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!!
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!!













