Shure SCL2 Sound Isolating Earphones - Clear


Note that this is not an earphone for those rock fans who want nosebleed bass and don't much care about anything else. The Sony MDR-EX51 and EX71 are better for this and much less expensive. The SCL and older E series were designed as stage monitors to let musicians hear what is going out on the sound system and not just the drummer behind them. As a result, they emphasize accurate reproduction of the sound stream, not the creation of an artificially hyped up sound. The SCL-2 does not reproduce extreme bass or extreme treble but it is smooth and solid from something like 60 Hz to 12 KHz. Not that many CD's really go past this and MP3 encoding does not reproduce much beyond 12 Khz anyway. You need quality-6 Ogg/Vorbis or FLAC encoding to get the high frequencies and few portable players support these higher quality Codecs (Cowon has one of the few product lines which does). While certainly not "audiophile" equipment, the SCL-2 is probably as good as any phones I have heard in the 0 class (including full-sized headphones) and they are a good match for most better-quality portable players. They are in a different league entirely from the junk "earbuds" which come with them. They have excellent sound isolation which is wonderful for use on airplanes and around traffic. This allows you to listen at lower volume levels which is good for your ears.

The SCL-2 is designed to have the wires run over the tops of your ears and down behind them. This was probably to conceal the wire on stage but it works well for taking the weight of the wire off of the earpiece which allows it to stay in place better if you are active. It takes a little practice to figure out how to insert them. If you wear glasses, the wire can be abraded by the glasses frames, especially if they are metal. The wiring on my SCL-2 failed after about 18 months of very active use as a result of this. The wires (or the glasses frames) need to be coated or wrapped with something to protect them in this situation.

I replaced the SCL-2 with a pair of SCL-3 phones. These have extended frequency range in both bass and treble although they still do not cover extreme frequencies. They have a more open and transparent sound overall. They are better than the SCL-2 but whether they are 0 better will be a matter of opinion and depend on your equipment. They are too good for most portable players although they are well worth while with a Cowon U3 using Q6 Ogg/Vorbis encoding. They are designed to let the wire hang straight down or go over the ears. They don't stay in place as well with the straight fall of the wire but you do not have the glasses problem.


Average Rating:
Brand: Shure
Color: Clear
Model: SHU SCL2CL
Release Date: 2008-05-08

Product Description:
Shure SCL2 Sound Isolating Earphones are the first step into the world of sound isolation. They are attractive, comfortable and incredibly affordable. An excellent introduction into premium audio, the SCL2 features single dynamic microdrivers for full sonic range and resonant bass. Great for use in noisy environments such as bus stations, airports, or live stages where critical listening is important. Also, use around the house while mowing your lawn or vacuuming. Sound Isolating Earphones - Shure has been at the forefront of providing critically accurate and acclaimed listening for over 10 years. The legendary E Series have grown from a key accessory component of professional PSM® systems to a highly acclaimed independent product category and sought-after attachment for both live performance and personal listening applications. New SCL Sound Isolating™ Earphone models (SCL2, SCL3, SCL4, SCL5) use Shure's award-winning earphone technology, come in new graphic packaging, have updated accessories, and are available in more colors. All SCL models deliver professional caliber sound for live performance environments and will work with personal music players.

Features: Frequency Range: 22Hz 17.5kHz^Sensitivity: 105dB SPL/mW (@ 1kHz)^Impedance: 16 Ohms (@ 1kHz) ^Weight: 1oz (30g)^Input Connector: 1/8 inch (3.5mm)
Special Features: An excellent introduction into premium audio via sound isolation, the SCL2 features single dynamic microdrivers for full sonic range and resonant bass. Because every ear is different, the Fit Kit includes three sizes (S, M, L) of the orange foam, clear and gray flex sleeves. Experiment with the size and style that creates the best fit for you -- a good seal is key to optimizing sound isolation and bass response as well as maximizing comfort during extended wear. A durable and compact carrying ca
Available at Amazon
List Price: USD 99.00
Lowest Refurbished Price: USD 76.95

Customer Reviews


A Definite Step Above the E2C
Having run (literally, I'm a runner) through two pairs of E2C's over the past three years I decided to upgrade to the SCL2 and I'm pleasantly surprised. The clarity of the sound is startling and Shure definitely cranked up the bass response, at least when compared to the E2C variety.

A note though, the audio driver you plug these into matters. Your iPod or iPhone will not drive these to their fullest potential, but a stereo or computer sound card will do the trick.

Overall, I highly recommend these over the E2Cs although I'm pretty sure the stripped cord fate will befall these much like other Shure headphones. With heavy use (2-3 hours a day, exercise and work) these headphones will probably last about a year or year and a half.


Great Sound
The Scl2 are a great product and I recommend them to any musician seeking comfort and quality in thier headphones.
The Lows are just right, they are not blowing out your brains but they are also not to weak in where you are not able to hear the bass at all.
The highs are extremely clear and allow you to listen to exactly what is given out.
I'm really glad I bought this product.
The only con is the carry case is a bit small, but other than that the Scl2 is the best investment you can put into good quality affordable headphones.


Great headphones! But there are a few limitations...
I just got a Creative Labs MX MP3/video player. The stock headphones were horrible. So I deciced to try the SCL2 based on the reviews here. I can honestly say these work great! Wow, the sound blows the doors off the stock headphones.

The Good:
The large assortment of sleeves that come with it makes finding the best fit easy. The seal on these really keeps out the background noises. But you do have to get it right. It took me a while to pick out the right sleeve to fit my ear.

The mid and high response on these are excellent. I had tried some high end over the ear headphones (0+), and I can say that the mids and highs on these are comparable. Not quite as good but definitely in the same league.


The Bad:
The complaints about the bass response has some merit. Don't get me wrong, the bass response is very good. For most music styles theres plenty of bass from the SCL2! It's way better than the stock headphones, and probably on par with many comparably priced headphones. If you aren't looking for lots of bass this won't matter to you. If you want some hip hop with loads of bass then find another headphone.

The only other gripe is that these are a bit of a pain to take in and out of your ear. I use these on the daily commute so this doesn't really matter. Not to mention I would probably have the same issue with any in-ear headphone! But I was trying to use them in the office. I'll be getting a set of over the ear headphones for the office.


Perfect noise reduction
I used to wear ear plugs during long flights but now I use this phones to watch a movie, listen some music and when I decid to sleep just turn the TV off and with these earphones I hear almost no noise inside the plane. Excellent choice for the price.