Give your portable tunes an upgrade

Now, there’s the E4c. Somehow, Shure has improved both the treble and bass response of these tiny sound reproducers. Highs are smooth and extended and the lowest bass sounds come through loud and clear. I think Shure has done a fantastic job at voicing the single-driver 4s to come amazingly close to the sound of the two-driver E5c.

All Shure earphones also excel at something other than reproducing music — they’re also great at sound isolation. Unlike other manufacturers’ relatively bulky electronic headphones which actually generate noise to mask outside sounds, Shure earphones are placed inside your ears.

By creating a secure fit between the sound source and your ear canal, unwanted background noise is blocked out while the music comes in. And, by selecting from an assortment of included soft, flexible sleeves, you’re able to personalize the fit of the earphones. The sleeves conform to the unique shape of your ear, creating a seal that isolates you from ambient noise.

Shure Incorporated This is what Shure calls a "Fit Kit".  These are the plastic and foam sleeves for the E2c's.

I always thought the rubberized plastic sleeves were the best, until recently, when a Shure expert taught me how to squeeze, insert and use the included foam rubber sleeves. The result was maximum isolation and comfort (for me) and blissfully perfect sound. Give all the sleeves a try to see what works best with your ears.

The new Shure E4c retails for $299. It’s now my number one choice for anyone to wants to hear what’s really coming out of your portable device — but you can’t go wrong with any of the Shures. They are all highly recommended.

One last warning, when using any kind of earphone, headphone or even loudspeakers please go easy on the volume control. Any of these devices are capable of generating sounds that can permanently harm your hearing if you refuse to listen at reasonable levels. In other words, turn it down — and enjoy the music!

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