Steve Wilcox
100+ Head-Fier
So there is nothing stopping debris from entering the drivers?
That shouldn't be the case, unless they sold you a faulty(or in this case, a pair with missing parts) IEMs.
The filter system on SE line is different from that of Etys. I don't think Shure will recommend that you pull out the filter. The filters in them are semi-permanent for the average user.
I'm using the Shure Black Foam Olives which have a wax guard so they should be okay but I'm not sure why the internal filters are not there - I bought them second hand off ebay a few weeks ago. They sound okay but I have noticed some pretty shrill highs and it's only after reading this thread that I've become aware that there should be filters there. I'm really looking forward to hearing what difference they make.
The point I'm making by comparing the Shures with the Etys is that it's perfectly normal to change the filters on the Etys quite regularly and this invariably completely refreshes the sound - just like you'd expect the difference to be be when the sound isn't having to permeate a layer of wax. The Etys sit deeper in the ear canal so may be more prone to wax build up but I'd be surprised if the Shure filters didn't gradually clog up with wax so that any replacement is likely to enhance the sound?