Overview
Every now and again, there is a product you buy that not only changes the way you do things, but also raises the standard in its field.  The Shure’s E2c earphones is one of those products.  As long as you can get used to the in-ear design, and the fact that you can’t hear the word around you, the E2C will saturate your auditory world in musical bliss. 

Introduction
Shure’s E2c earphones aren’t cheap.  Even though they are one of the lowest priced models that they have, at $110, these cost mere fractions of the cost of your mobile device.  In fact, these headphones, if you purchased them, would most likely be in the top three most expensive accessories that you would have bought for your device.  There are hundreds of other earphones out there for cheaper that, for the general user, is adequate.  So what make these things so special?  Is it worth that hefty price tag?  As I use my x50v Axim and some freeware programs, read on to find out! 

Package
Included in the package are the earphones, a nice, zippered carrying case, and the fix kit, which includes a strip of 10 wax guards and small medium and larges of the translucent flex inserts and the black soft flex inserts, as well as another triple of the foam sleeves.  Everything out of the box has a nice quality feel to it.  This is good because at $110 MSRP, you want quality things to come with your headphones.  The manual is clear and well written, with nice illustrations and useful information, such as the reference numbers for anything and everything they have for the earphones just incase you need replacements.  The only thing I can think of that’s missing is an airplane adapter, as a plane is one of the few places that you want to just disappear into your own world--unless you want to make a single serving friend, like Tyler Durden.   

Getting started…because it’s just so hard to use earphones….
A quick read of the manual states that install the wax guards, illustrates how to install the sleeves, then instructs you to shove these bad boys deep into your ear canal, wires up, and loop it around the lobe—in nicer terms of course.  That “shoving into the ear canal” part is where most people will have their qualms about this product, but fear not as this is not unlike using contacts.  The fit is actually quite comfortable and highly secure.  You can even do one of the famed iPod dances with these things on and you won’t miss a beat.  Also, as these earphones weigh about an ounce your barely feel their weight.  However, once again, you’re pushing something into year ear.  Some people may get turned off by that.  You will most likely get used to it and learn to love it or hate it and return the product, that that’s all about personal preference instead of the design of the phones as the nice engineers at Shure did everything they could to make wearing this thing as pleasant as can be.

Sound quality
First, I tested these phones with the standard x50v settings.  My test song was the impressive orchestral of  “My Name is Lincoln” from The Island Soundtrack.  The test bed MP3 software was GSPlayer.  Shure did a great job of making the most of the generally flat EQ settings.  The true highs sparkle, a strong, accurate, and powerful bass commands the lows, and little nuances that you never realized in the song come forth like little forest creatures after the danger had past.  In short, it was like listening to your favorite song for the very first time.  However, when using the free x50mix EQ, it took EVERYTHING to a whole new level….again.  I’m not audio expert, but I will say this- it’s something you need to experience to understand.   I can’t even listen to any music on my Axim without x50Mix and my E2cs.  Also, I have been changed, my friends!  No more do I encode my music for ideal space at 64-96kbps WMA VBR.  No, my brothers and sisters, from now on, its the best quality I can get at 192kbps and above WMA VBR.  It’s quality over quantity for this reviewer when these phones are in my ears.

Say what?
Shure’s headphones use passive noise cancellation.  Basically, it’s like an ear plug that surrounds a high quality speaker.  This means there are no batteries to use and have drain, and therefore, they remain very light and highly portable.  Shure claims that this passive system works 2 to 7 times better than other battery operated systems.  However, this means there’s no “Off” switch to the noise diminishing properties, making this not the headphones to use if you are doing activities that require situation awareness. 

In testing this, I took it on a variety of trials, from in the back of a blasting Trinidadian Taxi, to the subways of NYC.  Sure did a GREAT job of keeping all but the loudest and lowest frequency parts of the music in the taxis to just background noise, and in the subway, one could close their eyes and just slip into the melodies of whatever you were listening to.  Yet the most impressive part is that it did all this on the first and second level of volume above mute of my Axim.  I kid you not, as above that level, it gets REALLY loud unless you’re already in a loud area.   At night, in bed I was fighting to find a way to lower the volume even more without muting it.  Using Windows Media Player helped with as its volume adjustment is independent of the main volume adjustment, yet any clicks, beeps, or alarms…ouch.   

Sharing is caring
Since the inside of your ear is probably as private to you and others as the inside of your nose, Shure bundled these nifty foam sleeves, as well as replacement cups for varied ear sizes, I the fix kit.  Now you can be sure that your wax IS your wax.   But please, if you see wax on your sleeves, be nice and clean themJ.

The Dyer Test
Well, the big question is, does it survive me?  We, I’ve had these things ripped form my ears, dropped my pocket pc with them in my ear, twirled them like nunchucks, had it stuck in a seatbelt in a cab, closed a door on them, closed a trunk on them, went to the beach and got sand in them, went hiking and got mud on them, and last but not least, had the in my pocket for hours on end, outside the protective case…

They look and work as good as new.  The wires are definitely securely attached to those earphones.  These are some tough little buggers.  Not bad for something with a 2 year limited warranty!

Thank God I’m not selling these cause now no one will buy the from me!

Closing

To answer the questions posed in the introduction: the sound is insanely amazing and quality of the product is superb.  In the end, the cost is justified.  So, if you’re strolling down the street, and you see someone’s lips moving, and when you pause your player, they ask you the same questions as I posed in the introduction, just respond, “these headphones are for those who don’t think ‘adequate’ is good enough.”

Rating

• Cost- 4                        You get what you pay for, but…they’re its still rather high
• Ease of Use- 4             Its not a painless process, especially the first time through…
• Sound- 5                      OMG OMG OMG….OMG
• Durability- 5                 These guys are TANKS

 Overall- 4.7

 Quick Technical Specs

• Transducer type            Dynamic
• Sensitivity (at 1kHz)      105 dB SPL/mW
• Impedance (at 1kHz)    16 Ohms
• Output connector          Gold-plated 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) stereo plug
• Cable length                 157 cm (62”)
• Net weight                    30 g (1 oz)