currently serving Overseas and I've been having trouble lately finding that "Quiet Place" with my other headphones when I listen to my music, but with these Sony MDR-V600's I put the rest and relaxation right back at my fingertips. I advise anyone who works in a loud and crowded office or someone who simply needs a break from everyday noise to puchase these headphones for you will not regret this purchase. This SELLER is TOP-NOTCH, I had no problems at all, GREAT PRICE, GREAT PRODUCT, and RAPID DELIVERY.



5. I am very pleased with these headphones and would certainly recommend them to anyone looking for Sony MDR-V600 Studio Monitor Series Headphones with Circum-Aural Earcup Design. Thes headphones fit with ease and comfort!

5 comments about Sony MDR-W24V Vertical In-The-Ear Headphones.

1. Although these headphones look a little flismy, I think they're great. They are comfortable yet not bulky, and they stay in well unlike earbuds, which don't seem to fit my ears(I've tried several types). The sound quality is pretty good, not spectacular but fine for the price. I've used them for just hanging around but also running and they've worked great for both. The little volume control on the cord is a nice feature but I don't use it all that much, because it takes about the same, if not more, effort than altering the volume on my ipod. I'm sure it'd be great if you were in another menu though. These are my second pair, as my mom took my first because she liked them so much. Highly recommended!



2. I remember buying this model before but don't remember the sound being this stuffy. Everything sounds too hissy and dense. If I could draw a frequency curve for these phones, it would definately look like flat ground with a steep hill rising up the right side.



3. When I first put them on I loved the fit, they were light weight.... then when I plugged them into my Ipod, the right speaker was much louder than the left, So I turned the cable back and forth at the bottom of the Ipod and the speakers snapped, popped and went out completely, then came back on. So you have to get the cord just right to have both speakers working. Don't bother with them, I cant believe "Sony" would make such a cheap pair of headphones. I'm going to have to get another pair.



4. The headphones were really comfortable but they broke in like a week...the wires are to thin and break easily.



5. I have been using these for a few months now after searching for a good set of non ear bud headphones for working out and running. Its been annoying to me to have my ear buds fall out while exercising and having to crank the sound up as they dont fit snuggly enough to get full range. These although cheap are high quality earphones for the price that stay in my ears. Its only been a couple months so time will tell but for now, I have stocked up b/c good headphones that are cheap and wont fall our are so hard to find.

No comments about Sony Mdr-222Kd/Pin Children'S Headphones (Pink).

5 comments about Etymotic Research HF2 Hands-Free Earphones / Headset (iPhone Compatible).

1. I'm at a slight loss in trying to concisely define what I think of these in-ear headphones.
   
   The biggest detractor is something that should be obvious from the picture: these buds are supposed to go pretty far into your ear, effectively sealing it from other noise. It does this quite admirably- when I do the dishes, I can't even hear the water running, and I don't listen on a high volume. On the other hand, the phones have the same unfortunate properties that other similar products have:
   
   1) Movements YOU make will be heard. If you chew something, jog, or make any other amount of movement, you will hear it through the phones.
   
   2) The buds are IN your ear, so they can be mildly uncomfortable. If you've only used regular earbuds before, you may want to try a cheaper pair first so you know what you're getting into; they really are different.
   
   But if you're in the market for a 150+ set of headphones/buds, you probably already know the two points above. How does the set sound? Well, if you're looking to be blown away by bass, it's not going to happen here. If on the other hand, you're looking for clear sound, you won't be disappointed. Save the Linkin Park for another set, but know that you'll hear every tiny detail Fiona Apple can throw at you.
   
   
   Overall? I had a cheaper set of in ear buds before this, and the difference in quality was quite simple to pick out.
   
   Recommended for those that have used this type of in-ear bud before and want crisp sound.



2. As I do not own an iPone, I am not the target user for Etymotic Research HF2 Hands-Free Earphones whose target user is looking for one solution for a hands-free/headphones device. Also, as I own a palm Treo 755p Smartphone (Verizon Wireless), I was unable to use the Etymotic Research HF2 Hands-Free Earphones as a hands-free device since I lack the adapter necessary for the Treo (this is a failure of the Treo and not of the Etymotic Research HF2 Hands-Free Earphones).
   
   As a listener to audiobooks, I appreciate the absolute clarity of the Etymotic Research HF2 Hands-Free Earphones. They work better at noise reduction than the Sony MDR-NC6 Noise Canceling Headphones which I have also tried. They are also quite comfortable in the ear with the only complaint I can muster is the feeling of being underwater when there is silence. When I used the earphones for music though, I was slightly disappointed in the quality. Perhaps I have not found the magical "sweet spot" that others rave about. However, since my listening habits include more audiobooks than music, I am actually quite happy.



3. I will admit, I was initially skeptical about the Etymotic headphones. At first glance, they looked very uncomfortable, and I wondered how these things would ever stay in my ear. They turned out to be surprisingly pleasant to use, especially since the product comes with a variety of customizable tips and they remain remarkably secure in the ear. As to the sound quality, it is quite simply the best experience I have ever had from using in-ear headphones, blocking out most external noises while still delivering a high-quality sound that actually allows me to turn down the volume on my MP3 for a change. I have not used them during air travel, but I am hoping for some of the same great results the next time I fly.
   
   Though these are specifically marketed as iPod and iPhone compatible, I find that they work very well in any device with a standard headphone jack. The only thing I would have added, even if only as an optional attachment, would be a clip for those who would like to use them with an iPod while exercising. Additionally, the price tag is a little bit up there, but if you want a home-theatre quality listening experience in your headphones, I suppose that's the cost to pay.



4. I've been using the Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones for over a year now and have totally loved them, so I was very excited to try the Etymotic HF2's to incorporate them into cell phone/music player scenario. I'm even happier with the HF2's.
   
   One concern that I always have had with the ER6i's is that the cable always seemed like it could snap away from the earbuds. Now, that has never happened to me in the year of constant use in New York City - but still, they seem fragile. The same connection in the HF2's has been redesigned and now it looks very sturdy. The wires are connected to the earbuds by a sturdy rubberized-plastic anchor piece, built right into the earbud housing.
   
   The cord is about six inches shorter than my ER6i's, but is still plenty long to have the phone/player tucked in my back pocket. Wires seem sturdy and is one solid cable all the way down to the male plug, which looks cleaner (instead of two smaller cables stuck together like the ER6i's).
   
   The voice/microphone hangs at just the right level to my mouth and works easily. There is a little 'bump' switch that sticks out and you use that to activate the mic and take/hang up on calls. Works exactly as it should and you don't have to worry where it is . . you just put your thumb there and trust that it will 'click'.
   
   The sound is fantastic - nice and clean. I know these might seem expensive, but if you love music and don't want to destroy your ears with overly cranked audio - then invest in a good pair of earbuds. With these isolator type earbuds, I can totally hear everything in the music - even on the subway - and keep the overall sound level down. I probably listen to music at less than half the volume on these earbuds than most people do with regular earbuds - and have a much better listening experience.
   
   My first pair of high-end earbuds were the Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Pros. Those were great, but I did have a problem with my first set and had to get a replacement pair. Those also suffered from the same disconnection, cable to earbud, and I stopped using them. They had a great sound -nice and full - but I always felt like the earbud was too big and heavy, and wrapping the stiff cable around the back of my ear was a bit much.
   
   My second pair of high-end earbuds were the ER6i's - great full sound, very bassy. Nice and light, easy to put in and remove, and have proven to be very sturdy (I'm pretty rough on equipment).
   
   The HF2's are the next step in audio for me. The sound is extremely clear and balanced. In some ways the bass isn't as big as the ER6i's- but I think in the better way, meaning the overall sound is more accurately representative of the music. It's like there's more presence to the sound, meaning I can listen to things even quieter but still enjoy hearing every instrument or nuance to a song. The bass end has more clarity rather than pump.
   
   Overall, I love 'em. Cheers.



5. I recently got a new iPhone 3G and was very disappointed with the Apple supplied headphones. For a $600 phone the headphones could have been better. None-the-less, I decided to find a better pair of headphones and came across this one by Etymotic Reasearch. I read alot of the other reviews and felt confident that this is the one to get.
   Well I must say ... those earphones "rock". The music collection I have on the iPhone 3G never sounded so perfect. sound quality is superb and the make and feel of the earphones felt strong.
   I would have loved that the mic piece included also a volume control, which would prevent me from taken out the phone each time I wanted to adjust the volume.
   But, Apart from that small missing feature ... it turned out to be a good buy.
   
   If anyone out there is looking for a replacement earphones for the iPhone 3G 16GB black, then this earphones are for you.
   
   Enjoy !

5 comments about Sony MDR-Q22LP w.Ear Headphones with Interchangeable Headphone Caps.

1. These headphones are exactly what I was expecting they would be when I ordered them...my daughter has the same pair for her iPod and when I mentioned that I needed a better pair than the ones that came with mine, she suggested these to me.
   I have used them nonstop since they arrived ~ love the blue earpiece, lol ~ and they are perfect!
   I would recommend them to anybody who is looking for a good pair; the interchangeable earpieces are an added perk! just for fun...



2. I listen to books on tape to fall asleep and have gone through so many pairs of earphones it isn't funny. These do not fit my ears very well and they flop around. Granted I do not have dumbo ears but more like hamster ones that are hard to fit. My dilema is, should I wish for bigger ears or more suitable earphones?



3. I really like these Sony clip-on, open-air style earphones very much. They allow me to be totally aware of my local environment while really enjoying listening and getting some real work done at the same time too. They are even quite light and comfortable on my ears for a very long interval (> ~2-3 hours at a time) even while using reading glasses. They sound great to my ears to boot! In addition, they act as an excellent FM antenna for my Sony SRF-M37W AM/FM/Weatherband pocket radio. The extra ~1/2 m length of cable makes a very big reception difference on FM stations in comparison to the original Sony quality earphones that came with the SRF-M37W. Even with the very long cord they are very easy to roll up and carry in a shirt or pants pocket without any problems, especially compared to the traditional Sony earphones that came with my pocket radio. They were my Father's day gift this year and they are very much appreciated!



4. it works well, but if you wear it too long, you feel the numb on the ears, because of the clip. (a bit heavy if compare to my nintendo headphone,same clip style, but more comfortable then this sony one)



5. I'm not a big headphone speaker user. I hate having things in my ear, that is why I like the over the ear design. They do bother my ears after an hour when I wear my glasses. They don't block out the outside noise. I like that since I just want portable music. MY hearing isn't that great so I'm not a great judge on all of the tech. stuff
   
   Bottom line: They are O.K., the price was right

5 comments about Maximo iP-HS2 iMetal Isolation Headset for iPhone (Black/Silver).

1. Bought these headphones becuase I was unhappy with the ones that came with my Iphone. I am extremely happy with the quality of sound I'm getting when I watch movies and listen to music and the way these headphones keep me isolated from the suroundings.
   
   Answering and making calls is no problem. I highly recommend it. It, however, cannot be clipped to your cloths while not in use this can somtimes be annoying.



2. I like these headphones because they're relatively cheap and they sound fine. Because the apple phones won't stay in my ears, I've tried: vmoda, rivet, & skullcandy and these ip-hs2's. So far I like these the best because in comparison to the others: they lasted more than 2 weeks (vmoda), the covering didn't come unglued or pull out to expose wires (rivet) and mine don't have annoying noise or give me slight static electricity shocks(skullcandy). They may not sound like expensive B&O headphones, but they're okay for my needs--books, classical, podcasts and phone use. One side died after 3 months of use, but Maximo support replaced the headset pretty quickly. Product design seems pretty subjective to me -- I like the big button for answering phone, etc and I like that it's separate from the mic. The rivet's are cheaper, have a nice lanyard style, but the mic and mic button are terrible - and I think they don't sound as good as the Maximo, though the magnitude of difference isn't that big. Overall, if you want a decent ear canal headset, these are fine. If you're hard on your earphones, get a bunch of the rivets (4 for the price of vmoda) and replace as you wreck them.



3. I lost my standard Iphone headsets and wanted to upgrade. The Maximo iP-HS2 looked like a nice upgrade but failed miserably.
   
   First, the sound is horrible. I am not even that concerned with sound quality but the total lack of any base was obvious. All sound was tingy treble with no depth. Even voice was distractingly bad.
   
   The second bad function was the ear fit. It came with different size rubber fittings but none of these will help a bad design. The earphones are simply too heavy, stick straight out of the ear, and have little chance to hold their own weight and stay in place. The design does not allow any weight to be supported by the ear and relies solely on the friction of the rubber tips. There is no chance of this working well.
   
   The only reason I didn't give these a 1 rating was the mic pickup. While on the phone the other party said the sound was clearer than other headset mics. The separate answer button was OK. It was a bit heavy and your hand needed to feel a bit to find the actual button but it did work adequately. It came with a two foot cable extender which was another nice additional feature although the standard length is fine.
   
   In the end, the sound and the fit were so bad I returned these for credit. Either pay for really good earphones or stick with the basic apple earbuds, but these are a poor upgrade. I returned to the standard apple earbuds and am pleased.



4. I've read a jillion reviews on Amazon and I've never written one, but I felt compelled after seeing a few negative reviews on this product. I researched every iPhone compatible earphone available out there, this included offerings from V-Moda, Skullcandy, Shure, et al. After a lot of back-and-forth, I decided on these; the price was right, the sound-isolating style attracted me, and the reviews were mostly positive.
   
   I'm not a sound engineer, but I am a musician and a serious music aficionado of everything from classical to hip-hop. I feel that I made the right decision with this set. Since I've only had them a week, I cannot speak about their long-term reliability, so I will only say that they feel very robust in their build quality. As for sound, I think they're wonderful. The sound isolation is excellent, they're very comfortable in my ears for long periods, and with my iPhone's EQ setting on "treble booster" I believe they make most of music sound brilliant. Are they the absolute best earphones in the world? No, of course not. But at their price point, it doesn't get any better and I would certainly rather have these than various models that cost twice as much if not more.
   
   A final note, the soft control button on the iP-HS2 is brilliant. It's easy to press, feels good, and reliably does what you need it to. I couldn't say that for the included iPhone ones which would often skip the track when I intended to pause the music. I listen to music all day and this is one of the things I love about the iPhone, so having this function improved by these headphones was an enormous positive.
   
   Please consider these very seriously, it's a great product and a solid value. I'm a happy iPhone user.



5. I should have known that there was a reason these headphones cost half of "comparable" pairs. They sound pretty good when I press them into my ears with my fingers. They sound less good when I remove my fingers and they pop out of my ears onto the floor.
   
   I tried all three sizes of included eartips and none of them create the amount of friction and pressure to stay put. I've used both the Shure and Bose $99 headphones (not for iPhone) and used the medium eartip on each and they stayed put.
   
   Those and the stock Apple earphones seem to rely both on the hold inside the ear AND some support from the outer ear (they rest slightly on the "ledge" of the ear). This one doesn't do that. This, plus the fact that the eartips are too soft to hold tight in the ear creates a very silly set of headphones.
   
   I almost forgot another feature that on its own would also be a deal-breaker. When you insert the earphones, they make this loud "squishy" sound as the eartips move up and down on the metal protrusion. It's hard to describe in words, but I'll just say that it isn't a pleasant sound and sounds like water being pumped inside your ear. I would pay the extra $50 to make that go away...no question.
   
   I'm returning them now and will need to spend the $100 to get something with good fidelity and good fit. You really do get what you pay for.

5 comments about Califone First Stereo Headphone Lightweight for Young Children Blue.

1. I just received my Califone headphones for kids and am very disappointed to learn that there is no volume control on these headphones. Don't be fooled by the company's description that the volume can be set/controlled "externally" by the teacher. All that means is that the headphones do not come with its own volume adjustment -- in other words, like most headphones, you control the volume "externally" on the actual player into which you plug the headphones -- duh!! How sleazy of them to say such a thing in order to make it sound like there actually is a separate volume control to the headphones themselves. I bought these so that I could limit the volume on the headphones for my two-year old's safety...little did I know that these are just plain, ordinary headphones that are a bit smaller, lighter and cheaper for kids' use. Nothing more. And for those reviewers who say that even on the max volume level these headphones still didn't seem too loud for their kids, you better get your ears checked or clean the wax out. Even at just under three-quarters of the max volume on my Ipod, they were too loud for me...let alone my two-year old.
   
   Shame on you, Califone!!



2. I bought a set for each of my children; 2y and 5y. They are the perfect size for their little heads; they dont' slide off like other headsets do. They can both put them on without assistance, and they love wearing them. I love them because now I can listen to my XM in the car and not have the DVD competing behind me!



3. I bought these headphones for my 19month old grandson to listen to classical music from his Mp3 player. They are perfect for him, just the right size and fit perfectly over his ears. He will sit and listen to the music for almost an hour, so they must be very comfortable for him too. He absolutely loves them. The headphones are great plus the the service was outstanding. Very fast shipping too! Definately 5 stars, all the way around.



4. We purchased these for our 20month old for a very long flight to use with a dvd player. They worked great and our son actually kept them on his head! They are well built, light-weight, and are a great primary color (makes it more fun for kids). They are also the right size and cover the entire ear with very soft padding to stay on the ear better and fit smaller heads of toddlers (they are also adjustable to grow with your child). These also worked on the plane connected to the earphone jack for the on-plane movies so we were all peacefully watching a movie. I highly recommend these for your child as they were made specifically for young children.



5. Just to clear things up, these are just child sized headphones that have been "hardened" to resist abuse. There are no control mechanisms and other features, just headphones.
   
   Overview-
   These are just medium-low quality membranes in a hard package sized for little ones.
   
   They seem to have a good size range. The cups can be slid up or down on the support rail a couple of inches for the older kids or left up for the younger ones. I have a 2 and a 5 year old and they fit both fine.
   
   The exterior construction is a decent plastic, light and tough, can withstand a good amount of abuse. The actual contact surfaces seem to be a vinyl like material that is easy to clean, seems to wear well.
   
   The actual acoustic membrane is protected by a plastic grid so if the kid takes them off and starts poking around inside they can't damage them.
   
   The cup is filled with some type of foam, this helps to isolate outside sounds, though its not anything like dedicated noise cancelling or ear muffs. It reduces exterior noise but does not substantially eliminate it.
   
   The wire that connects to your sound device is key, first off its reinforced with extra thick shielding, the ends are reinforced as well. This helps prevent tangling and snagging and breaking. Also from the plug to the cups there is only 1 wire. The wire to the other cup is built into the headband. This reduces the amount of wire hanging around to get tangled or broken. Very nice.
   
   The sound quality is OK. It has good reproduction of low tones, serviceable reproduction of mid tones but poor reproduction of high tones. For its target age group that's probably ok. You can hear voices fine, just don't expect to enjoy your opera too well. Its not for serious music listening, its for kids who really wouldn't know the difference.
   
   That's about it. To recap
   
   Pros-
   Hardened design, very durable
   Tangle resistant wire
   Some exterior noise abatement
   
   Cons-
   Poor high tone reproduction.
   
   Conclusion-
   If you have kids and you want to get them their own headphones so they stop destroying yours these are just the ticket.

5 comments about Shure SE110 Sound Isolating Earphone with Balanced Armature Driver, Black.

1. I rarely give out five-star reviews, and I also rarely bother to write extensively satisfactory reviews as well. But the Shure SE110s are quite possibly the best headphones you will ever wear in your life. Its sound isolation technology is so simple, yet so revolutionary. Included with six pairs of foam or rubber caps, versatility, comfort, and quality reach new meaning. The foam caps may take a few minutes to get used to--they're quite effective as they expand in your ear canal(!)--but afterwards, listening through these buds makes everything around you seem like a dream. The quality of sound produced with the buds coupled with the sound isolation serves to create a musical score for your dullest everyday situations.



2. I have absolutely no clue what a balanced armature driver is, but I can tell you that its fantastic for a work situation when you have to sit a room full of morons. The guy sitting next to you chewing with his mouth open, its like he's not even there. The moron sitting behind you playing his horrible music for everyone. Can't even hear a note of it. Granted it doesn't block out everything, but it can make things tolerable. I can't wait to try them out on a plane.



3. Ok, here goes. I feel I owe a good review because I have been reading reviews online for a while and could'nt wait to try a pair of Shure's. I have been using $50 Sony MDR-EX 55's for about a month, and I'm tired of the heavy, muddled bass and the lack of clarity and intrigue in my music. The ex-55's are almost identical to the 71's I also tried. These are in the next "league" from those. I can tell because although I don't own high-quality earbuds, I constantly "borrow" my roommate's Sennheiser HD 280's, great but those are traditional design and not mobile. I would be much more upset right now if I bought these online and had to go through the hassles of shipping them back, and then paying the infamous "restocking fees". I am so thankful for the people who were truthful in their reviews about these headphones. I simply did not believe people when they said these could be a pain to put in, or they did'nt like the cord, etc. They ARE good, but not great. For the price, I absolutely believe that there are some better alternatives, such as the UE studio 3's, Etymotic ER6's, and even the UM1's. Heck, I believe whoever said that the E2C's are better. I've got my final verdict at the end of this long review about which one of the above I ended up choosing and why. I completely understand that these are entry-level shure's, however, $[...] is simply too much for these. Here's why:
   I am a cheap audiophile, as in I want the best I can get for around $[...], and my budget can't justify anything more for entertainment expenses at the time being. I burned a few cd's in Apple Lossless format for my 80G classic iPod in order to fully test these out. Tool's 'Lateralus', Radiohead's 'OK Computer', Incubus' 'Light Grenades', Smashing Pumpkins 'Mellon Collie....', Kanye West's 'The College Dropout', and Paul Oakenfold's 'Bunnka'.
   The packaging was nice because I did not have to tear it apart to open, which will make this easier to return. I immediately laughed about the cord. Shure says that it's ideal for people who wear their music player close, literally on the bicep. It's waay tooo short, and the wires are the thin, standard kind you'll see on cheaper headphones. I have no doubt these would break after a year of use, especially if you work-out with them. Also, there is a cord extender which helps at home, but you will definitely have to have it attached if you go mobile with this in any way. I'm 6'0", and the cord(without extender) is much shorter than my FOREARM. I did not believe people who said they had trouble putting these in, or experimenting alot to get a good fit. It's all true. I love canal-style headphones, they're usually not uncomfortable for me, and these wear a pain to adjust properly. I did get a great seal, and then I noticed that the wire they want you to wrap around your ears is still loose and flimsy, and would easily slip off when I tried to run or walk fast. Oh, you can wear these so that you dont have to wrap the wires around your ears, however the cord is short and heavy, so you'll notice the "tugging" of your buds, as gravity wants to pull them out of your ears. However, even with the tugging, they do stay in place, albeit more uncomfortably in this manner.
   Ok, the sound. Obviously, everyone has different tastes and differently shaped inner-ears and expectations, so I'll try my best to explain. Ok, first-off, these sounded better than my previous cheaper Sony's because I could hear more detail in my music and subtle nuances. However, the sound was just not as warm as I thought it would be with higher-end earbuds. Some rock/alt I listened to sounded harsh at times because the highs tend to roll-off, and it sounds too loud at times. It was fun listening to these with Radiohead and Incubus(all the vibes and background noises were there), but with Tool, the music sounded overly harsh, but the bass sounded great, and I did hear all those lovely Tool sounds come to life. Hard to explain. It's just that i felt the sound was louder than it should have been and the clarity started to get lost with the "heavier" sounds. I had the volume at about 70-80% throughout. I had to turn it down at times because the highs were too prominent in some heavier rock songs. Oakenfold's music(techno/pop) felt harsher than it should have been, it should have been more spacious sounding, but it wasn't, it was just there and clear sounding. I dont listen to much rap or r&b, but I feel bad for those who bought these to listen to that. I had to fiddle with my EQ to get the bass right on Kanye West's music, because the bass does sound distorted often, as mentioned in another review of these. Oh, these have the kind of tight-bass I like with my rock, but with rap it was too distorted sounding most of the time. Note: all voices sound amazing with these, hence the pronounced highs produced. I really thought that my Smashing Pumpkins would come alive with these, but the sound was only mildy better than the sony's all throughout, and it did'nt wow me anymore than when I first tried on the sony's. This is where I decided I would return these.
   Poetically, a friend of a friend who I met two days after I purchased these was boasting about his UE Studio 3's, that he bought 2 1/2 years ago and still worked great apparently! Although I never got a chance to try his out, he gave me a thorough review of my Shure 100's. "Nice try, the UE's are just better than this man"!! Obviously, he was biased and only listened to a few songs, but I just believed him, being a band person and all. So, I ordered a red pair of UE Studio 3s off of buy.com today($[...] - no joke). I am looking forward to getting them now, because these 100s are good earphones, but I could get better for less cash. Yes, I have nothing better to do today than write this, good luck to everyone in their purchase.



4. this product is amazing.... the sound quality... woow..
   but two things you should consider before getting it...
   - if you have an ipod... this is not your product... Bose might be a better option for you.. for the ipod cheap quality sound will kill the bass... I have this one with Sony walkman and the combination is just amazing... since the walkman has clear bass option that will kick the bass out of you.. the results are just amazing..
   - it might not be the most comfortable to walk or run with due to the big jack or plug that will keep hanging from your neck... to be honest I don't see the reason why it should be there... but still... I'd choose Shure over any other ear piece



5. It's really good at isolating outside noise, like the subway. With the foam earbuds, they basically act like earplugs that pipe your portable's sound in. You don't even hear your own movements, which you usually hear with other in-ear bud phones. But it does lack the low frequencies, bass and dimension (and if you use the ipod equalizer it sounds horrible); the music sounds flat, like it's in a vacuum. I've been using sony earbuds (Sony MDR-EX71SL) for a couple of years and they sound better in comparison; you can hear the bass and low-ends better (but too bad they don't have the same foamy earbuds, if they did they would rule the earphone market).