Shure PTH Control

This is a unique product, possibly because there’s little demand from the in-earphone community to socialize while listening to music. In the event the user does engage in conversation, it’s just as easy to stop playing the music and listen than engage the PTH.

Sometimes it’s cool to have a superfluous accessory, and that’s pretty much what Shure’s PTH (Push-to-Hear) is. Shure sells the SE530s (formerly E500PTH) both with the PTH control and without. Opting for the SE530s with the PTH model will run you about $50 more.

The in-line component is designed to cut out your music when engaged.  The built-in microphone then picks up room noise (specifically speech) and delivers it directly to the earphones.  This eliminates the need to remove the earphones every time someone wants have a heart-to-heart.

A little bigger than your car beeper, the PTH comes with a microphone volume wheel set deep into the enclosure’s side.  This keeps the mic’s level from accidentally getting adjusted, although it is hard to access.  The enclosure has a metal clip on the back, and comes with a removable alligator clip on the cord for very convenient wear.

The microphone (which is Shure’s forte) picks up a lot of room noise.  For those who are overly-concerned about their ears and loud noises, the PTH might make you nervous.  It picks up a lot of pops and otherwise-innocuous noises in the room.  If it’s resting on a hard surface, like a desk or table, rest assured it will interpret everything that happens to or on that table, like dropping a pen on it.  When engaged, your best bet is to hold it in your hand, where it’s safe from all of life’s unexpected actions.  Also, make sure not to disconnect any cords while the PTH is engaged, which can result in a painfully loud experience.