I am looking for good earbud type headphones for my portable player and would go for Shure. But then I realized one of my important constraints: I like asymmetrical cables and find it very convenient. I currently use a Sony MDR-E888LP. Do I have other options than Sony satisfying this constraint? Sound quality is of highest importance.

Sennheiser buds are asymmetric, aren't they?

OFFTOPIC

well, i m way offtopic, but i m questioning this for years. Can someone explain me the purpose of making earbuds with asymetric cable. I cant figure out for what are they doing that... It gives better stabilty? -no. So what it is???

It is just more convenient to wear, actually far more so I think. Maybe one needs to try it for some period to understand the difference. But with an asymmetric cable an important portion of the cable goes behind your neck, so you don't feel it /it doesn't get in the way as you move around. There is no cord dangling in front of the wearer's neck.

Several of the shure models have cables that are designed to feed from behind the neck with bendable ear attachments that will hold them out of the way and in a comfortable position.

I don't think the shure E3c can do it, but I know that the E4s are capable of it and the newer versions as well. Just check out their website. They are pricy but very nice.
J

At least Sennheiser MX300 and MX400 aren't asymmetric.
Panasonic RP-HJE50 canalphones have uneven cord length, and it sounds definitely better than Sony MDR-EX51 and MDR-EX71 (don't know about E888).

I own a pair of the asymetric sony MDR ex71s and they are ok, but they are a bit inconvenient to use sometimes. I always have to use the remote chord that came with my iPod for them or their own extension chord. And their extension chord isn't all that bad, but its kind of annoying to have those few extra ounces of weight dangling from your left ear.

Plus the chord that goes behind the neck is so light that will often settle in weird places and really inconvenience you. Especially when wearing a collared shirt.
J