Shure Distribution E3g Headphones
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- Design: Ear Buds
- Usage: Consumer
- Sound Mode: Stereo
- Connectivity: Cable
- Compatibility: Personal Audio
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User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Better than the average earbud
Pros
Excellent sound quality and materials - very good at keeping noise out. Great warranty.
Cons
Spendy, replacement foam tips are offensively priced. Durability.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Excellent performing earbuds and probably the only option for most, but not for the thin of wallet.
I travel a fair amount and have tried a variety of products including in ear, over ear, ear bud, and noise cancelling. Each product has its pluses and minuses, but I have become a fan of the earbuds because they offer the best overall combination of isolation and sound quality. My previous headphones, the Sony MDR-EX51s, were OK, but never really delivered enough volume, bass or isolation for air travel and serious music. The Shure E series headphones were released as a higher-end alternative to the more available Sony, Panasonic, etc. products and I finally decided to bite the bullet once I heard the E3Gs.
The black E3Gs are the "gaming" or extended-range versions of the white E2Cs that have been around for a while. The E3Gs are the lower-mid product in the Shure E series line and retail for $179. The kit includes the headphones, a variety of different tips (Large, medium and small in hard rubber; large, medium, and small in soft rubber, and yellow foam), and a nice case.
The first thing you notice on the headphones is the overall quality of materials used. The wires are much thicker than nearly all other products I have used, but aren't appreciably stiffer or noticably heavier. They are very light and easy to wear for extended periods.
The tips fit snugly and should cover pretty much any ear. Trial and error seems to be the best method to find what you like. I prefer the medium soft rubber and foams. Foam offers the best isolation and bass. If you don't like the feel of the foam, make sure you demo with one of the rubber tips because the sound quality changes significantly with the fit. I very much recommend visiting Shure's website to learn about how to insert/remove the headphones.
Once you find the tips you like, you will be pleased with the headphones. They are very efficient which results in excellent and dynamic sound quality at low volume and the ability to play loudly. The difference between my last Sony's and the E3Gs is striking. The E3Gs sound much richer and fuller than the E3Cs without beingg overpowering. My GameBoy, iPod, and PSP all sound great with a lot of additional detail that you miss with lesser headphones. They are very good about blocking out most exterior noise (except my weedeater) which allows you to listen with lower volumes. I haven't noticed any real bias toward any type of music in the headphones and definitely enjoy the extended response.
There are a few minor gripes. The case doesn't have enough room for the accessories and phones. This probably isn't a big deal after you find the ones you like. Once I decided I liked the foams, I started looking for replacements. Shure must have figured out that the foams would be popular because they are $25 for 10 sets. I haven't worn out the ones that were included, so I'm hoping they last a while. Considering the cost of the headphones, the price of the foams is really hard to swallow.
Value is the biggest consideration I make with purchases. I think the E3C's are pushing it. Unfortunately, there aren't any products that I've used that compare favorably. I considered the Bose products (never really been a Bose fan), but couldn't see myself carrying/wearing those monsters. I decided to buy them anyway simply because there really wasn't anything that compared favorably. They are a high quality product, but I would have bought them in a heartbeat if they were $129.
UPDATE 1
After a year, I have committed another $20 to different plugs - go with the new style foams or the super isolation white plugs. Unfortunately, all is not well - my phones went south on me, probably due to a short in the cable. It appears that the little sleeve used to tension the headphones may have twisted the lines a little bit. I'm going to see how Shure's warranty support works before deciding what to do. After a year, once you get the fit right, I still think they sound great. I hear the new series are even better.
UPDATE 2
Something in the cord went bad. It appears that the wires got kinked or twisted, so the headphones occasionally short out. Shure offers a two year warranty, so I decided to mail them in and see what happens. I docked them a star for this because my cheapo $40 Sony's have been dropped, dragged, and left in the sun with no degradation whatsoever. I travel frequently, so maybe I'm a little tougher on them than the average user.
UPDATE 3
Sent in the headphones. Got a new pair of the SE series (same phones, new package, more accessories). Took about 10 days and I paid the shipping to Shure. No grief or drama and they phones sound great. Also learned a tip - these actually benefit from break in. Play a shuffle mix of music at moderate volume for 36 hours or so and they will sound much better. I left mine plugged in for a day and a half with my iPod on shuffle. Sound almost as good as the old ones.
The black E3Gs are the "gaming" or extended-range versions of the white E2Cs that have been around for a while. The E3Gs are the lower-mid product in the Shure E series line and retail for $179. The kit includes the headphones, a variety of different tips (Large, medium and small in hard rubber; large, medium, and small in soft rubber, and yellow foam), and a nice case.
The first thing you notice on the headphones is the overall quality of materials used. The wires are much thicker than nearly all other products I have used, but aren't appreciably stiffer or noticably heavier. They are very light and easy to wear for extended periods.
The tips fit snugly and should cover pretty much any ear. Trial and error seems to be the best method to find what you like. I prefer the medium soft rubber and foams. Foam offers the best isolation and bass. If you don't like the feel of the foam, make sure you demo with one of the rubber tips because the sound quality changes significantly with the fit. I very much recommend visiting Shure's website to learn about how to insert/remove the headphones.
Once you find the tips you like, you will be pleased with the headphones. They are very efficient which results in excellent and dynamic sound quality at low volume and the ability to play loudly. The difference between my last Sony's and the E3Gs is striking. The E3Gs sound much richer and fuller than the E3Cs without beingg overpowering. My GameBoy, iPod, and PSP all sound great with a lot of additional detail that you miss with lesser headphones. They are very good about blocking out most exterior noise (except my weedeater) which allows you to listen with lower volumes. I haven't noticed any real bias toward any type of music in the headphones and definitely enjoy the extended response.
There are a few minor gripes. The case doesn't have enough room for the accessories and phones. This probably isn't a big deal after you find the ones you like. Once I decided I liked the foams, I started looking for replacements. Shure must have figured out that the foams would be popular because they are $25 for 10 sets. I haven't worn out the ones that were included, so I'm hoping they last a while. Considering the cost of the headphones, the price of the foams is really hard to swallow.
Value is the biggest consideration I make with purchases. I think the E3C's are pushing it. Unfortunately, there aren't any products that I've used that compare favorably. I considered the Bose products (never really been a Bose fan), but couldn't see myself carrying/wearing those monsters. I decided to buy them anyway simply because there really wasn't anything that compared favorably. They are a high quality product, but I would have bought them in a heartbeat if they were $129.
UPDATE 1
After a year, I have committed another $20 to different plugs - go with the new style foams or the super isolation white plugs. Unfortunately, all is not well - my phones went south on me, probably due to a short in the cable. It appears that the little sleeve used to tension the headphones may have twisted the lines a little bit. I'm going to see how Shure's warranty support works before deciding what to do. After a year, once you get the fit right, I still think they sound great. I hear the new series are even better.
UPDATE 2
Something in the cord went bad. It appears that the wires got kinked or twisted, so the headphones occasionally short out. Shure offers a two year warranty, so I decided to mail them in and see what happens. I docked them a star for this because my cheapo $40 Sony's have been dropped, dragged, and left in the sun with no degradation whatsoever. I travel frequently, so maybe I'm a little tougher on them than the average user.
UPDATE 3
Sent in the headphones. Got a new pair of the SE series (same phones, new package, more accessories). Took about 10 days and I paid the shipping to Shure. No grief or drama and they phones sound great. Also learned a tip - these actually benefit from break in. Play a shuffle mix of music at moderate volume for 36 hours or so and they will sound much better. I left mine plugged in for a day and a half with my iPod on shuffle. Sound almost as good as the old ones.
