Shure E3c (White)
Manufacturer: Shure Inc. Part number: E3c
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Shure E3c is expensive, but if you're into the stealthy form factor of earbuds, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-sounding pair.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Shure E3c (White) price range: $399.99
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Reviewed on: 12/04/2003
- Released on: 12/05/2003
The good: Pro-style earbud headphones; effective seals provide ambient-noise isolation; excellent sound quality; storage pouch; 30-day money-back guarantee; two-year warranty.
The bad: Not for fans of bass-heavy music; uncomfortable for some.
The bottom line: The Shure E3c is expensive, but if you're into the stealthy form factor of earbuds, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-sounding pair.
User reviews
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Give them time
Pros: A lot of people have written here and elsewhere about the difficulty of getting a good fit and the lack of bass. The fit does take some experimentation - I couldn't get it to work despite trying all the various sleeves. Fortunately, this model is designed
Cons: Frustrating at first
20 out of 27 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best earbuds money can buy!
Pros: Comfortable, versitile, briliant sound
Cons: Not good in windy environments.
Summary: Uncomfortable for some? Not good for bassy music? I'm not sure where these comments come from if we are talking about the same earbuds.
Since I'm allowed to ...Summary: Uncomfortable for some? Not good for bassy music? I'm not sure where these comments come from if we are talking about the same earbuds.
Since I'm allowed to listen to music at work, I often find myself using these earbudy for stretches of 10 consecutive hours with absolutely no discomfort when using the soft grey earbuds. These are the only earbuds I've ever owned where I can say that. And about the bass. These earbuds are neutral. They weren't predesigned for bassy music. They more or less deliver what you can give it depending on the quality of the gear delivering the music. So if you have an mp3 player or whatever with a good sound driver, you will be able to give yourself a headache from the bass.
The only problem I've had with these earbuds is that when you are outside and it's windy, you get a lot of howling from the wind catching the insides of the earbud cones.
If you want some earbuds that are extremely light and comfortable that you can wear for hours on end with the highest sound quality, I suggest you check these out.12 out of 12 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Incredible sonic clarity and balance.
by f1shy on May 6, 2005
Pros: I'm hearing subtle parts of music that I never knew existed, even after years of listening to the same songs.
Cons: You'd better have clean ears.
Summary: The only "decent" pair of headphones I've ever had, before, were the Sony MDR V600's. I thought that they were pretty good sounding too. But, then I did ...
Summary: The only "decent" pair of headphones I've ever had, before, were the Sony MDR V600's. I thought that they were pretty good sounding too. But, then I did something that I don't like to do, I bought new headphones without listening to them first and was a bit nervous about the price, and restocking fee, if they turned out to be duds. Boy was I surprised! I sat in the parking lot of the store and didn't want to take the Shure's off. I just sat there with a grin on my face all that time! I heard passages of music that I never knew existed before. Sound wise, which I know that it can be very different for different people, all ranges seemed balanced. Not too much highs, mids, or lows. The sensitivity of the E3c's are fantastic. I can listen at much lower levels without wearing or hearing fatique. No real need to EQ anything. Depending upon the player being used with these, they "might" need a tiny bump in the low end. My portable cd player needs a little bass boost but my pc is perfect when the there are no adjustments, perfectly flat. What's funny is that my brain is telling me, depending on the music, that there is definitely some very low bass happening in the song but shouldn't I be feeling my chest vibrating from the low end output? Anotherwards, the bass IS there and VERY deep; the kind of bass you'd expect to be feeling as well as hearing. DVD's sound fantastic with them too. I have no complaints about them other than it takes a little effort to put them on and get them comfortable, but the effort is well worth the time when you listen to them. The sound is as smooth as butter!!! I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who is serious about sonic balance and clarity. Who needs electronic noise cancelling phones? These block out the majority of the outside noise by design. They were well worth the price in my opinion!
8 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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If you're not getting adequate bass, you're not using them correctly.
by ramboorider on November 28, 2005
Pros: Awesome sound
Cons: Price, mildly time consuming to get properly into ear
Summary: When I first stuck these babies in my ears, I stuck them in like regular ear buds. And there was absolutely NO BASS. I tried the various earpieces and the ...
Summary: When I first stuck these babies in my ears, I stuck them in like regular ear buds. And there was absolutely NO BASS. I tried the various earpieces and the only ones that were even remotely tolerable were the foam ones. Everything else sounded like little tin speakers. Terrible.
So I read the instructions. The bit about pulling up on your ear when you stick them in, in order to straighten out the ear canal, made all the difference in the world. Doing it this way, all but the smallest earpieces sounded quite good and the size that fit best sounded INCREDIBLE.
You really have to get them all the way down in the ear canal and you can't do this without pulling up on your ear and really shoving these puppies in there. Don't be afraid. It makes the difference between the worst headphones I've ever heard and the best. The best by a long shot. Not even close.5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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good cans, great noise canceling, awsome sound
by starwarsyoda9632 on July 13, 2005
Pros: sound isolation is exceptional, the bass is good, they feel confortable
Cons: little pricey depending on where you look, the suction in the ears takes about a day to get used to
Summary: the e3c's are small confortable and sound great. i got mine online for $130 so i saved about $50 from retail. the rubber flanges or whatever feel nice and ...
Summary: the e3c's are small confortable and sound great. i got mine online for $130 so i saved about $50 from retail. the rubber flanges or whatever feel nice and soft. they just slide over the stem plastic part to the body of it. when they first of on they are really snug on the plastic and dont slide. but over time the rubber on it streaches and when you take them out they slide off a bit. i will be a little longer, but sooner or later you pull out the headphone and the rubber stays in. its not that terrifing but it just means that you need to switch your rubber, so to speak. that would be fine except that if you use the really big or small, like me, they only give you ONE PAIR. so you might have to settle for a larger or smaller one. just a small caution. now if you have any doubts as to the service well let me ease your fears. i bought them back in december of 2004. i had them for three months and one of the sides started to cut out. i was horrified. i spent 130 bucks for three months! after playing with them some more i came to find that they separtated in the y part where they split to the left and right. so i contacted shure they said send them back. i expected a refubished pair or mine back. no, they sent me a brand new pair, in the box. i was pleased. all this adds up to a nice pair of cans for the causal listener, audiofile, or traveler.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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My world has changed!
by mikwiz on April 14, 2005
Pros: Sound quality and isolation; Comfortable
Cons: The price, but they are worth it. . .
Summary: These headphones along with a Dell Dj has changed my world! I am listening to these all day and night long. Very comfortable with different in ear sleeves for the ...
Summary: These headphones along with a Dell Dj has changed my world! I am listening to these all day and night long. Very comfortable with different in ear sleeves for the best fit. Sound is very good on all levels, but for the extreme high end of piano keys and some high pitched symphony instruments. For rock and pop et. all, these phones are the best I've ever heard, even beyond that of over the head / enclosed larger phones. For walkers like myself, the world outside becomes like watching a movie with a soundtrack in the background--and you can't hear the traffic or the wind!
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Watch which store you buy from
by nanandppaul on January 8, 2006
Pros: Good sound once you figure out how to wear them
Cons: Don't fit small ear canals very well; which affects sound quality
Summary: I have very small ear canals and have trouble wearing the head phones with even the smallest ear buds in. The sound for me is tinny and flat. I tried ...
Summary: I have very small ear canals and have trouble wearing the head phones with even the smallest ear buds in. The sound for me is tinny and flat. I tried to return them under the 30 day money back guarantee, but the company I bought them from Comp-U-plus, would not take them back because they were opened (DUH). I called Shure and they told me that Comp U Plus is not an authorized dealer, so they would not take them back: they were unable to honor their 30 day money back guarantee. Buyer beware...Shure's money back guarantee is very conditional.
3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Shure is Fantastic!
by wizard156 on July 20, 2005
Pros: unparalleled noise isolation
Cons: tiny L and R indicators
Summary: Hi all. This is my first ear canal phones and I must say that I will not go back to any other headphones. I've had numerous headphones like seinheissers, ...
Summary: Hi all. This is my first ear canal phones and I must say that I will not go back to any other headphones. I've had numerous headphones like seinheissers, Bose noise cancellation and other regular earphones. This certainly takes the cake. For certain, this beats Bose Quiet comfort hands down first in terms of portability. Next, is the rugged design. Bose's ear cup padding wears off easily and is US$30 a pair to replace!
When it comes down to isolating noise, there is pros and cons. For Bose, at least you can still hear someone talking to you (it does not cancel out noise that is 'dynamic', i.e. it cancels out say an aircon humming in the background but not a person talking to you. So you'll still be disturbed but you'll be somewhat aware of your surroundings. As for the E3c, once you find the right fit, man does it block out noise. It can almost completely block off ambient noise like a pair of ear defenders or ear plugs.
Here's what I did. I am in the military and bought this baby recently. I tried this on while riding in a Chinook and man, if you have not been in a Chinook, it is NOISY in it. Yet, once I put in the E3c, I was still able to enjoy my music and actually fall asleep. The volume is set at just slightly above my usual listening level. All my friends around were highly impressed with it.
Oh, one more thing about portability. If you're the type that needs to block out noise and yet want to listen to music before sleeping, you MUST not buy the Bose. With the bulk, you cannot possibly lay down on your bed. However, with E3, you sure can! Like I said, I'm in the military so at times I have 100 others around me. Throw this baby on and they are all isolated. I can easily lay on my cot and let my IPOD mini take me far from that nasty place and into dreamland. And since it stays on, my IPOD alarm also wakes me up. The E3c remained in my ear throughout the night.
It's worth the money. The 2 years gurantee is by far the best. I had some issues with high end freq reproduction and also a slight crack because of rough handling. Sent it back and it was replaced with a entirely new set, no questions asked, no shipping charges. Man am I impressed.
Shure certainly have my business from now on and I will willingly recommend this to anyone.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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It's true; they're not perfect
by woospavega on May 7, 2005
Pros: Great audio clarity, nifty carrying case, a bunch of rubber earpieces, nice, small design, and stay in the ears perfectly.
Cons: One thing (besides a hefty price): the bass is not very good, unless you point them straight down your auditory canal. I played with them for 20 min before I figured it out - and the bass was great.
Summary: I've had these for just less than a week, and I really enjoy them. I replaced a stock set with a short (1ft) cord. When I first tried the ...
Summary: I've had these for just less than a week, and I really enjoy them. I replaced a stock set with a short (1ft) cord. When I first tried the E3C's, I was incredibly disappointed with lame, pathetic bass - especially since the stock ones I was replacing had bass which was FAR superior. It wasn't until about 3 days later that I figured out that you need to position them perfectly in your ear before you get the bass, then it's awesome. So, don't get frustrated and throw them out before you figure out how to use them correctly. I am very very pleased with them now, although it takes a bit of time to set them up right. Once they're in your ears correctly, they'll stay there forever, and you'll be very pleased with the audio quality.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Definantly the beat pair of earphones I have ever had
by rosshosman-2006316116401890488 on March 25, 2005
Pros: Sound quality, bass, isolation, good thick cable
Cons: The price is astronomical, the cable get tangeled.
Summary: Well I just bought a pair of these earphones today. I went to the apple store (in the mall) on my lunch break to pick them up (I have an ...
Summary: Well I just bought a pair of these earphones today. I went to the apple store (in the mall) on my lunch break to pick them up (I have an iRiver H10, call me a traitor if you wish heh). Well I went to the food court, got some food and put these puppies in my ears and turned my mp3 player on low volume and......
All I heard was music, it was amazing, I couldn't hear anyone else. I saw a child screaming and throwing a fit 5 tables away from me but couldn't hear a peep of it.
The sound hasn't stopped since, I have not taken them out yet (even when I drove back to work, dangerous addiction!).
I would reccomend these to anyone looking for high quality earphones.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Shure Inc.
- Part number: E3c
- Description: Enjoy an audiophile listening experience when music matters. The E3c combines precision components and remarkable sound isolation to provide studio quality sound everywhere you go. High-energy micro-speakers deliver great tonal balance across the entire frequency range. Flexible sleeves produce remarkable isolation, revealing the subtle details of original recordings. The small compact earphone design fits securely in your ear, making it ideal for active listening and frequent travel. The E3c's ear sleeves can even be custom-fit by a hearing specialist, after your purchase, for the best-personalized fit and comfort. The E3c's in ear design naturally blocks background noise. This allows lower listening volumes in loud environments. No batteries or extra equipment are needed for sound isolation. The E3c's speakers are constructed with studio-grade components, with balanced armature technology, producing efficient output and exceptional audio clarity. The E3c's speakers have an extended frequency range for even greater clarity in your listening experience. Because every ear is different, E3c's earphones come with a pair of disposable foam sleeves, three pairs (small, medium, large) of flex sleeves, and three pairs of ultra-soft flex sleeves (small, medium, large) to ensure the ideal personalized fit. The soft, flexible sleeves in the Fit Kit gently contour the inside of the ear for a comfortable, secure fit. The E3c's are compatible with custom-molded sleeves, fit by a hearing specialist, for the ultimate in fit and comfort. The E3c's cables pass behind the ear - out of sight and out of the way - to provide a more comfortable, discreet fit. The E3c comes with a stylish, compact carrying case. The cable spool inside allows for an easy, tangle-free way to store your earphones.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Recommended Use The noise canceling feature blocks the din on buses and airplanes. Plus, they are portable for easy transport.
- Product Type Headphones
- Weight 1 oz
- Additional Features Gold-plated plug
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Sensitivity 115 dB/mW
- Impedance 26 Ohm
Remote Control
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Headphones cable - 5 ft
- Included Accessories Carrying case,
Ear cushion Power
- Power Device None
- Battery None
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 2 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 2 years,
Limited warranty - Money back guarantee - 30 days
Product series
-

Shure E2c Sound Isolating (White)
Manufacturer: Shure Inc.
Specs: Headphones - Binaural,
Headphones,
Ear-bud,
1.1 oz,
Stereo,
Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
Gold plated connectors,
Limited warranty - 2 years -

Manufacturer: Shure Inc.
Specs: Headphones - Binaural,
Headphones,
1 oz,
Stereo,
Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
Gold-plated plug,
Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 2 years,
Limited warranty - Money back guarantee - 30 days -

Manufacturer: Shure Inc.
Specs: Headphones - Binaural,
Headphones,
In-ear canalphone,
1.1 oz,
Stereo,
Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
In-line crossover,
Gold-plated plug,
Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 2 years,
Limited warranty - Money back guarantee - 30 days -

Manufacturer: Shure Inc.
Specs: Headphones - Binaural,
Headphones,
Ear-bud,
1.1 oz,
Stereo,
Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
Gold-plated plug,
Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 2 years,
Limited warranty - Money back guarantee - 30 days
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Shure Inc. products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Shure Inc.
- Address:
5800 West Touhy Avenue, Niles, IL. 60714-4608 - Phone: 1-847-600-2000
- Email: info@shure.com
- Fax: 1-847-600-1212



