E3C problems with sound and comfort are easy to fix
I want to talk about two issues that are easily solved (before I tell you how much I love the E3Cs
). (1) Obstructed ear buds and/or the tiny earphone canal and (2) relative to the rubber earbuds, loose fitting grey earbuds that easily slide off the earphone post (very annoying).
Problem (1) is solved simply by cleaning everything. I can't stress enough you must regularly inspect and clean everything for the best, dramatic results we've all come to love. I use the medium gray buds (my favorite...I've tried others including all sizes of the greys), and start by removing the buds and simply roll the inside channel back (think folding them inside-out) firmly with my fingers and remove any nasty. These are tough buggers, so don't be afraid to work'em. Then, I wipe the outside of the buds with some rubbing alcohol. Lastly, I inspect/clean the tiny earphone canal. I use the Shure-provided tool or whatever else is around. After this, if you still have a problem hearing out of one or both, check deeper into the earphone canal. Yesterday, I just experienced one of the earphones not working for the first-time ever.
At first, it made no sense. I didn't do anything and now all of the sudden the left was dead silent? I checked the cord and even plugged into a computer vs. Nano to confirm it was in the earpeice. So after rummaging around for something to probe, I found and foldded-straight a staple and measured the depth of each earpeice canal. Sure enough the left was much shorter--somehow obstructed. I re-inserted the staple and with a dragging motion, I removed a very tiny, green plastic cup. Looking in the hole, I never saw it and didn't know it was there (nothing on the web about it)--just a hunch. But I doubt this was a random, perfectly-sized cup that somehow fell in there and pushed itself deeper in the perfect-fitting direction. So this must be some kind of wax/dirt blocker/filter. Ironically, I checked the right for the same thing, and there was nothing there. Anyway, I was reborn again within 20 minutes. So if if you ever lose sound suddenly in one or both earphones, check for this little cup or filter. It'd be nice if Shure detailed this on its website.
Problem (2) haunted me for awhile overseas. Not just because I lost my first pair on the plane ride to China (ironically the same pair that survived unscathed getting caught in my bicycle chain!). I replaced them the next day after desperately finding a reseller (didn't care what cost...yeah, they're that good!). But after a few weeks traveling the gray buds started coming off their posts easily--the rubber would stay in my ears...very annoying. I waited until I returned to the states to fix the problem. First, I tried Gorilla glue...and I'll stop here. Don't waste your time. Get on Ebay and buy a 10-pack of whatever you're wearing comfortably. I slide on a new set and these fit very tight like they should. By the way, I never had this problem with my first set. The bottom-line: If the buds should not come off easily, don't put up with it for as long as I did.
Conclusively, these are the best headphones I've ever owned. I've listened to the more expensive Shure models, but the E3Cs fit under helmets, etc. and strike the right balance of comfort, convenience, quality and price. I ride bicycle, dual-sport motorcycle for countless hours and 1,000s of miles--never with discomfort. That tells ya something. Unlike my first pair of Sony's that ALWAYS came out of my ears and killed to sleep with them in. I don't know how many times I've slept with my E3Cs in my ears! And at under $200, it doesn't hurt that bad to lose a set...I'm still alive. Plus with music off, they act as light-duty ear plugs (noisy public places, noisy prop planes, sleeping on jets, etc.) and work wonderfully riding bikes, motorcylces where wind is the enemy. As for durability, they're very robust. As I mentioned, I had the cord hanging free while riding my road bike up a several mile hill...anyway, the cord went through the rear deraileur and cog. Luckily, I was going uphill and not fast as the phones were ripped from my ears. The scary part was me being 300 miles from home in the Vermont mountains--potentially tuneless! I actually laughed when all I had to do was wipe off a bit of oil from the cord. That's what I'm talking about! These are such a pleasure to own. Get a set, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Just keep them clean. I've purchased 2 already and stand prepared for a 3rd set, if necessary. And if you're the bugger that found my first set on a plane headed for China, I want'em back!!!! ha ha
Wild Wombat
I want to talk about two issues that are easily solved (before I tell you how much I love the E3Cs
). (1) Obstructed ear buds and/or the tiny earphone canal and (2) relative to the rubber earbuds, loose fitting grey earbuds that easily slide off the earphone post (very annoying).Problem (1) is solved simply by cleaning everything. I can't stress enough you must regularly inspect and clean everything for the best, dramatic results we've all come to love. I use the medium gray buds (my favorite...I've tried others including all sizes of the greys), and start by removing the buds and simply roll the inside channel back (think folding them inside-out) firmly with my fingers and remove any nasty. These are tough buggers, so don't be afraid to work'em. Then, I wipe the outside of the buds with some rubbing alcohol. Lastly, I inspect/clean the tiny earphone canal. I use the Shure-provided tool or whatever else is around. After this, if you still have a problem hearing out of one or both, check deeper into the earphone canal. Yesterday, I just experienced one of the earphones not working for the first-time ever.
At first, it made no sense. I didn't do anything and now all of the sudden the left was dead silent? I checked the cord and even plugged into a computer vs. Nano to confirm it was in the earpeice. So after rummaging around for something to probe, I found and foldded-straight a staple and measured the depth of each earpeice canal. Sure enough the left was much shorter--somehow obstructed. I re-inserted the staple and with a dragging motion, I removed a very tiny, green plastic cup. Looking in the hole, I never saw it and didn't know it was there (nothing on the web about it)--just a hunch. But I doubt this was a random, perfectly-sized cup that somehow fell in there and pushed itself deeper in the perfect-fitting direction. So this must be some kind of wax/dirt blocker/filter. Ironically, I checked the right for the same thing, and there was nothing there. Anyway, I was reborn again within 20 minutes. So if if you ever lose sound suddenly in one or both earphones, check for this little cup or filter. It'd be nice if Shure detailed this on its website.
Problem (2) haunted me for awhile overseas. Not just because I lost my first pair on the plane ride to China (ironically the same pair that survived unscathed getting caught in my bicycle chain!). I replaced them the next day after desperately finding a reseller (didn't care what cost...yeah, they're that good!). But after a few weeks traveling the gray buds started coming off their posts easily--the rubber would stay in my ears...very annoying. I waited until I returned to the states to fix the problem. First, I tried Gorilla glue...and I'll stop here. Don't waste your time. Get on Ebay and buy a 10-pack of whatever you're wearing comfortably. I slide on a new set and these fit very tight like they should. By the way, I never had this problem with my first set. The bottom-line: If the buds should not come off easily, don't put up with it for as long as I did.
Conclusively, these are the best headphones I've ever owned. I've listened to the more expensive Shure models, but the E3Cs fit under helmets, etc. and strike the right balance of comfort, convenience, quality and price. I ride bicycle, dual-sport motorcycle for countless hours and 1,000s of miles--never with discomfort. That tells ya something. Unlike my first pair of Sony's that ALWAYS came out of my ears and killed to sleep with them in. I don't know how many times I've slept with my E3Cs in my ears! And at under $200, it doesn't hurt that bad to lose a set...I'm still alive. Plus with music off, they act as light-duty ear plugs (noisy public places, noisy prop planes, sleeping on jets, etc.) and work wonderfully riding bikes, motorcylces where wind is the enemy. As for durability, they're very robust. As I mentioned, I had the cord hanging free while riding my road bike up a several mile hill...anyway, the cord went through the rear deraileur and cog. Luckily, I was going uphill and not fast as the phones were ripped from my ears. The scary part was me being 300 miles from home in the Vermont mountains--potentially tuneless! I actually laughed when all I had to do was wipe off a bit of oil from the cord. That's what I'm talking about! These are such a pleasure to own. Get a set, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Just keep them clean. I've purchased 2 already and stand prepared for a 3rd set, if necessary. And if you're the bugger that found my first set on a plane headed for China, I want'em back!!!! ha ha
Wild Wombat
