If you end up getting the Shures, make sure to allow enough time for you to learn how to insert the earphones correctly. It usually takes a week or so to get the hang of getting them in correctly the first time and to learn the right angle/direction to get a good seal.

Without a good seal, the sound will be "thin".

I agree 100% with your comments. I have Shure e2c and couldn't use any of the tips that came with the Shure. I bought some foam style tips that were better but it seems like the Shure had too short of a stem for my ears to get a good fit. If I did manage to get a good seal, the sound quality was great. But I wasn't able to accomplish this feat often. So I am looking to try alternatives that will work with my ears better.

Btw, is there a place on FT to sell or trade items such as the Shure earbuds?

I have no problem sleeping with the E500's. They are very low profile.

I had Etymotic ER4-P's. I bought the E500's and gave the Ety's to my girlfriend.

I can sleep fine with the E5's. Sitting or with head turned to one side.

Sound quality? Outstanding!

I got these instead of the E5c's inadvertently and don't even know the difference if any in design. When I called Shure to order some extra triple flanges, I was told that the E5s were packaged and marketed to the pro-audio crowd and the the "c" in the EXc series stood for "consumer."

E5C and Bose QC's
 

I have both and like both.

The E5C are great. I like it for the fact that I do not need to take out my Bose case, fiddle with the cord, etc. The only drawback is that the E5C because of the snug fit doesn't allow my ears to adjust during flight. That can be a pain when you are trying to get the pressure in your ear. I can rest easier with the E5C's than the Bose. Finally, you do not need to worry about charging.

Lately my son has been using my E5C's so I've had to use the QC's. Regarding support, both are good. I don't think you can go wrong w/either one.

Just my 2cents.

In-ear 'phones, by a mile. Shure, Ety, or UE, but all before Bose. Don't even put the Bose in-ears in your list.

That is correct. There is no difference in the audio capability of the C product and the non-C product. In some models they are a different colour (eg E3 is grey while E3C is White) but that is just to appeal to the iPod market vs the pro audio in-ear monitor market.

So just go for the C or Non-C depending on the colour you want, availability or the best price you can find.