Travel Technology - Buh-Bye Etymotic ER4P, Hello Shure E5C!!

I just got the E5Cs and all I can say is that they absolutely blow away the Etymotics for comfort, wearability AND perceived sound quality... mind you they're also a lot more expensive ($499 plus shipping and I couldn't find 'em cheaper from anyplace reputable) but they're worth it! I've been wearing 'em now for about three hours and unlike the Etys I don't feel any soreness or aching. Also, I'm having no trouble getting an excellent seal with the eartips that came with the headphones (it comes with many different sizes in two different materials as well as foam and tri-flanged eartips... ONE is sure to fit your ear). In the case of the Etys, I had to get custom earmolds made and even then I had soreness... as for the sound, the Etymotics strike me as what I'd hear from a studio monitor... the sound is stark and in your face... very very neutral, but one dimensional. I don't know how and can't explain it but the Shure's do SOUNDSTAGING. You can hear sounds within the mix and where they are positionally. The Etys are much more restricted in this area. Also the bass is positively lush. The Etys have a very neutral, dry bass that is accurate but clinical. I believe the Shures give up a bit of accuracy but are oh so much more rhythmic. There's quite a bit of bass when it's called for without ever going one-note and boomy on you. For such small 'phones the bass is prodigous. In short, I LOVE them. My ER4Ps and Sony NC-10s (what I also wear when I know I'm going to be taking the earphones out frequently to converse while in flight...say during a meal service) are officially retired. These 'phones are AWESOME.

Thanks, that was the push I needed to get them, our local electronics store has them in stock :D

Yes, I agree. I made this switch (from ety E4P) about 3 months ago, and find the Shure sound to be much more lively and fun. There is more life and texture to the sound. I use them for working out at the gym and on flights. A made in heaven match for the Ipod.

You can get them for under $400 on ebay. I got them for $375 delivered to my door, and they were drop shipped straight from Shure (sellere was worldwide wholesale pro).

I am liking the triple flanges for best sound, isolation and comfort. Others seem to like the soft flex ear flanges.

I think I know what my latest tech toy is going to be. :)

Just have to decide whether to buy it from the ebay vendor or to support the earplugstore, who are selling it at the $499 list, but are a fine local vendor for me.

I bet you can get the earplug store to sell them to you for about $400. They are good folks. I had them make the custom earmolds for my Etymotics. From their web page, send them a request for a coupon and they will send you a $50 off coupon for $449.

I appreciate a good pair of Noise cancelling headphones as much as the next guy, but $500?? Considering that I end up destroying whatever headphones I get, I consider this to be a bit much.

Hfly these might just last. They're pro headphones and look to be rather durable... and they're so worth the money... the sound quality is AMAZING! I listened to 'em for three hours when I first got 'em because I couldn't believe how good they were.

Yes, $499 is pretty steep for the E5c, but essentially they are exactly the same earphones as the Shure E5 (without the inline volume control), which I specify as an in-ear monitor for professional musicians. They rock! You will see them used by many of the top name musicians these days on stage, and are specifically built to withstand the rigours of touring, which can be very taxing on the durability of any piece of equipment! Shure has earned a lot of respect in the Professional audio industry I'm in, and has always offered outstanding support of their products.

Definately the ultimate companion to an iPod! My only concern is forgetting them on the plane! :eek:

I appreciate a good pair of Noise cancelling headphones as much as the next guy, but $500?? Considering that I end up destroying whatever headphones I get, I consider this to be a bit much.

You just have to be a little more careful with them, that's all. :)

I decided a couple months ago to start with the e2c and eventually work my way to the e5c. For someone interested in that model earphone, the e2c are awesome with my iPod. They sound awesome too. I use the medium foam covers and can easily fly cross-country without any discomfort. I even sleep with them in on the plane and when I wake up, my ear are pain-free.

OK, after losing my Sennheiser PXC-250s on a flight back from CDG a couple months ago, I have been sorely missing a decent set of head/earphones, especially for int'l flights. After doing a lotof research, I had decided on the Etymotic er4s. Then, I saw this thread and thought, "hmmm... maybe I should check these out". I was a bit hesitant, given the price; heck, the Etymotic's were a stretch at $220. In a moment of impulsiveness, I took the plunge.

I found them on eBay for $365 incl overnight shipping. They arrived earlier this morning and all I can say is, "WOW!" I cannot believe the sound! And the "presence" that another poster mentioned.

No buyer's remorse here, other than I wish I bought them sooner.