I started researching sound isolating earphones that are placed in the ear canal because so many of my friends are dissatisfied with the earphones that came with their iPods and wanted to know more about the earphones that are considered better. Through this investigation, I found that aftermarket earphones are available at a wide-variety of prices. There’s also some serious disagreement about which models are the best available today.
I want to start out by reporting that CNET awarded the Shure E4c it’s Editors’ Choice in the category. They said:
The Shure E4c headphones represent an evolutionary advance in Shure’s popular in-ear E series. They feature a new Tuned Port Technology, which enhances the tiny earphones’ bass response by improving airflow around the driver. The E series’ earpluglike designs block background noise so that you can listen at lower volumes in noisy trains, buses, and planes. And unlike noise-canceling headphones, the E4cs don’t rely on batteries to power their hushing abilities.
The Tuned Port Technology is why I would pick the Shure E4c Earphones over the Shure E3c Earphones that were recently touted by Russell Beattie. If you read his comments, you’ll see he’s using them as a concentration aid when he’s in the office:
I *am* a professional office worker, and I’ll tell you right now, these are *the* headphones to have in that sort of environment where there’s any sort of constant noise and interuptions. I pop them in, and bam, I�m in a cone of silence, perfect for concentrating and thinking (which is what knowledge workers are supposed to do, right?)…. Three people can literally be having a loud conversation in front of you, and you hear nothing except your Vivaldi played at a comfortable low volume. It’s like having a virtual office that you can take with you anywhere: Put the headphones on, and bam, perfect silence and privacy.
These aren’t the earphones I’d want for daily use. I use earphones with Kathleen’s iPod in a home office environment and I need to hear background noise. The Shure E4c and E3c are definitely not appropriate for outdoor exercise of any kind because of that “cone of silence”. Whether these earphones can be safely used when doing yard work or operating walk-behind machinery is your call.
If sound isolating earphones make sense for your uses, you should check out CNET’s Shure E4c review and Russell’s E3c review to help you decide which sound isolating earphones to purchase. Also note that Shure makes an even more professional version, the Shure E5c.