What are the Shure E3s supposed to sound like?
I recieved my Shure E3's (gray color) last Friday and ever since using them, they sound liked a pair $10 dollar headphones or atleast nothing that is worth $150.
First of all, I'm already used to earphone sleeves because I've used in-ear phones a lot in the past. I think the Shure E3's are very comfortable and the behind the back wiring doesn't bother me one bit.
My problem is the sound that they produce. When I first put them on, I was expecting fireworks or something because everyone said that these were good headphones. When I played my first couple of songs, it sounded like someone turned the equalizer to "Pop" because the sound was really mushed together. Also, the bass didn't even seem to exist unless I listened to some bass heavy music.
Now, it sounds like I'm not wearing them correctly or their not inserted in properly, but I believe they are because I bearly hear any outside noise. I'm currently using the foamies since they offer the best isolation.
So my question is what do the Shure E3's sound like to you? If what I'm hearing is correct, then I'm really really dissappointed. My Apple in-ear phones currently produced better clarity and the bass is very strong, not muddy or boomy.
[1303 byte] By [
tehwho] at [2007-11-9 19:38:38]
# 1 Re: What are the Shure E3s supposed to sound like?
Try using the foam inserts. Squash them up, insert them into your ear, and leave them to expand.
Ir sounds like you haven't managed to make a proper seal with the buds.
# 2 Re: What are the Shure E3s supposed to sound like?
That's good advice springtide.
Another thing to try: don't play any music while inserting them. IT should be a similar sensation to plugging your ears with your finger. Without that kind of seal the low frequencies disappear. When the seal is achieved, the bass arrives.
tehwho: what in-ear procucts have you used in the past?
# 3 Re: What are the Shure E3s supposed to sound like?
I've used sony EX-71 and EX-51, Shure E2c's (they were uncomfortable), and some of the Audio Technician ones (I forget the name of them). I didn't really like any of them (as far as sound quality goes) so I'm currently using the Apple in-ear phones.
By the way, I've tried using the foam inserts and I made sure that they were properly inserted (I knew they were when I couldn't hear anything) and I still get the same results.
tehwho at 2007-11-15 15:28:52 >
# 4 Re: What are the Shure E3s supposed to sound like?
well the bass won't be as pronounced as on the sony phones, but the overall sound quality should be far clearer than the apple in ear buds...
Heck even the shure e2 kicks the apple bud's arse...
# 5 Re: What are the Shure E3s supposed to sound like?
There are three things I would recommend you try above using the foam inserts:
1. Burn in your headphones. Play about 80 hours of music through them at a volume level above normal listening levels. I find that this increases the frequency range of headphones and gives the sound more depth. This could also be entirely psychological, and your ears need to be "trained" to listen for the Shure sound.
2. What is your source? 128k MP3s are crap. If you download off of iTunes, you should be okay. Otherwise, if you have obtained MP3s in less "legitimate" ways, try getting your hands on a song encoded in 128k and the same song in 320k. Play them back-to-back and see if you can tell the difference. If you can, it is time to dump your 128k MP3s and get your hands on better source files.
3. What are you looking for in headphones? If you are looking for clarity and detail, then you should seriously consider returning your Shures and buying a pair of Etymotic ER-4Ps. ER-4Ps have INCREDIBLE detail and easily outperform Shure E3Cs in those areas. The Shures outperform Etymotic ER-4Ps when it comes to slam and a bass "oomph".
# 6 Re: What are the Shure E3s supposed to sound like?
The E3's are great for dense music such as Metal, Techno, Grunge and the like. The bass is "reall" and not bumped. WYHIWYG.
A decent EQ will pump more bass though through them. I use a 40Khz bump in the WOW section on my player for certain music. The E3's did fine.
However my plug of choice is now the ETY 4p. They are C L E A R and accurate. Better for music with "space" and intimacy for sure.
They are extremily flat and will only give you what is recorded. You had better have a great DSP to get them to drive deep bass. They will get there but need coaxing from a good EQ.
I don't reccomend them for the Ipod. I had one and found the EQ a bit lacking. The 120 is a better match for them for sure as there are much more EQ options. The E3's should be best for the Ipod though.
# 7 Re: What are the Shure E3s supposed to sound like?
All of my songs on the Ipod is encoded at 320kbs AAC format, so I know that none of my song files are bad.
I guess what i'll do is return the Shure's and try the ER-4P's. I was really looking for clearity in the headphones and I didn't get it from the Shure's.
tehwho at 2007-11-15 15:32:58 >
