Question:
I am sure that some of you have experience with the shure E2's since they are so popular, and I was wondering what kind of durability people have gotten from them.
I am trying to decide whether to buy them at the local GC or to order from Musicians Friend. I am kind of leaning towards musician's friend, because then I can get a two year extended warantee for like $15 bucks... aaand there would be no shipping or tax, so it would be cheaper than GC as well.
I know these aren't the best sounding IE's, although I think they sound pretty good, I think I'll use them for now (a step up from the wall-mart specials), get molds, then eventually E5's or perhaps Future sonics...
Answer:
Shipping is free from M.F. and the tax you'd save would probably cover half of your extended warranty depending what sales tax is where you are.
Personally, I have a set of IEM's from HearYourself.com that are custom molded for my ears. My church uses the E2's for the band. I play with the band a good bit on bass and a little on electric guitar and used the E2's for a while. I sweat a lot when I play, too, and I had a lot of trouble with the E2's popping out of my ears while I played. Didn't matter what size tip I was using either. If I compensated by pushing them in harder or wearing a smaller tip it would create a suction in my ear, and the suction would keep the driver from moving (and thus, from making sound)...which defeated their purpose completely. Since getting the custom molded IEMs I can hear my instrument MUCH better. A world of difference. Even bass is plenty low and loud with kick, snare and overheads in the mix, too. I don't use a cab at church, either, and just go direct, so this is my only source of monitoring. I sing a lot of background vocals and lead a few songs, too, and I need less of me in the mix because the custom molds make good contact with your ear bones, which makes it easier to hear. Kind of like when you stick your finger in your ear to hear yourself when you're having trouble hearing while singing.
Just a thought, that's all. They are almost double the price of the E2's, but worth every penny. They were actually a little cheaper than they are now when I got them, but he did all his business through Ebay then.
Answer:
I use Etymotic ER6s, as does my wife. She sings, I play guitars/mando/bass.
We both wear these when working out at the gym too. Never pop out, great bass response, tremendous isolation. (I also wear them in the workshop when running routers, joiner, etc.)
Answer:
I have used the E2's at a local church for a few gigs and was very pleased with how well they stayed in my ear.
I do know that custom molds will make a world of difference, I completely agree with you on that point. I think I may go ahead and get the E2's, then save up for some custom molds (most likely through future sonics), and then, when the budget allows, move up to E5's, the thing is that all the way up through e4's, they cost a lot more (and I'm sure sound better), but they are still single driver, so I plan on saving my money until I can afford dual drivers (or perhaps 3 from Ultimate Ears or Future sonics)
My main concern is the durability of the E2's