It took me about 30 minutes to get used to the difference and having something over my ear, but I have to say that the sound quality is surprisingly good. its lower profile of 38mm vs the Ec2 was a nice change. Looking to buy a second pair soon! I was worried that it wouldnt fit my phone with the case on it (because none of the pics show phone cases) but it does! I am so happy I just may order another pair! I bought them specifically to wear at the swimming pool to help with my mobility problem - I walk with a stick and was worried about slipping on wet floors. He thought they looked like "girl shoes. Then the rest of us couldn’t use our volume controls anymore. -what i like: this is a one-piece slide so the entire slide is made from a good quality rubber material that dries quick, with no stink that comes from foam/cloth materials on other slides. Would I recommend this to a friend? Absolutely, because my husband is more than a friend and he is happy with them.