In Ear Fit and Comfort

[ShaneAR]

Hey, guys.

Wanting to upgrade my cheap $15 Sony's, I picked up a pair of E2Cs today. I'm not looking for opinions on these, but want to ask if anyone should be able to wear in-ear phones.

I struggled with these for more than an hour trying different techniques (some of which I read here) and I could just not get the things to stay in (rarely could I even get them to GO in). Bottom line, I gave up and have them repacked any ready to go back. I have a feeling my ears aren't made for in-ear phones. Anyone else have these problems?

With that said, what would be some recommendations for a good set of traditional "cans". Portability is not a problem for me. I can use standard Apple-like buds when I'm out and about--I do most of my serious listening in the comfort of my home.

Thanks, guys.

[galachef55]

Overall I've been wearing my super.fi 5 pros comfortably with the proper seal, but my right ear canal has this odd ridge of cartilage just inside so it's a lot trickier for me to get a seal on that side. I know people with smaller ear canals who simply can't wear canal phones.

In their user manuals Ultimate Ears details their "rock 'n' roll" technique for getting a seal. I don't know how well this would work with the Shures as I've never tried them, but you can download the manuals from http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateears/support/user_guides.php and it might help you.

[fredfjr]

Hey, guys.
I struggled with these for more than an hour trying different techniques (some of which I read here) and I could just not get the things to stay in (rarely could I even get them to GO in). Bottom line, I gave up and have them repacked any ready to go back. I have a feeling my ears aren't made for in-ear phones. Anyone else have these problems?

I have the Shure E2c myself and I have to admit it took me awhile to get where I could wear them comfortably. I think I changed through a few of the plastic sleeves before I found ones that fit well.

Shure has a page at http://www.shure.com/PersonalAudio/Products/Earphones/HowToUseEarphones/index.htm which might provide some information for you. There is a link to a flash tuturial near the middle of the page that could help you, too.

[ShaneAR]

Thanks guys.

I did read through the Above links for Shure.

I'll break them back out and try again.

I'll let ya know how I make out.

[jojowasher]

one thing I can recommend is to try some foam earplug type ends on them, I too bought some E2cs, and took them back a couple days later because I could just not get them to fit right. After reading some more on the internet I purchased some Westone UM2s that came with the foam tips, and I liked them right away, they fit great, are easy to put in, and really seal out the crazies on the train. I know that the foam tips from Westone fit on the E2c, I have a set of the E2c rubber flanged tips that I tried on my UM2s and didn't like.

Jojo

[bdlstyle]

The Bose in ears are so comfortable and easy to put in and they stay in, I dont know why nobody on this forum recomends the Bose. They sound fantastic and are only $99.

[sebulr]

Because they aren't sound isolating. Stupid question.

Er if you have small lug oles canal phones can be a problem. I'd suggest you try the foamies. I personally hate the shure foamies. My sparkplug foamies sounded better in terms of isolation. Have you tried the soft flex sleeves? I use them as they isolate brilliantly for me. The normal ones are too hard for my liking. Saying that I use the large sleeves and they only just fit, so perhaps canal phones don't work for you.

You are getting a proper seal right? You have to jam em right in, lifting your ear and opening you mouth sometimes help (I personally don't need to, as I've been using plugs for years). You will know when you get it right cause you can hear hardly a thing when you have them in. Then if you tug slightly on them to pull them out a touch you should feel a little suction in your ears if the seal is right. This sometimes helps with the isolation. I don't get this with the clear PVC sleeves as the seal isn't as good, same goes for the foamies for me. Your ears might prefer them though. Try em all out till you get a good a seal.

[bdlstyle]

Uh, they are sound isolating. Rocket scientist.