![]() Shure's sound-isolating SCL2 earphones in clear. |
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.
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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.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful: By Floyd Ian Slipp "Enthusiast" (Rochester, NY, USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Shure SCL2 Sound Isolating Earphones - Clear (Electronics) Shure tried to pack a lot of performance into the SCL2 earbuds, and, in general, they succeeded. In sound isolating (as opposed to noise-cancelling) phones, the design challenge is to create a seal between the wearer's ear canal and the unit such that a minimum of ambient sound "gets by" the seal and interferes with the sound being generated by the miniature set of diaphragms housed within. From a sound-isolating standpoint, it's difficult for the seal to be "too tight." The tradeoff on seal effectiveness is usually wearer comfort.
Shure has done a good job with these SCL2's. They are light, but that's to be expected, even desired. They are a little wierd-looking, protruding from the ears about 1/2 inch, but if you've paid your dues seeking sonic excellence, you've seen plenty of wierd over time. These are not offensive in that regard. Besides, they sound good, so what's the complaint? When they arrived, I decided to put them to a serious listening...Read more 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: By Brett (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews This review is from: Shure SCL2 Sound Isolating Earphones - Clear (Electronics) This is my third pair of these in the past 5 or so years. To be more exact I have had two pair of Shure E2Cs and now my first pair of Shure SCL2s, but there basically the same earphones. The fact that I keep buying them at $75 tells you that I like them. The sound is just fine and the sound isolating is great. I use them on the subway most days and on airplanes when I travel. They are great for that.
I have also owned noise cancelling headphones and I much prefer the sound isolating style. If you're in between the two types, here is my view. The noise canceling headphones are more comfortable. But after you use the sound isolating headphones for a while, you'll get used to them. The two big advantages to the sound isolating are they are much smaller and they don't need batteries. The size is an obvious advantage, but don't discount the importance of batteries. I can't tell you how many times I forgot to switch off my sound isolating headphones and had dead batteries...Read more 11 of 12 people found the following review helpful: By Silver Bullet (COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Shure SCL2 Sound Isolating Earphones - Clear (Electronics) I just got these recently as a replacement for Shure E2C phones which, after 1.5 years of daily use, broke. Well, not really broken to the point of being non-functioning, but the plastic wire insulation to one of the earbuds separated and it was right where the wire crossed the top of my ear. It was very irritating, but the wire itself didn't break. Shure replaced the E2Cs with these SCL2 buds, and the first thing that struck me is that they didn't really look much different than the E2s. When I plugged them into my iPod I was pleasantly surprised by the bass response, which I think is an improvement over the older model. They sound great, but the E2s did too. Just improved bass response. Some folks knock the fit of the earphones, and to them I would say to go online and look at a cross section of an ear, see the anatomy of the canal, and try to put your earphones where they will fit, not just where you think they should go. the design of these is the same as the E2 and I wore...Read more |