er-6i or e3c for: good treble, sturdy wires, sturdy flanges?

[EliWho]

Please choose the appropriate forum for this topic. Thank you. Judging by past posts here, I will incur some very rude replies by simply asking "which is better, headphone X or headphone Y?" So instead, I would like peoples' opinions on the ETYMOTIC ER-6I vs the SHURE E3C based on the following specific criteria:

1) GOOD HIGH END? I know most people like good bass, but I very much prefer a very crisp and clear high end even at high volumes. I like to hear every instrument very distinctly, and get the "sounds I never heard before" effect. Bass, while it should be adequate, is not nearly as important to me. Which is better here?

2) STURDY WIRES? I got the Sony EX81's, and the wires have almost crumbled after a few months of use. It seems like the Etys have very thin wires, esp. to the earpieces, while the Shures have relatively thick wiring. Is this the case?

3) STURDY FLANGES? Specifically, ones that'll stay in your ear. With my Sonys, yanking the earpieces out too hard can lead to the actual flanges staying behind and being lodged in the ear - no good! So I wonder if either the Etys or the Shures have especially good/bad traction when it comes to the flanges actually staying on the earbuds and out of my ears!

Note: I have seen these issues opined on somewhat here in iLounge reviews. However, I have also seen contradictory opinions on other reputable websites, like cNet and stereophile. So I want the perspective of people who have actually had to use the things. So please don't reply with "THIS PRODUCT HAS ALREADY BEEN REVIEWED!!1!" I know they've been reviewed, but not by the people whose opinions I'm interested in - yours.

Anyhow, enough ramble for me. Thanks very much in advance for your opinions! I appreciate the time you take to answer, and you are helping an audiophile make the most informed choice possible.

[afbug]

1) ER6i. E3 have rolled off treble.
2) E3. Thick, heavy and strudy wires. ER6i's looks and feel thin and flimsy but i never heard of them giving up.
3) ER6i. Their tips fit quite tightly around the nozzle. Key to keeping them tight is to clean them once in a while. I've read that both ER6i and E3's tips coming off and got stuck in the ear.

I think you will be pleased with a ER6i. ;)

[Reiki]

I don't have a pair but I've been hearing good things about the UM1, do a search on head-fi http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=2 for more info.

[JazzyMac]

As the giver of some of the "honest" comments (I won't call them rude), I will first say, the only reason I respond in that manner is if an ilounger starts 2-3 threads right after the other asking basically the same questions. There is no explanation on what he/she is really looking for, no real reason for double/triple threads, and the annoying/begging "Please, please help!!!! I'll JUST DIE if someone doesn't tell me RIGHT NOW which headphone is better" gets very old, very quickly....

That said :):

I cannot comment on the E3Cs, but I purchased the E2Cs and the ER-6is. Out the box, the E2Cs, I think have the better sound and from what I've read, the E3Cs are "much better". That's because the sound is enhanced--to include the bass. The ER-6is or totally clear sounding--no bass, high treble. Yes, you do hear sounds like never before. Shures wires are sturdy looking and give you a piece of mind. I thought the wires on the ER-6is looked flimsy, and it took me a while to get over the wariness of using them in the gym, but I have had no problem and I really don't expect to. I also was deterred from the Sony's because of the wire reviews. I compare the Ety's to lightweight eyeglasses. The flanges for both are also sturdy. The E2Cs buds are too big for my ears and I am in the process of contacting customer service (who gets a D- so far). I wouldn't yank them out of my ear just for personal safety.

With the Shures, you hear better music. With Ety's you hear the music better.

Hope this helps. :)

[Jodiuh]

Originally posted by afbug
1) ER6i. E3 have rolled off treble.
2) E3. Thick, heavy and strudy wires. ER6i's looks and feel thin and flimsy but i never heard of them giving up.
3) ER6i. Their tips fit quite tightly around the nozzle. Key to keeping them tight is to clean them once in a while. I've read that both ER6i and E3's tips coming off and got stuck in the ear.

I think you will be pleased with a ER6i. ;)

1. Completely agree.

2. I actually sent back my e3's because the cable was "too thick." The joint and style of behind the ear just had to much "presence" for a headphone imo. Cable noise was MUCH greater when working out at the gym with the e3. Whereas the er6i's were tolerable when running! Not to mention the light weight cable with the normal Y-style which combine for a much less noticeable "presence."

With the er6i's, the phones were just there. No wires getting in the way, no "thud, thud, thud" of the ridiculously large Y-joint, no "over the ear and around the neck, down the side, over the...nothin but net."

3. I've found the foamies to pretty much own all other forms of ear violating sillycone tips. Then again my bro impales his ears regularly with the triple flange of death...

I've included a fun pic when a bud and I did some "headphone meet action."