[dragonlong]

Hi, fellow head-fiers!

Once again, I'm thinking about tweaking my headphone usage. I've been using my KSC-35 and E888 very often, but I find that the outside noise interferes too much when I'm on a bus or at a bus stop, so I'm looking for something with good isolation. I have a pair of ER-4P, but I don't really like using it due to its well known problems: microphonic noise, occlusion, and going too deep in the ear canal.

I have a pair of EX71, but they sound extremely bad to me (Sony's bad QC?). I'm contemplating on getting the Shure E2C since they don't have the problems of the ER-4P, but searching and reading a few comments on these is making me think twice. HeadRoom's site says that it has slightly recessed mids, and I've seen a few impressions about the highs not being too detailed and that its extensions (both ways?) aren't too good.

I'm very particular about clarity and detail in my music, so that's why I like to use my E888 very often, but the problem is that it has no isolation at all. Does the E2C have the same amount of clarity and detail? I don't plan on using any amps, so I'd like to know how it compares to the E888 without any amps or modifications. I've done a search here already, but I'd still like to find out a bit more before I buy it because I don't want to be disappointed the way I was with the EX71. If the clarity and detail isn't as good or better than the E888, I know that I will be disappointed for sure.

TIA

 

[MadDog]

Quote:

Originally posted by dragonlong Hi, fellow head-fiers! If the clarity and detail isn't as good or better than the E888, I know that I will be disappointed for sure. TIA

If you want the clarity and detail, you should stay away from E2 but E1 should be a right choice, that is if you don't care for thumping bass. E1 is crystal clear.

 

[dragonlong]

How deep does a pair of E1C go compared to the ER4P and EX70/71? How do they look when they're worn? I haven't been able to find a pic of someone wearing them.

Also, what's the cheapest place to get them and reliable too?

 

[doobooloo]

Quote:

Originally posted by MadDog If you want the clarity and detail, you should stay away from E2 but E1 should be a right choice, that is if you don't care for thumping bass. E1 is crystal clear.

second that. or just get the etys...

 

[erikzen]

E2s are a good choice if you want to keep the cost down below $100. I haven't heard the E1s so I can't compare soundwise.

E2s have become my portable headphone of choice. I was using the D66 but had some issues with them. For clarity, the D66 are far better. However, they did not provide the isolation I needed in noisy situations and the highs can be a little bright with a lot of my gear, and depending on the music.

The E2s provide perfect isolation. Not too much that I can't hear anything but block off enough outside noise that I can keep volume low and still get detail. Microphonics are not an issue, although I can hear myself breathing and walking. I've had a little trouble with the cord as it is designed to go behind your head and it kept feeling like it was pulling on the ear pieces, but I've got it worked out now. I had never had an in-ear headphone before so I had some problems getting the seal. Actually, I realized I was trying to push them in too far. I was under the impression that I shouldn't be able to hear anything at all of the outside world, which was incorrect. Once I realized that they did not block out sound completely and didn't need to be pushed in so far, getting them in was a snap.

I've read some of the comments about having recessed mids and I don't think that is true. At first I did think this was true but I realized that I was listening at very low levels. Not ever having a pair of headphones like these before I was very cautious about how loud I was making them. It turned out I was putting them at volumes that would have been barely audible with the D66. Now I can listen at least 25% lower volume and get the same kind of detail. I guess the one complaint is that the bass seems to be a bit overpowering but it is not unpleasant. With portable audio you can't have everything.

 

[williamgoody]

I agree with erikzen's take, but I'll add that if you happen to add an amp (I realize that's not necesarily your intention) to me it brings the detail out even more.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally posted by williamgoody I agree with erikzen's take, but I'll add that if you happen to add an amp (I realize that's not necesarily your intention) to me it brings the detail out even more.

True...I should have added that I listen almost exclusively with an amp. YMMV, but dragonlong has a Total Airhead listed in his profile.

However, the other day my amp ran out of batteries, so I plugged the E2s directly into my MZ-R50 and they sounded pretty sweet.

 

[dragonlong]

Quote:

Originally posted by doobooloo second that. or just get the etys...

Yeah, I have the ER4P, but I find that it goes too deep into my ear canal.

 

[doobooloo]

oh, sorry about that, missed that in your first post.

 

[dragonlong]

Quote:

Originally posted by doobooloo oh, sorry about that, missed that in your first post.

No prob, bud.

Well, it looks like I probably won't go for the E2C, but still considering the E1C. erikzen and others have mentioned that the clarity isn't as good as some Sony's, so I'd rather not be disappointed in my next head/earphones purchase.

Still, can anyone tell me how deep the E1C goes compared to the ER4P and EX71? Does anyone have photos of a real person wearing the E1C? Also, what's a reliable place where I can get a pair of E1C for the cheapest price?

 

[MadDog]

E1 goes just a little bit deeper than Ex71. There wasn't a noticeable difference for me. It's definitely not like ER4P which goes real deep. You can just plug and go with this light earpiece. Very light and comfortable...Average price for the new unit at web is $139.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally posted by dragonlong erikzen and others have mentioned that the clarity isn't as good as some Sony's, so I'd rather not be disappointed in my next head/earphones purchase.

I only meant that they weren't as clear as the Eggo D66. I have not tried the EX 71, which you also mention. I have not heard them but the EX 71s have gotten more negative comments than the E2 if that is what you're basing your decision on.

Out of all of my portable headphones in the $100 or less price range I would rank them for clarity like this:

D66
E2
PX200
KSC-35
MX 500
PortaPros

I enjoy listening to all of these headphones, but they all have different sonic characteristics. The E2 has advantages over the D66 that for me make it a better portable headphone for the money.

 

[dragonlong]

Quote:

Originally posted by erikzen Out of all of my portable headphones in the $100 or less price range I would rank them for clarity like this: D66 E2 PX200 KSC-35 MX 500 PortaPros I enjoy listening to all of these headphones, but they all have different sonic characteristics. The E2 has advantages over the D66 that for me make it a better portable headphone for the money.

Ah, I see what you're saying. Problem is that I rank the E888 above the D66 in clarity, and if I listen to anything with clarity lower than the E888, I'll feel like I'm missing something in the music.

From what you said in a previous post, it seems like I'll need to use an amp to get better clarity out of the E2C should I decide to buy it.

How about this question: how's the clarity of the E2C compared to the D66 WITHOUT using an amp with either one?

I'm using an MPIO FL100 MP3 player which is actually smaller than my Total Airhead, so that's why I really don't wanna be carrying my amp if possible.

 

[Bob A (SD)]

For what it's worth I just received my E2c's and have been pleasantly surprised. My standard cans are HD580IIs driven with an original 12/93 version of Headroom's Supreme amp.

I had been concerned about fit because of past issues with cheap earbuds but with either the small flexishields or foamies I'm good to go. Still trying to determine which I prefer although the flexis are starting to become the more preferable.

The sound is quite enjoyable: well balanced, good clean bass and articulate mids, but as has been mentioned before, slightly recessed highs. Specifically they sound a bit further away and with slightly less energy but without sacrificing detail... NOT lossy at all. I ran them through my Supreme (which has it's output optimized for the 600 ohm Senns) and found that even though they're but 16 ohms, the advice about amps bringing out the best in the E2c's is spot on. The highs seemed less recessed via the amp.

The big plus is they're non-fatiguing like my Senns. Definately keepers for me!

--Bob

 

[doobooloo]

600 ohm senn 580s???

anyhow i'm glad to hear you like it, perhaps i should try it out sometime soon also. when my wallet actually has some green.