Dilemma: Grado SR 60s, Senn PX100s, and/or Shure e2cs?

[aneffigy]

I posted a week or so ago about finding something comparable to the Sony EX-71s that I have, but loathe because of the cord. Since then I've spent hours doing research on phones, and I'm currently thinking I'm going to get 2 out of the 3 of the following:
Grado SR 60s,
Senn PX100s,
or Shure e2cs.

The Shures are pretty much guaranteed; I'm a student who does a lot of commuting on public transit, so I need some really good isolating in-ears. The PX100s would probably be used mainly for home listening, but I'm really worried about the fact that they're not closed. Is it really difficult to hear with them on public transit? And I've seen that the general opinion on the PX200s, the closed version, are not as good -- why not?

The Grados are, of course, hideously ugly, but everybody here seems to swear by them. They would be strictly for home listening. I'm leaning toward the Senns right now because they eventually could be used for both portable and home usage, but, like I said, I'm worried about the lack of isolation.

Anybody have experience with all/some combo of these earphones? What are your preferences?

[Squibbles]

Get rid of the Shure's. They are a different style of phones altogether compared to the PX100 and Grado's. The E2c's have the most bloated, gross bass I've ever heard. Not to mention, the phones are incredibly muddy and unclear. Furthermore, they're extremely uncomfortable and quite large. I recommend the Etymotic line especially the ER-6i if you want in ear monitors.

As for the two headphones, I'd recommend the SR60 for home listening. They're easily driven without an amp. They may not look good but they sound beautiful. The PX100 are gorgeous too; they also look a lot better and can be worn outside without getting scares. You won't go wrong with whichever one you choose.

[Claudio Lopez]

PX100s sound awesome but forget about using them on public transit.

i have koss ksc75s and sony ex71s... and used to have px100s. IMO, Sonys are the best for commuters.

[thedodgyguy]

If you can stretch to $180ish, consider the Sennheiser HD25-1. Gradpo SR80-125-class sound quality, combined with the isolation of the E2c.

[bdb]

Well, they're all very different style of phones/buds. Ones an isolation bud - good for transit, but bad for hearing what's going on around you. The PX-100's an open style portable headphone - small, good sound quality but not so good in noisy situations. The Grado is a fairly big home-use headphone with great sound that is barely small enough to even consider for portable.

If you choose just one, there will be tradeoffs depending on where you use them. Personally I have different units for different uses. I use a Sony EX51 for airplanes, big Sennheiser HD-500 for home, and the PX-100 for everyday use.

[MikeM]

Originally posted by Squibbles
Get rid of the Shure's. They are a different style of phones altogether compared to the PX100 and Grado's. The E2c's have the most bloated, gross bass I've ever heard. Not to mention, the phones are incredibly muddy and unclear. Furthermore, they're extremely uncomfortable and quite large. I recommend the Etymotic line especially the ER-6i if you want in ear monitors.

If the OP currently has the ex-71s, the Shures will seem much less bloated, muddy, and unclear. And I personally find them quite comfortable.

[c.you]

I don't recommend getting the e2c's unless you need the isolation. I never really liked the sound of them ever since I've got them and quite frankly, haven't liked them much. I have the grado sr60's and they are excellent. Nothing compares IMO in their price. But yes, they leak alot and can be used only at home or semi-portibly. I haven't heard any of the other shures yet and will not go into conclusions about them. But for home use, I highly recommend the grado sr60's.

[warpdrive]

Sound quality wise (by a large margin between the three)
1. SR60's
2. PX100's
3. E2C

Suitable for portable use (with a large margin between the three):
1. E2C
2. PX100's
3. SR60's

Frankly, I think all of the low end Shures are really bad. The E2C is muddy, and overly bassy, and the E3C's are lacking in bass, and recessed sounding in the highs. For a canalphone, the Etymotic ER6i still rules the under $100 category (even compared to the new Superfi 3) IMHO.

For home, the SR60 rules....the PX100 sounds overly fat, very warm and bloated compared to it.

The BEST thing is try TRY before you buy or buy from a place that allows returns. I was stuck with my E3C's and was out $125 (couldn;t return them). If you go for E2's, have a backdoor in case you didn't like them.

[thedodgyguy]

Horses for course. The E2c is not particularly hot sounding but in their specific category (canalphones) they will be the best you can get for how much they cost.


I'm no strange to high-end headphones and I personally happen to think the ER-6i's are not all that either... the Shures are rather more "honest" about the real performance they provide. The reason I use the ER-6i at the moment when flying is that I cannot get on with any other foam tip, be it Shure or Ety 4.

[ironbrewer]

I found the grados uncomfortable. I thought the sound was amazing for the price.( the sr80 were better soundwise not much difference going to 125s though) the senns are much more comfortable. I would definately try to find someplace to try them though if at all possible. I must say that I have a big head! I have a xxl motorcycle helmet

Ironbrewer

[Squibbles]

If the Grados are uncomfortable, just bend the headband. It's not fragile; use some strength and bend that sucker. It'll help and the phones will rest on your head rather than crushing your ears.

[mvtm]

ironbrewer maybe you thought grado's 80 sound better than 125 because of bass.If you find it unconfortable do what squibbles says , or just try Grado's Pads or bowls.

I use a Sony's MDR-EX71 and a Grado 60

[ironbrewer]

I meant that I thought that the 80s were a big step above the 60s but the 125s werent as big a step above the 80s. I think the sweet spot in terms of value are the 80s

[dimmer]

The usual thing I hear about the 80s is that they need an amplifier to drive them properly when used with an iPod. Mine sound OK to me (clearer and more detailed in the middle and top frequency range than the Senns), but then I haven't heard the difference amped, so the improvement could be great. For this reason people usually recommend the easier to drive 60s over the 80s for general iPod use.

For portability forget the Grados - if the size of them for carrying around and being seen doesn't disturb you (retro cool really doesn't do it for me sorry), the bulky and long cord should be the real spoiler. I use the Senn PX100s on the street - they are discrete, the fidelity of the sound compared to the Grados when you are moving around in the city is hardly a top priority (although they are a very good sounding headphone anyway). I prefer to hear the ambient noise around me that the Senns do not do a great job at cutting out, so I am not run down by passing trucks that I have failed to notice. And further more I am selfish enough not to care if anyone else can hear my music - they should enjoy my fantastic taste anyway.....

Well thats my logic faced with a similar set of headphone choices to you!

[vankergr]

i have all three. The grados sound awesome, but have worse isolation than the senn's. The PX100's are AWESOME headphones.

If you're in cold weather, the Grado's make for good earmuffs! They helped me out on many a walk to class. Although, the cord is thick as hell, and long. The Sennheisers are very compact.

The Shure phones are great sounding if you can get them to stay in your ear. they won't stay in mine and end up hurting....i dunno.

[Code Monkey]

I don't care for in-ear phones at all unless I'm mowing the lawn, but I have the Sennheiser PX-100s and the Grado SR-60s. Get both.

The Sennheiser PX-100 have excellent overall sound and are extremely comfortable and light. They go every where with you and although not closed design don't bleed too much sound to the people around you.

The Grado SR60s sound even better but are definitely not on-the-go headphones. However, sitting here at my desk typing this while I drink the morning mate, ahhh, audio bliss.

One thing: the flex connector right above the phone plug on the PX-100s is not made very well. I've had two sets short out there after the rubber "ribbing" eventually broke. Mine are actually off for warranty repair right now. I'm going to reinforce the crap out of it when I get them back and make a point of not carrying them inside of a pocket anymore as I'm sure that's where the stress came from.