Shure SE215
Sound-Isolating In-Ear Stereo Earphones
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Analysis result of (215,315 reviews) for Shure SE215:
REVIEWS
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The drummer's IEM
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by Ben Dowd on Guitar Center
I've been playing for twelve years and have been through many different brands, styles and costs of ear buds and in ear monitors. Nothing i have ever used compares to these. I've used the BOSE !E2's, which cost the same, and these 215's completely mop the floor with them. There really is nothing on the market that can even come close. The ear pieces latch in so well, once you get the wire around your ear, you CANNOT shake these loose. Even if you don't have them in perfectly, you can hear them just the same, and they will not move. When you're an active moving drummer, you can't put a value on that. The quality of the cord is UNMATCHED. kevlar laced with removable buds?! You'd be hard pressed to make that cable quit, but if you ever do, you can replace it! SO RAD. The isolation they have is spectacular. i use the foam tips as opposed to the rubber, and they lock out the right frequencies where my kit still sounds crisp, clean and well rounded without making everything sound muddy. With the great isolation, you can turn your volumes down, still hear your ambient kit, and not ruin your eardrums. Even in the midst of playing my kit, the sound quality delivered to my ears is clean, focused and strong. I read many reviews saying these were relatively bassy buds, and they definitely crank out the bass. However i want to make sure to clarify these are still a very flat response earphone. They represent the music extremely well, and illustrate facets of music that you just cannot hear with other types of buds or over ears. I'm insanely happy with their performance thus far, on my kit and on the soundboard. Mixing for our auxiliary camera feed is 10 times greater with the quality and isolation these offer. I jumped between wanting these and the 315's. A friend of mine has the 315's, so I put one of his buds on mine(the cables are the same for every SE IEM) and did a side by side test. I could BARELY tell a difference, volume was identical, and the sound quality was almost perfectly matched. I will say the 315's have a slightly stronger high end, yet the 215's have a warmer low end. But i say again, the difference is so marginal you can barely tell. IF you're like me and debating between the two, just save a hundred dollars and get the 215's. They will not disappoint. Overall I recommend these to any musician who needs an amazing all around pair of buds that will be an all around go to set of speakers. If you're a drummer, DEFINITELY get something in the Shure SE line, they will not shake loose! ... More
Best Musical Investment I've Made in Years
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by Chad Dodson on Musicians Friend
As stage monitors, these earphones more than do the trick. The "in ear" experience is like no monitoring experience you've ever had. It literally changes the way you play and sing. The intricacies of the music come to life inside the Shure 215 earphones. The primary reasons that I am satisfied with these headphones could be summed up by simply saying the following: They should fit pretty much every single ear with ease. Not only will they fit, they will be comfortable. Not only will they be comfortable, they will immerse you in a world that is 37db quieter than what you're used to. I'm not going to lie, it's a bit of an adjustment, but an adjustment well worth the making. They will be stable on your head. While the provided fit kit helps the earphones stay firmly planted in your ear canal, the cabling will help stabilize the earphones even further. The "moldable" cable around your ears greatly cuts down extraneous movement and the additional piece that pulls the cabling tight to the base of your skull greatly reduces the pull from the cable hanging down your back. All of this is great bu the key here is the sound. You will hear nuance in your performance that you've never heard before. These earphones have pristine highs and mids that greatly help with vocal and instrumental performance. While it is a little lacking on the bass end for my taste, any good sound system will have some outboard gear which should include an EQ for the stage monitors so the lack of punch in the bass shouldn't be an issue for the live performer as you will be able to correct this in the EQ. These earphones come with a number of "fit" options that make finding the right "fit" for your ear a snap. The included fit kit comes with a good array of foam and flex materials that made fitting my own ears very quick. The cables that go to each earpiece are detachable. Not sure why I would want this feature but something like this would come in handy for maintenance or replacement. The actual cable has a piece that allows you to draw the earpiece cables tight against the back of your skull. This provides nice stability. The sound isolation is excellent. The cable is not exceptionally long. I'm about six foot and the actual 1/8 inch adapter for the cable hangs just below my waist. So if you're very tall you might consider that this cable might not reach waist level. For most, however, I wouldn't think this feature would be a hindrance...especially if you don't plan to use these earphones in a live music setting (stage monitoring for example) There is FORMABLE cable around the earpieces so that you can mold the wire to the contour of your ear. This greatly improves the stability. There is no kind of EQ control within the headphones so depending on what you're listening to, and what you're listening to it on, you might notice that these earphones are a little treble heavy. But of course, that is what you should expect in something with a single microdriver. So, for a fair price, you actually get an array of nice features that make this product well worth the investment. I think the construction, the fit, and the sound of these earphones are quite good. My primary use for these is in live music settings. These earphones are my stage monitors. Thus far, they have proven to be both durable and reliable. So like I said...good construction. The fit is such that I can wear these earphones for hours on end with little to no discomfort. So, like I said...high quality fit. The sound is the only thing that is a little lacking but I blame the single microdriver moreso than anything else. If you're using these earphones in live settings I would most definitely recommend the use of an EQ to improve the articulation of the bass frequencies. But, having said that, I am in no way disappointed with the overall sound of these earphones. I quite enjoy watching movies with these earphones. By nature of their design these earphones provide a unique audio experience in modern films where the stereo sound field is being highly manipulated. So anyway, good and diverse overall quality. I simply can't believe they're this cheap! I almost thought the price was a misprint when I first saw it. If you've done any research on "in ear" monitoring you know that the bottom end of the price scale generally starts around the $500.00 range. Now granted, that's often for custom in ear monitors but still, to create earphones this affordable was something I didn't think possible. Even the top of the line Shure earphones are very affordable. The 215's are the perfect answer for any live musician who wants to step into the world of "in ear" monitoring. You may find that you love the experience or you may find that you hate it. Either way, you're only out a hundred bucks as opposed to five hundred. ... More
You should buy these
Shure SE215 Sound-Isolating In-Ear Stereo Earphones (Clear)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Current Shure Earphones:E3c (my favorite earphones)SE110 (nice but a bit bulbous)Other High-End earphones:Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5EB (great honking things that sound like you have a subwoofer in your ear)Tracks:Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlife-Alabama 3Bang! Bang!-The Knux(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction-The Rolling StonesStarbucks & Hospital-I Am Sam Score-John PowellNeptune, The Mystic-Charles Dutoit & the Montreal SymphonyMy Funny Valentine-Anita O'DayOne for My Baby-Johnny MercerPickin' 'em Up and Layin' 'em Down-Jimmy Guiffre TrioStardust-The Dave Brubeck Quartet (Live recording)How High the Moon-Ella Fitzgerald-Twelve Nights in Hollywood Disc 3Echo la primavera-Anonymous 4-The Second CircleBrandenburg Concerto No. 1-Yehudi MenhuhinCarmina Burana-Herbert Blomstedt, San Francisco Symphony and ChorusesSheherazade-Herbert von Karajan, Berlin PhilharmonicTo Kill a Mockingbird-audiobook read by Sissy SpacekPzizz-sleep and nap app for iOSInitially, these sound very bass heavy but after a couple of tracks, you notice that the bass is actually quite a warm addition to nearly every track. They are nowhere near as bassy as the Ultimate Ears, which were purchased during a late 1990s Rap/Hip Hop/Bollywood phase.In the live recordings of Stardust and How High the Moon, it adds a level of atmosphere that may not be present in other headphones.In bassless tracks (Echo la primavera) the clarity of the individual voices and the spectacular harmonies are so precise as to convince the listener that they are sitting in a sonically perfect room with the performers.Classical tracks engulf the listener in a way that feels quite like sitting in the middle of the orchestra. Carmina Burana, a notoriously difficult album due to the very loud and very quiet passages requires no volume adjustments. The full range of instruments comes through with precision. Sheherazade in particular, shows off the individual instruments as well as the full orchestra.You will notice when your tracks are not up to scratch, some of my music sounds hissy with these phones.Comfort: The design of the earpiece requires the use of a wire in the first 2 inches of the cable. Because these earphones have removable (and therefore replaceable) cables which attach to the earpieces, the cables spin at the connection, making them a bit difficult to insert. The wires are then bent around the top the ear and the cable is meant to run down the back. I have other phones like this, I'm used to it. It may take some getting used to for other users. After wearing them for a couple of hours, I noticed some pressure on the left side as the earpiece presses against the antitragus (the little bump above the earlobe). After a couple of days, I don't notice the pressure at all.In addition, the earpiece lies flat inside the concha (the scoop next to the ear canal) which makes lying on your side a very pleasant experience. Some very good photos are available at ------------- Cable noise: The cables are designed to run down the back, there is some cable noise as they rub against the collar. With all the advancements in earphone technology, I have yet to find a set that can isolate cable noise. These do a passable job if you wear the cable down your back.Replacing the ear sleeves: A difficult experience. The earphones come with the medium size foam sleeves installed. Being a previous Shure user, I need the small foam sleeves. Removing the sleeves is a perilous endeavor. They fit VERY tightly onto the earpiece and you must pinch the sleeve and use your fingernails to pry them off. They look like hell after removal, as the foam squashes into a mushy mass. Given a bit of time, they will return to their original shape (mostly). The foam sleeves have little indented dots on the flat side to tell you what size they are (1 for small, 2 for medium, 3 for large). Also, the opening of the foam sleeve is considerably larger than the rubber sleeves.Sound isolation: Once in place, with the right foam sleeve, they block nearly all extraneous sound. As I type this, I cannot hear the keyclick of the keyboard and the fan next to my desk sounds like a whisper. With quiet tracks, you will hear outside noise, but it us not the least intrusive. I've worn them in busy restaurants, grocery stores and city buses now, the world just melts away.Ease of use: Because of the wire, it takes a bit of work to get them into your ears and they are not the wind them around your hand and stuff them in your bag earphones. Once you get the wire bent correctly, you won't want to lose the good fit.Left and Right designations: I chose the clear set. They have very tiny colored dots inside each earpiece-Red is right, Blue is left. The dots are a bit hard to see, but the clear earphones make you look like a proper rock star.Conclusion: Shure SE215 sound as good as my go-to E3c with much less bass than the Ultimate Ears. I can't see them being my run around town earphones, I'll probably use my E3c for that. For $ these are a great way to get premium sound for a very reasonable price. BUY. ... More
Sounds Good
Shure SE215 Sound-Isolating In-Ear Stereo Earphones (Clear)
Reviewed by Robert on B&H Photo Video
These earphones sound great, way better than I expected, considering the price point. I purchased these after my old Shures finally, after many years, died. I can't recall the model number of them, but they were a mid level Shure, costing about 2X the price of these. I'm very happy with the sound quality. Solid bass. Clear and satisfying sound. I use them primarily with my iphone at the gym, and a little bit with my computer while editing video. There are a few things that I don't care for, all unrelated to sound quality. First, the plug, though solid, is at a 90 degree angle, making it a little odd with the iphone. Second, the plug housing is not narrow at the base, making it incompatible with even a thin phone case. I have to use a short adapter cord. Who makes earphones that are not easily plugged into an iphone, and other portable devices likely to have some sort of case? My old Shures fit fine. Go figure. Third, unlike my prior Shures, which could be used in an over the ear configuration, or just straight in with a hanging cord, these are over the ear only because of the design. They are very comfortable in this use, and tend to stay put, but they require a little more effort to insert. The cords swivel on the earpiece, which is nice and helps with putting them on. Fourth, the first 2-3 inches of cord at the earpiece has a semi-rigid shell that needs to be bent over your ear. While very functional once it is in place, it again makes putting them on a bit harder. The cord is very long and seems durable. My overall impression is that this model is probably intended for musicians to monitor sound during performance, which is a different use than mine, where I tend to take them off frequently. So for sound I call it 5 stars. For the fiddly bits, but mostly the big plug, I take a star off and give it 4 stars. B&H service is stellar as always. ... More
satisfied!
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by sziebzi on Guitar Center
First of all, i wan't this to be clear. These are not everyday use earphones primarily. these are the so called "in ear monitors" that musicians use. The purpose of a monitor is different from an everyday use headphone. It gets me confused when people complain about how weak the bass is in these. It is not weak. Its just that you are expecting some overwhelming freaking huge bass that makes your head dizzy, which is not a problem. But again these are MONITORS. if these would have that amount of bass they would be useless. However, i think these have the perfect amount of bass. You can feel every beat of the kick drum, but its not overpowering the highs so every detail is clear. Details... with these, i have found so many new things in songs that i haven't heard before. it is amazing! a bad thing could be the length of the cable, because for me as a drummer i needed to buy an extension cable. But this is not really a problem if consider how cheap the product actually is. Ohh and also i read those comments complaining about how easily they break, but again. IEMs are fragile. you have to take care of them, and store them properly. Or you can, and if you buy such product you should pay an extra 18 dollar for 2 years of insurance, and in that two years if you step on them, if you tear the cable if you do anything they will give you a new one. i think if the other guys would have payed for the insurance they wouldn't have any problems with these. Overall, i love these. the clear ones look really cool, and i personally like an IEM to be see-through.The sound is very detailed and the bass is just on point. the cable could be a little longer, and finally, don't be cheap and pay the extra for the insurance. ... More
Ads
Great Sound Isolation
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by Carlos Estrada on Guitar Center
These earphones are a high quality product from Shure. I have tried only great products from this manufacturer and this is no exception. I'll highlight the main features of the product. Sound Isolation: These earphones feature high sound isolation. Right now I am listening to a 70s rock album at a low volume setting, I'm comfortable listening to music at this volume and it's raining outside, I feel the rumble of the thunder and can barely hear it. I can't hear the rain at all when the music is playing. A great option for people who travel by bus or train. Sound Reproduction Accuracy: First of all, I'm not an expert, but I know enough to say that the sound quality is very good. It's not the greatest (I prefer the sound of my senheisser HD280 headphones), but for the price it's well worth it. I think it's very transparent & accurate. Even though in the review it says 'enhanced bass', don't expect too much bass, it's just the right amount. The frequency response is very flat (colorless) and that is something that works great for me because I mix musical projects, so these might come in handy for a quick mix while rehearsing/recording. One thing that does impress me A LOT is the amount of detail that they achieve. You will hear perceive subtle nuances that you didn't know were there. It is also due to the dead quiet environment created by the massive sound isolation: something you would only achieve in quiet places such as a library or a studio control room. Comfort: The only issue inherent to the design of these earphones is that they are a bit hard to put on. You have to place them in your ear canal and adjust the cable behind your ear. And once they're on, I find them slightly uncomfortable. Not very much, though but I can feel them . To be honest I have yet to try the other fitting foam sizes, that may improve the experience. But once they're on, they stay on so, they're great for monitoring live bands even if they move a lot while performing. Fabrication & Quality: These earphones are of professional quality and make. All the materials look fine, and they are actually very pretty. I haven't dropped them or like stepped on them or anything like that but i think they'll stand the test of time. Conclusion: I recommend these mainly because of their isolating nature. Great for isolating external noise in your office, great for monitoring bands and for commuters! I haven't tried these on a plane or bus but I think they'll reduce much of the noise and actually may save a little of your hearing. On the other hand these things are loud so be careful when adjusting initial volume. ... More
For the price, It's the best purchase I've ever made!!!
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by Daniel Shields on Guitar Center
The short version of this review is simple: if you?re on the fence about buying these phones or you?re just trying to keep a $100 budget, stop hesitating and buy these. For the price, you simply won?t find anything better. My first impression of the SE215?s was quite disappointing. But then I discovered that I wasn?t wearing them properly, and after correcting the problem my ears were launched into a state of pure sonic bliss. MAKE SHURE YOU ARE WEARING THEM CORRECTLY BEFORE DISMISSING THEM!! If the buds aren?t properly seated in your ear, or the foam earpieces don?t completely seal off your ear canal, they will sound horrid, with sharp shrill highs, over-pronounced mids, virtually zero lows, and a very thin, bright sound overall. Not to mention they will be fairly uncomfortable. I have a hunch that some of the low reviews were a result of improperly wearing them. However, once you figure it out, make sure you?re close to a chair, because you will get knocked off your feet! I can hear details in my music collection that I never knew existed. I conducted a frequency response test by sweeping a pure sine wave across the sonic spectrum and the SE215?s did not disappoint. They faithfully reproduced everything from 20Hz to the upper limits of my hearing (about 17kHz, but I?m sure they go much further). I?ll be using these to do most of my intricate mixing from now on unless I decide to upgrade my monitors. These in-ear monitors can fully produce lows that my monitors can?t even touch. Honestly, I was skeptical about buying these and I was also considering similarly priced products from other brands. I ultimately decided to get these because their frequency response is more flat and I wanted to use them for mixing and stage use, in addition to everyday listening. However, they still throw down enough bass to satisfy even the most demanding bass-happy rap fanatic. Another point worth mentioning is that they didn?t move a bit after a solid 10 seconds of heavy head-banging. Seriously, what are you waiting for!? BUY THESE EARPHONES!! ... More
Worth the money!
Shure SE215 Sound-Isolating Stereo Earphones Kit with EAC-IFB Coiled IFB Earphone Cable
Reviewed by Michael on B&H Photo Video
I was looking for a replacement for my LG Tone earphones and thought I would give the Shures a try. Shure in-ear headphones have always been on my radar but the over the ear design (never been my favorite) and price have always kept me away. I decided to take a chance with the SE215-CL-BT1 and have not been disappointed. I decided to go with the 215s over the 112s because of the detachable (and replaceable) cable. My experience with Bluetooth headphones has shown that when Bluetooth headphone go bad it is usually a short in the cable. The SE215 cures that problem. When/if I have an issue with these I just replace the cable and keep the driver. Shure got the over-the-ear design of the cables just right . I have tried this same design in headphones from Klipsch and Polk and have found them extremely annoying and uncomfortable. The Shures are so comfortable that I forget that they are over the ear. Battery life is good at roughly 8 hours per charge and charging time of 2 hour is fast with a quick charge of 15 minutes gets you 2 hours of listening time. Another bonus is they come with both silicone and foam ear tips. For me the silicone are a little more comfortable and much easier to insert. The foam tips take a little more practice but if done correctly you get a much tighter seal and much better sound isolation. The clip for your shirt collar is a nice tough and helps keep them secure because you really don't want to lose a $150 set of earphones. So is there anything that I don't like? I only have a couple of minor gripes. 1) once in a while they get finicky and touching the earbud or cable causes dropouts. This has always been fixed by disconnecting the cable from the earbud and plugging it back in. Something you have to take them off and do and definitely not something you can do while driving. 2) I really wish the cable was just a bit longer. I like being able to clip them to the back of my shirt and letting the earbud hang over my shoulders down on my chest. H ... More
Sturdy, good sound, great isolation
Shure SE215 Sound-Isolating In-Ear Stereo Earphones (Clear)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
First off, I bought these IEMs because I was looking primarily for something sturdy and reliable. I wanted something I could take on train trips and use during long stretches of work in coffee shops and open offices, so noise isolation and comfort were next on my list. Finally, sound quality needed to be good but not necessarily audiophile-grade.I have used this product for approximately two weeks, usually for 1-2 hour stretches but occasionally for longer (3-4 hours, 2x a day). During this time I've never experienced the fatigue or irritation that I experienced with other IEMs.The cables are very sturdy and the earphones feel that way too. The earphones are large but they rest comfortably in the outer ear--when both earphones are in, there is minimal tug and no cable noise. My only complaints would be (1) that the weight is noticeable if you try to only use one earphone--the weight of the other starts to pull it out-- and (2) since the cables are detachable they spin around at the connection point and need adjustment each time to loop over the ear. Minor issues.I tried a lot of the different in-ear sleeves at the beginning, but ended up going back to the medium foam olives that were mounted on the earpieces to begin with. For me, the foam provided the most comfort and isolation relative to the other type of sleeves, as well as the most balanced sound. They also make it easy to insert the IEMs in your ears, as you can mush the foam down before inserting them in the same way you insert earplugs.The sound is good too--it feels pretty balanced and neutral. Previous IEMs I used tended to be bass-heavy, which has its appeal, but since switching to the Shures I'm noticing a lot more detail in the music without even focusing on it. I mostly listen to instrumental music from a variety of genres (hip-hop, jazz, classical, Indian classical, electronic), so the added detail has let me find greater complexity in a lot of music that seemed simple before. The carry case is also nice, and I appreciate the carabiner clip. I left my previous pair of IEMs on the train, so now I clip the case to a belt loop whenever I pull them out of my bag. It's good insurance to make sure I don't leave them behind on the seat.Overall, I'm very pleased with these IEMs and I would definitely buy them again. ... More
Excellent sounding for the price
Shure SE215 Sound-Isolating In-Ear Stereo Earphones (Clear)
Reviewed by Cesar on B&H Photo Video
First of all, I would like to start by mentioning I gave it 4 starts for the overall product but for sound quality I give it 5 stars.I've owned my pair of the SE215's in clear color for nearly 2.5 years; ever since May of 2011. I have wore them for long hours on transcontinental flights, worked out and have taken them on 6 mile+ runs 3-4 times a week. With all that said they are not perfect by any means and does has its flaws.As far as comfort goes, it all depends on how big your ears are. I have narrow ears and it does hurt after wearing them for 3 or more hours, my ears get a bit achy, no so much my ear canal but the outer structure of my ear where the bud actually rests. They provide fantastic noise isolation and are great for flying.One of the biggest issues I've encountered is the part of the wire where it goes from the earphone to over the ear. It has a memory type piece of wire inside the cable itself which molds to the top of your ear when they are worn so they stay in place and for better fit. Somehow, from constant bending it intermittently shorts out and sound cuts out. It is very frustrating when I'm running and sound just cuts out intermittently from normal head movement. Im on my second cable which was replaced for free under warranty from Shure and I still have the same issue with the new one. I almost forgot to mention that from sweat it tends to get some type of green corrosion insdie the earbud connector and inside the first few inches of the cable. I wish Shure would make an effort to take care and fix this issue which is common and other users have mentioned it on various reviews. These are well built earphones which fantastic sound quality and clarity for under $$. My Bose SIE2i sport earphones are extremely comfortable and perfect for working out but as far as sound quality and almost twice the price, the Shure SE215s sound a lot better, base response and midrange for most music genres than the Bose.Overall, I highly recommend these earphones and you will be surprised by how great they sound. ... More
Great entry-level In-Ear Monitors
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by Chris on Musicians Friend
Our band finally moved from floor wedges to in-ear monitors - I paired these Shure SE215's with a 6-channel headphone amp that I purchased earlier in the year. Aside from the obvious convenience of not having to lug 5-6 monitor cabinets to gigs (plus an extra amp rig), the ability to get a great vocal mix is incredible. I had done a bit of research on IEMs and was concerned about whether the sound would be balanced, particularly in the bass frequencies. No problem with the 215s - good clarity, solid mids, and tight bass. This is largely dependent on the quality of the earplug seal. Each SE215 kit comes with differently sized interchangeable plugs so each of us can find a good fit. Once this is done, the IEMs are incredibly comfortable, even after using for 2-3 hrs. The leads are detachable at each bud, and the first 2 inches are wire-reinforced so you can get a good, tight bend around your ear - great for keeping the lead comfortably out of sight (down your back). The leads themselves are only about 5ft long - maybe a bit short, but this was probably planned so most average-height people won't be stepping on the phono plug when detached (I stick mine in my back pocket when off stage). We run separate 1/4" stereo line extensions behind each band member which provides reasonable (careful) mobility. A wireless set-up may be in our future, but we didn't want to drop that kind of $$ for starters. One thing I'll mention for those going to IEMs for the first time is that, because of the necessarily tight ear plug seal, you won't be able to hear much of any ambient stage sound unless you're getting some bleed-through from your mics. This could feel a bit isolating for some folks and I've heard of bands even patching an extra omni-directional mic into the headphone mix to pick up the sounds you'd normally hear on/near the stage. Overall, we are very pleased with these in-ear monitors - they've eliminated a lot of set-up and feedback hassles, and helped us focus on our sound. ... More
Smooth & Warm, yet lacking in the highs
Shure SE215 Sound-Isolating In-Ear Stereo Earphones (Clear)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
If you are looking for a smooth and warm presentation without harsh treble or overwhelming detail, then the SE215 is a very good in ear headphone. I consider this headphone forgiving. While not for bass-heads, the bass was fairly tight and more than enough for me. However, coming from a headphone such as the AKG 501 or AKG 701 or even the Koss Earclips. I missed the lack of treble clarity. However, these are over the ear headphones which cost much more money and have more presence and detail. I listen to a lot of acoustic Jazz with drums and found that I just wasn't hearing the cymbals, hi-hat or brush work in the mix. I have heard the sure SE450 which takes care of this problem, but unfortunately is far more expensive. As far as build is concerned, the cables are quite well made and I didn't notice much micro-phonics. However, although I was able to get a good seal, I'm not a fan of wearing the cable over my ears. Overall, a well made smooth and warm iem which if that's what you want is most certainly worth checking out. I'm hoping I can find something that has more high end extension and detail without being harsh in the same price range. ... More
I would not recommend for vocalists.
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by MsRat3 on Musicians Friend
As a vocalist, I purchased these to use as a monitor for live performance in a lounge/small cafe setting. I wanted something discrete. They were of excellent construction and quality... what I would expect from Shure. That said, I did ultimately return these. I found the cord too short to plug directly into the rack. I'm 5'6" and the cord was barely able to plug into bottom of rack and reach my ears. The selection of different ear plugs was nice and the fit was fine, however you do need to "stuff" these deep into the ear in order to get full sound quality. As a vocalist, I found it physically uncomfortable to sing with these in my ears. It may be just me, however my eardrums change shape when I move my jaw and I could feel the buds squish in my ear canal. This also made them "squeeze out" a bit from my ears, so I had to constantly readjust buds. This was the main reason for my return. As far as sound quality, II thought they sounded ok, as long as they seated in the ear fully. As others have said, I found them lacking bass. This was not as much as a concern for me, as I was using them as a monitor, but it would be a deal breaker if I was using them for straight listening pleasure. Again, this could be due to my ear shape??? These do need to be really deep in your ears to get full sound. I'm giving them 4 stars, because I don't know if it is a physical problem on my part and I don't want to unfairly judge this product. I think if you were an instrumentalist and had a larger ear canal, these would be a fine monitor. If you are a vocalist and/or have a smaller ear canal, I would pass on ear bud, in general. So, if these had a longer cord and better bass, I could recommend these to non-vocalist:) ... More
The Office Cubicle Cranker. Just Be in Your ZONE.
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by KarateNate28 on Guitar Center
First let me say that I know it's not recommended to listen loud. However, that's just who I am. I like loud music and I like it to sound good. I'm pretty picky and cheap when it comes to what I spend my money on. I've used bose and sony for many years and have always been a guy that if I find something that works, I stick with it until I can't buy it anymore. At the end of life on a product, I'll buy extra that may sit on a shelf for 4 years before I need them but I know I always have something I know works that I can fall back on. My recent career path has taken me to days that I spend most of the day sitting in my cube behind the computer. This being said, I want to listen to music and listen loud that's how I concentrate. The problem was, I could not find anything that would block the noise so others were not annoyed by my music leaking from an open back on headphones or just leaking.. Over the ear or in-ear, I was unsuccessful. After many hours of looking and reading, I decided to give the Shure SE213 a shot. I am so impressed. They sound great throughout the frequency range I like and they have vertually no sound on the outside when I have them in my ears. So I'll be stocking up on these so I always have something that works. I used to buy based on what stayed on during intense basketball games but am unable to play anymore but I have no doubt that these would stay on under those conditions. I really like the adjustable wrap that they have so I can make them fit like I like. I wish I could afford the more expensive ones but I just can't. One other thing to note, I looked for a few months trying to find a used pair because I am cheap. One thing I've learned is that if you can't find something used that isn't broke for some reason, that means people don't want to get rid of them. I only found a few that were broke and it seemed to be from misuse. As recommend though, I opted for the extended replacement warranty. I spent $125 total and plan to add extras. ... More
Freddy, Boom Boom, Washington!!!!!
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by Sean Doherty on Guitar Center
OKay, so I am going to set any bass players mind at ease. If you are looking for in-ear monitors that won't break the bank, have multiple buds for the in-ear portion for extreme comfort AND have an incredible sound....then you will want to make sure you have a pair of these in your stage gear. I am running these through a Behringer POWERPLAY P16-M 16-Channel Digital Personal Mixer. I love the fact that the Behringer allows me to chose each channel and select the the exact level of sound for each channel and I can even go right or left for balance. With that being said, I tried studio noise cancelling headphones with this set up and it was okay. These SHURE are WONDERFUL. Total noise cancelling on the stage. I play in a church band and am set up in between the drummer and our keyboardist (who plays a Hammond B-3 organ and Leslie Power Amp along with a yamaha Keyboards). Needless to say, I would leave with ringing ears week in and out. After out service this past Sunday, no ringing in the ears, I heard EVERYTHING crystal clear...Oh My Goodness, what a difference!!!! Take the time, research these great in-ear monitors and make the move, you will not be disappointed!!!!! ... More
SE215 In Ear Monitors
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by hammerhand3434 on Musicians Friend
As of March 29th 2011, I have been through 2 pair of the SE215 Black in-ear monitors. Currently requesting a 3rd replacement pair. The failures have been due to the left ear-bud connecting points shorting out. The first pair lasted a little over 1 month before failing. The 2nd pair lasted a little over 2 weeks, before the same thing happened again. Just to give you an idea, I work an office day job in air conditioning. Virtually no moisture reaches the in-ears. I store them in a hard shell case and treat them like gold. Despite their quality/durability issues, I am well satisfied with their sound quality. The first pair I had took about a week for burn-in time. At first listen, they are somewhat colored in the lower frequencies. After a week of burn-in, the coloration subsided, and they were very enjoyable to use. Isolation-wise, I would say that Shure's attenuation stats are pretty accurate. They are very comfortable to use. I find myself being able to wear them for 2-3 hours at a time. Overall, I wouldn't say that they're a waste of money. They're certainly excellent in terms of sound quality. And if it weren't for them failing in the same spot two times in a row then I would recommend them 100%. If you plan to buy these, be cautious, and make sure that you can have them replaced under warranty. ... More
great for the money
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by Dude on Musicians Friend
These are great for the money. The construction is good quality, however, the connection of the cable at the earpiece corrodes when you sweat. You may experience quick moments of no sound after a bit of use. Just detach the earbud from the cable and clean the connection points with a cotton swab and some alcohol or nail polish remover. The key to getting a great sound is finding the right tips. I prefer the foam tips because they expand to a comfortable fit and the depth of the music is much better than with the silicone tips. Plan on purchasing more foam tips because they loose their awesomeness after a month of everyday wear. (They get gross with earwax). YUK!! As far as the durability they do quite well. I have sweated these things full during mountain bike races, enough where there is a noticable sound differance from one to the other. Just take the foam tips off and place them in a warm, dry enviroment for a day and they're back to normal. I tried the Westone One's prior to these and sent them back to be replaced due to sweat getting in them and quitting.(Three pair. I finally gave up on them.) The depth of sound is way better than the Westone's as well. Overall they're tough. I had my previous pair for two years. Sweated them to death and they kept going. I only replaced them because I stepped on them preparing to play my drums. I was using them as monitors. ... More
The best dynamic single driver IEMs yet!
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by Geosh on Musicians Friend
I got this set to replace a set of Ultimate Ears TripleFi 10s that finally gave up. I primarily use them as in ear monitors (IEMs) for use on stage. I didn't want to drop $$$ on another set of triple driver earphones, and after reading all the good reviews about the Shure 215s, I thought I would give them a try. I have owned single and dual driver Shures in the past and was never totally blown away by them. They were good, but they were nothing special for the money. The SE215 model though is really nice. It doesn't have quite the separation across the frequency range like my TripleFis did, but for a single dynamic driver it does a VERY good job. They have very nice bass and a good clean high end. Vocals are clear and don't get lost in the mix, and I can clearly distinguish between instruments in the mix. For the money, I haven't found a set of IEMs that I like better. I would definitely recommend checking them out if you are looking for a good set of earphones that won't break the bank. ... More
Three Weeks In, So Far so Good.
Shure SE215 Dynamic Microdriver Earphones
Reviewed by Andrew Y. on Musicians Friend
I purchased these phones for use with my church's IEM system and I've had the opportunity to use them half a dozen times while performing now and they have so far sounded very good. I did a full range check using the almighty Google (=P) and everything is well balanced, at least for my ears. To answer a most common question; the bass has a strong and full presence, so I don't supposed you ought to worry about that. One side note that might be beneficial to mention is the break-in period. Not sure why this is (I'm not a techno-geek) but the first two or three days that I used these (recreationally and professionally) they would occasionally cut out and, the best way I can describe it is refresh themselves, and come back in. Drivers issue? Not sure, again: not a techno-geek. But in either case, this problem ceased to persist after the first couple days and have yet to have it reoccur (they are about three weeks old, I will update if this glitch resurfaces). Overall, very good product and quite nice for the price. If I were to give them a "best feature" it would be their durability. The chord is fairly thick and I have several times moved to far from the jack and I got a nice yank on my ears (ouch) with no consequence to the phones themselves, so points there. Again, still relatively new and I will update if anything changes. Definitely a good buy if you are on a budget but something of an audiophile. ... More
Great sound, great value
Shure SE215 Sound-Isolating In-Ear Stereo Earphones (Clear)
Reviewed by Robert on B&H Photo Video
I bought these as a replacement for a pair of Audeo PFE-112s that I managed to lose on a train trip. After some research on the Internet, I chose the Shure SE215 because of their consistently good reviews. The SE215 comes with six sets of tips, S/M/L in both silicone and foam. This almost guarantees you'll find a set of tips that will give you a comfortable fit and a good seal. The cable is surprisingly thick, yet it's soft and pliable. The 2-3 inches of cable nearest the earphone is covered with a stiff, bendable sheath that allows you to bend the cable over and behind the ear. Because of the soft cable and over-the-ear routing of the cable, microphonics (sound transmitted to the earphones through the cables) are minimal. Sound quality is excellent. With the Audeo PFE-112, I had always been disappointed in the amount of bass. The Shure delivers plenty of bass for my tastes, yet without the muddiness often heard in cheaper earphones. Mids and highs are clear and snappy, though perhaps not as clean as you might hear in a more analytic set of phones. No complaints here, though. I listen to an eclectic mix of music ranging from classical to rock to electronica. I don't expect one set of earphones to do it all well, yet the Shure SE215 handles most of the music I throw at them without too many compromises. I have no real complaints. Given the comfortable fit and sound quality, I would rate them as one of the best values out there. ... More
