How to replace my Shure e4c?

[buffheman]

I've been listening to these guys for I guess like 4 years now.  I sent one pair back within the 2yr warranty, and my second pair got me another year and a half... but now they are dying.
 
As a quick replacement to get something listenable, I ordered the SoundMagic PL-21... super cheap and nice to have around, but certainly will not serve as a replacement for grinding out hours at the office. 
 
Where can I turn to replace my e4c?  The warm, friendly sound that was just so smooth and happiness-inducing with its buttery mids and light but clean bass... I miss it.  I'm no audiophile and don't have the best trained ear... and honestly the e4c was my first adventure into high-quality headphones, so I don't know a whole lot else.  Where can I go to find that sound again?  It's my understanding that Shure's current line isn't worth the price, though I haven't heard them.  I'm legitimately sad right now.
 
 

 

[davidcotton]

Whats up with the shures?  If it's just the cable problem you could get them reshelled and turned into customs.
 
Cheers.

 

[buffheman]

It's hard to tell.  On the right bud, I think it's just cabling.  It crackles and fades in and out a lot, but I can get good sound if I hold it just right.
 
For the left though, the sound is really faded and quiet.  It doesn't crackle as much as the right bud, but one day while I was listening to it, it just kind of got quiet and I haven't been able to get it back.
 
I was under the impression Shures were difficult to do maintenance on.  So please, elaborate.  If I could restore these guys, that would be great.  Keep in mind I have no experience with anything remotely related to headphone repair.

 

[mark2410]

well do you want about the same?  something different? 
 
for same i say PL-50, is fab and dirt cheap. http://www.head-fi.org/t/432843/soundmagic-pl-50-review

 

[buffheman]

I definitely want the same sound.  I am not a bass junky and am quick to dismiss a lot of speaker/headphones as muddy.
 
I do not like these PL-21, does the PL-50 sound considerably different?

 

[buffheman]

I'm also open to the idea of repairing my Shures.  I listened to them today for the first time in a while to see if I could nail down the issue.  They are actually still capable of original sound when I get the wiring held just right, but I'm pretty sure I have a wiring issue near the jack.  If I pin the cord down in the middle, and I shake my head around no problem, but if I move the audio source or the wire near the jack, I start to lose sound.  Most guides I see are about resoldering the wire to the drivers... but I don't think that's the problem. 

 

[Lurkumaural]

If there's a problem at the plug, you'd know better than anyone. When you're ready to take the leap, you can re-terminate it, or find someone to do it for you. Someone else could be a local head-fier or electronics student or even a guitarist (because some of them are able to repair their own electronics).

Otherwise we can help you in this thread. Or PM me.

 

[buffheman]

It's gotta be at the plug.  I'd appreciate some help.  I'm willing to try and fix it myself, though I don't have any electronic experience. So if it's particularly difficult, I might seek out some local help.

 

[kmhaynes]

The Etymotic HF5, or more expensively, the ER-4P will keep you in the detailed/analytic/clean SQ family -- the ER-4P would be a good upgrade over the E4C, and very durable and long-lasting with good care.