shure e2c

thankyou for the feedback are they comfortable ? or do they hurt the ear after some time ? do they fit good, the part outside the ear canal? thankyou again

In the coming weeks, I'll be writing a review of the Shure E2c's for iPodlounge - keep an eye out for a link to it on the main page.

I'm not sure when the review will be ready (I haven't received the earphones yet!), but I'll try to remember this thread and post a message when the review is online.

Tom

Originally posted by tntracy
In the coming weeks, I'll be writing a review of the Shure E2c's for iPodlounge - keep an eye out for a link to it on the main page.

I'm not sure when the review will be ready (I haven't received the earphones yet!), but I'll try to remember this thread and post a message when the review is online.

Tom

Great, now you decide to do it, after I just ORDERED THEM!!!

Actually, ordered them a week ago...still waiting...impatiently...:rolleyes:

Ok, I am anxiously awaiting Tom's comparison of the E2's to the ETY4's, but in the meantime I have gotten my E2's, and here is my impression as compared to the sony EX's:

A little background on how I use my ipod: (mainly to help anyone reading this to determine wether my opinion will be worthwhile or not with regards to your own listening habits):
I play it all day at work, hooked up to a nice set of AltecLansing speakers with a subwoofer, hooked up into the headphone jack--the ipod drives them with no problem, and they sound fantastic. At home, I use Grado SR 60's, at the gym, I use portable earphones--until recently, EX70's, now E2's.

Sound: The E2's blow the EX70's away. Not even close here. The E2's are MUCH more transparent--music is crystal clear on the E2's; I didn't realize how muddled the EX70's sounded until I directly compared them to the E2's. The treble is much brighter in the E2's. The bass is less prominent, but MUCH clearer, as are the drums. The E2's are driven by the ipod much better than the EX's--I use 2/3's the volume on the E2's--I can turn the volume all the way up on the EX's, I'd blow my eardrums out if I tried that with the E2's. The E2's remind me very much of the Grado SR 60's; they're kind of like an earphone equivalent--if you love the Grado's, chances are you're going to like the E2's too.

Comfort: The E2's are not quite as comfortable as the EX's--but they're close. They are a little bit heavier, and it takes little time to figure out what gives you the best fit--I prefer the medium sized silicone sleeves myself--and seal is absolutely critical with the E2's, otheriwise you have no bass. One nice thing is though is once the E2's are in, they aren't going anywhere. They come over the top and then behind your ear; the cords to each earphone are equal in length from where they split from the main cord, unlike the EX70's (something that always bothered me about the EX's). I've had problems with the EX's moving or falling out at the gym; the E2's are so secure once properly in they don't move at all.

Isolation: They both do a good job at isolation, but the E2's are a notch better than the EX's. Bottom line, I wouldn't go bike riding or walking in the street with EITHER pair.

Cord noise: There is some cord noise during exercise with the EX's, slightly annoying, but tolerable. There is absolutely none with the E2's, probably because of the relatively thicker cord. They are simply fantastic for exercise.

Durability: Build of the E2's appears superior--the main cord is thicker than the EX's, and less prone to tangle. The earphones themselves appear sturdier, especially the junction of the cord to the earphones.

The EWB (Earwax Buildup) factor: It's recommended you use the included wax guards with the E2's--but the apertures are so much bigger, and the earphones so much easier to clean than the EX's, I haven't used it. They are easier to clean/take care of.

One note about the E2's: it doesn't have a short cord with an extension, like the EX's. This is not a major issue unless you like the remote--I do, but the E2's are so much better, I'm going without the remote.

Bottom line: E2's are now my pick for relatively affordable ($85.00) portable buds for exercise. They are IMHO DEFINITELY worth the extra money in comparison to the EX's. I also think they are fantastic buy as a portable earbud for those looking for an isolation type bud not necessarily for exercise.

Now I am 100% sure that the Etys sound better than the E2's (although I haven't had the opportunity to check the Etys' out). But the Ety's are not a good earphone for strenuous activity; otherwise I would have considered forking over the $270.00 for them. But I am very interested to see Tom's direct comparison...

I have earphones and headsets kicking around all over the place here, and I have to say that I dig the Shures, no question; I only have minor quibbles with them.

--The Sony EX70s are great in a quiet environment--I use them every day for transcribing in my office--but they don't cut it out in the real world. You have to blast your ears to walk through NYC while listening to music, plus you get an annoying 'howling wind' noise from the cord if you walk while wearing them.

--The Bose Quiet-Comfort headphones--you know, those noise-reducing headphones they advertise in all the airline magazines--are pretty sweet, but you don't want to walk down the street with them on. Also, their bass response is a little odd. Great for a train- or plane ride if you're not self-conscious about their big look.

--Future Sonics Ear Monitors. These are great. I wore them a lot until I was given the Shures, and I'd still recommend them to anyone. They do a great job of blocking out the outside world; you could listen to the foulest Yoko Ono screech-a-thon on the bus, hear every skull-shattering noise and no one will be the wiser. They're less bulky than the Shures (the cord is much thinner) and I found the sound to be about the same. Don't like the pouch they came in (it's flimsy and the cushions get grubby in there pretty fast), but that's about my only issue.

--The Shures. Love 'em--they sound great, especially on the street; you can hear all the lows without blasting your iPod, thus saving your precious hearing. The cord is bulkier than I'd like, but it wraps up neatly in the cool zip-up hockey puck case that they come in. My major problem is that you have to wear them so that the cord runs down your back, which is fine in the winter when you are just burying it under your jacket or coat. Now that it's summer though, I feel like a dope walking along with a cord hanging off the back of my head for all the world to see. I'm just waiting for some wiseass to yank it and rip my ears off in the process.

Regardless of what you choose, upgrading from the iPod earphones is a smart move. Using monitors that fit into the ear canal may be initially worrisome, but providing you turn down your volume (and you'll want to, believe me), you'll be taking better care of your hearing and you'll reduce ear fatigue. Congrats on a smart purchase!

I had the ER-6 and returned them for the ER-4, I also own the E2. I would recommend the E2 over the ER-6. I found the ER-6 high end to be somewhat shrill. It's interesting to swap between the E2 and ER-4. The Ety's sound topheavy initially after listening to the E2. Anyways, I do think the ER-4 is the best earphone available but they suck if used while moving and are pricey. I think the E2 is a much better mobile earphone and obviously is a better value (at $80.)

I just picked up a pair from Guitar Center today. They sound fantastic compared to what I was using, which was some Sony in-ear MDR-A30's. They do take some getting used to for comfort, but I'm sure they'll wear in. I do wish that Shure would offer the tri-level ear things like what Etymotic has. The included plastic earpieces are way too stiff and even the small ones made my ears hurt in just a few minutes. Now I'm using the small foam ones and that's much better. I'll definately be keeping these, but probably will get some ER-4P's as well.

I can't help but wonder what Shure was thinking when they designed the plastic earpieces for the E2's. They are just too thick and uncomfortable. They don't mould to your ear canal at all. The foam is ok, but it'll wear out and I dread finding replacements.

I just used the small foamies today--they're pretty decent--I'm going to order a set if the triple flange isn't available...

If you want the best iPod experience you can get IMHO, then GET the ultimate setup for your iPod. I am using a "Headroom Airhead" headphone amp chained to my iPod with the Etymotic ER-6 earbuds. These earbuds give 15-20 db of isolation from outside sounds and it really seems like the music is literally inside your head.. IMHO the Ec2's are thin in comparison to the ER-6's. I tried them and took them back 30 min. after I bought them. They are way to thin for me, which is my own personal opinion for what that is worth. The headroom carries the largest selection of headphones for audiophiles I have seen yet. Here is a link to The HeadRoom site:

http://headroom.headphone.com/

The real boost to any headphone is the power applied to them and most portables can't drive highend headphones or earbuds the way they were meant to be driven. The Airhead amp remedies this quite nicely thank you very much.
I also use their iPod gearbag which holds the amp and iPod as one unit. This bag is available for the older or the new iPod and it works beautifully. This is all just my own opinion and probably matters not one iota to anyone. LOL.

Peace!

Anyone from the EU used these? - what are they like with the reduced volume levels, i assume since you dont need them turned up as loud these should be a good purchase with an EU iPod

Ditto that--they need very little oomph to drive them--they are MUCH louder at the same volume setting than EX70's which I was using before...

Its a chain, where are you going to visit? Here's their website, hopefully there's one where you'll be. I bought mine at the Guitar Center for $80.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/index_java.shtml

dmarcus48:...I'm off to San Antonio and San Francisco, and there is a guitar center in SF, thanks for the link!! Hope these are worth it..lol..i've heard nothing but good things really.

Im sure they'll be great. :)

Is there much of a difference in isolation between using the foam or the rubber plugs? - what keeps the most noise out?, or is it really just for fit?

Cool, i'll just make sure i buy plenty of replacement foamies if they are the ones i think are best. Cheers for the input guys!

A quick search of the forums would have given you more than enough fuel for thought e.g. this thread (http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1883)

Please check to see if your question has been asked before - some topics have on more than one occassion.

I am merging this post with an existing Shure E2 post.

Some people have found them at vendors such as "guitar center". I had to buy my online; Best Buy for example, doesn't carry them, and I couldn't find any place in my area that did..