Sennheiser CX300-B In-Ear Stereo Headphone (black)

Summary: I'm the most picky consumer I know. I don't buy anything without reasearching it first and doing a personal comparison side-by-side second. Rarely do I buy anything without doing my homework. I'm using the ARCHOS AV500 as my mp3 playback device. So, here we go...

1. SOUND- Advantage: Sennheiser. I gave the slight nod to the CX300 because it delivered a more prominent BASS than E2c. The E2c had a difficult time handling the lower end and I had to max out everything on my equalizer to be able to get some bass. On the CX300's however, the bass hit me right from the get-go. I had to literally turn down the bass to a more manageable level. Otherwise, it will be thumping in your head. The way I see it, too much bass is better than not enough at all. In all fairness though, the E2c's handled the high's better. It's clearer and more crisp. If you listen to ROCK, POP or ACOUSTICS, go with the E2c. For R&B, HIP-HOP and JAZZ, the CX300 is the way to go.

2. COMFORT- Advantage: Shure. The E2c's came with an array of tips including both rubber and foam. The CX300 came with only rubber but they are noticeably softer ones so it will contour to your ear's shape better than E2c rubbers. The most comfortable out of the two were E2c's foam tips though which CX300 doesn't provide. All tips came with SM, M, and L sizes.

3. FIT- Advantage: Shure. Given the right size tips you choose, the E2c's fit your ear perfectly. These things will not fall out. Believe me I tried jumping up and down and shaking my head vigorously. They're in there good. The CX300 doesn't have the around-the-ear design that give the E2c's such a good fit so adjustments need to be done from time to time. For working out, E2c's will do nicely.

4. CORDS- Advantage: Shure. The CX300 has irregular length being that the right side is longer than the left. This is so that you wrap the right earbud behind your neck and you have no choice but to put the mp3 player on your left side pocket. The E2c's not only have equal lengths (which I prefer) but have the luxury of durability with its thicker cords. It'll take significant abuse for these to be damaged. As far as length, both are generous. I stand at 5'10" and I can put my mp3 player in my pants pocket without the danger of the buds being pulled out during activity.

5. NOISE REDUCTION- Advantage: Equal. If you have a good seal around you ear canal, ambient sounds coming from the outside world are drastically reduced. I played loud music with my stereo system and stood next to the garage door while opening/closing it and I couldn't hear a thing. It will give you complete sound isolation (when the music is playing. Without music you will be able to hear your fingers snapping). Please note: Do NOT use these in places where you need to hear important noises. In other words, if you're using these at the airport and you miss the announcement about your flight boarding early, don't blame me. Or when you're driving in your car with these on (dumb) and you run smack into an ambulance with its sirens in full blast, you're going to find yourself riding in the back seat of police car instead. Don't blame me.

6. PRICE- Advantage: CX300. As of this writing (10/07/06), ********** has the cheapest prices on the net. Shure E2c = $72+$5shipping. Sennheiser CX300 = $47+free shipping. Needless to say, you don't have to be a genius to figure this one out. Either that or go to your local retailer and pay MSRP. E2c's go for $99 and CX300's for $79.

So, pick your poison. Both have their positives and negatives and which one you pick depends on which are more important to have. To me, the BASS sound and price of the Sennheiser CX-300 made it a no-brainer for me. Good luck.