(56K Warning) EARLY FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The SHURE E4c Is The Best SHURE Yet

[jude]

I'm swamped at the office right now, so I don't have time to post much about the E4c yet, but I can say that, to my ears, it is the best SHURE earphone so far (I haven't tried the E2c, but I do have the E3c and E5c).

The tonal balance is smoother and more coherent than the E5c. The bass is more impactful, more accurate than the E3c, and more controlled than the E5c. Treble is a clear cut above the E3c and E5c, with sparkle and extension that SHURE earphones were, to my ears, heretofore missing. From a resolution standpoint, SHURE is now slugging it out with Etymotic with this E4c, but with more solid low frequency grunt and presence than anything I've yet used by Etymotic.

And, ladies and gents, so far there's no hiss (at least not with the PS Audio GCHA, which is the only amp I've used it with so far). Relative to the Etymotic earphones, I liked the more impactful sound of the E5c, but was bothered by its tendency to hiss with just about every single amp I've used it with.

This is the most amp-friendly SHURE so far. I'll try it with other amps through the weekend. I'll also do more direct comparisons (mostly for my own sake) with the Etymotic ER-4S and ER-4P. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this E4c became my primary earphone.

As far as I'm concerned, this is SHURE's new top-of-the-line earphone. SHURE won't like this part, but I can't see how they're going to position the E5c above the E4c. To my ears, the E4c is simply the better product for headphone hi-fi enthusiasts.

I'll say more soon. For now, kudos to SHURE!


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NOTES ON THE PHOTOS (below): The E4c comes with a "fit kit," that contains a few sizes each of the gray tips and clear tips, two foam tips, and two "tri-flange" silicone tips (on which the stalks are still too long). It also comes with two replacement "nozzles" (the stalk portion of the earphone containing the filter is actually removable/replaceable), an inline volume control / attenuator adapter, a mini-to-1/4" adapter, a filter cleaning tool and a zippered carrying case.

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Click on any of the photos below to see a larger version.






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[joelongwood]

Thanks for the positive impressions, jude.....I need another canalphone.

 

[vranswer]

I can't see the price and where to get them.

 

[some1x]

Just hope that the release date isn't going to be pushed back any further. I don't know how much longer I can stand iPod stock buds

 

[xluben]

Yeah, where's the price and the pics?

 

[EdipisReks]

do the E4c's generally follow the Shure "house sound"?

 

[joelongwood]

Gee, besides the color of the e4c, I wonder where Shure got the idea for that packaging.

 

[apnk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelongwood Gee, besides the color of the e4c, I wonder where Shure got the idea for that packaging.

Pretty cool huh?

 

[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelongwood Gee, besides the color of the e4c, I wonder where Shure got the idea for that packaging.

from Glenfiddich, right?

 

[xluben]

Pics work now.

Looks like iPod user marketing via their packaging.

I like how they look. Hopefully prices come out soon.

 

[Thaddy]

I'm interested in seeing more pictures of the black version. If my wallet is overflowing this summer, I think I'll pick a set of these up to try

 

[viator122]

Those look sweet.

 

[RonTheMan]

But it comes with replaceable filters? So we can expect plenty of Shure E4c vs Ety 4 kind of thread in the forum soon.

 

[jude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vranswer I can't see the price and where to get them.

I think the retail price will be $299.00. As for where to get them, they're not on dealer shelves yet, but I believe an early May (2005) date is the target to get them into dealer hands. If I get any more details on this, I'll post them. Quote:

Originally Posted by EdipisReks do the E4c's generally follow the Shure "house sound"?

Only to the extent that it has good bass impact and extension. The E4c definitely steps away from what was a familial lack of overall resolution compared to the Etymotic family. Again, to my ears, this E4c is definitely more resolving than the other SHURE earphones. Quote:

Originally Posted by RonTheMan But it comes with replaceable filters?

Like previous SHURE earphones, the E4c comes with a filter cleaner tool. However, should filter replacement become necessary, the actual entire nozzle (containing the filter) is replaceable. The nozzle is the flange and stalk that holds the eartip on. Two replacement nozzles came with the E4c, so between the filter cleaning tool and the the replacement nozzles, I think I'll be set for a while.

 

[gsferrari]

can you post pics of the removable nozzle etc.

Thanks!

gs