I got my SCL4's from Guitar Center on Saturday and have been playing with them and tips ever since. The default silicone tips were, of course, horrid. I tried the yellow foams, and they were only "ok." I put in the tri-flanges and experienced the most invasive thing I thought could ever happen to me--but I enjoyed the sound in my ears. The olives were comfortable for long term wear, but did not have that depth in the sound that the flanges had.

However, the problem that I am having with every tip is that the bass is completely anemic, nearly non-existent. The mids and highs are very clear, sound great, and make me appreciate music more, but the bass may as well be a bee buzzing in my general vicinity.

I read that the SCL4s had good bass as compared to every other Shure model, and for $300 MSRP headphones, I would expect them to be amazing. I am not wowed, however. The other problem I have is that the phones do not tuck into my ear, like I was expecting. Is it that I am wearing them wrong? I am having difficulty finding some sort of guide on this particular style headphone's insertion procedure.

Can you guys help me appreciate these headphones and keep me from returning to my Senn CX400's

how are u inserting them? straight down or over the ear? and are u getting a good fit?

i got these pretty recently in the mail and i hear the bass pretty fine

You're just not getting a good seal. The bass is there and just fine.

When inserting the SCL4 into your ears, the IEM needs to be upside down, with the cord looping down but forward and under your fingers, then back up and over the fingers (in a "reverse loop" around your hand). Pull up and out with your opposite hand on the top of your ear, then insert the IEM into your ear, straight at first then angling up and slightly forward into your ear at about 45 degrees. Once you feel you're mostly situated, loop the cord over the top of your ear, and continue fiddling with the IEM until it feels snug in your ear. Then pull just slightly out on the IEM, not to pull it out, but to make sure it feels like there's a vacuum in that ear. You're done. Repeat for the other ear.

The CX400 has more bass quantity but it's not very good at all bass quality.

Nope, played with the seal quite a bit today. No dice. I'm just not particularly impressed with these headphones

Sounds like you should stick with dynamic driver IEMs like the Sennheiser CX400.

Quote:



I own them and a few other IEMs and can tell you they are pretty damn good and have a good quality bass.

A lot of people don't like accurate bass and prefer boomy or over emphasized bass. If you are looking for that kind of bass the Shure won't work for you. They are designed for professionals who want accuracy.

Your reference for good bass is the CX400. Those have a reputation for being boomy and inaccurate. So if you like that type of bass you won't like a lot of top end IEMs...

However, Since you mentioned that the triple flange sounded good to you it is very reasonable to assume that you have a fit problem. Shure's website has a animated guide on how to insert their IEMs. I suggest you look at that.

I'll try the Large sized Olives for a bit and see how that works. Thank you guys

Quote:



If the triple flange sounded good to you, then I know it's a seal problem, not that you really dislike the IEM. Triple flange tips actually allow less bass to come through, not more. If you can get a single flange tip to work for you, you'll get more bass and probably enjoy the sound better (it'll also be more comfortable).

Just finished a session with the large olives, rather than the mediums. You were right, it was a seal issue, the larges sound great. Problem is, the mediums are too small, and the larges too big. Suggest cutting the first flange off the triple flanges?

Quote:



How deep are you inserting them? Shures going in pretty deep. If you are using them like ear buds they won't work.

As deep as I'm able. The triple-flanges feel like they are touching my brain. The medium olives are comfortable, but evidently not sealing properly. The large olives are sealing properly, but expand and become very uncomfortable very quickly.

Have you used those foam ear plugs before? Wearing those is similar, and you soon know if you've not them in right.

Quote:



I like the silicone ones the best. Medium works for me. Try the large silicone ones. You could also try some Comply T-100 tips.

Quote:



Yep, just a good seal,
you will get a clear bass