Cheap in-ears: Shure E2 vs. Etymotic ER-6

[sounddevisor]

Hey, all -

I'm in the market for a pair of cheap in-ear headphones - not for anything critical, mainly I'll use 'em either on the subway with an iPod, or on an airplane with an iPod or my laptop. My budget is under $200, so far looks like Shure E2c or Etymotic ER-6 or ER-6i are gonna get the nod.

Anyone have any first-hand experience with any (or all) of these models? Anyone want to suggest something else? My main citerion is good isolation - I want to be able to hear (reasonably) full-frequency-range music without having the earbuds pumping 110 dBs into my head.

And please, respect the budget - I know I could go high-end with custom ear-molds, etc., but sooner or later these things will get lost, stolen, stepped on, or chewed by my sister's dog.

Thanks!

[sounddevisor]

Nobody? C'mon, help a fella out here.

[TeReKeTe]

i got my er-4's for $180, new, on ebay. go for it.

[woofhead]

Hi,

I was reading about a new one that cam out,Sennheiser CX 300B-Amazon has them for $40 right now- I bet they're really good, and amazon is easy with returns if you no like.I may order them today.

Mike

[Cojo]

Hello, I have the e2c with my walkman and I like them. I have never heard better sounding headphones this small but you have to insert them right, otherwise you get no bass. They do shut out unwanted noise so you don't have to play loud=good for your ears!

/Cojo

[ki1ian]

I've got a set of ER-4Ps and they are a joy to use. If the ER-6s are anything like the ER-4s then Etymotic would get my vote.

[EarCandy]

Another vote for the ER-4Ps They sound just awesome (once they are sealed in your ear canal correctly) and the way they isolate you from the outside world (around 25
db or so) allows you to really enjoy listening on a plane or subway. I use them all the time in my studio as an alternate critical listening source.

[sounddevisor]

Thanks everyone for the info and recommendations!

I ended up getting the Etymotic ER6i - I've had 'em for a couple of days now, and so far they're great - just what I needed in terms of blocking out subway/plane noise. They sound fine, especially for the money, and compared to whatever other cheapo phones and earbuds I've been using. I don't know that I'd make any critical mix decisons on them or anything, but for actually being able to listen to music on the subway they are perfect.

So far my only minor complaint - I wish they came in black as well as white (the ER6 come in black, but not the 6i.) White makes them pretty visible on the subway, and makes people think you have a nice stealable iPod (even if you don't,) and judging by my original iPod earbuds, they're just going to look dirty and gray in a few months.