Joi- I tried a pair of the E2cs and really liked them. I then tried a pair of Etymotic's ER-6 and liked those even more. The Rolls Royce of isolating earphones are Etymotic's ER-4 series, but they're 2X the price of the ER-6 and 3X the price of the Shures. My only beef with the Etymotics are that they are more delicate than the Shures. The Shures have a nice sturdy feel and a thicker cord.

Two great forums to check out for other reviews are HeadWize and head-fi.

I used to carry around giant DJ headphones with cush earpads. On the road it was a great comfort that made their bulk worth it. Then I stepped on them.

So I've been looking for something smaller - portable, powerful. Airplanes have a lot of background noise. And cheap in-ear headphones make my ears sore. These look more gentle - thanks for the tip!

gen, joi, if you think the shure e2s are pretty good, wait until you get a chance to try the e5s due out on the market soon. shure have really outdone themselves with this pair. gen, i think these may even sound better than the etymotic, and they're unbelievably tough. they have 2 drivers in each earphone (one woofer, one tweeter), and a crossover to make sure each driver only gets the right signal. the sound is amazingly crisp, but sadly, you pay for it as well. one pair is USD 500

Arrgh. I tried to order the ER-4's from their site but none of my various credit card/address combinations worked. I hope I didn't actually order 12 of them. Maybe it's a good thing though. These impulse buys always get me in trouble. I'm still feeling bad for ordering the 17" PowerBook. Maybe I should wait for the e5s' to come out.

How does these Shure products compare with B&O A8 headphones?

A8s are so comfortable, I can wear them for long international flights without any frustrations. All the "in-ear" headphones I have tried so far tend to become uncomfortable after a few hours, and drop off too easily.

Masami, I haven't tried the B&O's, but the "in-ear" experience is very different from any other, I think. They can be a bit uncomfortable, but I've found the Shure E2c's to be OK and they definitely don't drop off easily. They really feel like they are implanted in your head.

Hi Joi and all. I am the Product Specialist at Shure who worked on the E2c product. I hope you don't mind me posting here.
I'm thrilled to hear that you like it. We're very proud of the results. Please feel free to ask any questions or offer any thoughts - good or bad.

Hi Matt! What an honor. I just ordered another E2c for my girlfriend. I use them every day. ;-)

Thanks, Joi! Sounds like I have to try them. Did you order yours from the Shure shop online?

Matt, are you aware of any dealers in Japan?

OK, so I guess I need to comment too. I found these phones because of Didier Diaz's endless search for great sound from his iPod. We came across the Shure E2 and both ordered them. DDA loves them for the sound; I love them for the sound isolation. Don't get me wrong, they sound GREAT, but for the last 7 years I have been carrying Sony Noise Canceling headsets on every flight I take. I discovered a long time ago that one of the most tiring things about a long flight is the noise. With a noise canceling headset (plus drinking lots of water), you can fly SFO - NRT arriving reasonably fresh and relaxed, and if you didn't make the upgrade list and you got stuck in the middle, they may well save your life, if not the life of your seat mates. The Sony headphones are great but even though they fold they are still large in your bag and your ears get hot under the cups.

Well a few months ago my third or fourth pair of Sony's broke and this is around the time DDA and I where cooperating on his search for earphones that can match the iPod, so I also bought the E2s, WOW. The Sony's reduce noise by about 10db, not bad, but the computer circuit does have trouble with changing sounds and if the microphone gets covered (by your hand or a pillow) it stops working. The Shures reduce noise by 15-25db, that is almost total silence and there is no computer so no anomalies. As for comfort I am REALLY sensitive on this point, the Shures come with SIX different ear inserts, 3 sizes of foam and three sizes of gel. I find the foam to be very comftrable; they feel like the foam ear plugs you can buy. I also found the medium size gel works well for me. With six choices you are bound to find one that feels good. And they are very firmly implanted in your ears.

The only complaint I have is that these earphones seal out sound so well that you suddenly can hear INSIDE you body. If you walk with a hard pair of shoes your steps will reverberate up your bones, if you bit an apple it will sound like a tree branch just broke over your head. Even a fast heartbeat can sometimes be heard. But this is a small problem compared to the benefits of GREAT SOUND and near total NOISE ISOLATION.

Barak,
Thanks for the nice words! We include the sleeve options because there are so many different sizes of ears out there. We also designed them to be less fatiguing than regular headphones, while offering noise isolation rather than cancellation. I personally have found them to be perfect for long flights. In the past year I've been to Europe four times and Hong Kong once. The 14 hour stretch to Hong Kong was rough, but watching the inflight movies through earphones made it much more bearable. I probably sound like a salesguy... I'm in product development, not sales.

masami
I have asked one of our international salesfolks to let me know the names of dealers in Japan. They should definitely be available somewhere. I'll post when I hear back.
If there are any pro audio stores (microphones, aplifiers, guitars, etc.) you might have luck with them. Maybe call to see if they have Shure earphones.

Joi, wow! I hope she likes them.
I like the picture of you hanging outside the plane. I'd be too scared to do that. I don't think my wife would let me do it.

-Matt

One more note, Matt;

DDA and I both worked at Apple and love attention to detail, and know how hard it is to do. The fit, finish and assembly of the E2C are all superior but what really shows that you care is the case. In a small extra piece you do so much right; it’s shaped beautifully, the fabric is great and the stiffness protects the earset in inevitably tight briefcases. Then the crowning achievement is the spool for cord management with its space for the earphones in the center. We both commented right away how great and well done this was! We are looking forward to more great things, if only we could afford the E5c :-(

wow. i didn't realize the fan club building around these headphones. i only recently found out about because a friend literally *dragged* my tired butt to the teeny tiny shure table (booth would be overstating it) at CES. he wanted to me to try the e2c, but the gent at the booth helped me try the e5c first. i literally JUMPED FOR JOY as i heard bass in my ears that i had only heard on my home stereo with a very large subwoofer. i was hooked. in fact i haven't bought the e2c yet as i'm trying to justify a pair of headphones that i know i will destroy or lose that cost more than my ipod.

which, barak, brings up another point. as far as i can tell, these headphones are really the domain of ipod owners. and the unifying thing behind all the folks i know who own (or want to own) both are that they obsess over good design and love music more than the average radio listener. the shure headphones certainly are well designed both in terms of art and science.

Barak, Thanks for the comments on the pouch. Prior to the E2 development we had used little soft pouches with a velcro patch for closing. We wanted to keep the carrying case small, but give it some function and protection. At CES I must have given away 15-20 to people who begged me for one. (the pouch, not even the earphones!) I'm happy to hear that you like it.

eric, did I meet you at CES? There were four of us working the booth. Are you the one who works for MS?

-Matt

Masami, I ordered them online in the US from Shure and had them forwarded to me from one of my offices in the US. I haven't seen them in Japan...

Matt, when are the e5s's going to be available?

E5c's should be shipping within about 2 weeks. I'll make a note of it here when they are available if you're interested.

-Matt

yes matt, we must have met at CES cuz i do work MS. i was dragged there by my pal from gateway.

Hi Barak. It's great to run into you like this. I keep in touch with ex-AJ product marketing folks who remember you. Perhaps, we can get together next time you are in Tokyo (and give you a chance to show off your toys ;-)

Anyway, all the talk makes me want E2c for my iPod. If only I could order to ship directly to Japan...

Based on the positive comments here, I just ordered a pair for myself. If you're in Canada, you can order by phone or online from SF Marketing, see: http://www.sfm.ca/ears/.

That's great Peter! I hope you like them.

masami, I wish I had an answer for you. Our distributor in Japan is called Hibino Corporation. (I hope that like worked...) I know they are available in South Korea, China and Hong Kong, but that probably doesn't help you.

eric, it was Scott who brought you over right? He came by our (lack of) booth several times. What a nice guy. We'd love it if Gateway sold our earphones off their site...
I'm the guy with the light hair. I remember you were thrilled to hear the lows from a Beastie Boys song. That was cool.

I think I might have to pick up an iPod.

Okay, you all convinced me. I ordered my pair today!

Thank you, Matt! I checked the Hibino web pages for the Shure products they sell, and unfortunately E2c was not one of them.

If there are no local E2c retailers, I wonder why the online store can not ship since you are not creating competition in the local market.

Regarding iPods, I am sure you will love them. (I bought my second unit with 20GB HD recently.) In fact, you probably should get a Mac as well... More seriously, you might want to negotiate with apple to sell your headphones through Apple stores. It is a smaller market, but you will probably find a lot of people interested in great design, high quality products.

Actually picked the e2 up on the strength of the Metafilter conversation regarding same. I'm rocking them now!

Actually - Matt, maybe you can explain this - I'm a little bit disappointed with the sound quality. At the higher end, sometimes the left 'phone will squeal or produce something that sounds like an unpleasant harmonic. Is this just an artifact of low-quality recordings (i.e. the usual low-bit-rate mp3's picked up hither and thither)? Or is it resident in the e2's themselves?

Adam,
I think (hope?) it's probably the MP3's. Have you listened to them with a regular CD through a CD player?

I'm curious as to why only the left side exhibits the squeal. Let me know the results if you're able to listen through different sources.

E2c's have a tendency to reveal subtle artifacts on certain MP3's. It's much worse with an E5c, to the point where we will have to address this in the FAQ on the website.

What Metafilter conversation are you referring to?

masami, Shure has a business office in Hong Kong. Maybe dropping them an email asking how to get them in Japan will help get Hibino involved??? I should mention that these earphones are also sold with our in-ear monitors systems, which can't be sold in Japan right now due to frequency range issues. So Hibino has had little incentive to carry our earphone line. Perhaps if they see potential in selling them as listening devices they will start to carry them.

We would love to talk with Apple about selling our earphones through their stores. I'm on the development side, but I know that the business managers are trying to set up more distribution. I'd like it if we bundled E2c's with iPod's. Might drive the price up too much though.

-Matt

Doh! I screwed that post up.
I was trying to say that we sell our earphones with our in-ear monitors systems. Our systems can't be sold in Japan right now due to frequency range issues, so Hibino doesn't have much incentive to sell the earphones.

I love the suggestion to sell through Apple stores. The business folks here are working on new distribution methods, and that one would be very nice.

Matt, Masami's right, Apple is a natural angle. In fact, if I were in Shure's shues, I might almost consider releasing a custom iPod-white version of the e2's. Cord, anyway.

I have as yet been unable to replicate the squeal with my iPod and the mid-high-end earphones I was using before.

The MeFi thread is here.

Thanks for your help!

Oh, and Matt?

If you need folks to proselytize on behalf of the e5's when they come out...well, I look up and down this page and I can see the names and email addresses of quite a few influential "key communicators," if you catch my drift. ; . )

I ordered my e2c's from SFM Marketing in Montreal on Thursday afternoon and they arrived first thing Friday morning. I used them on a flight from Halifax to Boston this morning -- a noisy Dash-8 turboprop plane. Flying will never be the same! The earphones were wonderful, cutting out a vast chunk of the annoying airplane noise, and leaving me free to listen to audiobooks on my iPod in peace and quite. Thanks for the recommendation, Joi, and thanks to Matt for your product evangleism.

Thanks for the link Adam, and thanks for the information. I looked around a few of the links of people, and this is definitely a technology crowd. These are generally the people that are interested in a new way to deal with the toils of airline flights and poor headphones.

Peter, that's great! I'm happy to hear that SF delivers efficiently. Glad you like them.

Matt, I'd be careful about issuing a white version of the earphones because I've read articles that speak to thieves targeting ipod users specifically due to the white headphones.

gen white headphones have one clear benefit: they let people know you have in ear phones on and don't want to be bothered. in grey cities like SF, where everyone is wearing those damned hands-free mobile headsets anyway, the same just doesn't hold true for black headphones. maybe we can compromise on bright orange? oh and if you all haven't seen. shure's e5cs are clear. in fact, they're reminiscent of the first generation iMac cables. very cool

Eric. Exactly!! I always find myself pointing to my ears when people are trying to talk to me when I have headphones on. The great thing about the E2c's is that you can't see them, but that's also the worst thing. Having said that, white is probably good for people with black hair, but black maybe better for people with white hair. ;-0

Because this is related to good headphones, I wanted to mention that I just received my Echo Indigo PCMCIA sound card and so far it's MUCH better than the stock hardware built into my Sony VAIO. I'm testing them with Grado SR225s and Sony MDR-V6s. I'm always disappointed with both the power and quality of the soundcards built into laptops and this card really moves my 'phones with quality volume. The only bummer is that I dont think I'll be able to run both my WiFi card AND the Echo Indigo at the same time because of the size of the parts that stick out beyond the chassis of the laptop.

Geek.com review
CNet review
PC Mag review

WOW gen, what an excellent companion to a new pair of headphones. that card looks great, especially for the SERIOUSLY disappointing sound subsystem in the VAIOs (i have one too). i didn't think apple's sound was all that great until i bought my vaio. now i only use an ipod because the speakers and headphone jack on the sony just stink.

if you're wifi card and echo compete for space, maybe it's time to follow in joi's footsteps and upgrade, if not to a mac, at least to a newer vaio with built in wifi. i have owned both an srx-77 and a vx-77. i preferred the vx series, but i'm usind the srx because it is so small and portable.

Hey, great comments. I am wondering if anyone had specifics about these headphones - great highs, mids? Do they get clogged with wax? Any good EQ settings with them on the iPod?

Thanks!

Hey I have a question regarding the Shures... (ATTN: Matt)

I am really looking into getting a pair of the E2cs but I saw that there also were the E1cs for not too much more. What is the difference in sound between the two? (note: the E5cs are just out of the question at the moment =)

Thanks a million!

Hi Jonathan and Matthew. Thank you for your questions.

I'll start with Matthew's question first, since it may actually answer Jonathan's.

The biggest difference between E1c and E2c is form factor. E1c has a very light cable and a very small sound port (nozzle). E2c's cable is a little heavier (not much), and the shape is a little more ergonomic, since it's a bigger earphone.

Sonically, the E1c has more highs, the E2c has a little more lows. Specific frequency responses are almost impossible to determine, as every ear is different. Both are very full range. Most common earbuds severly lack low frequency response, but since our earphones "couple" to the ear, low frequency response is very present.

Jonathan: I have only used an iPod a few times, so I am not familiar with the EQ settings. I hope someone else has opinions on this. I can tell you that we design the acoustics of the earphone to be as neutral as possible, because they were originally used on stages for singers and drummers and other musicians. So they are supposed to be as "flat" as possible. This usually translates to good reproduction of recorded music as well.

Again, sorry for the vague answer. Let me know if you have other questions.

And thanks again to Joi for providing this great area for information!

-Matt

Matt-

I have two questions about the Shure earphones...

First question is, can either of the 3 earphones be used "solely" as headphones for Disc Jockey use? I'd love to have something much lighter on my head (and neck) than my Sony MDR-V700s, but they are great headphones. It seems as though most people are using your earphones with portable devices.

Second question is, can you tell me why there is not a LIFETIME Warranty on the E5c model??? The short term warranty is surprising to me, given that they are $500! :-O

I'd be asking you as well for an insurance plan just for the E5c alone IF I were to buy them. That is too much of an investment in such a small product that, just by being dropped accidentally, could be immediately damaged, get stepped on, etc.

Mobile phone companies will let customers insure cells phones worth less than $100 bucks...

So, perhaps Shure should provide optional, complete coverage insurance for a product worth 5 times as much??? And yes, I'm being totally serious because that's a hefty investment, IMO. :)

Thanks for listening!

D2E

Matt:

I am in Hong Kong. You mentioned that they are available here. Can you tell me where?

Also ... I am a long haul international pilot and am interested in reducing my exposure to the ambient cockpit noise. Would it be possible to change the plug? If I was to wear these could I still hear the other pilots conversation?

Many thanks

D2E,
All three of our earphones can absolutely be used solely as headphones for disc jockey use. DJ Big Wiz, John Acquaviva and plenty of other DJ's use our earphones.

Also, regarding the build quality, our earphones are designed as pro audio in-ear monitors. We've primarily been in the pro audio market, but the earphones have grown into their own category outside of the wireless monitor systems that they have traditinally accompanied. They are quite rugged (they have to pass many quality tests), and the replacement fee is not too bad if they break outside of the warranty. I believe it's $55.00 for a replacement. Not too bad, I hope. Kind of like reverse insurance... I'm interested in your thoughts on this policy of ours, as a lot of our competitors do not have a similar one.

Rick,
Send an email to info@shure.com.hk to find out where they are available in your area.
Regarding your application, the earphones provide a significant amount of isolation. We offer several types of sleeves for different fit and isolation. Our least isolating sleeve (the flex sleeve) isolates around 15-20 dB, which would make it difficult to hear other pilots conversation if music is playing. It's like a regular set of earplugs with the added bonus of full range sound. So while you're attenuating you're actually listening at lower volumes because you're blocking out the external sounds.

I'm not sure what you mean to change the plug?

-Matt

Matt -

Thanks for getting back with me and I appreciate all of your info!

Ok, so let me understand this clearly - if ANY of your 3 earphones break outside of warranty, they could be replaced for $55.00? If that's the case, then no, that's not bad at all! That would be worth getting the high end pair for those who want them. :)

I'll wait to hear back from you though if I misunderstood this and again, thanks for your follow-up!

D2E

You understood correctly. For any of our earphone products the replacement fee is the same. The reasoning is that you already spent the money once, so you should always have the ability to replace the product at reasonable cost. Those who buy an E2c for $99 might not be happy that the replacement fee is the same as it is for the $499 product (E5c), but that's the policy.

Same thing for our dynamic microphones - $55 gets you a brand new one, no matter what the state of the microphone is. Drive over it with a Mack truck, send it in to us, if it can't be fixed, $55 gets you a new one. For our more expensive microphones (condensers) the fee is $80, but still quite good IMO.

-Matt

This is great news Matt and a neat policy, IMO. It was almost hard to believe that something like this was not in place, if only for the E5c.

You've been very helpful and consistent with your follow-ups and I look forward to giving the E-series headphones a shot!!!

D2E

Suited my iPod up in a lovely black leather sleeve from the perfectionists at incase design, and taken together with the Shures the whole thing is now a very distinctive, very sophisticated-looking package.

I could not be happier. Thanks again.

I just ordered a pair - "sound" unheard, but I trust the comments here. Hopefully they are as great as people say. By the way, I was going to use them for walking around as well - some users have reported that they might not be best suited for this - any opinions? I am using these with an iPod....

Just don't let the cord hang up on your jacket zipper.

And be extra-cautious around moving traffic. ; . )

Matt,
I am wondering if there is a difference between the e2 and the e2c. I'm a drummer looking for ear monitors and I found the e2 at my local music store. I'm also wondering if it is necessary to get the entire monitor system if I already have a headphone amplifier. I'm trying to cut costs and I'd be much happier saving the money and using the e2 with my amplifier than paying significantly more for the entire monitoring package.
Thanks,
Jeff

Matt,

I'm in the same boat as Jeff, and want to know if there is a difference between the e2 and the e2c. I am in need of a good in ear monitor as I find my head ringing after every band practice. Being a singer, I find it very difficult to be wearing normal foam ear plugs and keep on key, not to mention staying on time. I have no need to go to a wireless solution, and wanted to run the e2's from my 6 channel Behringer mic/line mixer. Also, is there somewhere I can look on the web (or call by phone) to find out the locations closest to me that carry (for sale) the e2's?
Thanks! Krist.

Matt,

I'm in the same boat as Jeff, and want to know if there is a difference between the e2 and the e2c. I am in need of a good in ear monitor as I find my head ringing after every band practice. Being a singer, I find it very difficult to be wearing normal foam ear plugs and keep on key, not to mention staying on time. I have no need to go to a wireless solution, and wanted to run the e2's from my 6 channel Behringer mic/line mixer. Also, is there somewhere I can look on the web (or call by phone) to find out the locations closest to me that carry (for sale) the e2's?
Thanks! Krist.

D2E: Thanks for the interest. Let me know if/when you try the earphones. I hope you like them.

Adam: that's great. I've heard from a lot of happy iPod owners who have bought E2c's (a few E1c's too). Very cool.

Jonathan: Thanks for the order! I think I should nominate Joi as "promoter of the month" or something. I love this blog!
Definitely use caution when walking around with our earphones. They isolate between 15-25 decibels, which means you won't hear much of anything else. Not good for bike riding, but great for commuting, flying, etc. Let me (us) know how you like them.

Jeff/Krist: E2's and E2c's are the same products with different packaging. E2's message is primarily for musician's while the E2c's message is for listeners. They come off the same production line and go their separate ways.

Jeff: A headphone amp is just fine. A lot of drummers do this. I recommend using a limiter, as transient peaks can get quite loud. Our wired and wireless systems have hard limiting in them, so if you're using a headphone amp use an outboard limiter if you can.

Krist: A google search of "Shure E2" or "Shure E2c" should bring you to a few online dealers. There are lots of pro audio dealers that carry them too.

Joi: Any comments on your recent purchase? Have they arrived yet?
Thanks again for providing this place for information. Talking product is my second favorite thing. Developing them is my favorite. :)

-Matt

Hi All-
I just go my E2c and could not have them fit comfortably in my ear canal, no matter what I try. I always feel the buds and it's quite uncomfortable. May be I have a very small ear canal. I'd love so much to find a way to get use to them. Do you have any tips?
Thanks
Lan

Lan, have you tried the smallest of the three sets of covers they come with, or tried any of the foam ones?

I had the identical problem until I twigged to the fact that the e2c package came with three sets clear and three sets foam plugs. I tried the smallest clear set and haven't had much of a problem. Try it and let us know what you think.

Note, though, to Matt: It would appear I'm right between the smallest and the medium size, and I refuse to use the foam inserts for a variety of reasons. Are there any plans to offer a more-granularly-sized array?

Hi Adam,
Yes, I tried all size and type offered in the package and paid special attention to the small sized clear plastic one and foam one. The foam one enters all right in my ear canal but does not feel that comfortable in a long run. The flex sleeves in transparent plastic size S press too hard at the entry of my ear canal. I think it's because of the plastic and not as supple/soft as a silicon type. I have a pair of in-ear canal from Sony SONY MDR EX 70 LP and the earbud in silicon is much better in terms of comfort.
Do you think the Triple-Flange Sleeves from Shure in silicon rubber would be better and if it could be adapted on the E2c?
Lan

Lan: No plans to update the triple flange for E2c's in the near future as there are sonic ramifications for doing so - nozzle diameter issues.

However, we are constantly working to develop new sleeve options.

If the E2c is too large you should consider the (unfortunately more expensive) E1c, which is smaller. It is designed for smaller ears.

Well, I guess I'll add my comments here (to about the longest blog-thread I've seen! hehe!).

I purchased the E2 and had them for about a week. I loved the quality and balance of the sound, but I too had to return them for comfort reasons.

Over the course of the week, I test-drove each sleeve option for a good amount of time. I found the best (almost complete) isolation with the medium gel sleeve or the large foamie. However, after about 3 hours, my ears hurt terribly--I had to continually "pop" my ears and the ear canel and lobes felt inflamed.

Over the next few days, I tried the smaller sizes. I found the most comfortable fit with the small foamie, but that option sacrificed a good deal of isolation (though, suprisingly, not bass response). But at the end of a day of listening, my ears were still inflamed.

I really hated returning them, because I was unbelievably happy with the sound these produced. The detail was excellent; as Matt points out, you can really hear the artifacts of MP3s burned at 128 bit (even 190). I found the bass deep and surrounding and the midrange clear and defined; the highs had little drop-off to my ears (a problem with many in-ear style phones). The soundstage was a weird thing: it felt almost as open as my favorite portables, the Koss KSC50s and the Portapros, yet the fact that the headphones are sealed adds a bit of an analytical, boxed in feel to the sound. I actually liked the balance there, better than almost any sealed or closed headphones I've tried.

I'm interested in reviewing the E5 to see if the comfort factor is any different. But I'm afraid I may just have touchy ears, so I've ordered a pair of Sony d66s from Japan to give myself some excellent closed portable sound while I search for a more comfortable in-ear option.

Oh, I want to reiterate that I think my comfort issue has little to do with the design of the phones and much to do with my freaky ears.

I found the build quality to be excellent in the e2. The cord and its reduced microphonics were particularly well thought-out. I think that part of my discomfort, however, may have come from the comet shape of the drive housing, which pressed against the back of my earlobe no matter which sleeves I picked.

So Matt, I think ya'll have done a wonderful job; they didn't work for me, but I'm still going to recommend them to people.

Whew ! Brandon got it right. I love these little buds (E2C). They are the best ive tried ( im slightly hearing impaired ). But try as I may I cant seem to get these into my ear canal without hurting my ears. Ive asked my ear doc to see if they can make a special silicone sleeve but they said its gonna be really expensive. I cant even return them as my retailer said that once they are used they cant take it back.
So im stuck with this incredibly nice sounding pair of ear buds that I cant seem to use !!

hey brandon, oz, i've been dying to get a pair of these and so has my roommate. if you're in the states, i'd take 2 pair off someone's (actually someones') hands here. i know there's some people posting to joi's site site who have also upgraded to the e5c and have e2's they want to get off their hands. click the link above and send me an email with the details (price, shipping, where u r, etc) and we'll work somethin out.

I returned mine; thanks for the offer though. I'll probably spring for some Shure E1s (which are designed for smaller ear canals) a little later on; I used up my current "headphone budget" on Sony D66 Eggo semi-closed headphones instead of in-ears. The E5s are just too expensive for me, right now...

I was searching head-fi and headwize, and it appears that many people feel that the shure e2cs have muffled (if any) high end. Is this true? I'm planning to buy the e2s from a local music store, and it'll be a few days till they arrive. I have the option of cancelling. Hmmm, since they are soo expensive, i just want to get it right. Furthermore, you cant return the earphones (because of hygenic reasons). Hmmm, what comments do you guys have to offer?

On a side note, i thought that the earphone cord on the e2cs were clear, like the e5cs. BUTT, they are black. I think that is very ugly. Hmmm, any specific reasons what a black cable was opted instead of a clear one?

Is it possible to order e2c headphones online in the UK anywhere?

Many thanks,
dp

Derek: The E2c has plenty of high end. Listen for yourself and you be the judge.

If you buy direct from Shure on the web there is a 30-day no questions asked return policy. Sorry to hear that the local store doesn't have that same policy.

E5c has a clear cable because it is the premium product. Throughout the development of the E2c we heard from E1c owners telling us they would like it a lot more if the cable was black. So we made the E2c cable black, and most people like it a lot. Also, most cables at that price point are black.

dp: here's a UK website that sells E2 (same thing as E2c)

http://www.wirelessmics.fsnet.co.uk/In-Ear.html

E2 and E2c product are identical. User Guide and packaging are the only things that are different.

-Matt

I've been looking at these headphones for a while, and at the E5's as well, and as someone mentioned on the E5 thread, the D66 Eggo's, and it just is heaven to find other people who look for quality, awesome gear like this. I was apprehensive of the Shure's b/c I'm not a huge audiophile, but I am a gadget guy, but I didn't know anything about Shure's reputation, or their products. This totally helps me out...now...E2 or E5? That is the question.

Also, I was wondering if anyone had any cool links for gadgets, joi? or anyone? things you can only find in japan or hong kong or singapore? there are some cool sites that import things from Japan we can't find here, and I've found it's really hard to find these sites from google.

And, for MATT...it sounds dumb, but the reason I'm looking at these phones is for something heretofore unmentioned, for riding my motorcycle. I have to wear earplugs anyways, to keep out the wind noise, so why not also enjoy some awesome tunes while I'm at it? I currently own the Sony MDR-EX51LP phones and I LOVE them, I just like the behind the ear of the Shures and I think they might be a bit sturdier...I give my sony's a lickin' and they're still pumpin', but getting thrashed. Any comparison you can come up with? Anyways, just wanted to share my .02

cheers all

I haven't heard the EX51's yet. I've heard about them, but that doesn't count.

Might be a little dangerous riding a motorcycle with isolating earphones. I'd keep the volume down as low as possible.

The build quality of E2's is pretty solid. They can take quite a bit of abuse compared to most products I've used.

The shure e2s sorta stick out a bit. Don't know if they fit. THe Etymotic er6s look as if they go RIGHT in.. so no stick out.. perhaps might be better? hmmm, i just went for the e2s.. even with no return policy. THey are excellent. No burn-in yet. THe bass is a bit bloated / not tight. THe highs are actually good.. mids are good too.. but there is a bit of place there there is no sound.. btwn bass and mids.. probably just because the earphones gotta be so small. THey take a bit to get used to. You really notice your 'body sounds' they are good tho. build qualtiy is EXCELLENT! over ear is cool. behind back is not so cool. i carry my cd player in a pouch (in my hand) and the wire has to go around my ear, down my back.. and around my waste.. so the wire gets yanked more on one side.. sorta annoying.. i'll get used to it / find a solution. i like the plastic cord limiter thingy. I don't understand the purpose of wax guards, they have a hole in the middle.. all in all, they are great. the zip case is cool.
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Compared to my friends ex70s (which, from what i can tell. is different from the 51s because of more treble / balanced sound) the ex70s had bloated bass.. not tight at all. it was too overpowering
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compared to the d66 eggos.. THOSE WERE SOOO GOOD.. creams the shures. However, the d66s sound a bit hollow (because they aren't be adequately powered by a portable source.. need a portable amp)... but the shure e2s don't have that great of a sound stage.. the d66s have an AWESOME sound stage.. the e2s have nice sound. but the d66s have AWWESOME SOUND.. very nice and warm.. WOW.. however, the e2s seem to have a nicer build quality.
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About the cord colour, i guess ill get used to it, but i wanted a clear one.. its cooler.. another question.. on the cable.. where it splits from one line to two lines.. whats that thingy there? does it actually do some sound stuff (like the e5s.. a cross-feeder).. or is just design only?

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derek

btw, matt. Thanks for all your help and concern! really goes that extra distance, to know that people from shure actually CARE about us, the little guys.
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reminds me of the time when i was emailing stores to find out whether they carried the e2cs. I just got back from europe, and i couldn't get to sleep (jetlag and blah blah blah). I emailed the store and 3 in the morning. THey guy emailed me back 30 minutes later. I don't know whether he is just UP that late.. or has really customer service.. but that gave me a lasting impression :D
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obtw, matt.. do you surf head-fi and headwize?
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and yes, i posted ALOT of questions on SOOO MANY pages. i wanted to get this right.
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my next step is to go for the W100/W1000, the V6s, or the CD3000s
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THanks for all the support.
For those doubting the e2cs.. Just get them, you won't be disappointed.

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derek

Derek: congrats on the purchase! I hope you're satisfied. Thanks much for the positive comments.

Wax guards are not necesasrily required. As a precaution we include them, but if your ears aren't too waxy you should be fine without them. Question: How will you know if your ears are waxy? Answer: If you use Q-tips to clean your ears, and not a whole lot of wax comes out, then your ears are not waxy.
E1c and E5c use a different method for wax prevention.

I definitely lurk at head-fi, and I post at headwize. The head-fi folks are very biased towards Etymotics right now, and most of them won't even consider trying our products, let alone buy them. I'll wait until they discover them on their own to get involved at head-fi. But headwize is a little more friendly. I've gotten involved in a few threads there.

Do you post there?

I usually post / read T-board (for minidiscs). But, i regularly lurk around head-fi, just reading the discussions. I don't post that often (but i think that is going to change as i am venturing on a DIY CMoy-Tangent Amp.. so ill have a lot of questins). I think headwize is a bit dead, used to be good. But not that many ppl surf it anymore. I still check it once in a while tho.

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derek

love the site for the mugus pls keep offoooo

love the site for the mugus pls keep offoooo

Here's the thing about riding on a motorcycle, if you're not familiar. The amount of wind noise plowing through your helmet starting significantly at 50 mph and going up exponentially at higher speeds is far louder and far more damaging and distracting than wearing isolating earphones. I would be wearing an earplug anyways, just to keep from going deaf...the isolating earphone is a way to not only save your hearing, but surround yourself with a soundtrack. And like most earplugs in general, it's the loud, droning sounds (like windblast, or airbox howls) that are drowned out, not the sharper noises (like horns and the like). That's why when I'm at work with earplugs, I can hear a conversation, but ignore the 85db noise from the machinery whirring away.

Anyways, very cool to read all the comments and hear all the input.

Cheers!

www.djmart.com

Some people were asking about purchasing this product in Japan. I found this web site that offers international shipping. I hope that they are reputable becasue I ordered a pair of E2C soley based on the opinions of these posts. Ito san, do you know if DJmart is OK?

www.djmart.com

Some people were asking about purchasing this product in Japan. I found this web site that offers international shipping. I hope that they are reputable becasue I ordered a pair of E2C soley based on the opinions of these posts. Ito san, do you know if DJmart is OK?

Can anyone provide feedback on how the Shure E2c compares to Sony's mdr-ex70's? I am using the ex70's and like their sound but the isolation is not the best. I would like to stay away from anything that uses batteries and the Shures look like they are built better than the Sony's and will block more outside noise.

Thank you,
Eric

I'm going to buy a pair of E2s for my iPod (on order as well). Has anyone bought from this place:


music1online? They have a great price.

I tried to call them to place an order yesterday for some, but could not get an answer. I thought that it was a sign...I ordered instead from...

E2 site...

They seem really nice, and also have the same great price.

I should have mine on Monday!! :-)

Good luck!

R.