Shure releases entry cellphone in-canal earbuds

Hoping to compete against the likes of V-Moda, Shure today launched the SE102MPA music and cellphone mic combo. The set reaches below the previous baseline of Shure's lineup by using the earbud design of the earlier E2C with the same music phone adapter as higher-end kits; the pairing gives owners of iPhones (including first-generation models), N95s and most other cellphones with a 3.5mm headphone jack the ability to listen to music at good quality while still having a quick toggle and mic to answer a phone call.

The adapter is strictly optional and can either be removed for music-only audio or combined with another earbud set from Shure or a third party should the existing set break or call out for an upgrade.

The SE102MPA sells for $100 at retail starting this month and should be matched by the additions of the SE110MPA, SE210MPA, SE310MPA, SE420MPA, and SE530MPA. These five additional sets have the same improved audio quality as their non-MPA counterparts and should vary in price from $130 to $470 in street pricing.