Shure or Etymyotic?

[wpeng]

After searching forums, it seems like Shure and Etymyotics are on even footing, though most people have Shures, it seems. For people who have had both, which one is better (let's say, E3c and 6i)? I've seen Shures described as "fun" and Etymyotics as "analytical." Can anyone explain?

I've never used canalphones before, and the best earphones I ever tried were Sennheiser MX400s and they sounded pretty nice to me.

 

[Hexx]

Wow I was seriously just researching this myself. There are long reviews on amazon Link about the Shure e4c, which imo is the best buy. Remember these are not normal headphones, they literally get stuck in your ear and stay there! They also completely remove your hearing from the world, you cannot hear people talking around you even when no music is playing. I also wound get (if you do decide to go for it) to get them foam fitted for your ear. You have to go to a audiogists (sp?), and they will make a mold of your ear. I was quoted $25 for this process. Which ever you do send me a PM about it.

 

[LordSnailz]

bumpity for the same question

 

[Cerb]

I have the E3c, and they are fairly 'fun' (not the most detailed, but some toe-tapping goodness). The summary of it all is this: Etys lack bass worse than the Shures, and have emphasized treble. The Shures have most emphasis on the midrange. The isolation, with foamies, is amazing.

Also, with the Shures, note that they will cost you a little bit here and there, because the foam tips sound the best, but wear out. Call for lower prices, and you should find the E4 for $200 or less. The Westone UM-1 are also supposed to be very good, and more balanced than either the Shure E3c or Ety ER-6i, and are between them in price (they should be able to use the same tips as the Shure E1/E3/E4/E5, as well).

http://www.head-fi.org < a black hole just as terrible, but a lot more fun than, P&N .

 

[theslickvik]

Quick reply
~~~~~~~
I have had the pleasure of using both and have found my research inconclusive. Yes they are on equal pedestals really, but there is an exception. The price and the comfort. I believe that the shure actually provide better sound quality and actually look better than the etymotics. If your an audiophile like me go with the shure

 

[Slickone]

After reading this thread, I was thinking about getting the Shure E4, but also noticed the Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Pro which give the noise isolation rating, 26 dB. I can't find this rating for the Shure. Is it not given anywhere? If not, which would you guess blocks outside noise better?

 

[Taejin]

Originally posted by: Slickone
After reading this thread, I was thinking about getting the Shure E4, but also noticed the Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Pro which give the noise isolation rating, 26 dB. I can't find this rating for the Shure. Is it not given anywhere? If not, which would you guess blocks outside noise better?

the problem of isolation is COMPLETELY negligible when you get into the e3/e4/e5.

Whichever tips you use, if you get a good seal, you won't hear anything once the music starts. Period.

 

[Slickone]

I still would like to know which one does better.
Also, say it's very soft quiet music, or the music ends and I'm asleep, using them to block noise (ie. talking, laughing)?

 

[Slickone]

^

 

[Taejin]

Originally posted by: Slickone
I still would like to know which one does better.
Also, say it's very soft quiet music, or the music ends and I'm asleep, using them to block noise (ie. talking, laughing)?

Don't really know how much of a response you want

If you REALLY want to know if there's a difference in the isolation, head over to www.head-fi.org. Otherwise I think you're just splitting hairs. If you had the shures I'd think you'd realise that fairly quickly.

 

[beatle]

IEM (in ear monitor) headphones seal out ambient noise regardless of whether they're on or not. Think of them as very expensive earplugs when not hooked up to a player.

I advise listening to some before purchasing. Your local Apple store should carry Shure. Some people (like me) cannot stand how they feel in the ear (I tried the Ultimate Ears). I also had a difficult time getting a good seal, so the main benefit of this style of headphone was lost. I did not have an opportunity to try the foam ear tips, however. Some say they're more comfortable and make it easier to get a proper seal.

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: beatle
IEM (in ear monitor) headphones seal out ambient noise regardless of whether they're on or not. Think of them as very expensive earplugs when not hooked up to a player.

I advise listening to some before purchasing. Your local Apple store should carry Shure. Some people (like me) cannot stand how they feel in the ear (I tried the Ultimate Ears). I also had a difficult time getting a good seal, so the main benefit of this style of headphone was lost. I did not have an opportunity to try the foam ear tips, however. Some say they're more comfortable and make it easier to get a proper seal.

Yeah and people say you really need the foam tips, so that's no good. Not sure I want to stick something in my ears that everyone else had in theirs anyway. Which is why I'm trying to find out here.

 

[beatle]

You won't be able to find any opinions on how IEMs feel to YOU. I was told by several people that IEMs are the most comfortable and best sounding headphones available. As much as I wanted to believe them, it wasn't so to my ears. Look for a place with a liberal return policy. I'm not sure what the Apple store does, but headphone.com has a nice policy.

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: beatle
You won't be able to find any opinions on how IEMs feel to YOU. I was told by several people that IEMs are the most comfortable and best sounding headphones available. As much as I wanted to believe them, it wasn't so to my ears. Look for a place with a liberal return policy. I'm not sure what the Apple store does, but headphone.com has a nice policy.

They're good at what they do, and are very detailed, but yeah...those folks were on some good drugs. For many of us they are very comfy, though.

 

[Zenbeatnik]

I had the E3c earbuds and they were quite nice but then I had the chance to try the E5c earphones and WOW!! totally awesome. I sold the E3c earphones to my friend and bought the E5c's. I use them with my Zen Touch and I couldn't be happier. If you can afford them they're well worth it. Of course, audition first if you can. Also they come with a sound level attenuator which is great for using when you fly. They make the inflight movie extra nice since the sound isolation earphone blocks out nearly all of the jet's engine noise.

 

[SKC]

shure e2c + the soft rubber tips from the sony canalphones = Very comfortable and great sound.

If you want details pm me, or do a search for shure e2c mod.

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: Zenbeatnik
I had the E3c earbuds and they were quite nice but then I had the chance to try the E5c earphones and WOW!! totally awesome. I sold the E3c earphones to my friend and bought the E5c's. I use them with my Zen Touch and I couldn't be happier. If you can afford them they're well worth it. Of course, audition first if you can. Also they come with a sound level attenuator which is great for using when you fly. They make the inflight movie extra nice since the sound isolation earphone blocks out nearly all of the jet's engine noise.

These insert deep into the ear for the sound isolation to work. That sounds uncomfortable. Is that not annoying?

 

[Atomicus]

Originally posted by: Slickone

Originally posted by: Zenbeatnik
I had the E3c earbuds and they were quite nice but then I had the chance to try the E5c earphones and WOW!! totally awesome. I sold the E3c earphones to my friend and bought the E5c's. I use them with my Zen Touch and I couldn't be happier. If you can afford them they're well worth it. Of course, audition first if you can. Also they come with a sound level attenuator which is great for using when you fly. They make the inflight movie extra nice since the sound isolation earphone blocks out nearly all of the jet's engine noise.

These insert deep into the ear for the sound isolation to work. That sounds uncomfortable. Is that not annoying?

All their attachments come in various sizes and for the most part, conform to the shape of your ear canal.

The silicon-tips are the ones I use on my E2cs. The heat from my ear basically makes the tips "gooey" for a very comfortable yet tight seal. :thumbsup:

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: Zenbeatnik
I had the E3c earbuds and they were quite nice but then I had the chance to try the E5c earphones and WOW!! totally awesome. I sold the E3c earphones to my friend and bought the E5c's. I use them with my Zen Touch and I couldn't be happier. If you can afford them they're well worth it. Of course, audition first if you can. Also they come with a sound level attenuator which is great for using when you fly. They make the inflight movie extra nice since the sound isolation earphone blocks out nearly all of the jet's engine noise.

$120 v. $400 (or $180 v. $500, now)...gee, they're better?

Also, here's why the foamies rock:
http://www.earphonesolutions.com/coofsoiseaan.html

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: Cerb
$120 v. $400 (or $180 v. $500, now)...gee, they're better?

Also, here's why the foamies rock:
http://www.earphonesolutions.com/coofsoiseaan.html

This test was published by Shure.

 

[Cerb]

...and Shure is so worried you might use those styling gray or clear tips, instead, and deprive them of their profit (they're like 5/$10+s&h)!
The point was the foams generally outperforming the other tips--comaprisons against noise-cancelling aren't useful.