Shure's E2c or E3c or others for gym?

T

TBONEU

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 5, 2003
Messages
500
Hi,

I want a nice pair of headphones for the gym. Any thoughts about Shure's E2c or E3c earphones? http://www.shure.com/earphones/index.asp Their pricy but I might be tempted if the quality is that good. I’m looking at a new MP3 player to use them with (IRiver iFP-390T http://www.iriveramerica.com/products/iFP-390T.asp). The iFP-390T says it comes with Sennheiser earphones, are they any good? Most bundled earphones I have received were terrible and destined to the trash can.

In Maximum PC May 2004 edition, on page 80; they recommended Shure’s E3c but at $180 but that’s a bit much. E2c for $100 is closer to my wallet’s taste but what's the real sound difference between the two?

My iRiver iFP-390T has a signal to noise ratio of only 90db, will I even notice the difference between the two earphones?

I’m not locked in to Shure’s E series only, so if you have any other suggestions I would appreciate it.
 
if you're playing mp3s why even bother?


The Senn's that come with the iRiver are most likely the MX300's. They aren't bad, but they aren't sealed, they are just plain earbuds.
 
Microphonics make the use of canalphones while exercising troublesome. Cord noise is too distracting. Just get some Sen MX500 earbuds and be done. Good listening can be done later.
 
GodsMadClown,

Thanks for the tip but I HATE earbuds like Sen MX500, they never seem to fit me and always pop out.
 
Yea. the max300s are horrible. I hate them. I've never owned them, but a lot of people say the mx500s and mx400s are better than the Sony ex71 or ex51 series. If you head on over to head-fi.org, this is discussed a lot. People like the ex71s or ex51s for the gym, but say the sound is worse than the mx500s. but...the sonys are atleast double the price.
 
I have E2Cs, and experience very little in the way of microphonics. I haven't done much working out in them, but the problem is a bit overstated. Etys get around the problem utilizing a clip. I would say the E2Cs would most likely work out pretty well for excersizing if you take a minute and put them on properly. In the past, I've also had good luck with Sony's "ear buds on a headset"...the really thin headsets that have speakers that go in your ear like earbuds. I don't know if they make a pair that sounds good, but I like the form factor.

And KaosDG, you make it sound like there is no reason to have good cans with mp3s. I listen to mostly MP3s on my headphones, and when ripped properly, sound quality can be very good. Something sealed like the E2Cs woudl also be nice in the gym because it can get very loud in there, andt his way he wouldn't have to turn his volume up all the way, which is bad for hearing, and not very polite.
 
Sure maybe mp3s won't be ok on sony cd3000 with a tube amp. but on pretty much anything else, a high quality mp3 is JUST fine. stupid wma...must die.
 
Originally posted by zachary80
elaborate please
Click to expand...

what I'm saying is that someone will be playing MP3's through a portable mp3 player, in a noisey gym environment.

[ifp390 is 256mb, so i'd say 192kbps mp3's for the best size/quality ratio for the portable? Then you have "regular" electronics in it, for amplification. plus weights clanging, blondes jibba-jabbin, and muscleheads grunting. ]

Are such high quality in-ear monitors really necessary for that? You probably aren't going to notice the benefit of them.

I use EX71's that I got pretty cheap (something like $35 at Circuit City)
And they are just fine. Great for subway use. (My other choice was MX500's, but they don't fit my ears and aren't sealed so noise gets through, but they do sound good)

I know that MP3's "can be just fine" and I'm not getting into that argument. I'm saying why spend $100 on headphones when a $40 pair (or less) will suffice, in the situation.
 
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