Features:
Sound isolating earphones were originally made for performing musicians so they could easily monitor themselves on stage without the very loud background noise of everything else going on around them. The earphones are very much like earplugs with speakers. They use either foam or flex sleeves to essentially seal themselves in your ear blocking off most the noise that isn't coming directly from the earphone. The drivers inside the earphones are very small high performance micro-speakers which have a very full range of frequencies and give out an incredible sound for their small size. What makes sound isolating earphones different than standard ear buds and headphones are that they are designed to actually fit inside your ear where they can create an isolated listening area. Having sound isolating earphones allows you to hear greater detail in your music while keeping it at an overall lower volume than you would normally use with either ear buds or regular headphones.

The E2c earphones come with a very stylish carrying case to protect them when your on the road, and also a fitting kit. This fitting kit consists of different sizes of foam and flex sleeves which insures you can find a size that will fit your ear comfortably.

  
(Click to enlarge)

Installation:
The first step to setting up the E2c earphones is to find the appropriate sleeve that fits your ear. The E2c earphones come with Small, Medium and Large plastic and foam sleeve's. I gave both kinds a try and I personally preferred the foam as it seemed to hold a lot more firmly in my ear and was generally more comfortable to wear. Once the earphones were properly fitted to my ears the second step of installation is a given, plug them in.

Testing:
To test the E2c Earphones I ran them through a variety of music listening styles and a couple computer games. In pretty much every test I ran them through I found the sound to be VERY exceptional. The majority of frequencies came out very clear and very strong. However, overall I found them slightly lacking in the lower frequencies with certain styles of music. For those who are looking for more bass, higher models of earphones in the E series by Shure offer better bass response.

The sound isolating feature of them really added a whole new level to my music. It blocked out all the annoying background noises and white noise we hear in everyday ventures and really allowed me to concentrate better on what I was listening to. As well as being aimed at the music crowd, these earphones are also a great addition to any small musician or studio. Being as they are not a fully wireless system, on stage musicians would have a harder time using them during a performance, but for just practicing an instrument or any smaller gigs they are excellent!

Conclusion:
Overall I would say Shure has done an excellent job of bringing sound isolating earphones into more of the home market with the E2c earphones. Their sound is very exceptional and clear and their reasonable price makes them affordable to anyone who is serious about getting a good set of sound isolating ear buds. If you're looking for a higher quality and better sounding set of sound isolating earphones Shure also makes 3 models above this model, in a price range up to around $500.

Pros:
Sound quality is incredible
Included case
Included fitting kit
List of uses is endless

Cons:
Price is high (but I'd personally say it's worth it)
Slightly lacking in bass (this can be fixed by buying a higher model from the E series)

Rating: 8/10

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