Every now and again, a piece of travel technology comes along that immediately transforms the way you do things. I have gradually progressed to portable audio, and took the plunge, based on some initial comments in this forum, to purchase the Shure E4c for US$217.95 delivered to Australia (http://www.earphonesolutions.com/).

My home audio system consists of high quality electronics from Arcam and Vandersteen, among others, and lossy-format recordings (err MP3) have left me cold to date.

Straight out of the box, using Ogg Vorbis at 10/10 sampling (around 220 kbps), I heard real music. Yes they're cold as ice, the bass is seriously constrained - but it's there! - due to the drivers needing "burn-in", but I heard real music.

They're now sitting on my desk "burning-in" - but I have to say it's the best $200-odd I've ever spent on audio gear.

And the other benefit? They isolate external noise - after the Shures, I won't even bother with noise-cancelling headphones again.

Wow!

I've quit using Shures and moved to the Etymotics, the Shures were simply not comfortable enough for long flights and are a pain to get in your ear the correct way.

As good as the Shures sound I actually prefer the sound of the Etymotics.

I read that the E4's were definitely great sounding from reviews on the Web. They are better than the E3's.

Any good deals on these on the Web?

I went the opposite direction. I switched from Etymotic E4P headphones to the Shure E5. I found the Shure to be a bit more comfortable for long use and I like the sound more.

I picked up a pair of E4c phones in Singapore at Sim Lim last week (not the best deal, but they're next to impossible to get in person here) and have been quite impressed. Used them on the SIN-CHC flight this past Friday and they were excellent.

Easy enough to get a seal once you get the knack for it, and helps me to have the cord over the top of my ear.

Bass is quite clean - not terribly boomy (depends on the source, of course), but very distinct. Mids and highs are perfect, in my opinion.

I use with my N710 minidisc, so the sound output is excellent. Wife wanted to try them with her Ipod Mini. "Ah, no, dear. Just keep using your Apple buds..."

I think she has grounds for divorce!

The Etymotics just didn't 'do it' for me, I guess I have small ear canals.

I just switched to the B&O A8's. Best ear phones I have ever used in terms of both sound quality and comfort, and a relative bargain at $150.

I also have (and love, despite them repeatedly breaking seemingly every year) the B&O A8 earphones, but there are times that an open earphone simply will not do...! On a loud flight at the back of a 747 is one of them.

<wallet> well, maybe later... <huff> </wallet>

Great! Glad you found something that makes you so happy. I know the feeling. I haven't tried the Shure's, but I sure do love the Etymotics ER4's. Since you mentioned that you love quality audio, I thought I'd say that the ER4's are fantastic, blows anything else that I've tried out of the water. (Better sound quality than my Grado SR-325 headphones, if that comparison helps.) After listening to the ER4's, I couldn't believe how much I had been missing.