Sad day for me... Do not buy Shure earphones

Flibster · 5 Jun 2009 at 17:35

I've always liked them. I've even given their customer services their own 'very happy' thread, but I have to now say - don't buy Shure headphones.

You will get to know their customer service department well.

Today, I posted off my 6th set of Shure Se530's that have failed in 14 months.

Thats almost 1 every 2 months!

I treat them gently - after use they get disconnected from the extension and placed in their little case - cleaned regularly - have custom sleeves moulded for them so no twiddling of the black olives putting stress on the cable...

Add to that the 3 sets of E2C's *I couldn't be bothered to send back the last set - replaced them with E3C's* - the 2 sets of E3C's and the set of E4C's that have all failed on me or my other half.

Sound quality - Superb
Fit - Superb
Customer Services - Superb
Build quality - **** poor.

Fubsy · 5 Jun 2009 at 18:05

Only probalem I had with Shure earphones was the wire would eventually disintergrate and crack after approx 12 months.

They wouldn't replace my second pair (same problem) Haven't bought any since.

Flibster · 5 Jun 2009 at 18:06

Fubsy said:
Only probalem I had with Shure earphones was the wire would eventually disintergrate and crack after approx 12 months.

I had that with my first set. Then they changed to a more flexible wire...which is where my problems started....

OCdude · 6 Jun 2009 at 14:12

Had my E5Cs for years - no problems so far!

Was kinda tempted by the 530PTHs actually....... maybe not so much now!

Microwave · 6 Jun 2009 at 14:16

I've had my SE210's for 3months now and they've been awesome. The build quality looks fine.

But I'm worried now!...

jhmaeng · 6 Jun 2009 at 16:03

I've had my SE310s for nearly 2 years and used them every day. Only now it's starting to go wrong, so they've given me two years of solid service. Very impressed.

Flibster said:
I treat them gently - after use they get disconnected from the extension and placed in their little case - cleaned regularly - have custom sleeves moulded for them so no twiddling of the black olives putting stress on the cable...

I didn't do any of this and yet it's only gone wrong after almost 2 years, so in that sense I'm actually more impressed with my set!

Flibster · 8 Jun 2009 at 00:16

From what I've heard - Shure build quality has gone downhill over the last couple of years.

I'm hearing from loads of people who have had E2c's up to the E5's and Se530's that have failed suddenly and repeatedly.

It's sad that I can no-longer really recommend them. I adore them, but just can't live with the failure rate.

jmhduck · 8 Jun 2009 at 08:26

Glad I'm in the ultimate ears camp if this is the case

.

Zarf · 8 Jun 2009 at 12:48

Had my e2c's for almost 5 years now, no issues.

Flibster · 8 Jun 2009 at 13:42

Zarf said:
Had my e2c's for almost 5 years now, no issues.

You're one of the few.

Minstadave · 9 Jun 2009 at 21:31

I've got a pair of E2Cs I've had for over a year and have been totally abused, still working as well as the day I bought them.

simisker · 10 Jun 2009 at 00:17

jmhduck said:
Glad I'm in the ultimate ears camp if this is the case .

I thought that, having come from two broken E2Cs...

Two replacement UE cables later, I'm not so sure. I'm indescribably pleased I bought the 5 pros with their detachable driver housings, otherwise I'd be well miffed.

A bit like my workmate, in fact, whose 4vi's failed after a week of occasional at-the-desk use.

So the UE camp ain't exactly a bed of roses either, sadly.

jmhduck · 10 Jun 2009 at 09:34

Agreed the UE cabling isn't the best I'll probably have to buy another in half year. I like the fact you can replace the cables though!

Flibster · 12 Jun 2009 at 16:40

jmhduck said:
Agreed the UE cabling isn't the best I'll probably have to buy another in half year. I like the fact you can replace the cables though!

Would be nice as a bonus.

I've been having driver failures though.

jmhduck · 12 Jun 2009 at 16:44

Flibster said:
Would be nice as a bonus.

I've been having driver failures though.

Okay that sucks

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Flibster · 26 Jul 2009 at 02:43

Guess what?

Yup... another set.

Right earpiece volume dropped to near 0 over about 15 seconds - all I was doing was listening to The Godfather audiobook while being sat in my playroom.

It's getting bloody ridiculous now.

paul8811 · 26 Jul 2009 at 10:04

SE530 owner here, had them about 1 year & they get daily use i just stuff them in my pocket till I use them again. Not had one problem with them so your very unlucky or i'm lucky.

Flibster · 26 Jul 2009 at 11:57

paul8811 said:
SE530 owner here, had them about 1 year & they get daily use i just stuff them in my pocket till I use them again. Not had one problem with them so your very unlucky or i'm lucky.

My first set lasted months...

It's the replacements they've been sending that are shockingly bad with the thin wimpy cable.

There are so many other people with Shure earphones that fail that it seems like you're just lucky.

Sinny · 26 Jul 2009 at 22:02

I had some Shure e2c's which failed after 5 months, left earbud went dead completely the wire frayed inside. but customer services were really helpful and sent me the next model up.

cant fault their service. Using the SE110's atm, lovely buds. had them for 6 months.

if these go wrong though, I'll be on Ultimate ears.

khushy · 30 Jul 2009 at 08:44

had my SE530's for well over 2 years - no issues or problems and I use them everywhere - at home - office - cycle - rollerskates etc etc and then I too stuff em in my pocket!

khushy