Shure E2C or Etymotic ER6i

[thesmallelder]

Recently my iPod earbuds died, so I'm the market for some new earbuds. I've decided on getting earphones (as they aren't huge and allow me to keep the volume low, so my ears don't have to suffer any damage) and am deciding between the Shure E2C and the Etymotic ER6i. They both are about the same price on Amazon and from reading reviews, it's mixed. I'm not sure which to get. I usually listen to rock with occasional pop and classical.

I've also considered the Sony EX71 and it seems that a lot of users here are using them. Are they as good as the Shures or the Etymotics?

[alv077]

Dont go ex71 if you are even thinking of the shures or etymotics. Ex71s are pale in comparison (from what I read) and the wires are awful, breaking in months, if not weeks (confirmed myself)

I would like to know you you get, as I am in the same boat myself. Cnet gave a higher score to the ER6i, for what its worth... but the E2c looks a bit nicer...

[Jackonicko]

Why not read the multitude of threads on this? Good alternatives to the EX71, earbuds under $100, etc.

The Sony EX71 is poor. Bad, muddy sound with crude, over-powerful, under-detailed bass and horrible swishy hissy highs.

The E2C is better sound-wise, though nothing like as good as its price tage would suggest. VERY uncomfortable, too.

The ER6i is similar, but rather flat, and if you can't get a good fit, the sound is very, very tinny. More comfortable than the E2C, less comfortable than the EX71.

I'd recommend the Panasonic HJE70 or, if you want to pay less, then the Sennheiser CX300. If you want better sound quality you need to pay much more - the Super.Fi 5 springing to mind.

[alv077]

o_O

Ive read that the e2c was comfortable X_x

[Lanfear]

Mmm.. yeah e2's are extremly comftorable.

[Aceospades1250]

Depends on the ears. Mine were practically blood red after a weeks of use with the smallest foamy.

The super.fi 3s are really excellant...I am thinking of posting a full length review of them later with comparisons between the EX71, E2c, and of course the superfi. 3s. I think it would help reduce the flood of threads asking the same exact things...

[VBRJunky]

I think the comfortability is really going to vary depending on the person. I find them comfortable, you find them uncomfortable. I am also looking for new earbuds for my bro. I'm leaning towards the er6 or the Panasonic HJE70. I might even get him e2c's.

[Aceospades1250]

Thats true...you should have seen what the silicon rubbers did :o

[thesmallelder]

I just the e2c's today at a local music shop for $69 :). They're signifcantly better than the iPod buds and at 69$ they were a bargain, but they're kinda uncomfortable. I'm not too fond of the whole over the ear idea, but it's not too bad. Also the buds are hard to put in at first, but I've gotten used to putting the foam ones in.