Shure E2c Sound Isolating Earphones

by Shure

Product Details

Product Manual [162kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 14 x 4 inches ; 1.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000CE1UO
• Item model number: E2C
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (817 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 16, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Shure's E2c in-ear headphones are tiny, lightweight, and designed to sonically outperform most ear-bud-style headphones. The E2c's unique, relatively affordable design comes from Shure's years of collaborating with professional musicians. With high-energy drivers in distinctive enclosures, the E2c produces high-quality sound with excellent isolation from background noise.

The E2c's speakers are constructed with studio-grade components, producing exceptional audio clarity. Their in-ear design, using supplied flex sleeves, naturally blocks background noise. This permits lower listening volumes in loud environments--critical in safeguarding your hearing during performance or other activities. No batteries or extra equipment are needed for sound isolation.

Because every ear is different, E2c earphones come with 3 pairs (small, medium, large) of flex sleeves and 3 pairs (small, medium, large) ultra-soft flex sleeves to ensure a personalized fit. These disposable foam sleeves gently compress to fit in the ear canal. Once in the ear, the foam expands to form a tight seal. Once tightly sealed, the sleeves hold the earphones firmly in place.

The E2c's cables pass behind the ear--out of sight and out of the way for comfort and discretion. Weighing only 1 ounce, the E2c is lightweight and comfortable enough for any portable listening application. The set comes with a soft, stylish, compact, and zippered carrying case, which allows for an easy, tangle-free way to store your earphones.

What's in the Box
Earphones, 2 triple-flange sleeves, 3 pairs (small, medium, large) of flex sleeves, and 3 pairs (small, medium, large) ultra-soft flex sleeves (kit 90XC1371, with cleaning tool), a soft carry case (80B8232), a user's manual, and warranty information.

Product Description

The Shure E2c In-Ear Headphones combines a Dynamic MicroDriver speaker technology with a sound isolating design, to deliver rich, full-range sound while blocking outside noise.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

539 of 553 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great product, and Shure stands by it, January 22, 2005

By 

Ron Cronovich "Ron" (Kenosha, WI) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Shure E2c Sound Isolating Earphones (Electronics)

Like many people, I was tempted by the good reviews but reluctant to pay so much for a pair of tiny earphones. Finally, almost 2 years ago, I bought a pair.

Like all of the other reviews here state, the Shure E2c's sound GREAT. They are very balanced, and let you hear the subtle details of your music, making the music almost come alive in your head. They turn your MP3 player or Discman into an audiophile-quality stereo system.

The E2c blocks outside noise by forming a very tight seal in your ear. In contrast, "noise canceling" earphones, such as the popular ones by Bose, do not block outside noise from reaching your ear, rather they add their own electronically generated noise which is supposed to cancel out the outside noise. I've never had good results with the various noise canceling headphones I've tried; plus, they require batteries to generate the noise-canceling noise. The E2c's block noise without batteries, and without adding any artificial noise or discoloration to your music. It works very well. I especially appreciate it at gym, on the bus or subway, and on a plane. (Warning - PLEASE don't wear the E2c's while driving or bicycling or any other time that safety requires your full attention!)

The build quality of the E2c's is very good - the cord and plug are thicker and sturdier than competing earphones. For 2 years, I heavily used and abused my E2c's, especially at the gym. Literally hundreds and hundreds of times, I've plugged and unplugged them into my various MP3 players, hastily wound and unwound the cord, and tossed them into my gym bag, usually without using the protective case that comes with the E2c's. Despite the very good build quality, my heavy use led finally to a short: when the cord was wiggled in a certain way, the sound on the left side would briefly go out.

I went to Shure's website and saw that they have a 2-year warranty. I sent my E2c's to Shure for repair, hoping it would be covered by warranty, but prepared to pay if Shure felt the problem was due to wear and tear (because, in fact, it was). Two weeks later, I received from Shure a BRAND-NEW PAIR of E2c's - they decided the problem WAS covered by the warranty, and wanted me to have a new pair rather than repairing my old ones!!!

This is more than I expected, and will make me a repeat buyer of Shure products! I especially appreciate this level of service given the lackluster support I've received from so many other companies.

580 of 606 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars awesome pair of phones, three caveats, September 2, 2004

By 

J. London "despreocupado" (New York City, NY, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shure E2c Sound Isolating Earphones (Electronics)

I am totally into these noise-cancelling earphones and they perfectly complement my iRiver mp3 player/recorder in sound and color. Once you've gotten over their higher price point, have followed the enclosed instructions exactly and begun to use them, there is no going back to the normal, flat sounding buds. They isolate exterior noise and that is a boon if you live in a noisy environment, like NYC infamously is.

Experiment with using the foam vs. the flex sleeves to your taste. I've stuck with the smallest of the three sized flex sleeves and after two days testing my ears were used to the slight increase in pressure.

A warning: be careful not to turn the volume up too high in public as one needs to be able to know when her/his attention is required, among other things. Be extra aware of traffic when on the street. Also, high volume just is not necessary as ALL exterior racket (subways, curse-laden conversations and car horns) is rendered mutedly surreal.

Also, be mindful of its carrying case. I've had my pair for almost a year now and the case's cable spool has bent the cord's wire covering to such an extent that it is now exposed. Far be it from me to walk around town like a super-geek w/ electrical tape on mine; I plan to replace them with one from amazon's marketplace sellers for cheaper when Santa comes around this December. But be advised to remove the interior cable spool completely and keep the headphones rolled up manually before placing them inside the case. The case is very durable, zips up securely, is nonbreakable, has a soft protective interior and is lightweight.

One other observation -- use q-tips and rubbing alcohol to regularly clean the flex sleeves if you decide to use those. The foam probably would just wear out completely. Shure's website does sell replacment sleeves (both foam and flex) for $10-$12 each w/ 5 pair included, which is nice.

I honestly would have given the product five stars if it wasn't for the breaking of the wire cover coupled with their already high price. The warnings above should keep yours in good working shape for years though and this is a great investment for all digital audiophiles. :-)

82 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product, blows any earbud away!, November 5, 2003

By 

J. Hutchinson (Montgomery, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I bought these earphones for a combination of uses - travel, exercise, casual listening, etc. They are great. The noticeable background noise attenuation is perfect for flights, busy airports, mowing the lawn or anywhere you want to tune out the outside world. Bass response is very good, I'd call it neutral (which is the best thing a serious music fan can ask for.)

These earphones are very low profile and unobtrusive to wear. They do not create the fatigue I get while wearing regular headphones for a long period and the sound blows away the numerous earbuds I have tried. I use the flex fit sleeves which are very comfortable. By cinching up the sleeve on the cord, they stay in place with minimal fuss even while exercising.

I strongly recommend these earbuds to anyone who wants immersive, comfortable and excellent sound.