Travel Technology - Sale on Shure earphones (older models)

Found via Fatwallet, Circuit City is trying to clear out their stock of Shure earphones. Decent prices, especially on the E4c and E5c models.

E2C - $79 ($20 off)
E3C - $129 ($50 off)
E4C - $179 ($120 off)
E5C - $379 ($120 off)

Link to Circuit City here (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Accessories/sem/rpsm/catOid/-13225/Ntk/All/Ntt/shure/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do).

On a related note, if you want one of the more current models, pay a visit to earphonesolutions.com - they're selling the e500-pth (which is the same as the new e530 in everything but name). You have to send an e-mail to get their below-MAP pricing, but last time I requested pricing, the e500 was $439 (vs $549? SRP), and I'm pretty sure their prices on the above-listed phones are all better than CC's prices. I think the e2c was only $64.99.

earphonesolutions is a Shure-authorized dealer. No connection aside from being a customer (I got the e500/se530).

Many of the reviews I've read haven't been too enthusiastic, preferring these older models over the new release.

I may pick up another set of 3's, or maybe a pair of 4's

Speaking of earphonesolutions, I actually bought my pair of Shure earphones from them. I just emailed them for a new price comparison list and it looks very much like the last one I got. Here are the prices they quoted me:

Shure E2/E2C (clear) is $69.99 using coupon code E2 during checkout.

Shure E3G (black) is $114.00 using coupon code E3G during checkout.
Shure E3 (gray) is $126.99 using coupon code E3 during checkout.
Shure E3C (white) is $126.99 using coupon code E3 during checkout.
Shure E3C-N (black) is $126.99 using coupon code E3 during checkout.

Shure E4 (Gray) is $184.99 using coupon code E4 during checkout.
Shure E4C (white) is $184.99 using coupon code E4 during checkout.
Shure E4C-N (black) is $184.99 using coupon code E4 during checkout.
Shure E4G (black) is $179.00 using coupon code E4G during checkout.

Shure E5 is $419.99 using coupon code E5 during checkout.

Shure E500-PTH is $439.99 using coupon code E500 during checkout.

Shure i2C (clear) is $69.99 using coupon code I2 during checkout.
Shure i2Ct (for Treo Only) is $69.99 using coupon code I2 during checkout.

Shure i3C (white) is $$126.99 using coupon code I3 during checkout.
Shure i3Ct (for Treo Only) is $126.99 using coupon code I3 during checkout.

Shure i4C (white) is $184.99 using coupon code I4 during checkout.
Shure i4Ct (for Treo Only) is $184.99 using coupon code I4 during checkout.

bought 2 given the coupons.

thanks for the headsup

Many of the reviews I've read haven't been too enthusiastic, preferring these older models over the new release.

I may pick up another set of 3's, or maybe a pair of 4's

I'm a big fan of the se530s - the combination of isolation and comfort with the black foam tips is the best of any in-ear I've worn, and the sound is what I'd describe as "natural" - it just sounds right. The bass has the right impact (hard to do w/ canalphones), and it's good across the rest of the range as well. Certainly not cheap, but I think my upgrade-itis is cured. :)

I agree on the black foam tips - I tried them a couple of months ago and they're now on my 3C's, along with about 20 spares in my drawer.

Speaking of earphonesolutions, I actually bought my pair of Shure earphones from them. I just emailed them for a new price comparison list and it looks very much like the last one I got. Here are the prices they quoted me:

Shure E2/E2C (clear) is $69.99 using coupon code E2 during checkout.

Shure E3G (black) is $114.00 using coupon code E3G during checkout.
Shure E3 (gray) is $126.99 using coupon code E3 during checkout.
Shure E3C (white) is $126.99 using coupon code E3 during checkout.
Shure E3C-N (black) is $126.99 using coupon code E3 during checkout.

Shure E4 (Gray) is $184.99 using coupon code E4 during checkout.
Shure E4C (white) is $184.99 using coupon code E4 during checkout.
Shure E4C-N (black) is $184.99 using coupon code E4 during checkout.
Shure E4G (black) is $179.00 using coupon code E4G during checkout.

Shure E5 is $419.99 using coupon code E5 during checkout.

Shure E500-PTH is $439.99 using coupon code E500 during checkout.

Shure i2C (clear) is $69.99 using coupon code I2 during checkout.
Shure i2Ct (for Treo Only) is $69.99 using coupon code I2 during checkout.

Shure i3C (white) is $$126.99 using coupon code I3 during checkout.
Shure i3Ct (for Treo Only) is $126.99 using coupon code I3 during checkout.

Shure i4C (white) is $184.99 using coupon code I4 during checkout.
Shure i4Ct (for Treo Only) is $184.99 using coupon code I4 during checkout.

Thanks for this info. Just ordered a pair, after business hours, and having the discount code without having to wait for a return email got one more thing off my tired brain! Have been meaning to get a pair of these for a while...

^ Thanks Lurker, I just ordered a new pair of E3s.... my other pair broke and I don't have the sales receipt or even remember the name of the company I bought them from... and it was less than 2 years ago..:o.... but I love the Shures, they are so much better than the cheap $50 Sony pair I picked up in the meantime until I could get another pair of Shures.

Speaking of earphonesolutions, I actually bought my pair of Shure earphones from them. I just emailed them for a new price comparison list and it looks very much like the last one I got. Here are the prices they quoted me:

Shure E2/E2C (clear) etc..

Need help please. I ordered a pair of E4's from earphone solutions and just tried them out and was stunned. But for all the wrong reasons. They immediately sounded so flat, unidimensional and tinny that I could not believe my ears. I looked in vain for some sort of switch I had forgotten to flip (though I know there isn't one) and then tested them against my iPod earphones (on my iPod), which by comparison sounded like symphony hall up agaist a $2 AM transistor.

What do I make of this?? Counterfeits? Defective? They are not worth $2 to me much less $200 so I can, of course, send them back, but not sure what could be the problem. And advice??:confused:

Need help please. I ordered a pair of E4's from earphone solutions and just tried them out and was stunned. But for all the wrong reasons. They immediately sounded so flat, unidimensional and tinny that I could not believe my ears. I looked in vain for some sort of switch I had forgotten to flip (though I know there isn't one) and then tested them against my iPod earphones (on my iPod), which by comparison sounded like symphony hall up agaist a $2 AM transistor.

What do I make of this?? Counterfeits? Defective? They are not worth $2 to me much less $200 so I can, of course, send them back, but not sure what could be the problem. And advice??:confused:

Did you break those earphones in? These audiophile earphones are not just to be used out of the box, they need to be broken in for about 8-12 hours. Mine sounded flat the first time I tried it on as well.

Did you break those earphones in? These audiophile earphones are not just to be used out of the box, they need to be broken in for about 8-12 hours. Mine sounded flat the first time I tried it on as well.

No, I just plugged them into the iPod and listened. Even read the instructions and they do not say anything about about "seasoning" them, though I can certainly do that. I did take off the volume control, meant for airlines only (according to the manual) and checked the sleeve placement. Still don't sound very good but will play them overnight and see what happens.

No, I just plugged them into the iPod and listened. Even read the instructions and they do not say anything about about "seasoning" them, though I can certainly do that. I did take off the volume control, meant for airlines only (according to the manual) and checked the sleeve placement. Still don't sound very good but will play them overnight and see what happens.

Another note, the fit must be proper into your ear, otherwise they will sound like crap. I suggest using the yellow foams

Another note, the fit must be proper into your ear, otherwise they will sound like crap. I suggest using the yellow foams

Still sound quite tinny and shallow. Any other experience with a bad pair? These have gotten such great reviews here and elsewhere...

Still sound quite tinny and shallow. Any other experience with a bad pair? These have gotten such great reviews here and elsewhere...
Try contacting Shure - they might be able to help out - their customer service folks are generally pretty good.

Like indo said though, you might not have the fit right - these sit in your ears entirely unlike the ipod earbuds. Here's what I'd suggest:

1) As a reference, plug your ears with your fingers and chew something crunchy - it should sound really loud in your ears.
2) Pre arrange your earphones for the "over the ear" style of wearing - run the cord behind your ear, over the top, and then down to the ear canal - they can be worn with the cord just dangling straight down, but theis makes them more prone to moving easily.
3) Roll the foam between your fingers to compress it, then, insert, making sure the tip goes just inside your ear canal. Repeat for the other ear.
4) Chew something crunchy again - if the crunching is not as loud in your head, then the problem is with your insertion technique - keep trying different tips - if you've never worn in-ear phones before, you'd be surprised how deep you need to go. Another check is to do this in a room with low ambient noise (like a TV playing at a volume where you can just make out the conversation) - with proper insertion, you shouldn't really be able to hear anything.

Try contacting Shure - they might be able to help out - their customer service folks are generally pretty good.

Like indo said though, you might not have the fit right - these sit in your ears entirely unlike the ipod earbuds. Here's what I'd suggest:

1) As a reference, plug your ears with your fingers and chew something crunchy - it should sound really loud in your ears.
2) Pre arrange your earphones for the "over the ear" style of wearing - run the cord behind your ear, over the top, and then down to the ear canal - they can be worn with the cord just dangling straight down, but theis makes them more prone to moving easily.
3) Roll the foam between your fingers to compress it, then, insert, making sure the tip goes just inside your ear canal. Repeat for the other ear.
4) Chew something crunchy again - if the crunching is not as loud in your head, then the problem is with your insertion technique - keep trying different tips - if you've never worn in-ear phones before, you'd be surprised how deep you need to go. Another check is to do this in a room with low ambient noise (like a TV playing at a volume where you can just make out the conversation) - with proper insertion, you shouldn't really be able to hear anything.

Thanks. It helped a bit to change the tips to the more compressable ones. I have used earphones like these before (lost the last pair) and don't remember them being so difficult to get to fit properly. Overall I am underwhelmed by the sound quality, but I will call Shure and see if they have any thoughts.

mstraveler, for shure phones, w/ shure e2c you might be able to get a good sound without headphone amp however for e3c and above (e4c, e500) you will need an amp to get the best they can offer. Try Head-fi (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/) to research more about this phones.

mstraveler, for shure phones, w/ shure e2c you might be able to get a good sound without headphone amp however for e3c and above (e4c, e500) you will need an amp to get the best they can offer. Try Head-fi (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/) to research more about this phones.

If I activate EQ on the ipod the bass gets a little much for my taste. I like to listen to my stuff the way it was mixed and rarely touch EQ settings on HIFI.

Having said that - I like bass and top end. Enhanced mid ranges gets too nasal.

Flat rules.

I keep it flat with my beyerdynamic DT770 as well.

/E

Thanks. It helped a bit to change the tips to the more compressable ones. I have used earphones like these before (lost the last pair) and don't remember them being so difficult to get to fit properly. Overall I am underwhelmed by the sound quality, but I will call Shure and see if they have any thoughts.

I like the flanged tips better than the compressible tips. For Shure, you might have to order them separately. They come with the Etymotics canalphones.

If I activate EQ on the ipod the bass gets a little much for my taste. I like to listen to my stuff the way it was mixed and rarely touch EQ settings on HIFI.

Having said that - I like bass and top end. Enhanced mid ranges gets too nasal.

Flat rules.

I keep it flat with my beyerdynamic DT770 as well.

/E

DT770, good choice if you like bass. You might want to try AKG k81Dj for portable alternatives of DT770.

J&R has a pretty hot price on the Shure E500PTH, $299.99 with free ground shipping and no tax outside New York.

Here's the deal (http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4109623)

I'm in for one.

Thanks. It helped a bit to change the tips to the more compressable ones. I have used earphones like these before (lost the last pair) and don't remember them being so difficult to get to fit properly. Overall I am underwhelmed by the sound quality, but I will call Shure and see if they have any thoughts.

I kind off like mine, but have not figured out how to change the tips. Iam afraid of breaking them.

J&R has a pretty hot price on the Shure E500PTH, $299.99 with free ground shipping and no tax outside New York.


That's a friggin' steal. The only thing I've heard (unconfirmed) is that the e500 didn't come with the new washable black foam tips, but you can get 5 pairs for $15.

mstraveler, for shure phones, w/ shure e2c you might be able to get a good sound without headphone amp however for e3c and above (e4c, e500) you will need an amp to get the best they can offer. Try Head-fi (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/) to research more about this phones.

With most canalphones, the difference between an amped and unamped phone is insignificant at best, unless you're the type who believes that a $100 power cord and a wooden volume knob make your amp sound better. Save your money for better earphones or cheap mileage runs. :)

I built an amp (the PIMETA design from head-fi), and I use it all the time at home with my Sennheiser HD600s. I've tried my canalphones with it, and there's no gain.

The e500/se530 is ridiculously easy to drive - on my iPod, even listening to classical music (which usually doesn't have such high volumes compared to rock), I rarely need to set the volume over 30% or so, even on a plane.

Plus, when you're traveling, size is a consideration. You can get an amp that's about the size of an Altoids tin, but that's one more device to carry, more batteries to carry/charge, etc. I'd never travel with a headphone amp.