New Shure E3c Phones ($108 @ Amazon)

[smkranz]

Been eyeballing the E3c and the Etymotic ER6i canal phones for awhile, comparing reviews here and elsewhere. Current prices @ Amazon are only about $4 apart. I settled on the Shures ($108 delivered), probably for the ergonomics, fit flexibility, and because they just look better-built. I also ordered a pair of the optional triple-flange sleeves to get the full range of fitting options.

My decision to buy was sparked by my last plane trip...my Senn PX100s are great and I look forward to continued use out of them, but they're just not efficient (loud) enough for use in a noisy environment like a plane, train, bus ride to marching band trips, etc.

They arrived today, having strategically planned their arrival while the Spousal Unit is 1,100 miles away (yes I'm afraid...and it's almost always easier to seek forgiveness than to ask permission).

Trying the various sleeves, the only rubber/vinyl sleeve I could get a decent and reliable seal with were the small ultra-soft (grey silicone) sleeves. The triple-flange (optional) sleeves are pretty good...very good seal and comfortable, but they make the phone stick out farther from the ear than the others. The yellow foam sleeves at first (well, for the first hour) were unnerving...too much pressure, I guess. But they seal out the world very well, and now that they've been in for awhile, I am quite accustomed to them and I can see using these primarily...dang...the message light on the phone that's sitting right next to me just lit up but I didn't hear it ;0 (thanks to Alison Krauss being piped directly into my brain neurons).

To my ears the sound is crystal clear and dead-on. I recommend using a custom EQ setting if your player offers it. Most of the complaints I've read about these phones is the lack of bass. The bass is just fine for me...if your tunes have bass in them, the E3c's will reproduce it just fine. Remember also that these do not have to compete with ambient noise for your attention. As others also report, a good seal is important for low frequencies. If your music is already thin on bass and you can't equalize it sufficiently to your taste, I suppose I could see some people griping.

The sound isolation is very, very effective, and you kind of have to get used to it...your ears are totally sealed which is good for listening to music. But even though the sleeves are "comfortable", having something totally plugging up your ear is not a normal sensation. And by no means should you be driving or even walking around on the sidewalk in these, because you will hear NOTHING of the outside world which could be dangerous.

Driving the E3c is a breeze with my NH900...I'm dialed in right now at a very comfortable 11/30. It starts to get real uncomfortable at about 19-20. Even in a very noisy place, I can't conceive of prolonged listening any louder than 17-18 (depending on the recording's volume).

Edited July 8, 2005 by smkranz

[bri]

Seems like a very good price for the next step up from E2c's. Glad to know they're up to scratch; great line of products.

Count yourself lucky you can order the extra sleeves living the U.S.!

[lazydog]

The E3's are absolutely amazing!!! The sound stage and bass are superb and I'm still staggered that people can't hear a squeak. highly recommend these phones and only cost £63 U.K including shipping from the U.S - was quoted cheapest price of £112 here in U.K

[josiane1979]

I too can't compliment enough my E3c... They are truly wonderful for someone who, like me, loves to isolate herself from the world and immerge in a world of cristalline music... without having to hear stupid conversations while commuting and even not hearing the commuting sounds (the yellow foam are the least fashionable, but the best at block noise IMO)! Dreamy... The bass is very accurate (the E3c do not amplify bass like many other cheaper headphones - maybe that's why people complain about the "lack" of bass... but maybe they don't fit the plugs correctly, because the whole sound quality is reduced if you don't find the perfect plugs to fit). I too listen at 10-11 level. I think isolating yourself from outside noise is great for your ears, because you don't have to crank up the volume to hear your music on top of every noise. About the triple flinge plugs, if they are too long (because they are for most people), you could cut the inside flinge (not the one at the tip of the plug!) while leaving a long enough "tube" to fit the sound canal. Many owners of E3c have found that useful. Maybe you can try that? And about buying stuff while the spouse is away I understand too much... My bf does not feel, like me, that great sound (and noice isolation) is worth paying that much... (But you really aren't paying that much, I paid mines close to 300$CAN! I still feel that they were one of my best lifetime buy!)