Headphones - Sure E500PTH

[Andy Wilson]

: On 8/10/07, Michael Eisenberg wrote:

Nick...I'm using the Shure E500PTH noise cnacelling ear buds. They retail for $500 but there is no reason to pay that when u can get them on E bay for $300 and change. They might be gray market, i'm not sure...but I dont think so since I got the warranty cards. They are absolutely phenomenal sounding btw...you crush the foam buds, put them in and let them expand in the ear canal. Almost all outside extraneous sound is cancelled and all you can hear is your own breathing. You have to really watch yourself when you are out and about though...there is no way you'll be able to hear cars/trains/sirens etc...you really have to be alert. But my gawd...they sound like they are wired directly to your brain stem...and for acousmatic music they really shine!!!

: On 16/10/07, Nick Medford wrote:

Well, after some hunting around online I invested in a pair of these (in fact I ended up with the newer model, Shure E530, though from what I've read the only difference is the packaging and styling)- they arrived the other day and I'm absolutely stunned, I never knew headphones could sound like this. They take a bit of getting used to, but once you've picked the best fit earpieces and mastered the art of getting them in place, they sound incredible, both in terms of clarity and depth/presence. The only slight disadvantage is that they are so good that the difference between CD and lossy formats like MP3 is suddenly very obvious- but even MP3's sound better than I've ever heard before. And CD's - well, even with my crummy old Sony Discman, which is literally falling apart, they sound unbelievable. With a proper hi-fi they're even better, as you'd expect.

[Nick M]

So- last night I spent some time transferring new musical goodies to my iPod, looking forward to a dronetastic sonic immersion experience on the train to work today.

This morning I pocketed the iPod, carefully stashed the aforementioned Shure earbuds in their carrying case (got to protect the little darlings)- went down to the station, and then realised I'd left the carrying case and earbuds on the table at home.

One thing about cheap headphones is this- you can just keep them in your pocket.

[Michael Eisenberg]

Just so u know...the Shure ear buds are very reselient. When I carry them around, I never use the case...I either wrap them around the ipod or just throw them in the desk drawer at work....they seem to be pretty much indestructable.

One think I do notice though...you should really change the foam ear buds after every few months. After a while they start to lose their "crushability" and the seal within the ear won't be as good.

...and this is where they nail ya...if you want replacements...they arent exactly cheap...but check e-bay first.

best
Michael