( 8 reviews )
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Posted: Jul 30 2009
I've been searching for a pair of perfect sounding in-ear buds for some time, off and on. Sadly, these are not them. They call these "wideband" drivers, but that's only true if the band you're talking about is the mid-range part of the audio spectrum. I don't consider myself to be an audiophile - as an electrical engineer, I snigger at things like bi-wiring and directional cables. I do like to think I know what sounds good and what's garbage. These aren't garbage, but they're not excellent either. Certainly not worth paying full price for - you're basically paying for the name. I had just previously bought some Sennheiser CX300B's from Amazon for 20 sheets and they actually sound quite good, but a couple of things made me look for something better (see my review of the same). I saw the Shure SCL3's on sale at a big box guitar store for 60% off, so I thought I'd give them a go. (I was gutted that I missed their SCL4 blowout earlier in the year). Mine are the white ones, which were being discontinued, hence the huge discount. I tried them in the shop on my MP3 player, and I thought they sounded really good. I forgot to bring the Sennheisers to compare them with which was foolish because had I done that, I'd have probably stuck with the CX300B's and kept looking. Having spent the money, I now need to wait a couple of years before I can resume searching. Trying to make an objective choice on audio equipment purchases, based solely on subjective web reviews is hit and miss at best. Peoples tastes in frequency response characteristics of transducers is almost as varied as their taste in music, so one man's 5 stars might be one star to me and vice-versa. The only scientific way to show how good or bad a pair of headphones are is to produce a frequency response graph with the earphones poked into a standard, dummy human head. Some manufacturers do this - Etymotic for example. If all manufacturers used the same setup, you could compare like for like but they don't. Another problem is that the perceived frequency response of earbuds varies so greatly depending on how and by whom they are worn. I can wipe out the bass or treble complelety on my SCL3s by changing the tips and the insertion depth into my ear canal. Even the diameter and shape of the listener's ear canal will change the sound somewhat. All I can do is say what I've found to be good and bad without using too many nebulous HiFi reviewer cliches. The Good: * Sound isolation is excellent. I can mow the lawn with these in, and still listen to my MP3 player at about 40% volume (I'm normally a 20% guy). I recently wore them for the whole IAH to LHR flight; even when I had no music playing. * Vast selection of tips to customize the fit to your lugholes * Thick cables reduce microphonics to practically nothing, and are suitable for rough use - e.g. while performing. They are supposed to be musicians' monitors after all. * Chunky square 3.5mm, 90?? plug and strain relief should last a long time * Sound is very clear, for want of a better word. Noticeably less distortion and mangling of the individual instruments than the CX300 or my old Koss "The Plug's". 7 times better (the price difference)? I'm not sure. * Bass isn't overpowering or nauseating like the CX300. It's definitely there, but barely audible if there's lots of ambient LF noise, as there is in a car or airplane. * earpiece wires are symmetrical - equal weight hanging off both ears means they don't keep falling out. The buds cork in quite nicely * There's a clear plastic sleeve round the earpiece wires which you can slide up and down to keep the wires hanging together, under your chin * Weird zippered carrying pouch does actually work but it's a tight fit. You first have to wind the cable round 2 or 3 fingers to make the ball of wire the right size. The Bad: * The frequency response is not flat by a long chalk: ~ They really are a little light on bass. EQ makes a little difference ~ Treble is subdued - For example, hi-hat sounds seem distant. Treble on the CX300 is stronger, which surprised me given the price difference. ~ Mid range is too strong for my liking (but clean sounding). Perhaps this is why the bass and treble seem so much less pronounced ~ I have tried to balance the sound with EQ but after a few minutes of listening I invariably go back to a flat EQ and live with it. The digital EQ on modern players is not very good. I like a proper analog circuit that actually boosts its band rather than simply cutting all the others * Some people might not like the thick wires. They're about 2-3 times the diameter of my cheaper earbuds * Some people might not like the over-the-ear wire routing. I find it perfectly comfortable. In summary, I do quite like the sound and comfort of fit but my quest is not over...
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Posted: Jun 12 2009
I bought these to listen to music files on my Cowon D5 and iPhone 3G when I am travelling or working out in the yard. The sound isolation is quite good. For the price, they deliver very accurate sound. On the iPhone, you can hear the grainy edginess you get when ripping CDs in iTunes. On the Cowon with .flac files ripped from CDs,the sound is very smooth and creamy. The low frequency output is quite strong down to about 50hz when using the foam inserts, and is quite audible down to 30hz. The mids and highs are neutral, if you like sizzle in the high end these are not for you. What's not to like? Well the 3.5mm jack is bulky, it doesn't fit my iPhone when I have it in it's case. That's about it. Shure makes quality products, and this is one of them. My background? I am an electroacoustical designer, used to listening to high end equipment.
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Posted: Jun 1 2009
Work has me constantly flying around the country. I can deal with delays and airport food, but the screaming kids are too much. "I'm insane spending this much money on headphones!" I thought to myself as I placed the order. After the first flight however I'm sold. These things are amazing! They manage to block out almost everything with no music on. With music, you're in your own little world. I opted for these (noise isolating) over the Bose (noise canceling) as these are much more portable - important when trying to travel with only carry-on luggage. The Bose also block out mainly engine noise, you can still hear people (and the aforementioned screaming kids). After a year of use, I still find these headphones priceless and never go on a trip without them. Highly recommended as essential gear for any frequent traveler.
