I've seen the E2c's on someones head on the Shure website, and the design is unique so that the wire can be put behind the ear and go by your back.

Question: Do the Shure's have to go behind the ear rather than the wire just hang out in the front and go down?

No--I tried them behind my back, but quickly switched to wearing them in front--works much better for me. You still wrap the cords behind your ears, but bring them around the front instead of the back--works like a charm. I found that I had too much problems with pulling if I put them behind my head....

No offense, but won't that look kinda stupid that way? I mean that's how I'd wear them too if I got them, but still...

No, they look just fine that way--it's really not that noticealble. In fact they look more "normal" coming out in front than in back. They look better, for example, than the clip on earbuds, but not as good as the EX's. But they don't look outrageously goofy--no one is going to stop and stare at you (because of your earphones at least. I have no idea if you 've got other stuff, like a beanie with a propellar for example, now people might stare at that, but don't blame THAT on the Shure's..).

I don't mean weird as in wires coming down your chest than in the back, I mean weird as in wires being wrapped around your ears. I don't know, it just seems odd to me...

Anyway, I would get the EX71's but I hear all these people saying they have a tremendous amount of bass so you can barely hear the music, but on the otherhand the E2c's have virtually no bass so it's a lose lose situation here.

I don't know where you're getting the E2's "have no bass". They are just fine. The EX's are bass heavy. You're just going to have to listen to the E2's yourself...The vast majority of people love the E2's, a vocal minority don't. You should check out some of the audiophile boards; you will see the E2's are very highly regarded by most--the EX's are not even close to being in the same league.

Check out this thread:

http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthr...&threadid=1883


Actually, in that thread, one poster complained of the E2's being bass heavy (they're not, IMHO).

There are numerous threads here about the E2s, mostly positive. The key to getting the bass is proper fit--improper fit, bass is not going to be very pronounced--with proper fit, it's great.

So basically your oppinion is as follows:

EX7* > Thumbs Down

E2c > Thumbs Way Up

Yep, that's pretty close. I love the Shure's--and I think they are a fantastic value for the money (Best overall value IMHO are grado SR 60's--for $69.00 these cans sound better than many headphones three times their price. They aren't portable though)..

I wouldn't give the EX's a thumbs down, they are ok, are reasonably priced, and have their niche--but they can't hold a candle to the Shure's, which are in my opinion definitely worth the extra money versus the EX's...

I own both the EX70 and the Shure E2. The Shures are much, much better than the Sonys.

I have owned the Sony EX-70's, Etymotic ER-6's, and Shure E2c's. The E2c is the only one I still have and I love it. It could use a little more bass but I wouldn't say it has a bass problem per se. As for the wires behind the ear, I think they look great. If you use them that way with the little cord tightener thing, it makes the earphones very snug. Great for sports. I can go snowboarding with these and not worry about them slipping out (which is always a pain in the butt because you have to take your gloves off, blah blah blah).

See but I wouldn't be using these for extreme sports and such, I can care less about their ability for that.

I'd be using these for a more casual use. Walking around in Disney, on the computer playing games, you know. Everything that my older huge 80$ Sony ones used to do. Are they still good for that or should I just get the Sony's?

I would probably be constantly taking them out and in when I go out and such to hear people talking to me but...I don't know. What do you think?

I think you should buy them from a place that offers returns and stop obsessing about how the wires will look.

Does Guitar Center offer returns? I wouldn't really imagine any place does. I know that I wouldn't want to buy some used in-ear-canal headphones. ::shiver::

I just bought mine at Guitar Center yesterday ($79.99+tax) and asked them that very thing. The guy kind of hedged a lot and basicly said he wasn't sure for that very reason. Although I figure if you pressed the matter you could return them cuz they will just return it to the manufacturer anyway. But if you are really worried about being able to return them, but a pair of Shure's website. They offer a 30 day no questions aked return policy if you buy through the site. Only drawback is they charge $100. But if you are really worried, you can order some, try them out and if you like them, return them to the website and then buy a new pair at Guitar Center or off ebay for cheaper.