Love the sound signature of the e2c's but have a compelling urge to upgrade.

[seals]

Hey guys. I have (and love) the Shure e2c's. For some reason (probably reading the forums) I feel like I need to upgrade to something more expensive (Thanks head-fi!!!). Anyway, I would like iem's similar to their sound signature and am willing to spend in the $400 range. Thanks for any help.

ps. I want them to have great isolation like the e2c's do so keep that in mind (it isn't completely out of the question to have less but I do need some isolation).

 

[Dyoel182]

If you like the sound of the E2c you'll probably be amazed by what you were missing when you try something else.

 

[seals]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyoel182 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you like the sound of the E2c you'll probably be amazed by what you were missing when you try something else.

I have tried the vmoda vibes and hated them (because of bass that clouded everything) and have tried the sony mdr-nc6 (full size cans) and thought their bass was also slighty clouding (and thus didn't like them). So keep that in mind. I like bass but don't like it if it clouds the mids and highs.

 

[Dyoel182]

Well the Vibes should have been worse since they're not good headphones. The E2c is not very popular on here because of the sounds that seem to be missing.

 

[seals]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyoel182 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well the Vibes should have been worse since they're not good headphones. The E2c is not very popular on here because of the sounds that seem to be missing.

What are the e2c's missing? I don't really have any audio background so those three are the only real things I have ever listened to.

 

[Dyoel182]

People complain that the highs are too much and the bass just isnt there like it should be.

 

[p956lh]

I have one, just as a throwabout headphone. They are pretty decent for what they cost me ($50), but imo these are their shortcomings (I judge them relative to my gear: I own an amp, Senn PX100, and ATH-M50): small soundstage, very tight (almost non-existent) bass, and rolled-off highs. It sounds like a pair of speakers with the sound coming out of a tiny opening. There's a mod that people have performed where they cut the top portion of the tube (search kramer e2c mod), but i haven't dared do that on mine yet If you're set on upgrading, people say the SE310 (or the e4c, the 310 is the updated e4c) is the way to go (similar sig, but better response everywhere). Since you said you like the e2c's sig, you'll probably be surprised at how dark the SE530/E500 is. And Shure's customer service is pretty good, in North America anyways.

 

[ph0rk]

i think the e2c's work ok as a travelling iem. If anything, they border on too much isolation.

Their bass is fine, it just can't compete with the rumble of a bus or motorcycle.

I'm not expecting hd650 bliss out of a portable - at least not one I could treat like the e2c's.

If you have an office or workstation, invest in a nice, easily drivable pair of headphones and live with the e2c's for the commute - I find that gives the best balance.

 

[crazyeyes]

well i have never heard the E2c's i skipped over them and went straight to the E3c's, then the E4c's, and then finally to the E5c's. The E5c's had way too much bass presence i think, it was too much. The E4c's i think were a bit lacking in bass but MUCH brighter Treble than any of the other shures i had listened to. I currently own the UE Super.Fi 5 Pros and prefer them to the E5c's. The sound is more balanced in my opinion the E5c's seemed a bit muffled cause the bass was too much. The Super.Fi 5 Pros have a decent balance to them.

 

[LaBreaHead]

Since you're already accustomed to fairly large in-ear earphones, the Future Sonics Atrio M5s should merit consideration -- and would cost a lot less than your stated limit. (Don't let the marketing photos with the flanges scare you off -- yes, the M5s are not the best-looking things out there, but the sound for the price is very impressive ... the flanges aren't as evil as they appear to be, and the M5s take very well to the black Shure foamies, Comply foamies, and even Future Sonics' own soft, but undurable, foamies.)

 

[seals]

Thanks for all the help so far. I am thinking about the shure se310 but would the se410 be worth the difference? Is the sound sig like the e2c's? THANKS

 

[SactoMan101]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seals /img/forum/go_quote.gif For some reason (probably reading the forums) I feel like I need to upgrade to something more expensive (Thanks head-fi!!!).

Sorry for your wallet, as some people are wont to say here.

I'd probably go with the Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Pro if you're will to spend around US$150-US$160 or the Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 Studio if you need to be on a budget. I have the super.fi 3 Studio and it is an excellent IEM with nice, balanced sound that works well with my 3G Apple iPod nano.

 

[Spasticteapot]

If you're selling your Shures....

I'd be VERY interested in buying them.

 

[mdarnton]

I had E2Cs simultaneously with Ety ER6s, and chose to upgrade in the Ety line to the ER4Ps, but I do understand why you would like the Shures. I found them very easy to listen to, and often preferred them, but in the end I gave up the warmth of the Shures for the detail of Etys. In your circumstance, I'd take the obvious upgrade path, and spend as much as I thought I could handle in the Shure line.

I do not understand any comment that the E2Cs have too much at the high end--they have virtually nothing up there, and I'd hope and suspect that by moving up the line you'd pick that up, and some needed detail, and that this would be a really good move. As for Vibes--I had them, too. I suppose the cable would be good for tying up plants, or something..... I guess. They're too small to wrap fish in.

 

[angchuck]

there was a thread on modifying the shures- kramer mods i think. Don't forget amplification if u haven't got one.

reduce, reuse,recycle->modify.