NILES, IL and Las Vegas (CES South Hall 3, Booth #30349), January 5, 2006 - Shure Incorporated raises the bar in the CE market with the launch of the E500 Sound IsolatingTM Earphones, the new flagship for the award-winning E Series product line. Setting a new standard for sound isolating and noise-canceling headphones, the E500 Earphones are precision-engineered for audiophiles and include an innovative “Push-to-Hear” option that lets you alternate between complete isolation and your connection with the outside world.
What HDTV has done to the experience of watching television, the E500’s Triple Hi-Definition Drivers will do for audio. Utilizing three miniature speakers-one tweeter and two woofers-the E500 lets you experience precise highs and the richest lows that are true to live performance. Delivered in a tiny “in-ear” package with a sleek and comfortable new bronze metallic design, these earphones represent the ultimate audio experience at home or on the go.
An industry first for sound-isolating earphones, the E500 is available packaged with Shure’s new modular Push-to-Hear (PTH) accessory. Designed to allow consumers to alternate between complete immersion in their music or a connection with outside ambient sounds, the Push-to-Hear Control activates an external microphone and mutes the music. Perfect for brief conversations at work or when traveling, Shure’s PTH is also sold separately and can be used with any sound isolating earphones.
“IDC forecasts that the portable compressed audio (MP3) player market will grow from over 105 million units shipped worldwide in 2005 to nearly 182 million in 2009,” said Susan Kevorkian, Program Manager, IDC Consumer Markets: Audio, “The audio accessories best positioned to capitalize on this trend will be those that not only enhance the listening experience, but also complement the inspired design that is a hallmark of the portable MP3 player category.”*
Leveraging personal monitor technology previously available only to professional musicians, the E500 offers the following features and benefits:
* Unparalleled Acoustic Accuracy: The E500 is the first in Shure’s earphone line to utilize 3 miniature precision-engineered drivers — one tweeter and two woofers — to offer the most accurate audio reproduction for the ultimate in precision highs and the richest lows.
* Sound Isolating Design/Personalized Fit and Comfort: Proven more effective than noise-cancellation, Shure’s sound isolating earphones block 30-37dB of outside noise with a good seal. Leveraging soft, flexible sleeves that contour to the inside of the ear for the best possible fit and maximum comfort during wear, the E500 blocks outside noise to prevent it from interfering with the audio experience.
* Low-Profile Industrial Design: This is miniature technology at its best with sleek styling, bronze metallic casing, and a unique over-the-ear design to keep cables out of the way.
* Premium Accessories Kit: With 8 pair of sleeve options for a personalized fit, the E500 also offers modular cables for portable and home stereo listening.
“Shure has always been focused on using technology and design to deliver the best possible listening experience to our earphone customers,” said Mark Karnes, general manager of Shure’s Personal Audio Business Unit. “Building upon our rich professional heritage, Shure recognizes the qualities needed to create the ultimate refined audio product - innovative technology combined with cutting-edge design and maximum comfort. In the E500 and the PTH, we’ve delivered products that provide the purest of sound within a package that’s personalized for consumers’ lifestyles.”
Pricing and Availability
Priced at £399.00 , the E500-PTH will begin shipping in May and carries a two-year limited warranty.
Shure’s PTH accessory will also be sold separately for £49.00 and is compatible with Shure’s E500 or any other standard earphone.
Both products will be available for purchase on the Shure Web site, www.shure.com, as well as through select retail partners.
