[ldj325]

I had a very nice and long converstation today with a Shure Personal Audio Return Specialist, Blake. He was especially helpful and knowledgeable--he may head up one of the units there. I'd called with a concern of how to prevent the cracking of the cable that some users have reported on the E500. (I have a new pair.) He said they have researched this issue extensively. It seems that the issue is caused by sweat (I believe body oils were also mentioned), and it seems to be only with certain people, due to their unique body chemistry. He said that the number one way to prevent this is to wipe the sweat off each time after use with a damp cloth. He said that if this is done consistently there is much less liklihood of the cable becoming brittle. He also said that Shure had addressed this in their more recent E500/530s by making a slightly thicker cable that they had originally put on the E500. He also said that once the cable starts to stiffen so that it maintains the curve around the ear, that those cables are likely on their way to eventually cracking.

He also said that the most common reason for driver failure is even a little bit of ear wax going down the nossle. He inspects his IEM after each listening session for wax and cleans as needed. He said that wax is much more of an issue for drivers than is moisture.

Blake was a great guy to deal with (and he sometimes monitors Head-fi). I had read that the Shure customer service was excelent, and my conversation with Blake confirmed this for me first hand.

 

[Nuwidol]

Damn.
I've definately got "the sweat"
Replaced 4-5 pairs of ex-71s because the cable had degraded from being around my neck...

Like i said in a different thread though. If Shure will keep replacing them & starting a new warranty everytime then you've got a set of earphones for life.

 

[Kanarie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuwidol /img/forum/go_quote.gif Damn. I've definately got "the sweat" Replaced 4-5 pairs of ex-71s because the cable had degraded from being around my neck... Like i said in a different thread though. If Shure will keep replacing them & starting a new warranty everytime then you've got a set of earphones for life.

The EX71 had faulty wires for about a year.

My first pair of EX71's lasted for two years. Wires were still fine after two years, but one bud was out.
New pair lasted 3 months, replacement lasted 3 months. The next replacement still works.

So your EX71 doesn't prove you have 'the sweat'

 

[wgr73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldj325 /img/forum/go_quote.gif He also said that once the cable starts to stiffen so that it maintains the curve around the ear, that those cables are likely on their way to eventually cracking.

Thats the problem (sweat is not causing this for me)! I have had mine for a couple of weeks and am starting to see this begin...I say, in about 8 months I'll be giving Shure a call to get them replaced!

 

[Spyro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldj325 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It seems that the issue is caused by sweat, and it seems to be only with certain people, due to their unique body chemistry.

That had to be incredibly frustrating to the Shure designers. I mean how would they know or test for this? Only certain types of sweat??

 

[eternality.pl]

maybe the shure engineers should seek after some special material - durable and
sweat resistant ??

 

[Wotan1]

Mine were replaced by the distributor because of the isolation material came loose and the internal wire was visible close to the point the cable connects with the phones (both sides). So probabely I've got The Sweat?
Shure indeed has great custumer service!!!

 

[ldj325]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wgr73 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thats the problem (sweat is not causing this for me)! I have had mine for a couple of weeks and am starting to see this begin...I say, in about 8 months I'll be giving Shure a call to get them replaced!

I've edited the opening post as this post reminded me that body oils were also mentioned at one point, althought most of the discussion was around sweat. The bottom line I got was to wipe the cables down with a moistened cloth after each use. Maybe you should let these break and jusat get the replacement. The good news is that Shure is very aware of this problem and stands behind them wiht their replacement ploicy. If it were me, even if I was out of the 2 year warranty, I's still send them in if the cable broke in this manner.

As for me I am not a sweater, but I plan to wipe off any oil etc after each use. If they start to stiffen after a few weeks I'll post back. Actually you may be the perfect person to do a test on. Let this pair continue and once they actually become defective, get the replacement pair. And then be vigulent in wiping off the new pair after each use. If there is a difference post back and let folks know. This may take awhile, but what else can we do.

Good news is that they are great IEMs, still my favorites against the Triple-fi 10 Pro and the Westone 3s which I have heard.

 

[wgr73]

That sounds good! I will do that.

 

[Spyro]

Hair gel would probably stiffen the cable too.

 

[robm321]

Thanks for sharing