My story is this: I bought an e2c last year to use with my Rio
Nitrus. Loved the sound, hated the fit. Or lack of same. Couldn't use
the plastic fittings at all. Even the smallest was too large for my
ear canals. I could use the foam, but it took several minutes to roll
and insert each one--they'd pop out several times before setting in.
Then I'd go out and have to hear something, conversation or subway
announcements, so I'd take them out to hear, only to have to restart
the process. Also the foam got to be very uncomfortable and running
the wire behind my ear was a pain.

So I put them, reluctantly, aside in favor of first Sennheiser
SP 25, then Grado sr 60, then Etymotic er 6, then the Etymotic er 4 p
Each one had fine qualities, particularly the Grados. But the cord is
too long, too heavy, especially for bicycle commuting. So I thought
the 4 P would be it, until I tried fitting one of the extra sets of
ear plugs that come with the 4 p onto the tips of the 2c. It works.
They slid over and stay. The tips make a good seal against the ear
canal, and the sound is just fantastic. I've only been using the newly
fitted 2c for a day. I haven't had time to do a proper comparison, but
first impression is good.

I know many people feel the 2c is Shure's best value for an
occluding headphone, but at the very least it holds its own with one
that originally cost more than three times as much. Impressive.

Andy Katz

Ps: thanks for the aa battery trick to test speaker polarity. *Way*
easier than tracing the wire....