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Best canalphones?

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Just had my Sony EX51's die on me and am looking for a decent pair. Any recommendations?

The Shure E2c's look decent but I am pretty clueless.
 
I do really enjoy my Shure E2c's. Likely the best value you can get under $100 CDN.
 
Yeah, those are some pretty decent starter canalphones. Next thing you know, you'll drop a G on some Ultimate Ears EU10 Pros. Lots of reviews and opinions on the E2 at head-fi.org
 
Any idea how these compare to headphones from Sennheiser that don't go inside the ear for the same price? I'm in the market for something similar.
 
I own those, how did they "die"? I'm worried the cord is going to break where it enters the ear piece, since there's no reinforcement. I've got to add something myself, because there's no way I could re-solder it.
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
I own those, how did they "die"? I'm worried the cord is going to break where it enters the ear piece, since there's no reinforcement. I've got to add something myself, because there's no way I could re-solder it.
Click to expand...
I had that problem on my left earphone. I also had the jap import version, which has a different cable than the US version (the US version has thicker, glossier rubber, the jap has thin matte rubber).

My Shure E2Cs however, kick major ass, they sound better than the Fontopias, and they have better build quality too, they survived half a wash cycle!!
 
They cost 4 times as much, and I seriously doubt they sound 4 times better. I'll NEVER go back to any earphone that doesn't plug right in the canal. That sound quality can't be equaled in any other way... especially for $25.00!

I think I'll fool around with some silicone where it exits the ear piece. By the time these die, maybe better quality units will be more competitively priced.
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
They cost 4 times as much, and I seriously doubt they sound 4 times better. I'll NEVER go back to any earphone that doesn't plug right in the canal. That sound quality can't be equaled in any other way... especially for $25.00!

I think I'll fool around with some silicone where it exits the ear piece. By the time these die, maybe better quality units will be more competitively priced.
Click to expand...

Which one's are you referring to that are $25?
 
I have the Etymotic ER 6i. When I first got them, the music sounded like crap, and I had to go back and rip at a higher bitrate, other than that, I have had no issues with them.
 
"BEST"? You don't want the best. You are not ready for the best. You want to ask what's the best canalphone for $50 or less.
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
I own those, how did they "die"? I'm worried the cord is going to break where it enters the ear piece, since there's no reinforcement. I've got to add something myself, because there's no way I could re-solder it.
Click to expand...

Left earbud went out. Wiring seems to have gotten frayed up by the earbud.
 
Originally posted by: dds14u
Originally posted by: Ornery
They cost 4 times as much, and I seriously doubt they sound 4 times better. I'll NEVER go back to any earphone that doesn't plug right in the canal. That sound quality can't be equaled in any other way... especially for $25.00!

I think I'll fool around with some silicone where it exits the ear piece. By the time these die, maybe better quality units will be more competitively priced.
Click to expand...

Which one's are you referring to that are $25?
Click to expand...


EX51's are $25 at Amazon. E2c's are $65 but list at $99.

BTW I ordered E2c's. Sick of Sony. I just paid $10 for replacement earpieces for the EX51's because I lost one. I wonder if there's a warranty on them? Shure has a two-year.
 
I'm going to reinforce mine, so the cord doesn't puke. That looks like the Achilles heal to me.

"...I am pretty clueless. I just paid $10 for replacement earpieces for the EX51's because I lost one." 😛

Consumer Warranty for Shure Sound Isolating Earphone Products
  • TWO-YEAR PROFESSIONAL GRADE WARRANTY

    Shure Incorporated ("Shure"), 5800 West Touhy Ave., Niles, Illinois 60714-4608, warrants to the owner of this product that it will be free, in normal use, of any defects in workmanship and materials for a period of two years from date of purchase. You should retain proof of date of purchase. Shure is not liable for any incidental, special, or consequential damages. If this Shure product has any defects as described during the warranty period, call 1-800-516-2525 in the United States for details on repair. Outside the United States, return the product to you dealer or Authorized Service Center for repair. The product will be repaired, replaced, or exchanged and returned to you promptly.

    This warranty does not cover abuse or misuse of the product, use contrary to Shure's instruction, ordinary wear and tear, an act of God, or unauthorized repair.

    Some States do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.
Do you see somewhere in that warranty, that they'll replace an earpiece if you lose one? 😕 They very well may replace them for frayed wires, though. I may buy them when my EX51s bite the dust, but I'll do my best to make those wires last as long as possible.

Let me know if the bass is as nice on the E2C as the EX51. I'll be returning wax encrusted Shures if it's not!
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
I'm going to reinforce mine, so the cord doesn't puke. That looks like the Achilles heal to me.

"...I am pretty clueless. I just paid $10 for replacement earpieces for the EX51's because I lost one." 😛

Consumer Warranty for Shure Sound Isolating Earphone Products
  • TWO-YEAR PROFESSIONAL GRADE WARRANTY

    Shure Incorporated ("Shure"), 5800 West Touhy Ave., Niles, Illinois 60714-4608, warrants to the owner of this product that it will be free, in normal use, of any defects in workmanship and materials for a period of two years from date of purchase. You should retain proof of date of purchase. Shure is not liable for any incidental, special, or consequential damages. If this Shure product has any defects as described during the warranty period, call 1-800-516-2525 in the United States for details on repair. Outside the United States, return the product to you dealer or Authorized Service Center for repair. The product will be repaired, replaced, or exchanged and returned to you promptly.

    This warranty does not cover abuse or misuse of the product, use contrary to Shure's instruction, ordinary wear and tear, an act of God, or unauthorized repair.

    Some States do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.
Do you see somewhere in that warranty, that they'll replace an earpiece if you lose one? 😕 They very well may replace them for frayed wires, though. I may buy them when my EX51s bite the dust, but I'll do my best to make those wires last as long as possible.

Let me know if the bass is as nice on the E2C as the EX51. I'll be returning wax encrusted Shures if it's not!
Click to expand...

My point was Sony robs you on parts. I can get five pairs of Shure replacement earpeices for $10. Sony charge $5 for a little piece of rubber.
 
Will those foam things even work? How much do they want for the rubber ones? I can't imagine using foam. I never would have thought about replacing the ear pieces. I figure there's just some things that parts aren't available for, especially $25.00 earphones. If I'd invested $10.00 in replacements, I'd probably buy the same kind again, just so I'd have spares!
 
e2's are a waste now, since i've seen the e3's for $112 shipped, but for a little more you can get the E4's for $180 shipped. i picked up the e4's yesterday, and they are probably the most balanced canalphones i've heard. I auditioned just about all the canalphones i could (i didn't get to try any UE's or Westwood's🙁) and the e4's were the winners for price/performance. The Ety's were close, but the E4's went better with my playlists.
 
Canalphones hurt soo bad! I hate those things, as well as earbuds. Anything I wear has to stay out of the ears.
 
I auditioned just about all the canalphones...

Um, how do you go about doing that? Were they "auditioned" by anyone before you? :Q

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Canalphones hurt soo bad! I hate those things, as well as earbuds. Anything I wear has to stay out of the ears.
Click to expand...
When I got my first pair of eyeglasses (prescription safety glasses for work), I said the same thing, but was told by several people that, "You'll get used to it." Sure enough, less than a week later, no problem. Same with in-ear phones. My right ear must be smaller, because I have to jam it in much tighter than the left, which hurt at first, but I figured that would just be temporary, and was right. I used 100% Aloe gel as a lubricant, at first, but no more. Hey, I wouldn't bother, if the improvement in sound wasn't worth it. I get WAY too much variation in sound quality with other types of headphones. Their sound quality depends entirely on how tight they are pressed against the ear, and generally the tighter, the better. Doubt I'll ever buy those again.
 
canalphones have removable tips, and they give customers some tips to try on with that corresponding headphone.
 
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