Hooray & Uh Oh! - My UPS Package from Shure... - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

vranswer · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 03:20 AM

Just a few months out of the two-year warranty on my Shure E500s the wire began to fray (at the point where it's cinched-up to the head). After exhaustive research here on Head-Fi, I opted for the best choice and value decision for me...invest the $145 for repair. I love my E500 IEMs, and the new replacement phones (now I have the SE530s) were the best option for the money! I guess they just send you new ones and keep the old ones for parts.

When I arrived home to find the UPS delivery today my heart jumped as the Shure package awaited -- but upon opening it my stomach fell....they sent me new SE530s with black olive tips!! The phones I sent in had no tips, as I kept what I had, but the new ones were shipped with the olives. Having read the various threads about black olive 'death' on the earphone stalks, I set about attempting to remove the tips in deference to my preferred large grey soft tips. Fortunately for me, I was forewarned that many an IEM had suffered premature death from these tips so I set about their removal with considerable care and trepidation. I discovered that tweezers used in a wedge-like fashion was the best option, and was able to pry the momma-falcons off of my prized replacements.

I now am once again reveling in the most awesome universal fit phone experience available (especially for a mere $145). Considered IE8, X10, Custom 3, etc., but just couldn't justify more expense than simply replacing these 'old faithfuls'. Tweezers rock!!

hockeyb213 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 04:05 AM

hehe I know someone who completely shredded the bore off their iem from it but I had no issues personally. Grat's on the new iem's and enjoy!
Brad

TheMarchingMule · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 04:28 AM

Oh God, taking off those tips gave me a near-heart attack! I kept twisting and then I heard this sickening sound like a twig snapping.

But then a few moments later, I managed to twist them, and then pull while twisting, until they finally came off. What really helped was using my shirt to grab onto the olives, and not just my bare hands.

cyberidd · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 05:26 AM

How are these tips so dangerous?

hockeyb213 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 05:34 AM

They are really tight on the nozzle and if you are not careful they can snap the bore right off the casing.
Brad

koven · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 05:36 AM

Will warranty cover it if you snap the bore?

hockeyb213 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 06:07 AM

That is a good question I have no idea but the guy I knew who did had a replacement pair sent under warranty so may be.
Brad

zeckwsr · #8 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 03:21 PM

if i had read these threads before
i wouldnt have broken my pair of um2

sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

RedSky0 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 04:00 PM

I don't understand how the shure olives are supposed to damage the stem. That they'd crack purely from the pressure of the plastic fitting inside over time seems highly unlikely. If anything you'd probably subject them to more wear and tear putting them in your ear because if they have a tighter fit on the IEM they'll put more pressure on it directly.

robm321 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 04:09 PM

Congrats on getting your replacement! You are wise to stick with what you enjoy. I think those always seeking something better are usually left unfulfilled, but once you dial in with your sound, there's no reason to change.

I chipped my nozzle with the black olives, but they work like a charm still. I figure if they don't hold up down the road, I will just have them put into a custom shell. They are very good IEMs. Enjoy

vkvedam · #11 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 04:21 PM

Congrats and it's good that you trust your ears rather relying on someone else's. It gives you more pleasure.

vranswer · #12 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSky0

I don't understand how the shure olives are supposed to damage the stem. That they'd crack purely from the pressure of the plastic fitting inside over time seems highly unlikely. If anything you'd probably subject them to more wear and tear putting them in your ear because if they have a tighter fit on the IEM they'll put more pressure on it directly.

The plastic tube of the olives gets stuck on the nozzle and won't pry off. Several people have reported snapping the nozzle because of the force required to remove the tip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321

Congrats on getting your replacement! You are wise to stick with what you enjoy. I think those always seeking something better are usually left unfulfilled, but once you dial in with your sound, there's no reason to change.

I chipped my nozzle with the black olives, but they work like a charm still. I figure if they don't hold up down the road, I will just have them put into a custom shell. They are very good IEMs. Enjoy

I have searched for this 'better' during the down time, and simply could not justify any more expense. The $145 for SE530 was by far the best option!

RedSky0 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 02:50 PM

Hmm okay. I mean I can only speak for my ER4Ps, but they're easy enough to pry off by twisting and pulling. I would be very surprised if they sat any tighter on the actual Shure IEMs they were made for ...

iponderous · #14 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 04:33 PM

Putting them in the freezer for an hour did the trick for me. I was able to twist them off quite easily afterwards. Apparently this is a suggestion that a Shure technician gave to a Head-Fier who was struggling to remove the factory installed olive tips.