Shure SE420's for $280 (today only) but are they the right IEM's for me?

[Mac Write]

I was bored and wondered over to Red Flag Deals a website for Canadians looking for deals. Anyways, by chance I so a hot deal Shure's 20% off at Earphone Solutions. The SE-420's are $280. I also found out, that they are an authorized Shure dealer as well as that the warranty will be valid in Canada.

The catch, the deals is only for today (so it seems but it said that for Saturday and Sunday). I assume that Earphone Solutions is reputable etc. Do they have deals often?

My Background
I am legally blind which makes my sense of hearing better (though that only seems to apply to real sounds vs sounds via speakers etc, as I find lower volume TV hard to hear clearly). I am 400lbs, so when I walk less then half a block, I am pouring out sweat in buckets (including the ears). I need to start the gym again but that won't be as sweat generating as walking 1/2 a block. I have a first generation iPod nano (4GB) I use for podcasts when in bed via my iHome iH9, so using headphones with it is now limited to when I go out (once a week if that?). I trip easily due to poor balance, vision, weight and CP (even without the weight I still trip due to vision etc).

I sadly ordered an iPhone 3G 16GB Black, which will arrive this week and still won't be big enough to move from 128kbps AAC (I have a good 175 CD's.). At present it's 13GB+Podcasts. When (if I can afford it) upgrade to a 64GB iPhone in hopefully 2yrs, I should be able to go Lossless, while still having a nice chunk of my music on my iPhone (for variety. I just use shuffle 99% of the time when listening to music).

Genres I listen to are Classicial, pop, rock, Easy Listening, Soundtracks, pipe organ (Drool now what IEM's can really make a pipe organ sound nice?), oprah, etc. Basically all over the board.

What I am looking for in IEM's

1. Clear rounded sound that is more natural sounding (I ain't a bass junkie)
2. When listening to talk podcasts (TWiT, etc) I want to be able to hear the people talking clearly (so bassy IEM's wouldn't be good for this)
3. Can take a beating and keep on licking
4. Will stand up to the gym (bike, weights, stretching, Steps, no jogging or treadmill)
5. Be good for podcast editing (hopefully in my future)
6. Don't require a pre-amp
7. sound excellent at lower volume (lower the better, but can still hear people in podcasts talking clearly and enjoy music with the full range of the sound)
8. Do the SE530's come down to $300 when on sale via authorized dealers?

From reading on Head-Fi, it seems the SE420's are numeral in sound and not bass heavy. Are they the right choice (seems I like Shure from previous research I have now forgotten). Anything else I need to know? I will be ordering it with the iPhone adapter, so I can hear my calls in my ear buds (or at least the ringing, so I can put on my bluetooth headset) and not disturb others when on transit etc.

Anything else I you need to know, so I can get good opinions? Don't even ask about if I can afford them (un-employed, but trying to start up a Mac Phone Support business).

Thanks all for the help

 

[member1982]

the Shure ones are great, detailed, the SE530 has more punch alot more, overall the SE420 is less bassier.

 

[toughnut]

from what i read, SE420 has the flattest and neutral sound among all IEM in Shure range. some swear by it instead of SE530.

 

[jimspecb]

Mac Write,

You can buy from 6ave.com (Authorized dealer as well) also. They still have the 30% off coupon code AFLSHURE that still works. Just thought I let you know. $245 is a great deal and free shipping to US, but not sure about Canada.

*** Update *** I just checked their website, and it says they don't ship internationally... darn!

 

[boomana]

After having the chance to listen to the Shure line when it first came out, I think the 420s are the sweet stop for price/performance. I think that you'll enjoy them, but I'm really not sure I'd buy them for gym use. Gyms aren't places for any form of critical listening: they're noisy, you can hear your own breathing, etc., and if you're like me, it's easy to lose things there, or they can disappear if you set them down (locker room, for example). I've own/ed some nice iems. For gym use, a pair of cheap JVC marshmallows worked just fine. If something happens to them, it's not the same as losing that cost a couple hundred dollars.

EDIT: I've purchased things from Earphone Solutions before with zero problems.

 

[Mac Write]

The sweet spot for price/preformance was my thinking as well (I was looking at the SE310 earlier this year, but then saw the 420's for $50 more and it seemed a no brainer). In the gym (though my iPhone will be in my pouch) I will use my shuffle with music that to me makes me move. Sweating at the gym is hard for me, but super simple when I am walking 1/2 a block. I know loose that weight. but being on government assistance, I am unable to afford a trainer at present, I am barely scraping by.

 

[ah_long]

I have the SE420s.. I love them...
they are very neutral, they are not base heavy.. very detailed.. they are just beautiful..

on the side note, no offense, if you are barely scraping by, won't you be better off getting something like the UM1 or RE2?

 

[Mac Write]

I went ahead and ordered the SE420's+iPhone cable with mic. Lets just hope by Christmas I can recover the cost of the headphones and iPhone.

 

[lewislink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Write /img/forum/go_quote.gif The sweet spot for price/preformance was my thinking as well (I was looking at the SE310 earlier this year, but then saw the 420's for $50 more and it seemed a no brainer). In the gym (though my iPhone will be in my pouch) I will use my shuffle with music that to me makes me move. Sweating at the gym is hard for me, but super simple when I am walking 1/2 a block. I know loose that weight. but being on government assistance, I am unable to afford a trainer at present, I am barely scraping by.

How about a set of SE530s for $350 from and authorized dealer?

 

[dookiex]

I would say to go for the 530s as well but the OP has already purchased the 420s, which are not bad either but are just not as full sounding as the 530s.

 

[Mac Write]

They are on sale now for $360 at Earphone solutions, but that's another $80. I can still change my order…

 

[lewislink]

According to Pseudohippy you can get one for $350 at Streamline Audio Video which is a Head Fi sponsor and is authorized.

 

[Mac Write]

This is a long term buy (as in I will use them until they die, I hope a bare min of 5-7yrs. Now I don't know what to do.

 

[lewislink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Write /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is a long term buy (as in I will use them until they die, I hope a bare min of 5-7yrs. Now I don't know what to do.

I've never heard the 420s but I have the 530s and I don't think they are quite as good as the Westone UM2. Neither the 530 nor the UM2 have replaceable cables but both are shaped the same and are very comfortable. The UM2 have a shorter nozzle making them a bit more difficult to wear securely for some people. But the UM2 have insane mids. The drum beats in some of my song where drums are a main segment of the song really hits hard and dynamic. Very powerful and clear and detailed.

If I had the choice of buying the 530s or the UM2, both at the exact same price, I'd go the UM2s every time without hesitation. Three separate balanced armatures of the 530s don't compensate for the outstanding sonic resolution and quality of the two balanced armatures of the UM2.

Sorry to make your decision more difficult but you could save $50 by going with the UM2 over the 530s and you only need come up with $20 to go up to the UM2s from the 420s.

 

[boomana]

The 420s sound extremely close to the 530s. To each his own, but I'd say stick with the 420s.