I replaced my shure's with Ultimate ears. The cables are replaceable. My shures shorted out on stage and I ended up getting through the set with someones I-pod buds. They didn't have the isolation of the shures but when I found the Ultimate ears, I was blown away. The sound engineer for Van Halen put them out several years ago and have made many improvements. Problem is, they isolate so well you cant hear the woods or the sounds of what could be stalking you etc.