Shure SE215 review: these wired earbuds serve up incredible noise isolation and a healthy side of bass
Shure SE215 Review: Review
The Shure SE215 has a strong reputation in the live music world, delivering reliable monitoring capabilities at a competitive price. Specifically, the SE215s are typically priced under $100 / £100 / AU$200, meaning they’re a fairly affordable set of entry-level in-ear monitors for live performers, producers or wired listening enthusiasts .
Let’s start with the most important thing: sound quality. The Shure SE215 has a self-proclaimed “warm” sound signature that’s designed to showcase “enhanced bass” while still delivering clear, detailed audio overall. So, how did they perform? Generally speaking, pretty good.
First, the Shure SE215 delivers on its promise of delivering enhanced bass. when i tune in dark circles Created by Allie X, this powerful drum machine features impressive depth and responsiveness for a punchy, rhythmic listening experience. Generally speaking, the strummed bass line on this song is handled well, sounding controlled and impactful throughout the entire run of the song – something I’m always looking for when testing songs. The best wired earbuds.
This was a recurring theme, and almost every track I played provided very good low-end depth, especially considering the price you pay for these IEMs. The only minor issue you might encounter is that the heavy focus on bass can cause the sound to be slightly muddled, especially at the highest volumes.
listen i want you Moloko’s song, the bass of this song is pounding and immersive, but cranking up the volume sometimes creates a somewhat overbearing, chaotic sound. This can be a bit frustrating for musicians who want ultra-clear, professionally balanced information at their gigs, but again, at moderate volumes, I found the focus on bass to be pleasant rather than severe Source of expansion.
My only complaint about the sound is that these in-ears can sound a little inaccurate at times. For example, cymbals are i want you It sounds prominent but a bit harsh, especially the crash that connects the intro to the main part of the track. But other than that, the audio quality is up to par here. Vocals, while not exactly breathy or realistic, are clear and well-balanced, while music rarely sounds distorted or tinny.
Despite delivering commendable audio quality, I think the SE215’s real highlight lies in another area entirely – passive noise isolation. I’ve been impressed with Shure’s wired noise cancellation before (see my AONIC 3 After Review), and these provide adequate protection against external sound.
When using the default foam earbuds and listening at around 50% volume, I could barely hear anything in the office, from typing to coworkers talking. At one stage some drilling occurred and sound could be heard, but it was very muffled due to the excellent seal these earbuds provide. So if you’re a musician who needs a consistent, clear audio input without too much interference, the SE215 will be perfect for you.
Speaking of the included earbuds, you can choose from the usual small, medium, and large sizes. But that’s not all, if you find long-term in-ear listening more comfortable, you can also get the same in gel form. On top of that, you get a fabric carrying case that comes with the earbuds, which has a clip to attach to a belt or bag – very convenient. For the price, you do get quite a bit, but it’s worth considering that there’s no built-in microphone or controller. You can remove the cable and replace it with a replacement that has such functionality, but you’ll have to pay extra for it.
I mentioned before that the seal on these earbuds is great and the overall fit is very secure. The earphones are attached to a flexible wire that molds to your ears – perfect for keeping them in your ears as you move. However, I don’t think these are the most comfortable headphones on the market. You’ll definitely get a secure, snug fit, but they may feel a little uncomfortable after a few hours. So if you’re looking for a wired option for casual listening, they may not be the best choice.
Regardless, these in-ears are well-made and of high quality. The earbuds I tested had clear black casings so you could see the components powering the IEMs. This may not be for everyone, but I find it has a cool aesthetic. The buds don’t look cheap or flimsy either, so they should last quite a long time. They don’t have a specific waterproof rating, but Shure’s website claims they’re at least sweatproof, which makes them suitable for your use if you’re a stage performer.
Finally, aside from the slightly thicker Y-connector, the included wires are pretty slim. You’ll hear a bit of cable noise if you’re walking around with these earbuds, but it’s fairly silent, which means the SE215 overall does a good job of mixing style and substance.
All in all, the Shure SE215 are a very solid pair of entry-level IEMs that offer impressive bass, pleasing clarity, excellent noise isolation, and a clean design. The audio can get a little bloated at high volumes, and you probably won’t find them to be the most comfortable headphones on the market, but they’re still great for your purpose, whether you’re on stage, making beats in the studio, or just immersed in music Listen to some at your leisure at home.
Shure SE215 review: price and release date
- US$99/£90/AU$179
- Launched in 2011
The Shure SE215 were released back in 2011, but they’re still a hugely popular choice among musicians and wired listening enthusiasts. They’ll cost around $99 / £90 / AU$179, but you can get them for less, so keep an eye out for great deals. This model is available in a variety of colors, including black, blue, clear, and purple.
Shure SE215 review: Specs
| driver | Single dynamic |
| weight | 1.1 oz/30g |
| frequency range | 22Hz-17.5kHz |
| Waterproof level | Not specified, but resistant to sweat |
Should you buy Shure SE215 review?
| property | notes | grade |
| feature | No in-line controller, but detachable cables and excellent noise isolation. | 4/5 |
| sound quality | Impressive bass, generally clear audio, a bit muddy at times. | 4/5 |
| design | Stylish transparent buds, slim wires, and Y-shaped connectors on the thick side. | 4/5 |
| value | A solid pair of entry-level in-ear headphones for a fairly low price. | 4/5 |
Buy them if…
Don’t buy them if…
Shure SE215 review: You can also consider it
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | After SE215 | Sennheiser IE 200 | Sound Magic E80D |
| price | US$99/£90/AU$179 | US$149.95/£129.99/AU$239.95 | US$44/£39.98/AU$66 |
| driver | Single dynamic | 7mm dynamic | 10mm dynamic |
| weight | 1.1 oz/30g | 0.14 oz/4 g (per bud) | 0.56 oz/16 g |
| frequency range | 22Hz-17.5kHz | 6Hz-20kHz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Waterproof level | Not specified, but resistant to sweat | Unspecified | Unspecified |
Shure SE215 review: How I tested it
- Tested for two weeks
- Use in the office and outdoors
- Mainly using Tidal for testing on FiiO M11S
I tested the Shure SE215 over two weeks. I mainly use Tidal to listen with them FiiO M11Sand also tried it with Spotify on my Windows laptop. I tested the SE215 in the office, at home, and while walking near busy roads to evaluate the noise isolation capabilities.
When listening to music, I played tracks from TechRadar’s test playlist, which contains songs from a variety of genres – although I also spent a few hours tuning in to songs from my personal library.
- First review: December 2024
- Read more about How we test
