Shure SE530PTH Sound Isolating Earphones with Push-To-Hear Control Review

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(More customer reviews)If you've already done your research and only want to know why I am qualifying my recommendation, skip down to near the bottom of my review. Otherwise, read on...
As most everyone says, these earphones are an absolute dream. The sound quality is amazing, better than the average home stereo and better than any headphones or earphones I've ever heard. Each side has two woofers and a tweeter.
It takes a little while to get used to properly inserting the phones and getting them situated just so, for optimal sound quality and noise isolation. But you get the hang of it before long, and then it's pretty easy.
The sound isolation works pretty well (if you have the phones situated properly in your ears). You get a good seal, which greatly reduces the amount of outside sound that can get in. I've found it works very, very well on airplanes and at the gym (the two noisiest environments I'm typically in).
In contrast, "noise-cancelling" headphones do not block outside noise, rather they add an electronically generated noise designed to cancel the frequencies of the outside noise. They require batteries, and I don't like that they are adding noise to what you're hearing. Some work better than others, but none that I've tried (including the famous and expensive Bose QC2s) work as well as the Shure line of sound-isolating earphones (the SE530 is the second pair I've owned in this line).
With earphones that sit inside the ear canal, comfort is extremely important. I find the SE530s comfortable for long periods of time. I often listen to my ipod in bed at night to help relax; if I fall asleep with the earphones in, my ears don't hurt when I wake up later (unlike all other earphones and headphones I've tried). Shure thoughtfully includes 9 different pairs of interchangable tips in varying sizes, so it is very likely most users will find at least one pair that is comfortable for them.
The modular aspect of the cabling is clever and very useful. The phones themselves have a very short cord. But Shure includes a variety of extension cords of different lengths, which allows you to have the right length cable in different situations.
One of these modular cables has a built-in volume control, handy for when your device doesn't have a volume control (or it's not accessible for whatever reason).
If you order the SE530PTH, you also get the push-to-hear module, which has a little mic and volume control. If you turn it on, it transmits sound from the mic into the headphones, allowing you to have a conversation with someone without removing the earphones. (Removing the earphones is easy, but putting them back in and getting a good seal takes a minute or so, especially for newbies.) I find the PTH to be a neat accessory. However, my wife pointed out that I can simply pause my ipod and then carry on a conversation just fine, w/o removing the earphones (the earphones still block outside noise, but not so much that you can't hear someone talking directly to you). So I don't think the PTH is particularly necessary. Amazon sells the SE530s with and without the PTH option. If you get it without PTH, you can always buy it separately, though it's cheaper to get them together.
The build quality is exceptional. The cords are thicker than any other headphones/earphones I've seen, and where they attach to the earphones or accessories is very well reinforced.
I also have a much cheaper pair of Shure noise isolating earphones, the E2c's. A week or two before the 2-year warranty was to expire, a short developed in the cable going to one side, so that if the cable jiggled at all, the sound would intermittently go out for a second or two. This was my fault - I had been using and abusing these things pretty hard - never using the included case, throwing them around, etc. But I sent them to Shure with a copy of my receipt for warranty service, and they sent me a brand new pair, no questions asked! (and quick turnaround!) The SE530s (and all Shure earphones) carry the same 2-year warranty.
In summary, I love the SE530's amazing sound quality, terrific build quality, and generous bundle of thoughtful accessories.
But now here is my qualification:
To know whether they're really worth the money, you'd really need to compare them to the SE420's (the next cheaper model in this line, about a hundred less than the 530s). Most of us who rave about the SE530s have only ever compared them to MUCH cheaper earphones. In my case, the Shure E2c's (about a hundred bucks) and a pair of Sennheiser cans (about half the price as the SE530's). Of course the 530s will blow away phones that are half the price or less.
But, what we should really know before spending our hard-earned dollars is whether the human ear can distinguish between the SE530's and SE420's. If not, we would be wasting an extra hundred bucks by purchasing the 530s.
Before buying, I searched for a good, objective review comparing the 420s and 530s. I could not find one from a reputable, objective source. So I had to make a choice between two risks: the risk of spending too much (buying the 530s when the 420s sound just as good) vs. the risk of not getting the best possible sound quality (buying the 420s to save money when the 530s are really better).
I decided that avoiding the second risk was more important to me than avoiding the first risk, so I picked the 530s. I was in the very fortunate position to be able to afford them. In my current situation (newly married, still paying for the engagement ring & honeymoon - though very happy!), I'm not sure I would still pick the 530s (though I would still want them badly).
So there you have it. Good luck with your purchase decision, and enjoy whatever earphones you end up getting!

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The Shure SE530PTH Sound Isolating Earphones with Push-To-Hear Control marks the bridge from the classic E Series line, to the new line of Sound Isolating Earphones from Shure. Evolved from personal monitor technology road-tested by professional musicians, and fine-tuned by Shure engineers, the SE530PTH earphones deliver an unparalleled acoustic accuracy rivaled only by live performances.
The Shure SE530PTH utilize three balanced armature drivers, one dedicated tweeter, and dual woofers, to bring you a listening experience that has been optimized for high-quality recordings and lossless formats. And with integrated passive crossovers that ensure high and low frequencies remain distinct and defined, you get an incredibly wide and detailed sound stage, distinguished by precision highs and robust bass. What's more, the SE530PTH includes sound isolating sleeves that block over 90-percent of ambient noise and provide a customized fit. Combined with a low-profile ergonomic design and modular cable options, this helps ensure interruptions from the outside world are minimized so you can focus on your musical passion. Not only are these earphones comfortable and audibly engaging, but the innovative triple driver configuration is a first in class for universal fit, sound isolating earphones.
For occasions when you must tear yourself away from the music, the SE530PTH includes an innovative Push-To-Hear control. A first for sound isolating earphones, the detachable Push-To-Hear control allows you to activate the VoicePort microphone and adjust levels of external sound for clarity. Similar to the microphones used in Shure QuietSpot cellular headsets, the VoicePort microphone is tuned to pick up the human voice, ensuring maximum intelligibility. Ideal for brief conversations without removing your earphones, the Push-to-Hear switch allows you to quickly and conveniently alternate between your music and your connection to the outside world.
Shure's SE530PTH comes with a premium fit kit that includes everything you need to get the most out of your new earphones. Because every ear is different, this kit includes three sizes: small, medium and large of both the flex and the black foam sleeves, as well as a pair of universal-fit triple-flange sleeves. These allow you to experiment with the size and style that creates the best fit for your ears, in order to provide a good seal for optimized sound isolation and bass response, as well as maximum comfort during extended wear. These earphones also come with a detachable cable solution that has been designed based on extensive user feedback to enable unmatched personal customization. The two included modular cables provided give you the option between a three-foot and a nine-foot option, so you can tailor your experience depending on your activity and application.
The SE530PTH earphones feature a sensitivity of 119 dB SPL/mW, an impedance of 36 ohms, and a frequency range of 18 Hz to 19 kHz. These earphones include a 0.25-inch adapter that allows you to use them with home stereos and other devices with 0.25-inch jacks instead of 3.5-millimeter jacks. The SE530PTH package also includes a carrying case as a convenient, tangle-free storage solution, and a level attenuator that allows for comfortable listening from any high-output audio source. What's more, they even include an airline adapter that optimizes compatibility with European airplane armrests for overseas travel. The Shure SE530PTH earphones come with a cable length of 18 inches, and a manufacturer's limited two-year warranty.
What's in the Box Shure SE530PTH earphones with Push-to-Hear control, sound-isolating sleeves, 1 x 3-foot modular cable, 1 x 9-foot modular cable, 0.25-inch adapter, carrying case, level attenuator, airline adapter, user's guide and warranty information.

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Ultimate Ears SuperFi 5 Pro Noise Isolating Earphones (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a professional, classically trained musician and I have had these earphones for two weeks. I listen to mainly classical music, and have quite a collection of jazz and pop from various eras to which I listen as well. These earphones are wonderful. I did extensive research and returned several pairs of earphones (including Shure) before deciding on these.
These are canalphones, so you MUST have a good seal or you will not get proper sound. This means you have to choose the right fitting rubber inserts before they will work properly. The previous reviewer must have not fitted them properly because the sound is phenomenal when these are plugged in!
These phones have dual drivers for highs and lows. There is a lot of chatter on the internet about a weak high-end to these UE's, but I do not find that to be the case at all. The high-end is clear and defined. The strong low end, which is superb, may give many a scewed reference since most canalphones do not have good low ends, but the bass does not overpower the upper registers. Contrary to popular belief on the web, classical music sounds best when there is enough bass along with the highs. Just go to a live classical concert and listen for yourself! There is plenty of bass to go around! These phones are perfect for classical or for any type of music.
The other advantage to these phones is that you can change the wire and plugs yourself if they break or if you want a different cord of a different color. The earphones come with two nice cases, one all metal and the other in leather and the the accessorries all fit neatly together in the metal case.
Another nice feature is that there is little to no sound leakage. This means if you sleep with a significant-other, you won't disturb him or her at all. You should be careful when using them, because you won't hear much of anything other than the music.
The only downside is that these earphones will show you just how bad MP3 compression is on your player. I did a comparison with my CD player and discovered that even at 320 kbps, some of my MP3 files sound "distorted" compared to the CD. I did not notice this with my previous earphones.
If you're looking for great canalphones at a great price, then look no farther. I got mine at the Guitar Center and the sales person knocked $50 off the price, they are also the clear version. You can't go wrong with UE's proprietary monitor technology.


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For the last ten years, Ultimate Ears has been designing custom ear monitor products for your favorite professional musicians for use on stage and in the studio. Musicians put their hearts, their souls, their breakups, their memories and their passions into every song and they count on Ultimate Ears products to get the most of out of their music. Our super.fi products were developed so that you too can hear music the way it was meant to be heard. If professional studio quality sound is what you are after and only the best earphones will do, then you need the super.fi 5 Pro dual speaker professional quality earphones. The super.fi 5 Pro earphones offer the most accurate experience when listening to any style of music. The super.fi 5 Pro has the best quality in-ear, acoustic technology available making this our premiere dual speaker professional earphone product. These earphones also incorporate all the best features that super.fi products have to offer including pro-style ear loops that secure your earphones in place and a universal fit kit with 6 single flange silicone(2 small, 2 medium, 2 large), 2 dual flange silicone and 2 standard foam ear tips that maximize your comfort and increase noise isolation from the sounds around you. The super.fi 5 EB's come with a 46" cable, cable adjuster, and gold plated 1/8" input plug and ship with a metallic protective travel case, sound level attenuator, cleaning tool,1/4" adaptor jack, user guide and a 2 year warranty. Now your head is a concert hall. But don't take our word for it-hear the difference!

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JAYS q-JAYS Dual Armature In-Ear Earphones (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my fourth pair of different in ear monitor headphones. My first were the Sony EX71, then Etymotic ER-6, then Sennheiser CX-300, now these the Q-Jays. The Q-Jays have the in my opinion a great mix of great sound, practicality, portability, and value that should make them extremely popular for a commuter who takes a subway or bus to work. First, the SOUND DAMPENING of these headphones is slightly higher than the Sennheisers and the Sonys, but not as much as the Etymotics. They claim it blocks out 90% of sounds. I don't know if that is accurate, but regardless, it is the ideal sound dampening level for me. The Etymotics needed to be "installed" deep in your ear, not the easy placement of the 71s or CX300s. They blocked out too much sound... they were dangerous to use while walking in the city. Additionally if the cord accidentally got caught on something and ripped the headphone out of your ear, there could be serious complications. The Q-jays are placed in your ear very similarly to the 71s and CX300s, perhaps a tiny bit deeper. Next the EFFICIENCY - Jays got it right. The CX300s are too efficient. They don't actually block out any hiss level of components, and if an announcement comes on during a Jet Blue flight while you are watching a movie, prepare to rip them out of your ears in pain. The Q-Jays are easily powered, but have enough resistance to avoid these unfortunate situations. BTW - The ER-6 are so inefficient, they cannot be powered by an ipod. Had the ER-6i been available at the time, that may have been at the correct efficiency level for me. On to arguably the most important factor - THE SOUND... and the Q-Jays sound great. A very balanced sound overall that produces much better imaging than any other IEMs I have tried. The highs and mids sound very smooth and realistic. Considering how small these headphones are, the sound is amazing. They bring the music to life over the CX-300 and the EX71. They can compete with large over the ear headphones in sound quality. These headphones are not bass heavy like the Sony EX71, and probably would require some equalization for ideal sounds with rap and techno music. Overall, the full spectrum of sound is achieved nicely to my ears.
The only bad part that I have found is that the cord is 2 feet long, if you want it to be longer, you then need an extension cord and the extension cord adds noticeable weight to your ears. This is a poor design decision... its designed for the portable music device to be placed in a front jacket pocket or on an armband... and while this works well, I think most users would be better served with a 3 or 4 ft cord. The extension cord when added to the headphones adds up to 5 ft of cord. This is too long. They should offer a 1.5 ft extension cord.
Overall, at $[...] I believe these are a good buy and a choice that I doubt anyone who takes the plunge will regret. If these are out of your price range, the CX300 are a good choice. If money was no object, I would still recommend these, as they are the smallest IEM on the market with great sound quality.
Update 4/29/08: I have had these headphones for a week now and can better assess their abilities. First off, the midrange and tweeter are still really impressive. I find myself being distracted when working and listening to these headphones, because I am constantly discovering new aspects of music that I am very familiar with. But the lack of low end especially at lower volumes has bothered me some. These headphones could absolutely make the low end required, as evidenced when you push the volume up a bit, but the low end frequencies seem to be approximately 5db less than I would like. It ends up sounding like a pair of very small high end bookshelf speakers. This could be corrected with some simple EQing, but unfortunately, the Ipod equalization programs are extremely disappointing, as they seem to boost the file pre-amplification, causing songs that have little headroom left to distort like crazy. Steve Jobs should be upset by this. And while this is not the q-jays fault, the lack of low end still leaves me wanting more. So as these headphones aren't quite as flat as I originally thought, I still recommend them, but this time with conditions. Regardless, a solid 4.5 star headphone, but bass heads need not apply.
Update 6/12/08
My love and appreciation for these headphones have grown. The issue with bass was a user issue and not a problem with the headphone. These headphones need to be placed deeper in your ear than the Sony 71s, and the default size of the earpiece that came installed on the q-jays was just a bit too large for proper placement in my ears. I changed sizes which was actually pretty difficult and the 5db of bass that i was looking for appeared. Overall, a very balanced headphone. Still not for bassheads, but a great choice for commuters listening to a wide variety of music.
Update 5/25/2010
Something I never really think about when buying a product is the warrantee. I just expect the product to work and the company to be reasonable. From what I hear, this is not the case with some headphone manufacturers - Logitech (Ultimate Ears). I wanted to highlight how fantastic Jays is in this regard. I had my first issue about 5 months into my ownership experience. The driver in one of the headphones stopped working. I emailed my retailer [...] and they took care of the issue and sent me a replacement set of headphones. [...] was provided quick responses and was very flexible in solving my problem. I was really happy with their service.
Almost 2 years from my initial purchase, I had a cable issue from daily use of the Q-Jays. The headphone jack or cord must have been damaged internally from wear and tear... I had sound dropping in and out, mono sound sometimes... it was unusable. I emailed [...], but as they had stopped carrying the product, the pointed me to deal with Jays directly. I contacted Jays via email and they gave me instructions on how to send the product back to them via USPS to Sweden. Turns out they couldn't fix the problem, so they sent me a complete new set even though I had only sent back just the headphones. This is pretty awesome, considering how much stuff comes with each set of Jays. Total turnaround including shipping time was 3 weeks.
With the amount of wear and tear headphones go through, it can be expected that there will be some failures. For a company to back up their product so well with minimal hassle, that is impressive.


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With a size of an astonishing (L)19 x (W)7.5 x (H)7.4 mm the q-JAYS are the smallest earphones on the market. Despite this it fits dual micro armatures and an AirBooster that deepens the bass and listening experience. The sound will blow you away. If you thought you had heard it all – think again.
q-JAYS are built with the same technology used in our awarded d-JAYS, but we have managed to shrink the armature size drastically. Despite a housing size almost the third of the d-JAYS, our top model fits two micro armatures in each earphone – one tweeter that delivers precise highs and one woofer that creates rich lows and mids. Furthermore an AirBooster enhances the low frequencies and gives an even deeper bass.
Smart earphone design and a soft silicone sleeve, available in five sizes, enables the earphone to fit snugly in any ear. The sleeves are washable and allow you to keep them clean at all times.
JAYS Sound Isolating System reduces the background noise of modern life. With this silent setting you can experience an amazing sound experience even at low volumes.
q-JAYS cord can be adjusted both in length and with different input connectors. q-JAYS comes standard with a 60 cm (~24inch) long cable with a straight 3.5mm (1.8 in) Mini-Plug Stereo connector. It is delivered with two 90 cm (~35inch) extension cords, both with 3.5mm (1.8 in) Mini-Plug Stereo connector, one L-shaped and one I-shaped.

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Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Earphones (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)The SRH840 is a new monitoring headphone from Shure, the company that is prevalent in professional circles for mics, in-ear monitors and other tools used by the sound engineers.
First a disclaimer. I'm NOT a fan of their in-ear monitors, finding them to have a sound that is too treble recessed. Only their top models like the SE530 are any good to my ears, and in my opinion, there are better for the price.
When they announced their line of full sized headphones, I thought they would be overpriced, but surprise....these are $200 which is a lot cheaper than a lot of other high end headphones.
These are clearly meant to be used as tools. They have that studio-use look, no cutting edge style and no exotic materials to give that high end bling. A detachable cable that plugs into and locks into place. It folds easily and neatly into a compact bundle. The cable is a coiled affair, which is kind of annoying for general use as you always feel tethered, but it makes sense for pro use since you usually plug them into your mixing/sound interface at arms reach on your console or desk. All the materials look durable, and you even get an extra set of earpads, and a little carrying bag with drawstring. Of course, a screw in 1/4 adapter is supplied. Top marks for all the things you get, you don't need to buy anything else.
The headband is very flexible design, and you can bend it any way and it springs back. The padding is a soft knitted material, and the headband slider has soft detents. On my big head, the clamping force is slightly tight but I suspect most people will find it quite comfortable. The earpads just go around the ears and I still have a bit of room to spare. The noise isolation is decent, my computer's noise is no longer noticeable. These are good companions for the office.
Sound:
These are definitely monitoring headphones. They have a middle-of-the-road sound presentation in their sound signature. Bass extension is quite deep, and there is still good bass presence below 40Hz. Treble is not overly-sparkly as you would find in other headphones like Denons or Grados but it has just enough treble sparkle that you don't feel like there are cottonballs in your ears (unlike some other Shure In-Ear monitors that I disliked). I would say the treble is just a wee bit shy of neutral. I'd think if you have a treble control, adding a decibel or two would make it just right. Mids are good, there is a tad bit of upper midrange graininess, and is well balanced. Sibilance is well controlled. Detail is above average for their price. While they don't extract the most minute details like some AKGs and Grados, I think they are just being honest. While those other headphones let you hear specific characteristics of certain instruments very well down to the texture of each violin bow stroke, these Shures don't have that deliberate magnifying effect anywhere in its presentation, which is good because you don't really want to hear exaggerated view of any one thing for a studio monitor. These aren't the last word in bass tightness, but the bass is presented with warmth and musicality, you feel and can clearly follow rythymn. This headphone doesn't sound thin nor too thick.
Soundstage is a downfall of closed type headphones, and these are no exception, but they are about average if you compare them to other closed models like the Sennheiser HD280. Don't buy these if you want to experience the grand 3D scale of The Philharmonic. What I like about these headphones is that they basically don't try to niche themselves, they don't go out of their way to call attention to the sound in any way, which is what a good monitoring headphone should be. I find them superior to the inexpensive reference monitor Sony MDR-V6 in overall sweetness and fluidity to the sound, these are just much more preferable for general music listening.
I like these a lot, and I think they don't have any obvious flaws. They are like the goldilocks of headphones, a neutral impartial tool that just presents the sound with no frills. While there are other headphones that will surpass these for certain types of music, and even many others that get your feet tapping more, these Shures seem to take the stance "meh, go ahead with those other headphones, I'm just doing my job"
My previous recommendation the Denon D2000 still stands as the headphone I like for a lively fun listen that gets me involved in the music, but I am finding these Shure quite compelling in that they are honest sounding..they are a good reference for what the sound signature would be like hearing the music that the mastering engineer heard in the studio.
These will be my new go-to recommendation for closed, neutral headphones from now on.

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Featuring 40 mm neodymium dynamic drivers precisely tailored to deliver rich bass, clear mid-range and extended highs needed for critical listening and studio monitoring. The SRH840 also provides an ergonomic fit and collapsible design for total comfort and portability. The SRH840 also provides a collapsible design for total comfort and portability, a second set of ear cushions, a carrying pouch and a threaded ¼-Inch adapter.

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Shure SE110 Sound Isolating Earphone with Balanced Armature Driver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Pros
Warm sound
Effective isolation
Wide variety of eartips
Cheap (relatively)
Cons
Lacks dimension
Sound not balanced
Can't fit everyone
These are my first pair of canalphones, and they do not dissapoint. The first challenge on opening the package is finding the right tip for you. Fortunately, the small foam tips almost fit. I can't really blame Shure for not including freak of nature sized tips, I suppose I'd have to go to custom molded ones to get a great fit. But regardless, once the foam expanded again, noise isolation was very good. Testing a variety of music, I found that dance, techno, hip hop is where these phones really shine. The warm slant really works to their benefit. When playing rock and acoustic, it didn't detract from them. But when I put on the Brandenburg Concerti, something interesting happened. It exposed their lack of spacial dimension, and balanced sound. So, if you listen to more modern music, these will work quite well. But, if you need a balanced, monitor-like sound, these are probably not for you.

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Designed for music lovers looking to upgrade the earphones included with their MP3 players, the compact SE110 are the perfect introduction to the stunning performance of Shure earphones. Evolved from earphone technology, road-tested by pro musicians and perfected by Shure engineers, the compact SE110 deliver a rich, lifelike listening experience that's free from outside noise. Developed for the discerning music lover, balanced microspeakers deliver optimized audio for a vivid and detailed listening experience. Rediscover your favorite music, richer and more lifelike than you've ever heard it. Comfortable sound-isolating sleeves block over 90 percent of ambient noise. Combined with its compact design and a modular cable, interruptions from the outside world are minimized, enabling you to focus on your music.

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Sennheiser CX300-B In-Ear Stereo Headphone Review

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(More customer reviews)Before I bought CX300, I read a lot of reviews and comparisons with Shure E2C. I was lucky to find two very good deals on both of them so I bought them both. I paid CX300 for $20 including shipping and Shure e2c for $40 with free shipping. I used them for a month now and here is what I find:
They are both much better than average earbuds (ex: apple earbuds)
Bass: CX300 is much stronger than E2C (if you like bass, you'll love CX300)
Clarity: E2C produce more clear and clean sound than CX300, because the bass on CX300 is so strong, it overshadows midrange and highrange sound a little bit.
Comfort: CX300 is much more comfortable to wear than E2C, I can wear CX300 all day and not being sore. With the E2C, it is hard to choose the right earbuds and I have to wear it right (I have to push them deeper into the ear canals) to receive a clear sound and a decent bass.
Cable quality: E2C have the best cable quality, much longer and thicker than CX300. That being said, CX300 cable is not too bad, but it can be a little short for a tall person.
In conclusion: I am happy with both earbuds, I used CX300 for outdoor and at work because it is comfortable to wear, and easy to put away. But I enjoy the E2C in my home when I just want to enjoy the quality of the music.
Sennheiser CX300 is good buy at $20 to $30 price range. And E2C is good at $40 to $50 price range. If you pay more than that, you pay too much.
Last word, if you want to enjoy richer sound of a better earbuds, you should rip your CD a least 260 bit-rate or higher. Believe me, it make a different, you will hear sound you thought it wasn't there.


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For the money, this earphone is the best way to upgrade the sound from your iPod or MP3 player. The earphones that came with your player may not be up to what you expect. All users of MP3 players and iPods, get ready to upgrade your sound and style with the Sennheiser CX300 earphones. Upgrading earphones is the best way to customize the sound to what you want to hear. The Sennheiser CX300 provides accurate tones for tunes throughout the dynamic frequency range. With a 112dB Sound Pressure Level, you can lock out background noise and revel in the pleasure of listening to your music. And Sennheiser has been and is on the forefront of delivering great sound from audio systems great and small. Elevate your listening to transcendental pleasure with the Sennheiser CX300 earphones. Sennheiser is the acknowledged world leader in headphone-transducer technology. These CX 300 headphones are Sennheiser's leading introduction to in-ear-canal earphones. The CX 300 model is ideal for use with portable MP3, CD, MD, DVD players and many other portable devices with 3.5mm headphone sockets. Soft Silicone-Rubber Ear adapters in three different sizes are included to ensure a perfect fit, high wearing comfort and an excellent attenuation of ambient noise. Get away from the daily noise and surround yourself with private audio. The CX300 is the best partner for your player, your ears, and you. Dynamic Transducer Carrying Pouch Sennheiser Color - Black

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Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones Review

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(More customer reviews)
***** Initial review - September, 2007 *****
My first exposure to these headphones was through a friend at the office who purchased a set of Shure E500s about a year ago (the E500s are pretty much identical to the SE530s). When he told me (and the rest of us) how much he paid for them ($500+ for the E500PTHs) we collectively thought he was nuts and proceeded to ridicule the decision.
That was before we heard them.
I first heard the E500s when that same friend from the office was going to send his set back to Shure under warranty due to the wires cracking with part of the copper conductors exposed near the ear area. He figured he was getting a new set from Shure, so he may as well let us hear them. Well, I thought I was good with my Sennheiser CX300s. I was wrong. Really, really wrong. I put the SE500s through their paces with my Rio Karma loaded with tunes I personally ripped using CDEX and Lame at a high bitrate. I used material ripped from MFSL Ultradiscs, DCC and Sony Superbitmap discs as well as other good, dynamic recordings and remasters. I never knew IEMs could sound this good! The E500s were audio bliss! There were excellent highs, mids and lows, all crystal clear and accurate without distortion. One of the most amazing things about them was the soundstage. With good source material, I could hear different instruments as if they each had a direct line into my brain. You could easily hear the difference between good recordings and masterings and ones that are not so great. I was sold on the spot. To verify my new opinion, I had certain other guys at the office (who are also appreciative of quality audio) listen to them, and they were just as amazed. We all apologized. He let me borrow them overnight. That evening I listened to them on the train home and then literally went crazy listening to everything I could, including some 24-bit DVD audio on my home system. I listened to them all night. Broken wires or not, I did not want to return them the next day.
So in a nutshell, I loved them, but I could not justify spending the money on the SE530s ($430 at the time)... Here I thought my Sennheiser CX300s were good... errr.. but not SE530 good. Not even close. They were just not in the same league.
So I watched and waited here at Amazon and in about two weeks the price dropped $40 to $390. Alright, I had enough! That was my cue to buy!
That was a few weeks ago and I have no regrets.
The sound isolation is really good, easily blocking out most outside sound when using the supplied foams. Also, the foams are comfortable (for me) and I can leave them in for hours without fatigue. The result is that you tend to listen to the music at a slightly lower volume since the outside noise is so well blocked. But if you do want to crank it, the SE530s can handle it. I use them every day during my commutes on the train. They were definitely worth the money.
My only criticism (other than the price) is with the wires. The wires are too thick, heavy and stiff in my opinion. I wish they were more like the thin, light, extremely flexible silicon type wires like the ones on the Sennheiser CX300s. I don't know what Shure was thinking using these. As I said earlier in the review, my friend's E500's stiff wires were damaged after a year and I can see that happening with these too. Good thing the the SE530s have a two year warranty. I substituted the long extension that came with them with a highly flexible extension that came with a pair of Sonys... so much lighter and better.
Overall the wire situation is a small negative compared to a very big positive of the amazing sound reproduction.
One of the other reviewers here said it, don't listen to these headphones if you don't plan on buying them. If you love audio, once you listen through these SE530s, you cannot ignore them.
***** UPDATE: 10/9/2007 *****
I'm still amazed at just how good these sound. I've been using them every day during my daily rail commute to and from NYC from the suburbs. The isolation level they provide is amazing! Using the supplied foam ear pads, I can honestly say that it almost doesn't matter if the lady next to me starts yapping on her cell phone or if a group of tourists is having a loud conversation - I won't hear 'em. With these on, you are in your own world. You will notice some outside sound between songs or during very quiet passages, but for the most part, if you are using the foams and they are inserted correctly, you will be very well isolated. Highly recommended for commuters. The wires still suck though.
***** UPDATE: 7/30/2008 *****
Its been ten months since I purchased these SE530s and every day I use them, I'm glad I did. I use them on an almost daily basis during my rail commutes to and from the office and the sound quality has been nothing less than outstanding for both music and movies. The fact that you get all this clarity and resolution along with full bass AND that almost all outside noise is blocked makes them truly great. I cannot imagine better sounding headphones for any price. I have to laugh when I see people wearing bulky, full-sized headphones on the train - I would not want to to do that.
So, I've had no regrets regarding the investment... that is, until today. Today I noticed what I knew was inevitable... one of the wires has developed a crack in the insulation near the black molded rubber strain relief and has exposed the copper conductor beneath. Upon further inspection, the other wire is showing signs of imminent cracking in the same area. I have been so very careful as to only pull them out of my ears via the back of the drivers near the strain relief and frankly, I cannot imagine how I could have treated them any better and not had this happen. I know that I predicted that this *exact* thing would happen in my initial review (see above and in the comments section) but it sucks now that it actually did. I still cannot understand how Shure could be using these stiff, inflexible, poorly performing wires on an otherwise fine set of super-premium earbuds. Now I have to return them under warranty for replacement. I called Shure and they want me to ship the 530s back to them, insured, with my proof of purchase from an authorized dealer (which Amazon is) along with their RMA form and I should see a replacement in *TWO WEEKS,* maybe more. TWO WEEKS? For $400+ headphones I expect better service than this. They will not cross-ship me a new pair either as they are "not set up" to do that. Shipping them back will likely cost me at least $20 with the insurance.
The worst part of this is that I fully expect that I'm going to receive a brand new pair with the same issue waiting to happen again over the course of normal use. I know this because my friend from the office, who originally introduced me to the Shures, is now on his... get this... *FIFTH PAIR* of SE500/530s - as four sets have developed the same exact wire cracking issue within a period of only two years. I did some poking around on the internet and there are even other reviews here on Amazon that detail the *exact* same issue. WTF is Shure thinking? I can walk down the street to any electronics store and buy a $30 set of buds with wire that will not have this issue... how is it that a $400+ super-primo set does? You can't tell me that other people aren't returning them... FIX THE ISSUE WITH THE WIRES, SHURE!!!
I'll update this review again when I receive my replacement pair.
***** UPDATE: 4/21/2009 *****
I swapped out for a new pair of SE530s in December, 2008 - I'm not going into the mechanics of that, but I didn't go through Shure. The wire on this pair is definitely different than the wire on my first pair. It is a bit more flexible and a tad thinner. I know with the first pair, I predicted immediately that the wires would fail in the exact manner in which they eventually did fail. With this wire, it's more difficult to predict the longevity. It certainly feels a bit better, but I'm apprehensive to call the issue fixed. I've had this pair for about five months now and there are no signs of the cracking issue yet. The sound quality is still phenomenal and based on that alone, I think you will not be disappointed. As a side note, my coworker sent yet another pair back as the black rubber strain relief separated from the body on his left speaker. You cannot reattach it. I can see how that could happen, but so far I have no similar issue.
***** UPDATE: 9/28/2009 *****
In July I purchased a new 32gb Cowon S9 to replace my aging Rio Karma. The audio output quality of the S9 is truly excellent and the Shure SE530s together with the S9 sound amazing! But now the rubber strain relief on my left bud is separating, just like it did on my co-worker's pair back in April. This doesn't affect the sound at all, but it looks bad and since the wire strain relief is no longer functioning, the wire is SHURE to suffer. This is disappointing as I've only had this pair (my 2nd) for nine months. This kind of thing just shouldn't happen to super-premium, pricey IEMs. Since I've been very careful with them and research shows that these issues are common with the 530s, I know it's not due to mishandling or abuse. My two years of experience with them has shown that the 530s are super delicate and if you use them regularly, no matter how hard...Read more›

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Pure audio precision--the SE530 uses Triple TruAcoustic MicroSpeakers to create an expansive sound stage. A dedicated tweeter ensures that highs and mids are incredibly accurate and detailed, while dedicated dual woofers provide balanced, full-bodied bass. The Push-To-Hear Control (included with the SE530PTH) adjusts levels of external sound for maximum intelligibility.

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Shure SE425-CL Dual High-Definition MicroDriver Earphone with Detachable Cable (Clear) Review

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(More customer reviews)Hi Everyone,
I just received my SE425's 2 days ago, and have had ample time to "break them in". After spending almost $300, I'm not sure if they're exactly as I expected. I previously had the Shure E2C, SE210, and SE310; all of them were wonderful in their own ways at their price points.
However, the SE425 have very similar sound to the now-discontinued and discounted SE310 even with two discrete drivers, while costing more (after SE310 price discounts). The cables are too rigid near the ears, making for uncomfortable wearing. Also, the nozzles/earpieces don't go as deep in the ear canal as previous models, but surprisingly without sacrificing sound isolation. The bass is too understated, even compared to Shure's "flat-sound" standards. The detachable cables are an amazing innovation (finally implemented), especially since my previous models have gone through 3-4 cable warranty repairs (crackling sound) while the drivers themselves were perfectly fine.
Beware, the earphone plug-in piece is quite large, making it very difficult to fit in iPhone/MP3 player cases (especially the iPhone 1st gen and iPhone 4 w/ bumper). The previous Shure models didn't have this problem, as their plug points were quite narrow.
Overall, the Shure SE425 seems more durable than previous models, but their high price point with only marginal improvements makes it slightly difficult to justify over previous Shure models, which are now heavily discounted.
I'm do not claim to be an audiophile who listens to music only through Amps and such, though I do value and understand quality audio. I mainly use these headphones with my iPhone 4 and laptop with higher bitrate songs (320 KPBS+ VBR).
Hopefully this helps, and good luck in your earphone search!!

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Designed for the demanding audio specifications of live performance, the SE425 is engineered to provide reference quality audio. Hear all the details of your music with Dual High-Definition MicroDrivers that deliver an incredibly accurate and balanced listening experience. Featuring Dual High-Definition MicroDrivers, the SE425 uses a dedicated tweeter and woofer for an accurate and balanced sound. Detachable cable with formable wire enables easy replacement and secure, comfortable fit. Sound Isolating sleeves in multiple sizes provide up to 37 dB of isolation.

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Shure SRH750 DJ Headphones (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)First off let me say I own the Shure 440 and 840, I am not fond of either of them. I find their sound to be too powerful and harsh, especially their bass. People claim it to be accurate, but how can this be if nearly everyone agrees the Bass on them both is just incredibly powerful and too harsh at times. Thankfully, Shure listened to its buyers and made the SRH750DJ. Out of the box they sound okay, nothing special. However after 50 hours of burn in, everything improved drastically. Like the difference between night and day. This set is geared for listening to music, where as the 440 and 840 are really not meant for that, they are monitors, meant to pick out subtle abnormalities in music track editing, like static and pops and such. The 750DJ is purely geared for musical experience, even though the box says they are monitors, too. Sure they can be used as that, as any headphone set can, but they are a total 180 degree turn from the 840.
They come with extra ear pads, which i am sorry to say right out of the box are incredibly uncomfortable. They are stiff and hard, but after some usage and clamping them onto a box or something for a day or two, they break in and become very comfortable. I was incredibly worried about the circular design of the earcups not fitting my ears. By the looks of things, the cups seemed pretty small in comparison to the 840 and 440...they are smaller, but totally circular but still fully over my ears. The downside to this is that my ears have a fraction of an inch clearance, almost no space left, my ears just fit. They are DJ headphones anyway, really meant to be slung down on your neck and have 1 earcup pressed up against your ear. So I suppose it wasnt meant to support average sized peoples heads and fully cover their ears...either that or i am a freak and my ears are huge, which they dont appear to be.
The 750s are comparable to the Denon D1001. The sound is similar, just bigger and more powerful all around, with MUCH more bass. And I mean it...much more. Enough to melt your face off if you wanted and had the right EQ. The bass is nothing like the 440 or 840, not even remotely. Its clean and beautiful and not at all harsh even on heavy bass tracks. They can handle high outputs of power, but remain easily driven by my sansa fuze without a problem. Doesnt sound as nice through my sansa as it does amped of course, but still, i am incredibly impressed with their ability to sound that nice and powerful via an mp3 player with no amp at all. The 440 and 840 fail miserably with no amp. The 750dj pass with flying colors. The Denons are more comfortable without question. But in the near future I expect the 750djs to become superior after sufficient burn in and usage. My denon D1001 and Shure 440/840 are no good for acoustic jazz or classical. Their soundstage is pretty awful for those genres of music. However, the 750DJs can power through nearly every type of genre i toss at it and still sound just awesome. This is something anyone with the above models in their inventory will recognize immediately. "Whoa, they sound great with my Superman the Movie soundtrack!!!" AWESOME! While the soundstage is just not as broad as the 840, is improved on the 440 and flat out KO'ed the Denon d1001. Thats not even fair to compare.
What bothers me is this fetish with stock cables and the bayonet locker. Like the 440 and 840, the cable is unique and twist-locks into place for security. I made a mistake in buying a 3.5mm to 3.5mm mini to mini 3 foot cable of my own to use instead of its stock coiled cable. Turns out its a requires a 2.5mm, not a standard mini. Back to radio shack i suppose, bothersome but understandable.
The headband is likely going to be modded very soon. It offers almost no support at all, and has s strange texture on the fabric. I've a buzz cut hairstyle and it kind of grinds on my head, and its really annoying. The clamp factor is pretty good, meaning they dont vice grip your head like some other headphones...coughcough 440/840,es7coughcough...They are somewhat heavy, but not the heaviest ive used.
The sound isolation is pretty good, id say 40% reduction. They tend to get hot, after all they are full sized over the ears and closed backs...you cannot avoid this.
Overall they are a fantastic buy. HIGHLY recommended if you want to buy via Shure. In my humbled opinion, the Shure 750DJ are an overall better choice for the budget of $100-150. The Denon D1001 was king of closed backs for around $100-150, now hail the new king SRH750dj!!! live long, and prosper!

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Featuring 50 mm neodymium dynamic drivers, a 3 meter detachable cable and weighing only 227 grams, the SRH750DJ is designed for the professional DJ. The SRH750 also provides a collapsible design for total comfort and portability, a second set of ear cushions, a carrying pouch and a threaded ¼-Inch adapter.

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Sennheiser OMX 90 Style Series Clip-On Earbuds with Volume Control Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought these earbuds as a replacement for the weak-sounding OEM Apple earbuds that came with the 60gb video iPod I purchased in the summer of 2006. The OEM earbud wire actually broke physically (I like to wrap the headphone wire vertically around the iPod, with the plug in the jack, when I'm not using it) and I decided to upgrade to an aftermarket pair both for physical durability and enhanced sonic quality. Let's be clear from the start: If you're listening to music on an iPod, we're NOT talking Hi-Fi to begin with, which I'm sure all you audiophiles out there already know but I just want to clarify this from the outset. That said, for the quality of reproduction you should expect from an iPod, you don't want your earphones to detract even further!
I recorded just about all (more than 95%) of my music into iTunes from my CD collection rather than buying it online from the iTunes store. Mostly I listen to rock, but also classical, jazz, opera and country, and I keep my iPod equalizer setting on "Rock" almost all the time. Usually I listen sitting on a train on my 2-hour commute to and from work weekdays. I reviewed all of the earbuds in this review on that setting. Also, I purchased all of these at the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, which is a pretty cool place to go in and join the "buzz" [and which I have no affiliation with].
Apple OEM earbuds: I purchased these with the iPod in July 2006, replacement price $29 from Apple's website; Sound quality: 4 out of 10 [with 0 being "does not reproduce sound" and 10 being the "best" I think one could expect from earbuds with an iPod] -- poor bass response in real-life. In-ear fit: 4 out of 10 -- hard plastic discs stay in the outer ear canal generally but are not "snug", this lack of direct ear canal pressure detracts from lower-frequency reproduction ability. 3 out of 10 -- OK, maybe I shouldn't wrap the wire around the iPod, but I do... the stress that induced on the main wire at the jack caused the wire to break off after 5 months.
Senheisser Style OMX 90 earbuds: I purchased these in December 2006 for $89.95; sound quality: 5 out of 10 -- part of the reason I bought these is they were the only pair I could find with performance specifications listed on or in the package, I think they were claiming 19Hz-22kHz and 115dB, which looks pretty darn good on paper. Unfortunately, these, like the Apple OEM buds, are not snug in the ear canal so suffer from poor low-frequency response in real-life. In-ear fit: 2 out of 10 -- Jeez these looked cool, with their over-ear "eyeglasses" style clips I thought they'd be great, like the B&O A8s which I'd never tried but look so cool and cost twice as much and after all, they ARE Sennheisers, which I've had real cans by for my home stereo for decades and sound great... but when I actually used them they basically hung on my ears and flopped around in my ear canals more than the Apple OEM buds ever did.I can't really say because after a week I replaced them with the Bose Triports. These were the only buds with a volume control built in to the wire; I guess I liked this but in retrospect it just seems like a marketing gimmick -- I can just as easily adjust the volume on the iPod, so why bother with additional hardware (and weight) on my wires?
Bose Triport in-ear Headphones: I purchased these in December 2006 for $99.95; sound quality: 7 out of 10 -- I bought these to replace the Sennheisers and they were a HUGE improvement mainly (as far as I can tell) because of the anatomically-molded silicone ear canal inserts. These provide a snug in-ear fit which leads to vastly improved frequency response across the spectrum but most noticably in the bass frequencies. Unfortunately the bass response is actually muddy! I could improve this somewhat by switching from "Rock" to "Bass Reducer" on my iPod equalizer settings, but even so these always sounded muddy to me in the low frequencies... that said, MUCH better overall than the Apples and the Sennheisers. In-ear fit: 9 out of 10 -- these are fantastic, with 3 pairs of silicone inserts, large medium and small, should fit 99% of all listeners better than just about anything else available. 5 out of 10 -- Unfortunately, the wonderful silicone inserts do not stay attached to the plastic earbuds so I'd recommend if you like these that you purchase a case of the size you like; if you're like me, you'll lose a pair a month, on average.
Sure E3C-N (black) Headphones: I purchased these in April 2007 for $179.95, to replace the Bose Triports; this is a bit unfair since on a dollar basis I should be reviewing the Sure E2Cs, which cost $99.95 (similar to my other aftermarket buds), but in the end I decided perhaps you get what you pay for with earbuds and decided to double my budget for this set. Sound quality: 9 out of 10 -- much more even frequency distribution than the others, and smooth bass response unlike the Bose Triports. Also these are more efficient than any of the others, with iPod volume settings around 50% giving similar dBs in my ear as when I used the Triports on 85% and the Sennheisers on 100%. Crisp, clear sound all the way up to 100% on my iPod volume settings. In-ear fit: 7 out of 10 -- These buds come with a variety of size and composition inserts -- I use the small silicone symmetric hemispherical buds, which fit best for me, though they are less perfect than the ergonomic silicone inserts that come with the Triports. If you don't select the right size for your ear canal, the Sure inserts can begin to work loose (not as bad as the OEM Apples or the shaky Sennheisers) if you start to, say, walk; or chew. This is fairly irritating since when they're snug in-ear they sound really great (and you should insert them pretty far into your ear canal, pulling back on the ear as you insert them). I've only had them about a month, so hard to say, but the rubber inserts don't fall off the plastic part of the buds easily the way the Triports suffer; also the wires are about twice the diameter of the others in this review (which might also account for some of the better sonic efficiency), so I expect them to last longer physically than any of the others.


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Sennheiser OMX-90 VC earphones are high quality clip-on earphones with individually adjustable ear clips for optimum fit and comfort. The new damping system produces a detailed sound pattern for a special listening experience. High quality materials produce an elegant look, sound and feel. The OMX-90 VC also has an in-line volume control and comes with a convenient carrying case.

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Shure E2c Sound Isolating Earphones Review

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(More customer reviews)Like many people, I was tempted by the good reviews but reluctant to pay so much for a pair of tiny earphones. Finally, almost 2 years ago, I bought a pair.
Like all of the other reviews here state, the Shure E2c's sound GREAT. They are very balanced, and let you hear the subtle details of your music, making the music almost come alive in your head. They turn your MP3 player or Discman into an audiophile-quality stereo system.
The E2c blocks outside noise by forming a very tight seal in your ear. In contrast, "noise canceling" earphones, such as the popular ones by Bose, do not block outside noise from reaching your ear, rather they add their own electronically generated noise which is supposed to cancel out the outside noise. I've never had good results with the various noise canceling headphones I've tried; plus, they require batteries to generate the noise-canceling noise. The E2c's block noise without batteries, and without adding any artificial noise or discoloration to your music. It works very well. I especially appreciate it at gym, on the bus or subway, and on a plane. (Warning - PLEASE don't wear the E2c's while driving or bicycling or any other time that safety requires your full attention!)
The build quality of the E2c's is very good - the cord and plug are thicker and sturdier than competing earphones. For 2 years, I heavily used and abused my E2c's, especially at the gym. Literally hundreds and hundreds of times, I've plugged and unplugged them into my various MP3 players, hastily wound and unwound the cord, and tossed them into my gym bag, usually without using the protective case that comes with the E2c's. Despite the very good build quality, my heavy use led finally to a short: when the cord was wiggled in a certain way, the sound on the left side would briefly go out.
I went to Shure's website and saw that they have a 2-year warranty. I sent my E2c's to Shure for repair, hoping it would be covered by warranty, but prepared to pay if Shure felt the problem was due to wear and tear (because, in fact, it was). Two weeks later, I received from Shure a BRAND-NEW PAIR of E2c's - they decided the problem WAS covered by the warranty, and wanted me to have a new pair rather than repairing my old ones!!!
This is more than I expected, and will make me a repeat buyer of Shure products! I especially appreciate this level of service given the lackluster support I've received from so many other companies.


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Shure's E2c in-ear headphones are tiny, lightweight, and designed to sonically outperform most ear-bud-style headphones. The E2c's unique, relatively affordable design comes from Shure's years of collaborating with professional musicians. With high-energy drivers in distinctive enclosures, the E2c produces high-quality sound with excellent isolation from background noise.The E2c's speakers are constructed with studio-grade components, producing exceptional audio clarity. Their in-ear design, using supplied flex sleeves, naturally blocks background noise. This permits lower listening volumes in loud environments--critical in safeguarding your hearing during performance or other activities. No batteries or extra equipment are needed for sound isolation.Because every ear is different, E2c earphones come with 3 pairs (small, medium, large) of flex sleeves and 3 pairs (small, medium, large) ultra-soft flex sleeves to ensure a personalized fit. These disposable foam sleeves gently compress to fit in the ear canal. Once in the ear, the foam expands to form a tight seal. Once tightly sealed, the sleeves hold the earphones firmly in place.The E2c's cables pass behind the ear--out of sight and out of the way for comfort and discretion. Weighing only 1 ounce, the E2c is lightweight and comfortable enough for any portable listening application. The set comes with a soft, stylish, compact, and zippered carrying case, which allows for an easy, tangle-free way to store your earphones.What's in the Box Earphones, 2 triple-flange sleeves, 3 pairs (small, medium, large) of flex sleeves, and 3 pairs (small, medium, large) ultra-soft flex sleeves (kit 90XC1371, with cleaning tool), a soft carry case (80B8232), a user's manual, and warranty information.

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Shure SE115-K Sound Isolating Earphones with Dynamic Microspeaker II (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had two reasons for buying these headphones.
One was for working out in the gym. I couldn't stand listening to the same single CD that they just won't change and I wanted to block out the sound. I briefly considered getting the Bose noise-canceling headset but they were too expensive and too bulky for working out.
The other reason, similar to the above, is to block out all ambient noise when traveling on a plane with the migraine inducing cacophony of crying babies. What I used to do was put in good noise protection air plugs and put a headset over that just so that the ordeal of flying wasn't so horrific. Yes, the earplugs blocked out much of the music but I couldn't hear the interminable screaming babies or the overhead speakers. No matter what Bose claims, and some people believe, Bose headsets cannot reduce transient sounds (e.g. voices).
Finally, I never liked the iPod earphones. I find them to be uncomfortable and they don't keep out external noise. I know that they're designed *not* to keep out external noise so that you still hear the outside world.
This comes with a wide variety of ear buds and I wound up using the very smallest.
The sound quality of these earphones is fantastic. Between the sound blocking characteristics of the buds and the high quality of the sound, the external world blissfully ceases to exist. As the instructions state, you would never want to use these where you need to listen to warning sounds like car horns.
I didn't read any of the reviews before buying these earphones. I was in the Apple store buying a nano iPod and I grabbed the the Shure earphones because it said 'sound isolating'. It was somewhat of an impulse purchase.
After I brought them home, but before I opened the package (once opened, they can't be returned for health reasons), I checked out the reviews. Since the reviews were so glowing I decided to buy a set through Amazon for way less money than what I had paid at Apple.
I was amazed at how well the sound isolation works and the great sound quality. When I rip a CD, I set the bit rate to 320 kbps to preserve the sound quality.
Even when I set the volume to fairly low, I wind up talking way too loudly. Between the sound isolation and the music, it's difficult to gauge how loudly you're talking. I'm so glad that I didn't buy the Bose at over 4x the cost.
Where I work, sometimes people talk way too loudly. Now I put these in, play soft music and I don't have to suffer listening to all the sports talk anymore.
I love these earphones. I'm buying another for a close relative.
------- Oct 6, 09 update ------
I ordered and received another set. Ordered on Saturday, arrived on Monday (normal shipping rates).
I checked the price on Amazon today (Tuesday). It skyrocketed 60% from last weekend! I wish my 401(k) increased that much so quickly.
------- Oct 15, 09 update ----
Bought another set. I love these guys. If you use the sound-insulating earbuds (the foam types) and you insert them correctly (like hearing protection ear plugs) the sound quality improves dramatically and the outside world disappears (under normal sound conditions -- I wouldn't expect them to block out the noise of a jack-hammer).
I was in a waiting room with someone else listening to music at a fairly low volume. I was thinking about my software code in my head and I whispered (or, so I thought) to my friend, "I found a bug in my program". Her face turned somewhat red and everyone in the waiting room was smiling in a friendly manner. It turned out that I had screamed. While I was in my own little world, I wasn't able to gauge the volume of my voice.
On another note, I'm surprised that these things can deliver bass so well. While your body doesn't vibrate like being next to multiple 12" woofers, the bass is pleasantly deep.
Keep checking out the price on Amazon before buying. The price fluctuates between twenty and forty dollars every few days. The stock market and gas prices fluctuate far less.
--- Oct 28, 09 update ---
While walking on a major thoroughfare in a big city, the din from the trucks and the traffic was deafening. I put the ear phones with the foam sound insulating ear buds on with the volume set to low to medium. In this case, I was listening to Simon and Garfunkel, not exactly blasting music. Except for one motorino (scooter/moped), I heard literally no city traffic. I became far more relaxed.
--- Sept 13, 10 update ---
Still working, no problems. I use them now even more frequently. They're great for routine, boring jobs like mowing the lawn. The ear phones block out much of the noise from the machine and I can listen to music. Good luck trying to do that with using Apple's ear buds.

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Designed for music lovers looking to upgrade the headphones included with their MP3 players, the compact SE115 is a perfect introduction to the stunning performance of Shure earphones. Evolved from earphone technology road-tested by pro musicians and perfected by Shure engineers, the compact SE115 delivers a warm, detailed audio listening experience that\'s free from outside noise.
A warm, detailed audio listening experience that\'s free from outside noise.

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Shure SRH240 Professional Quality Headphones (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am comparing these with two other sets...
Logitech G35
Koss UR40
Shure SRH240
Notes:
The G35 allows modification of Bass and Treble levels, so I boosted them as follows: bass: +9 treble: +9.
The RealTek HD Audio headphone jack was used for the other two sets with no sound modifications.
The G35 was tested in stereo mode (surround virtualization off). Now let's begin...
Bass:
G35: 4 koss: 4.5 shure: 3.5
Clarity:
G35: 4 koss: 3.5 shure: 4.5
Brightness:
G35: 4 koss: 3 shure: 4.5
Comfort:
G35: 2.5 koss 4.5 shure 4.5
Construction:
G35: 4.5 koss: 3 shure: 4.5
Now let's run the numbers...
Value:
Logitech G35 - 19
Koss UR40 - 18.5
Shure SR240 - 21.5
With bass and treble maxed out, the G35 has enough bass to satisfy and is tighter sounding than the UR40. The cord is thick, surrounded by a woven material, and feels like it would be very difficult to damage accidentally (short of yanking on it or kicking the USB plug). The headphones themselves seem very sturdy and the adjustment band is metal. With the phones against your head, they seem to hold fast and do not feel like they might slip down. The faux leather pads are cushy but lack the width and pressure distribution of the UR40 and SRH240. Considering that the G35 applies the most pressure around the ears, this can cause comfort issues with prolonged wear. I was able to minimize the discomfort by adjusting the phones downward so that they were pressing against the ears as little as possible. As long as your ears are not terribly large, you should be able to find a reasonably comfortable position. Make sure that if you play with the Voice Morphing Preview option found in the utility program, that you disable it when done, as left on it can cause a slight humming noise. The microphone has a flexible rubber arm that folds conveniently out of the way when not needed and I found the pickup quality to be fine. The voice morph is a gimmick more than useful, unless they decide to add better morphs in an update.
The UR40 seems inherently biased toward the low end and gives the most impressive bass without modifications. Without comparing to other headphones, the sound is very acceptable. However, after listening to the G35 and SRH240, the UR40 sounds muddy in the highs and mids by comparison. I still like the sound, despite that, and it does have exceptional bass response. The deal breaker for me is the flimsy construction quality, despite a lifetime warranty. The entire thing is plastic and the joints that attach the phones to the adjustment bands look unnecessarily fragile. The cord is also on the short side and very thin. Despite appearing closed, the UR40 is vented and quite open to environmental sounds, which can be good or bad depending on what you want. The comfort mesh around the top is notorious for coming loose, thanks to being attached by flimsy little black rubber bands. If you don't mind being prepared to replace them sooner than other headphones, or plan on being careful, these deliver great lows and adequate overall sound for the price.
If you are looking for a clear, bright sound with complimentary lows, the SRH240 delivers just that. The comfort level is on par with the UR40 but the build quality far surpasses it and feels very sturdy. Unlike the G35, it is less physically oppressive and does not apply as much pressure around the ears, which I appreciate. While not as heavy as the UR40, the bass is plentiful and compliments the overall sound very well. It is also a closed back design for good isolation.
If you have access to an equalizer, such as the one found in iTunes, you can compensate for the weaknesses and enhance the strengths of each of these sets to get a great sound, as I am currently proving to myself. I could honestly pick any of these and be happy with the sound, so it's almost more a case of priorities.
update:
I have decided to go with the G35 as I really enjoy the tightness of the sound and the feature set. I decided it is worth sacrificing some long-term comfort over. I like being able to modify bass and treble at the driver level, as this gives me strong, punchy bass, plus clear highs and mids without needing to rely on a third party equalizer. I only ever plan to use these at the computer, so being restricted to USB was not much of a concern.

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Reproducing full bass with detailed highs, the SRH240 is ideal for vivid listening on almost any device. The closed-back, circumaural design rests comfortably over the ears and reduces background noise. The ear cushions on the SRH240 are replaceable and a carrying pouch and threaded ¼-Inch adapter are included.

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Klipsch Custom-1 In-Ear Noise-Isolating Earphones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Klipsch Custom-1 In-Ear Noise Isolating Earphone
So I ignored the reviews (being a lover of Klipsch products) and bought these. I really wanted the Custom-3 version but decided to err on the side of caution and purchase the Custom-1. These things are badly designed for ears. Do not buy them. I have several pair of in-ear earphones from Shure's E3Cs, Etymotic Research ER6i and a pair of Ultimate Ears 5EB ear phones. I also have some cheap Sony and other miscellaneous models. So I know how to use these and what they should sound like. These things refuse to stay planted. I have tried every pair of tips to no avail. As soon as I open my mouth, I lose sound in one ear or the other. Or 3-5 steps into my jog and one or both fall out of my ears. Screwing them into my ears gets a better seal but poorer sound. I looked closely at them and it appears that the ear plug is on a long stem that points at a 45 degree or so angle upwards. This is a bad fit for my ears. YMMV but I sincerely think these things are a bad design. The next problem is the main reason I purchased these Klipsch ear phones. The fabric covered wired. I love my Shure E3Cs but the wire becomes hard after a while and eventually cracks and causes a short in the earphone. This has happened 4 times to me. I noticed that fabric covered wire also seemed less prone to tangles (the reason I don't use my Etymotics. The thin cable always tangles and has frayed badly).
The fabric cable on these earphones are horrible. The wire is extremely thin and stiff so it is still prone to bad tangles (not as bad as others but bad enough). Its also so thin, I'm in fear of catching it in a zipper and tearing it or it falling apart on me. So with a heavy heart, I'm returning my Klipsch earphones and warning others to stay away. I love Klipsch speakers (I used to own a set) but I don't really have anything good to say about these ear phones.

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Soak up the sound with Klipsch Custom-1 Noise Isolating Earphones. These high-performance, yet affordable, earphones make it possible to achieve that "front row, center stage" feeling anywhere and everywhere. Custom-1 earphones utilize dark gray patent-pending Contour Ear Gels that are anatomically designed to accurately fit inside the human ear canal. Because ear canal measurements vary, Custom-1 comes with five different washable ear gel sizes: small, medium, and large single flange designs as well as small and large double flange designs. The exclusive KG332 balanced armatures generate deeper bass, more robust midrange, and clearer high notes for that true-to-life listening experience only Klipsch audio earphones can deliver.

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Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Shure SRH440 is the best set of over ear monitors I've ever heard for critical listening in the price range. I don't think you can buy a better set of non-noise canceling cans for around $100. I think many headphones that cost $200 or less fall short of the sound quality. The build quality is sturdy, and I can tell I will have these headphones for a lifetime. Even not extended, they hug my very average sized head just right, and there's plenty of slack for people with bigger heads. And they are comfertable for hours at a time, and the pads are soft pleather but, not the cheap stuff. Plus they are replaceable.
They keep a fairly decent amount of sound out, if they were a little more snug they would keep more out, but even so walking down the street you have to try to get distracted by cars going by. If you're from or have ever been on the T in Boston, you know how loud it is. With these things on my head, I can still hear the very muted grinding of the rails, but its hard to care when even on the quietest volume setting on my 80GB ipod classic the music is not only still very audible, it's clear as day.
The highs, mids, and lows are completley balanced like a flat equalizer setting, unbiased on there own and not effecting each others presence. I wouldn't recommend them if you're a bass junkie, because the base is very smooth and even for both electronic music or a big jazzy double bass. Whether on the lowest or highest volume on any device I've used it with, everything is extremely clear and life-like. All genres of music and talk. Listening to rock you can relearn what distortion is supposed to be, listening to classical you can hear the sweat on the soloist fingers as they slide around the strings, listening to stand up has that scratchy, sweaty pickup of a comedy club mono channel microphone.
I bought these for an everything, every day user after enjoying the Shure SE210 in ear monitors for two years. I took a chance because I didnt know a lot about these phones, just that shure had not yet let me down. I must say, I am a customer for life.
I cant even begin to imagine what the SRH840's sound like, but I'm guessing for $200 they blow everything $350 and under out of the water.
*Edit: Great shipping and service from Sarjo Wholesale Group.Thanks!

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Tuned to deliver accurate audio reproduction and featuring an adjustable headband with collapsible construction, the SRH440 offers a mix of professional sound quality and comfort ideal for recording and monitoring. The ear cushions and cable are replaceable and the SRH440 includes a carrying pouch and threaded ¼-Inch adapter.

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Klipsch IMAGE S4 In-Ear Enhanced Bass Noise-Isolating Headphones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)CNET recently released their top 5 choices for best earbuds under $100 and so I figured since I already had the V-Moda Vibes (in need of replacing... the 4th broken pair of em) I would buy two other pairs (Klipsch IMAGE S4 In-Ear Enhanced Bass Noise-Isolating Headphone,Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3 Studio Noise Isolating Earphones (Black))and compare the three. CNET had the S4's at the top and after two weeks of solid use I couldn't agree more. Klipsch's buds seem to trump the other two in every way. The S4's cord doesn't conduct sound from rubbing like the Vibes, and isn't perma-kinked like the Ultimate Ears. The S4's are as stylish as the Vibe's though seem to be almost as durable as the rugged Ultimate Ears buds. As far as the sound goes the S4's have slightly tighter bass than the bass heavy (which I like) Vibes and more crisp highs than the Ultimate Ears. So here's the break down in my opinion.
V-MODA Vibe Earbuds - Flashback Chrome
Bass8.5
Mids 7
High 7
Comfort 9
Durability 5 (one year warranty)Klipsch IMAGE S4 In-Ear Enhanced Bass Noise-Isolating Headphone
Bass 9.5
Mids 9
Highs 9
Comfort 9
Durability 8? (two year warranty)
Ultimate Ears SuperFi 3 Studio Noise Isolating Earphones (Black)
Bass 6
Mids8
Highs8
Comfort6
Durability9

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Tune out the external environment and tune into your own private concert experience anytime, anywhere with the Klipsch Image S4 1010471 Headphones. These noise-isolating in-ear headphones deliver dynamic sound and unequaled comfort for a price that’s easy on the wallet. Order your Klipsch Image S4 1010471 Headphones today!

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Shure E2c-n Sound Isolating Earphones (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have used the Shure e2c earphones (the previous model) for about 2 years now. Impressions:
(1)The standard rubber plugs are not comfortable, and don't give very much noise isolation. The foam plugs are very comfortable and really seal out the noise. Be prepared to be grossed out by all the earwax you didn't realize you still had in your ears.
(2) Sound quality: 8/10. Not studio monitor quality, but very very good.
(3) Isolation: 10/10. Seriously. Use these on a flight and you'll gladly take a seat next to a screaming infant. Only problem is that you see the flight attendant's mouth moving as she asks you if you want a Coke or 7up, but you won't be able to hear her.
(4) When you first get them, you'll try putting them in your ears without success. Only after about the third try, all of a sudden the foam thingys go all the way inside, and you say, "So THAT'S how you put them in!" After that, piece of cake. You need to compress the foam just like you do with regular foam earplugs.

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In sleek black, to go with some of today's newest MP3 and other audio players.Originally developed for professional musicians, the E2c combines Dynamic MicroDriver speaker technology with a sound isolating design to deliver rich, full-range sound while blocking outside noise -- ideal for enhancing your listening experience with portable MP3, DVD, and CD players as well as all other audio sources.The E2c's in ear design works like an earplug to block background noise naturally. This enables you to listen comfortably at lower volumes -- even in loud environments. And unlike bulky headphones utilizing active noise cancellation technology, no artifacts are introduced into your listening experience. Sound isolating earphones are also much smaller and don't require batteries.The E2c's speakers are constructed with studio-grade components, producing outstanding audio clarity that allows you to hear your music like never before.The E2c's cables pass behind the ear - out of sight and out of the way -- to provide a more comfortable, discreet fit.Plus, the E2c comes with a stylish, compact carrying case. The cable spool inside provides a convenient, tangle-free way to store your earphones.

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