[GiantCow]

My Shure e2cs that I've been using for the past 3 years finally broke and I'm looking to get another pair. Now I don't know too much about headphones so I was wondering what's the sweet point in terms of price v. quality? I see generally I can get SE110s for $60, SE210s for $100, SE310s for $150, and SE420s for $200. What would you guys go for? (Are the SEs the upgrade to SCLs?)

Are there any other <$200 IEMs that you guys would recommend? Thanks

 

[ibis99]

Let's see, I've had e2c, se 110,se115,se210, se310 and se530. Out of all of them and assuming price is a consideration I would choose the Phonak PFE.

 

[Berlioz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibis99 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Let's see, I've had e2c, se 110,se115,se210, se310 and se530. Out of all of them and assuming price is a consideration I would choose the Phonak PFE.

I got a good laugh out of that one. I'm in agreement with that statement though.

If I had to have a pair of Shure IEM's, they would be the SE530. The others are out competed at their respective price point. Even the SE530's aren't king of the universal world anymore, although their isolation is still the best (only reason I use them).

 

[JonC]

I had the same question about a year ago. I focused on Shure due to their isolation and mid-range emphasis. I decided on the SE-310 because they were supposed to have better bass and clarity than the 210's and I didn't want to pony up for the 420 or 530 which was quite a bit more at an authorized dealer. I have been very happy with the 310's and think I made a good choice. I'm no audiophile and they sound good to me with great comfort and isolation. Plus, i'm not as paranoid of breaking them as I wouldbe with the more expensive ones. Jon

 

[GiantCow]

I'm open to other brands as well. I only asked about Shures because they were the first and only "high end" earphones I've owned.

The Phonak PFEs at $139 seem really tempting. While searching for I also them came across some very good reviews for the ER-4Ps (also at the ~$150 range). And then there's the Shure SE310s which can also be bought for ~$150.

If isolation is one of the main concerns, which of the three should I go for? Or is there something else? Thanks

 

[talisman42]

hehe

Well.. I can fill in the blank with the se420. But I will not share my experience yet since I've sent them back to Shure with a note asking if they're defective or not (especially for a $200 iem) Sorry for the suspense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibis99 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Let's see, I've had e2c, se 110,se115,se210, se310 and se530. Out of all of them and assuming price is a consideration I would choose the Phonak PFE.

 

[koven]

i wouldnt touch anything under the se530.. and even at the se530's price range, i'd go for the um3x/w3

 

[ljokerl]

I've given Shure 3 chances to amaze me - Se115, e2c, and E4c/SCl4. All three failed miserably and I ended up choosing the much cheaper Etymotic Er6i over the E4c (which was then upgraded to an RE0/Er-4s). The Shures lack severely at the upper end and are not clear/detailed enough for my liking at the bottom. This seems to be a house sound, but I don't know if all of the SE's suffer from it (aside from the Se530, of course).

Like anything else, this is a matter of personal preference, but I would take the $99 RE0s over anything in the Shure line below the SE530 any day.

 

[FYJX]

Retail price, Se210

Street price, Se530. ($250 vs retail $500)

 

[dnullify]

If you are going to consider other makes, have you seen this thread?

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/r...st-iem-383355/

I've been reading through it, and i'm pretty tempted. Not enough to buy it for myself, but certainly enough to convince my brother to, so i can try it!

it looks interesting, and it's "on sale for the summer" at head-direct for $99, when the retail price on that is $200...

i dunno, an option.

 

[mark2410]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berlioz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Even the SE530's aren't king of the universal world anymore

i disagree

 

[GiantCow]

I'm most likely going to give the Phonaks a try. But before I pull the trigger, can anyone comment on their sound isolation?

 

[DeusEx]

Pretty good, but nowhere the level of isolation of SE530s...

 

[GiantCow]

I see, but compared to the old Shure E2Cs? I'll be taking the train/plane fairly often so isolation is what I'm looking for.

 

[talisman42]

With a little coercion, the shure olives can fit the Phonaks. I'm not certain if that makes a significant different in isolation though
Quote:

Originally Posted by GiantCow /img/forum/go_quote.gif I see, but compared to the old Shure E2Cs? I'll be taking the train/plane fairly often so isolation is what I'm looking for.