Yet another Iriver and Shure e2c question

[1361]

I'm basically clueless when it comes to portable music. I've been thinking about getting an iRiver IFP-799 with some SHURE E2C but I have a few questions.
First, how is the FM radio reception on the iRivers? I've heard mixed reviews about this. I thought I'd see if anyone here had first hand knowledge about this.

Second, how well will the e2c's allow me to hear what's going on around me with the volume down? I'm assuming they will be like ear plugs. My ears are sensitive and I notice that with prolonged (a few hours at the gym) normal - loud use of headphones, my ears hurt when I remove them. I'm looking for a fairly high quality headphone that will provide clear sound at lower levels and still provide me with good mobility for gym use. Will these fit my needs?

If you think I can make better choices, feel free to let me know. All I want is to listen to some of my favorites that I already own on cd and have the option of using the radio also.

 

[vamp]

I'm basically clueless when it comes to portable music. I've been thinking about getting an iRiver IFP-799 with some SHURE E2C but I have a few questions.
First, how is the FM radio reception on the iRivers? I've heard mixed reviews about this. I thought I'd see if anyone here had first hand knowledge about this.

Second, how well will the e2c's allow me to hear what's going on around me with the volume down? I'm assuming they will be like ear plugs. My ears are sensitive and I notice that with prolonged (a few hours at the gym) normal - loud use of headphones, my ears hurt when I remove them. I'm looking for a fairly high quality headphone that will provide clear sound at lower levels and still provide me with good mobility for gym use. Will these fit my needs?

If you think I can make better choices, feel free to let me know. All I want is to listen to some of my favorites that I already own on cd and have the option of using the radio also.

I have the IFP-790. The radio reception is only as good as any other small radio - i.e. fairly poor. Small units like the 700 actually use the headphone cord as an antenna boost, but personally I don't think it has made much difference. Sometimes there will be great reception, and once I move a few feet it'll be bad again. I think it's pretty much expected with small devices like this. Test out another small radio at your gym and home and wherever you might use it. The reception will probably be comparable to the 700 series.

While I can't comment on the shure's (because I own ex71's), I can say that you'll have no trouble hearing music at lower levels with in-ear phones. It's possible that you can still hear a low lvl of rumbling from machinery (ex. treadmills) and body movements and impact due to microphonics, but not much else. shures seal up pretty nicely.

When I stop spending my money on cans, I'm probably going to buy a pair of e2c's to use during commutes. I need more isolation for softer music.

Hope this helps.

Edit: And btw the included armstrap for the 700 series is a joke. It is waaaaay too small for most adults. It's so tight on my arm that I'm afraid the little hook will break off at any moment while i'm out jogging. They sell a better one for 20$ on iriveramerica and at newegg. (Go with newegg, you're shipping will probably be like 10x faster).

 

[typh00n]

I just got my e3c's and tried them for the first time yesterday. Because I haven't gotten a perfect fit yet I can't tell you much about isolation. I have a vantec tornado sitting next to me, at half power, but still moderatly loud. With the e3c's in, it greatly reduces the sound, and with music playing, it (and most other things) are unnoticable. The volume blasted me at first and I have to turn it way down from the speaker level.
So far they are great, comfortable and should be fine for a few hours (haven't listened that long yet). They are like ear plugs and should fit your needs.

Can't comment on the mp3, except that I've heard great things about Iriver.
Someone on [H]ere pointed me to the Neuros , I checked it out, got one, and love it. The frimware is open source and support is great. They are having trouble with dead units though. Also, a new model is coming out sometime this year.
It's only ~$20 more, and 20x storage, with fm tuning, recording, and broadcasting but its about 20 time bigger. It might be too much for you and you could probably find a good radio mp3 player for a lot cheaper.