Did I tell you about how the jack on the end of my Etymotic ER-6i earphones gave out and I just about lost it?  Did I tell you about how I had to go for a few weeks without the best-sounding, most comfy and versatile in-ear earphones I own that actually fit into iPhone's dumb recessed audio jack while they were being fixed?  Did I tell you about how I did a little dance of joy when Ety fixed and returned them to me no questions asked?  Did I tell you about how I forgot to bring them with me to Vegas this week and have been kicking myself for it every hour on the hour?

Well, no matter now, Ety's gone and let their new designed for iPhone hf2 headset out of the bag a week early and I want one.  Originally slated to be unveiled at MacWorld San Francisco next week (I'll be there, Gail!), Etymotics dropped the hf2s on Vegas this week.  Based on the technology that makes the company's ER-4P's sing so sweetly, the hf2 features an inline microphone with a control button that can be used to end/send voice calls, advance iTunes tracks, and perform "a variety of functions supported by the iPhone and other mobile devices."

The hf2's also have a shorter than normal cable running between earpiece and microphone, which Ety says places the mic in a more "naturally closer to the mouth" position for better hands-free usage.  And get this: The hf2's are listed at $179 MSRP, which is way less than the $299 list price of the ER-4s.  So if you're an iPhone owner (or own any portable music player or cell phone with a standard 3.5mm audio jack, actually), do yourself a favor and look out for the Etymotic hf2 headset. I haven't even tried them yet and I'm already all excited ... that's how great Etys sound.

Check out a photo over at CrunchGear from here.