First impressions of Shure E4C (good and bad)

[MasterOfPuppets]

I received my Shure E4C's today which I ordered from headphone.com based on the recommendations of several members of this forum. I have spent the afternoon experimenting with the sleeves and trying to figure out what works best for me. I used E2's for a while but decided to upgrade to a better canalphone.

The sound quality easily blows the E2's out of the water, and it should for the price. The sound is much more detailed, and it is much easier to distinguish between instruments and hear parts that were not audible on the E2. Overall, it's much closer to my Grado SR 60 which I use at home in quiet environments. I haven't really spent a lot of time listening to them yet, so I'll let you know more after I've listened for a while.

Finding the right fit for me has been the main problem. I used the foam sleeves with the E2's but I got tired of having to replace them so often. I was anxious to try the triple flange sleeves, but they were disappointing to say the least. The first time I put them in they were so uncomfortable I took them out immediately. When I actually tried to listen with them on they muffled the sound. When I tried to pull the earphone out of my left ear the phone came out but the triple flange sleeve remained firmly lodged in my ear canal and someone else had to use tweezers to get it out. Needless to say, I will probably never use the triple flange sleeves again. The E4 is also much more difficult to remove from the ear than the E2 since it's much smaller. The soft flex sleeves are slightly more comfortable than the standard flex sleeves but do not isolate as much. I might stick with the small hard flex sleeves so I don't have to replace them so often.

Over all, I am happy with the sound quality of the E4's but wish it were easier to get a fit that sounds good, is comfortable, and doesn't require replacing the sleeves every month. I guess this is a problem with all canalphones, but it's still frustrating.

[neb]

Remember that you could always cut off the smallest tier of the triple flange sleeves. There is an FAQ on this forum somewhere. Some members have noted that the sound and comfort has improved as a result; it may be worth considering. Just have a play around - possibly allow for a burn-in period if you're that way inclined. I'm sure you'll find a set up that gives you great sound but not at the expense of comfort.

[MasterOfPuppets]

I might have to read that FAQ. I'm curious to know what other users of the E4's have experienced with the triple flanges, although every ear is different. I don't really want to try them again and risk getting them stuck.

[solvexyz]

I did the following modification on my tri-flange.

[img=http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6181/mymodified5xy.th.gif] (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mymodified5xy.gif)

[dnd]

Originally posted by MasterOfPuppets
I might have to read that FAQ. I'm curious to know what other users of the E4's have experienced with the triple flanges, although every ear is different. I don't really want to try them again and risk getting them stuck.

No problems inserting the triple flanges - pull your ear back and up to straighten your earcanal - but the higher frequencies, IMO, sound muffled through them

I use the foamies - no compromise isolation IMO - just use a new pair every couple of days with regular use

The foamies are washable - just stick them in a tied up sock with your regular wash. Blowdry them by sticking a hairdryer over the end of the sock

BTW I got rid of my E4C's in favour of my old E3C's - the E4C's, though having good bass, didn't reproduce it across the full range on certain tracks I've listened to for years - very poor - made the music sound sterile/lacking - probably OK for new music you've never heard before or dance music...

[alienmeatsack]

Do you find that by getting really good quality earphones that the compression in your mp3s starts to stand out more? I notice a difference with good headphoens on listening to my ipod but with my earbuds (Sennheisers or Sonys) I cant tell its been compressed really.

[egokun]

First: Etymotic triple-flanges should be used on E3c and E4c. The long stem of the Shure tri-flanges was designed for the E5c. Anyway, you COULD cut the stem on the Shure tri-flange so that it is at least even with the largest flange - that will make insertion a lot easier. To remove the flanges, NEVER EVER pull them straight out. Instead, twist the E4c back and forth like you should unscrew them from your ear, and everything will go fine. No flange has ever remained in my ear canal so far, and I've been using them a lot.

[MasterOfPuppets]

I just got off the phone with Shure's vice president of quality control. I called Shure and told them about my problems and they transfered me to him when I said I'd gotten the triple flanges stuck in my ear. He said the same thing egokun said about twisting the phones when I want to remove them. He'd never heard of anyone getting them stuck before. He said he is sending me some new sleeves that Shure has not released but they may if the response is positive. He seemed very interested in hearing my feedback on my experiences with the E4 and offered to send me extra foam sleeves for free. He also said Shure will soon be releasing the E6 to replace the E5 since it's been out for a while.

I'm happy with Shure's customer support, although I probably won't use the triple flanges again. I tried them again last night (and got them stuck in my ear again since I pulled them out rather than twisting them) but the sound quality still wasn't great. I completely agree with dnd about them muffling the higher frequencies. I'll let you know what I think of the new sleeves when they come. I forgot to mention in my original post that the E4 can go much deeper into the ear than the E2 since it's smaller. The person I talked to on the phone said I only need to push it far enough that I can get a good seal.

[rx7_fan]

MasterOfPuppets, please comment more on the Shure E6. You've got my attention. Do you know anything more about them? ANY additional information will help.

[MasterOfPuppets]

He didn't tell me anything else. He just said they were replacing the E5 since it has been out for a while. I'd never really been considering getting the E5 since it's way too expensive so I didn't ask.

[egokun]

What I find strange is that you find that the tri-flanges muffle the high frequencies. I honestly think that the highs can sometimes get ear-piercing with the flanges, and anyway, I don't think they're recessed or muffled... quite the contrary. I like the flanges because they are universal-fitting and soft, so insertion is trouble-free and the isolation is excellent, while the clear sleeves are more difficult to insert and won't give me as much isolation (but they do sound great, my only complain is that they allow earwax and debris to get into the filter, and the less you have to clean the filter, the better).

Your post about the Shure E6 has been quoted on Head-Fi, BTW. I am extremely interested in these new sleeves they're sending you - if you could post pics of them when you receive them it would be great, along with comments of course.

And, I'm happy that there's a chance to see a Shure E6 model in the near future, probably next year considering the E4 (not E4c) has just come out.

[MasterOfPuppets]

I spent a couple hours listening last night with the E4's. The sound is by far the most detailed sound I've ever heard. There are so many parts I never knew were in the music that I want to re-listen to all my music again just to discover them. Twisting the earphones while pulling them out makes removal much, much easier. I no longer am worried about getting ssleeves stuck in my ear and I'll probably try the triple flanges again.

I also look forward to trying the new sleeves from Shure. I'll post pics of them when they arrive. I saw the thread at Head-Fi with the quote from my post. Maybe I'll register there since I've looked at that site several times when trying to decide which headphones to buy.