I had a pair of the old Shure E2s forever ago and loved them. After about 3 years one ear quit working. I was really hard on them and felt they held up fine considering. After that I decided to not buy another pair. At the time they were over 0 and I was low on funds. I heard good things about so many other cheaper pairs. For the last four years I have been through countless pairs of earphones and earbuds. I have had 3 pairs of skullcandy ink's 1 pair of skullcandy fmj's, 1 pair of JVC marshmallows, 1 pair of Motorola bluetooth wireless over the ears, and two pairs of Plantronics Voyager 855's. Over that time the ink'd were my workhorses. I had gotten quite used to them and had, I guess, talked myself into thinking they were almost as good as my old e2's. Two of the three ink'd ones quite working but for the price tag I wasn't crying. The fmj's started having major issues within about three months (one ear got much quieter than the other). The Motorola' were never really in the quality mix but the wireless made me look past it for audiobooks and sports. The JVC's were ok, about the same as the ink's at about the same price. The Plantronics were by far the best bluetooth earbuds I have ever used but they have quality issues and are no better than the ink'd or jvc ones either.

So, Down to one pair of ink'd and the jvc ones still working I decided to re investigate earbuds. I have to have at least two pairs (One I leave at the office, One I use as my everyday/laptop/phone pair). I think the ink'd won't last that much longer and I hate the JVC's when I have my head on a pillow. I thought I'd check on Bose, Dre's buds and maybe look back at Shure. I was prepared to spend around 0 again but was going to do my homework. My local big box had listing stations for bose and dre's. I think Dre's where better by a good bit. However, they are much more expensive than I wanted to spend. Looking online I found that the E2's were old news but these sl2's were the logical replacement. After finding them at AMS for about I decided to go that route.

Now, the long journey to get back to a premiumish earbud had made me a bit numb. I was expecting them to fit a bit better and sound a bit better. I was looking forward to the nicer cables and the easy way to find l vs R ear even if it's almost dark. However, I realized I had been lying to myself. These Shure SL2's are so much better than any of the low quality, cheap (Although for I would almost call these cheap for what you get) and inferior earphones I have used in the last 4 years. I am as much of an audiophile as one can be with my budget and it's like music is my friend again. I listen to more music just because of these earbuds. The sound isolation is better, the sound is better, the fit is better and a little thing like a nice case even makes a difference. The over the ear design eliminates cord bounce noises. I wrapped all the others over my ear but they are much less comfortable there because they are not designed specifically for that.

I have probably written to much for a simple headphone review but I can't believe I thought any of those bad headphones could replace a solid pair like these Shure SL2's and I won't go back. I am planning to get a second pair by the end of the year and I'll probably give away or throw out my others.

Shure SCL2 Sound Isolating Earphones - Clear

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.
Amazon.com Product Description:
An excellent introduction to premium audio via sound isolation, the discrete, comfortable and affordable Shure SCL2 earphones in clear use Shure's award-winning earphone technology for a rich response across the full sonic range. Utilizing Shure's award-winning earphone technology, they're great for use on live stages as well as with any home or portable audio device in noisy environments such as bus stations, airports, and more. The SCL2 earphones feature Single Dynamic Micro Driver technology that delivers full range sound and isolation from outside noise.



Shure's sound-isolating SCL2 earphones in clear.
Sound isolating earphones provide sound quality far beyond the technical ability of the most expensive earbuds and isolation that's superior to the best headphones. By creating a secure fit between the sound source and your ear canal, unwanted background noise is blocked out while the music comes straight in.

They provide a comfortable fit thanks to the three sizes of three different included sleeves--orange foam, clear and gray flex. 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 case is included with the SCL2 to provide a convenient, tangle-free solution to store your earphones.

Sound Isolating Technology

Headphones generally enclose your ear or rest on top of it. Regular earphones (like the earbuds often packaged with CD players) sit on the outside of the ear. Sound isolating earphones are different. They are designed to fit inside your ear canal, where they create an isolated listening area that is responsible for their superior acoustic properties.

Sound isolating earphones were originally developed as Personal Monitor Systems to allow musicians to hear their own performances in loud onstage environments. Sound isolating earphones work by using soft, pliable sleeves to block background noise, allowing small, high-performance drivers to deliver incredibly precise sound directly to the ear.

Is isolation different from noise cancellation?
The seal created by a sound isolating earphone physically blocks most frequencies of background noise. Active noise cancellation headphones are generally larger, heavier and battery-driven. The active cancellation process negates selected frequencies through a complex process that can even introduce unwanted artifacts into the resulting audio. The natural sound isolation properties of a properly fitted in ear earphone exceeds the performance of even the most expensive active noise cancellation alternatives.

How do in ear sound isolating earphones work?
By selecting from an assortment of included soft, flexible sleeves, you're able to personalize the fit of the earphones to your ears. The sleeves conform to the unique shape of your ear, creating a seal that isolates you from ambient noise.

Why is isolation important?
Sound isolation makes it possible to hear greater detail at a lower volume than is possible with earbuds or most headphones intended for portable use. Lower-volume listening means less fatigue over extended periods and is safer than trying to overcome background noise by turning up the volume. This makes sound isolating earphones the ideal choice for commuting, travel, exercise, study, or work--any activity where you desire portable, hi-fidelity sound.

Specifications

  • Frequency Range: 22Hz – 17.5kHz
  • Sensitivity: 105dB SPL/mW (@ 1kHz)
  • Impedance: 16 Ohms (@ 1kHz)
  • Weight: 1 ounce
  • Input Connector: 3.5mm
  • Cable Length: 62 inches


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
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List Price: USD 99.00
Lowest Used Price: USD 75.00
Lowest New Price: USD 99.00