iPod Shure E3c Tips..

[kugino]

Probably just tweaked E3c - looks like one with just improved response (Kinda like the Grado SR80 vs SR60s)
They made them look the dogs bol**** too, so people will buy them. More "iPoddy"

no, they're not just tweaked e3c...and the improved response is not the only difference between the sr60/sr80 (the sr60 are better IMHO). from the early reviews, the e4c are worthy competitors to the etymotic er4p/s, which are fantastic.

the e3c are very good, though. the etymotic er6i might be preferable to some, and are about $80 nowadays at buy.com and other sites. bargain, if you ask me.

if you want all you need to know about headphones, visit head-fi.org

 

[James Philp]

no, they're not just tweaked e3c...and the improved response is not the only difference between the sr60/sr80 (the sr60 are better IMHO). from the early reviews, the e4c are worthy competitors to the etymotic er4p/s, which are fantastic.

the e3c are very good, though. the etymotic er6i might be preferable to some, and are about $80 nowadays at buy.com and other sites. bargain, if you ask me.

if you want all you need to know about headphones, visit head-fi.org

You can read all on want on the internet, like from the Grado Site:

Built on the same features as the SR60, but utilizes a 4 conductor connecting cable and larger ear cushions, the result of which gives a more open stage. The SR80 provides an improved bass resonance, which enhances the overall detail.

Sounds like a tweaked SR60 to me! I own a pair, and have used the SR60 too, I like a bit more bass generally.
All slightly off topic though.

 

[iGary]

I hope you can afford the few pairs a month you'll get through!

Going to order some today. I haven't tried many of the other ear fittings, but the ones that came with (gray) did not give enough bass.

I'll have to play around with the other ear fittings, like the clear ones, but I'm happiest with the foam ones, however gross they may get.

 

[agentmouthwash]

Great Thread. I saw the Shure E3c at my local Apple store and almost bought them. I wanted to do some research first before I make the investment.
a few quick questions for those that use these headphones:

I heard that the In-ear headphones like these can damage your ear.
Is this true? Any of you experience any problems using them?
Also, is Ear Wax buildup a problem?

oh and 1 more question. What is the major difference between the E2c and E3c?

 

[kugino]

Great Thread. I saw the Shure E3c at my local Apple store and almost bought them. I wanted to do some research first before I make the investment.
a few quick questions for those that use these headphones:

I heard that the In-ear headphones like these can damage your ear.
Is this true? Any of you experience any problems using them?
Also, is Ear Wax buildup a problem?

oh and 1 more question. What is the major difference between the E2c and E3c?

any headphones can damage your ears, in-ear or not. just don't play them too loudly. i've heard it said that in-ear monitors actually are better for your ears because you play them at lower volumes since there is no other noise with which to compete. the trick is to periodically take them off for a few minutes to "re-calibrate" your hearing so you don't keep turning up the volume...you know how things tend to sound softer and softer after continued use.

wax build-up is a problem, but not a big problem.

e3c is much better than the e2c for iPod listening, as they are "tuned" more for the particular sonic characteristics of the iPod (increased bass response, for example). here's a search on this topic at the head-fi forums: e2c/e3c comparisons

regardless, you can't go wrong with either as a replacement for the apple earbuds.

 

[kugino]

You can read all on want on the internet, like from the Grado Site:

Sounds like a tweaked SR60 to me! I own a pair, and have used the SR60 too, I like a bit more bass generally.
All slightly off topic though.

i don't trust the manufacturer's descriptions of their items. i mean, bose continues to be the all-time leader in advertisement so people are fooled into believing they are "the best sounding headphones/speakers"...if you want to take your argument further, you could say the grado PS-1 are "tweaked sr60" too...just like a BMW is a tweaked edsel.

not to be combative here, just to make the point that we should read other-party reviews rather than reading the manufacturer's descriptions. i do agree with you that the sr60, e3c are terrific headphones, though!

 

[kbonnel]

Here is a tip for the e3c. connect them to your computer, put them in a draw, and play songs through them for 24 hours.

When I got my e3c, I was very bummed about the "lack" of bass. The mids and highs on these things are fantastic, but I was used to hearing some low end to my music and these just don't do it. After letting them break in they did sound better but the bass is still missing in my opinion.

I hear the e4c are supposed to add the low end.

I was originally using the apple in ear buds, and thought the bass on those was great, but overall they are no where near the e3c on sound quality.

Kimo

 

[agentmouthwash]

What about exercising? Think these will get annoying if I use them at the GYM? Maybe I'll go to the Apple store today and buy them.
Thanks!

 

[iGary]

I use the $39.00 in ear phones for running. I'm not taking out my 180.00 phones and soaking the speakers with corrosive sweat.

 

[James Philp]

When I got my e3c, I was very bummed about the "lack" of bass. The mids and highs on these things are fantastic, but I was used to hearing some low end to my music and these just don't do it. After letting them break in they did sound better but the bass is still missing in my opinion.

I found the seating in your ear (by using different positioning/different sleeves) makes a huge difference to the bass especially. It may just have been you put them in differently, or the soft plastic just gave a little more that time you put them in.
It definitely takes 2+ weeks to fully get the best from these types of 'phones, but once you do, there's no going back to Apple Buds!
And anyone who wants to see how much of a Apple bud looser I am can challenge me here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/121391/

 

[wide]

for potential buyers, i think that you have to buy directly from Shure (i.e., pay the full $179) if you want the manufacturer's (Shure's) two year warranty.

 

[James Philp]

for potential buyers, i think that you have to buy directly from Shure (i.e., pay the full $179) if you want the manufacturer's (Shure's) two year warranty.

I bought them from the applestore and am pretty sure I have the full warranty. You get the limited warranty booklet inside the box. Keep the receipt and you'll be fine.

 

[screensaver400]

I have had the E2Cs since September, I think, and they've been great... until now. Perhaps I was too rough on them, but the plug seems to be somehow damaged. Whenever the rubber part that connects the gold plug to the wire is moved at all, I get static. When I'm using them now, I have to almost fold the end of the wire, if that makes sense, otherwise my sound is very weak.

How is Shure's warranty? According to this link, I'm just supposed to send them back without a RMA or anything, and it doesn't seem like the receipt is required. Is it really that simple?

I'm a bit nervous about just mailing my $99 earphones to a company without any confirmation that they're expecting it.

 

[kbonnel]

Little Update

Ok, so I have now had my e3c for a month or so, and have listen to them a lot. They sound better than when I first used them, but I have been having 1 small problem. I can't seem to find the right sleeve that works for me. I am currently using the medium soft sleeves, but they slowly begin to pop out of my ear. The large ones are too large, and the small are too small. I tried the hard clear plastic ones, but they just don't seem to work for me either .

I refuse to use the orange ones, only cause I don't want to constantly buy new ones.

Any ideas?

Note: It might be how I am using the phones. I can't stand running the wire behind my ear, I just don't like it that way. I just use them like "normal" earbuds (with the wires going straight down). I thought that might be an issue, but my problem happens even when I am just sitting around working on my laptop and not moving around. I guess I have strange ears.

Kimo

 

[russed]

Ok, so I have now had my e3c for a month or so, and have listen to them a lot. They sound better than when I first used them, but I have been having 1 small problem. I can't seem to find the right sleeve that works for me. I am currently using the medium soft sleeves, but they slowly begin to pop out of my ear. The large ones are too large, and the small are too small. I tried the hard clear plastic ones, but they just don't seem to work for me either .

I refuse to use the orange ones, only cause I don't want to constantly buy new ones.

Any ideas?

Note: It might be how I am using the phones. I can't stand running the wire behind my ear, I just don't like it that way. I just use them like "normal" earbuds (with the wires going straight down). I thought that might be an issue, but my problem happens even when I am just sitting around working on my laptop and not moving around. I guess I have strange ears.

Kimo

my solution to this was to twist the earphone in the direction of the head once or twice and this solved my problem.

so rotate each headphone once or twice compleate turns (so back where they were before) but now the back of the headphone will be applying a bit of pressure inwards so they wont want to pop out. that solved my problem anyway. if you want me to try and describe it a bit better just ask!

 

[James Philp]

Note: It might be how I am using the phones. I can't stand running the wire behind my ear, I just don't like it that way. I just use them like "normal" earbuds (with the wires going straight down). I thought that might be an issue, but my problem happens even when I am just sitting around working on my laptop and not moving around. I guess I have strange ears.

Kimo

Well there's your probelm. They WILL posp out if you don't run the cable over your ear. Doing this makes every tug on your ear upwards, not down, and they stay in a lot more securely with upward tugging. Try them like I say, round the ear then under the chin. I didn't like them when I had them behind my head either. felt wrong!

 

[iGary]

By the way, the foam bud inserts are easily washable, which extends their life.

I am getting a month out of my foam buds by merely washing them in some handsoap and water just like I'm washing my hands, but with the bud inserts in between each hand.

They dry almost immediately with the help of a paper towel.

The foam buds are hands down the best way to take advantage fo the full sound ofthese earphones.

 

[kbonnel]

Well there's your probelm. They WILL posp out if you don't run the cable over your ear. Doing this makes every tug on your ear upwards, not down, and they stay in a lot more securely with upward tugging. Try them like I say, round the ear then under the chin. I didn't like them when I had them behind my head either. felt wrong!

I never did like the chocking action though. And it makes me look silly For the money, these things should attach to my ears no matter how I use them LOL...

I am wondering if a different insert will be better, like the triple flange ones, or something like that. I think I just have weird ear canals.

Kimo

 

[James Philp]

Small Update:

I noticed an error on the Shure main webpage, notified them and they sent me:
2 Pair Small Super-Soft Flex Sleeves
1 Pair Triple Flange Sleeves
2 Pair Foam sleeves
!!
Not bad fir a couple of emails!

 

[jared_kipe]

what was the error?

 

[James Philp]

On the title page under the other models it said "sound isolating..." but under the E5c (I think) it said "Dound isolating..."

 

[Demon Hunter]

Off topic...

But how do these Shure headphones compare to say, the B&O A8? I really love the design of the A8, but it is pretty hard to find hard info on the audio quality. I think B&O is largely banking on their brand name... on the packaging it only says "outstanding quality" or whatever. And they are really, they shame the Apple buds... but I've never used a Shure.

 

[James Philp]

Off topic...

But how do these Shure headphones compare to say, the B&O A8? I really love the design of the A8, but it is pretty hard to find hard info on the audio quality. I think B&O is largely banking on their brand name... on the packaging it only says "outstanding quality" or whatever. And they are really, they shame the Apple buds... but I've never used a Shure.

B&O make great-sounding products - TRUE
B&O make outstandingly designed products - TRUE
B&O put a huge markup on both the quality components and design due to their reputation and brand - also TRUE

A true audiophile will most likely go for Shure or Etymonics. A wanna-be audiophile who wants to look trendy and generally has more money than sense will buy B&O.

Just look at this. $460 (at launch) and takes SD cards to put your music on! - Ouch!

We’d knock it, but it’s almost like they’re playing a joke on the rich debutante chicks who’ll be getting these for their sweet sixteens.

 

[edesignuk]

I got some e2c's last week for my nano, feel, and sound great .

 

[pliSkiNAKE]

Ends Broke?

I have been around people who use the Shure In-Ears for quite some time now. I finally decided to spend the money on them, but I didn't really want to buy them new. They are just so expensive for earphones. (even know they are WAY more than just earphones) I got a pair of E3c's (the white ones) for $81 on eBay. Other than needing to clean them because they were used, they were perfect. They didn't look damaged at all.

Now, like I said before, I have been around people who use them (Internship with Willow Creek Community Church). One problem that they had was that sometimes the small tips (Tips including: the thin, small shaft you put the disposable buds on and then it gets bigger around and connects to the "driver" of the headphones.) broke off. Supposedly, or at least I was told, they CAN come off (probably for cleaning purposes) but that a lot of the time when trying to take them off, they would break. There is a slight crease where they connect.

Going back to my actual problem. I was cleaning them like I said, and I wanted to take those off as well to clean the inside. (It needed it!) I was very careful and patient. I tried to take a thin object and put it in between the crease. I didn't know how they exactly came off, however, I did find out...by somewhat breaking them. There are three little "ledges" I guess you could call them. And also from looking at them, I think you are supposed to twist them 90 degrees one way or the other before trying to take them off. If you don't need to take them off or yours are not broken at all, DON'T TRY TO! I don't want anyone else to accidentally break theirs.

I tried to put some super glue on the part that is sort of broken. It is just easier to take some pictures and show you I think.

http://www.pliskinake.com/e3c.html

The plastic is split. I don't think that the E3c's have been out for that long, but I could be wrong. I was thinking about sending them in to get repaired. I don't know if they are over one year old though. On Shure's website:

http://www.shure.com/service/warranty.asp

It says that they check to see when they were purchased by the serial number on the headset itself. How would I know if it is past one year or not? Is there any list out there that could tell me how old mine is by the number on them? Any other suggestions on this?

Thanks