Have you tried it on a few different sound sources? It's possible that the problem is with the headphone jack on your music machine. If it happens on several machines, I would call Shure again.

I have the E3Cs and have a problem with the right ear too, I can't seem to find a fit... it keeps popping out. I tried putting the foam thingy (I love that technical term :p ) on the other night and couldn't get it on. I'll fool around with the individual pieces some more before trying a different brand.

The way I read it, there are two different questions here. I thought entropy was talking about the left side sound being defective, not that the unit (there's a good for everything technical term!) was coming out of his ear.

If the unit is coming out of your ear, it is likely that your ears are of different sizes. Not so uncommon. The solutions are:

1. Return your ears to the Maker for warranty service, or
2. try one of the more expensive in the Shure like or the Ety-whaty-whosits that have those tips with a series of flanges. Shure will accept returns no questions for 30 days. Ety-macallits says, "you open it, you own it."
3. Both brands are designed so that an audiologist can make custom fitted molded ear pieces. Expensive, but I hear they really enhance the sound.

Good luck with the electronics and the organics!!

Was there ever a definitive answer on this? Any type of consensus? I'm in need of some NC headphones, and seems like Shure headphones are the most recommended. I'm hoping to stay in the $100 or less area, but if the E3C are worth it, I might make the jump.

Has anyone seen any DIY info on fitted earpieces? I am thinking it should not be too difficult with advice from someone with knowledge of the materials & process.

E3 body is decidedly smaller than the E2, and the sound quality is noticably better. The real quality jump comes with the E4.... I can name several pieces of jazz that I listen to that the bass makes my teeth rattle with the E4's. Ok.... not exactly rattle..... but you can definitly *feel* the bass with these things.

D.

E3c vs. ER6 Etymiotic
 

I've had the Share E3c for over a year and use them 2-3 hrs a day on my train commutes as well as 5-10 hours on trans-Pacific flights (w/ iPod and watching videos on Powerbook). No complaints or problems with them.

My son has the Etymiotic ER-6 - which if I had to purchase a replacement, would personally prefer over the Shure. Better seal (not really noise cancellation per se), better bass.

Both around $100....

However earphones are very personal and you should try them out before making final decision.

PS - failed to mentioned bought second pair for friend in HK; he had problem, shipped back to me to return to Shure, who provided free replacement. So second those who advise Shure provides good service. Also, you should be able to buy this model for around $100 via eBay - it's been around quite a while and price could be actually under $100 by now.

I bought the Shure E3C about 9 months ago and love it. Once while on a long plane trip, the right phone went dead. I contacted Shure when I got back and sent it in for replacement. A few days later I received a new, retail packaged E3C. ^ ^

I love the quality. Bass could be a little more resonant, but it cancels out noice very well, so you are able to feel it well enough. I love the quality in the mid-high range though. And they are very light and very portable. Comfortable enough (for me) to sleep in. I don't like how the cords are designed to go behind your ear and down your back, so I usually just wrap the cord around my ear and let the cable go down to my front, to my iPod, laptop, or whatever. I got the E3Cs online for about $117 9 months ago and it was one of the best purchases I've ever made.

Same problem with Shure EC5s
 

For me, it's the right side which fades out. It just happened on my second pair as well...I don't want to go back to my Bose headphones! It doesn't seem related to the seal of the earplugs...but I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks

New Shure E500s
 

Shure is about to come out with the E500. Triple drivers, one tweeter and two woofers. And a "push-to-hear" PTH switch that you push when you want to hear the stewardess asking whether you want another white wine. PTH switches will also be offered as standalone products. Available sometime this year. Brochure only at the Consumer Electronics Show, no demos of the E500.
They had data saying that the E2c, E3c and E4c have about 30 dB isolation, and the E5c has about 37 dB isolation. They were doing demos using the yellow foam inserts (disposable). There were bags and bags full of foam inserts.

The look very interesting:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/09/s...-new-paradigm/

Well.... I didn't think the E5's were enough of an improvement over the E3 and E4 to warrant the price difference.... but now.... Hmmmm....


Now all I want is a Shure QuietComfort Cellphone headset that's Bluetooth.

D>

Which would sadly make them useless on a plane, as Bluetooth would have to be turned off every time you fly with them :(

er.... to quote myself (emphasis added):

Sure (no pun intended) I'd turn off my cellphone headset anytime I fly.... I already do!

D.

I have E2Cs and replaced the earpieces with the triple flange ones. They just need a little snip at the end to shorten the neck and they fit right on. The foam inserts are good but after one trip they look gross. These are so much easier to keep clean and work well.