You want quality intimate sound for $100? You got it.
Written: Sep 29 '06 (Updated Oct 01 '06)
Product Rating:
Pros: Excellent midrange detail. Sturdy construction. Great sound insulation.
Cons: Fit a tad on the invasive side. Bassheads may not be sated.
The Bottom Line: If you require topmost sound-blocking ability and aren't looking to spend much over $100, then look no further; these will not disappoint.
robinmichael's Full Review: Shure E2C Consumer Headphones
Open the package for these, the entry level model of the Shure canalphone line, and immediately you become aware that much has been put into providing a quality product. Starting with the 'phones themselves (backed by a hearty two-year warranty), one finds their cords to be thick, rugged, and fairly tangle-free. Look to the earhpone sleeves, and one finds not one, not two, but three sets (PVC "flex," soft rubber, and orangey earplug-style foam), each in three different sizes, to suit put near any ear. The hard carrying case is stylish and designed to minimize tangle (as if the thick cords need such minimizing). And, what's this? -- wax guards to keep the canal tubes gunk-free -- now, that's delivering above and beyond.
Putting these 'phones on might require a bit of practice for the uninitiated. Rather than dangle straight from the ears, the E2c's were designed to enter the ear canal from over the top of the ear, allowing the cords to be worn either in front of or behind your head. Plus, the longish canal tube extruding at an angle from the driver housing is made to nestle somewhat far into the ear canal; if one's not used to such a fit, it can feel a bit -- er, intrusive (hey, I was raised that you shouldn't put anything smaller than your elbow into your ears).
And therein comes the important part: these 'phones are designed to be worn as far into the ears as is comfortably (and safely!) possible (full disclosure: it took me a bit to accomplish this, even though the concept was not hard to grasp). Without the right fit, the listening experience will be a disappointment, as a complete seal (as well as an allowance for a break-in period)* is required to bring the E2c's to life.
Ah, but what a life it is. The quality suggested by the build of the E2c's and their accoutrements is starkly realized in their sound. The hubbub of the exterior world melts away as the music rushes into your head in precise, warm detail. Aided in part by their ability to isolate the wearer from external noise, the E2c's provide a rich listening experience for the money. Even with compressed audio files, breaths, catches, plucks, creaks, and various other nuances that give vocal and instrumental performances their immediacy stand up to be noticed from the back row. Note, however, that the E2c's ability to deliver "gee, I never noticed that before" performance is strongest in the midrange, as these 'phones tend to roll off in the higher frequencies and feature a somewhat mild-mannered, shall we say, bass presence that delivers warmth but perhaps lacks "oomph."
All in all, I do like these 'phones. But when it comes down to just one recommendation for a pair of canalphones in the C-note range, and if sound insulation is not utmost on your list of requirements, I'd give the nod to Sony's newer MDR-EX90LPs over these Shures. The Sonys' built-in venting, even though it reduces their sound-blocking ability vs. the E2c's, provides a more spacious soundscape, while the 90's meaty drivers provide an enhanced bass response and greater high-frequency detail. But if you absolutely crave of your canalphones a thoroughly intimate stage in which to experience your music in this price range, you'd be hard pressed to be find a better offering than these Shures.
*A few words about the break in: When I first tested my new pair of the E2c's, I was convinced I'd made a purchasing error in their selection. The midrange response I praise above was unappetizingly reedy, and the bass seemed a joke. More than any other pair of 'phones I've owned, these require about one continuous diurnal cycle of break in for their potential to be realized. Consider a new pair of these Shures an unbaked bird in need of some oven time; plug 'em in, turn the volume up to about 50-60%, and just walk away for about a day. Your patience will be rewarded.
Sound Isolating in-ear design - Hear only what you want to hear Portable and lightweight design - weighing only one-ounce Personal fit kit to contour...More at Amazon Marketplace
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