Shure SE530 volume problem

[james s]

i've had a real love/hate relationship with my Shure SE530 over the last two years and now my IEM's developed a fault with very low volume in the left earpiece.

bit of background:
i started off with e2c then e4c's, e5c's and then up to SE500 PTHs. I bought the latter just over 2 years ago. They were fine but then the cable about a cm from the left earpiece cracked. Shure sent me a replacement under warranty (which was the SE530). This was fine and then the same problem happened about 8 months later. Again, Shure true to their word replaced them under warranty. All was well until August this year when suddenly the volume in the left earpiece dropped dramatically to about 10% of their original volume. The phones were just out of warranty and Shure UK were reluctant to replace them. After some persuading they did send me a new pair which have been fine until.... today.

And now exactly the same thing is happening! This morning i detected the left / right balance appeared to shift to the right 40/60 as opposed to 50/50. I took my headphones to work and using the little plastic cleaning tool with the metallic loop, gently cleaned the earpiece. in fact it was clean anyway with no wax. And then the volume seemed to cut almost completely, like about 20% of their original volume. If I crank up my iPhone volume so it is comfortable to listen, it then becomes uncomfortably loud on the right earpiece.

So I'm extremely bemused now! I have always looked after my headphones and kept them in the zip-up black oval case. I only listen on my iphone about 10-20% volume because they are so sensitive anyway. Last time Shure said they wouldn't honour the warranty as the original 2 years had run out. They gave me another pair after persuasion but said no more returns. This new pair which I've hardly used has lasted me exactly 3 months!

Any suggestions or am I SOL ??

Shure said they don't repair, only replace. Could gently cleaning the ear-piece canal have caused a short of some kind? I hope not as I've always done it in the past without problem.

I did try and wiggle the wire but it made no difference so I don't think I've got a loose connection. When I increase the volume I hear just the midrange and treble but no bass. Is a driver blown possibly?

Groan, I just cannot afford a new pair and I'm very reluctant to buy another set anyhow, despite them sounding fantastic.

Any suggestions on what options I have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
James

 

[ClieOS]

Cleaning shouldn't cause any issue. From your description, I think it could be the filter that has the problem (unless the problem is much deeper). Since you are out of warranty so there isn't much risk trying. You can use a pointy object to remove the white filter inside the nozzle. It is a metal tube with paper at one end. You will probably destroy the paper in order to take it out. If it is the filter, then removing both side will re-balance the volume. You can cut a small piece of foam and stuff it back to the nozzle (but not too deep!) after that to serve as filter. It probably won't sound 100% the same, but it is better than unable to use the IEM.

Before you decide to remove the filter, do try to exhaust all other possibility first, such as checking the cable or the plug. If the problem is on the cable, you can always pay a little more and reshell your SE530 into custom IEM.

 

[Modifiedz]

1st suggestion if you have not done so already...try a different source.
If you have a computer, you can adjust the Right/Left Balance...and if after the volume is level but do not "sound" the same, you can go from there.
Maybe try like I do and use a Vacuum to suck my IEM's clean or use canned air. Be very careful doing that. Do not blow or directly suck on the IEM....that will cause driver damage for sure...but if done right will clean any deep inside dust/debris/.

 

[james s]

Thanks guys.
I did check the volume on my laptop where I could adjust the balance left and right. Even with the balance all the way to the left it is still considerably quieter than normal.

I checked the cables, connections etc but this made no difference. In the end I carefully pressed down on the filter which is about 3mm into the earpiece tube. This broke through and now the sound is fine again... phew!!

still unsure what would have caused it to block as the phones have had such light use. maybe there was a buildup of something on the filter but it couldn't spot it.

Any recommendations for some foam to seal the now open tube? Can I cut a piece of my existing yellow or black foam sleeves that came with the IEM?

Thanks
James

 

[bcwang]

I just broke a filter accidentally when cleaning my se530. I'm also wondering if this is safe to use in this state or I should do something about it. Sending it in for the filter to be replaced for $145 is ridiculous.

My E4G came with nozzles that can be easily replaced when clogged with earwax. I'm surprised the SE530 is now made so that this can't be done. I had tried cleaning out earwax on the E4G with the loop tool to no success so thus used the replacement. So I'd imagine the SE530 would irreversibly clog as well, but with no way to change the filter.

Others who have clogged SE530s, what is your solution other than to puncture the filter to clear out the opening?

 

[Depechetraff]

The volume on the right side of mine dropped today.  I'm thinking about destroying the filter to try to restore the sound.  I figure I'll be ok since I use Comply TX100 tips with the built-in wax guard.
 
http://www.complyfoam.com/products/Tx-100/

 

[GoSUV]

Are you sure this is not a fitment issue.... I've had my SE530 for more than 3 years and it has given me endless frustration because it is a b!tch to find the right fit. Yes, even after 3 years of owning it, I sometimes still struggle to fit it just right for the best sound. However when the right fit is found they sound phenomenal. Part of that struggle is that because my left and right ears are slightly different, so minor that to anyone else, my ears look normal. But when using canal phones like all the IEMs, I have to wriggle patiently for each earpiece to go in perfectly otherwise they leak sound and this can be perceived as one side louder than the other. I also have to make sure both my ears and the foams are free of oil otherwise any jaw movements will cause the earpiece to slightly slip out of their optimal positions. Now after 3 years of experimenting I can maybe find the right fit about 70% of the time...