Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones

• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 49 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 10 stars

  The best I've ever heard

  by waswhatwer on June 20, 2007

  Pros: As good as it gets in sound isolating earphones

  Cons: Price, price and, uh, price

  Summary: I decided to buy some ridiculously expensive earphones about a year ago because I travel a lot and work in a loud office. I tried a friend's top of ...

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  Summary: I decided to buy some ridiculously expensive earphones about a year ago because I travel a lot and work in a loud office. I tried a friend's top of the line Etymotics and I also grudgingly tried a friend's Quietcomfort Bose headphones (I already decided I'm not halling around those giant things). The Etymotics were quite nice, but I ended up trying the SE530's at CES a couple of months ago and was blown away. I bought them last week and couldn't be happier with them. Absolutely crystal clear in the high and midrange with an enveloping bass. I think the base is significantly better than the Etymotic's, although those are fine phones as well). I was sitting on an airplane today, got lost in sound and actually forgot where I was at for a minute - it was a bit startling to have forgotten that I was on a plane (yes, I've been working too much - you have to to afford these things). Needless to say, the sound isolation is outstanding. My next step may be getting custom molded earplugs for them, the final step in my quest for perfect sound reproduction Bottom line: If I was a Pharaoh, I'd definitely put these puppies in the pyramid for the afterlife, right next to the Anubas statue....

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  16 out of 16 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 10 stars

  Better than Shure e500?

  by mrspeakers on May 5, 2007

  Pros: Great sound, really. Compact, comfortable design. More comfortable and secure tips. Excellent warranty service.

  Cons: Needed warranty service

  Summary: I originally purchased an e500 PTH, and my review was posted on CNET for that product. Unfortunately, a cable problem developed, but showing extraordinary service, Shure didn't just repair ...

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  Summary: I originally purchased an e500 PTH, and my review was posted on CNET for that product. Unfortunately, a cable problem developed, but showing extraordinary service, Shure didn't just repair them, they shipped me the SE530! No refurbs, like you get with some vendors.
  
  So, the SE530 is supposed to be the same as the e500. It's not. First, they put the PTH out as a more expensive option, which does, in fact, make this a price increase. Second, the sound is different. Whether it's manufacturing variation, or evolution, I can't tell you, and Shure doesn't seem to say. However, what I can say is that everything in my review below still holds true, except that these actually sound better.
  
  The difference? They are a touch brighter from abuot 4KHz up. Maybe 1dB. It's just enough to add some presence, and a little sparkle to cymbals, or presence to violin. The result is quite pleasing, as I noted in my first review that the unit seemed a bit muted.
  
  Two details; the new ear tips are more comfortable. The soft-foam ones can be fitted, and the round soft-rubber tips are textured for a more secure fit. One change for the worse: the product includes a short cord for users with arm-mounted ipods (my config), and for a Nano with the connector on the bottom, it's now about 2" shorter than the e500 cord, making it too short to use.
  
  It's enough to push these little beauties to a perfect "10."
  
  Attached is the review...
  
  ----------------------------------------
  
  I'm an audio engineer, and have about six sets of headphone and earphones, including Shure e4c, Sony MDR V6, little Panasonics, Bose Quiet Comfort 2.
  
  The fit and finish of the Shure are top of the pack; light, but clearly extremely high quality construction.
  
  The Push To Hear device is way larger than I would have expected, and feels cheap. That's a dissapointment.
  
  Sound: The first impression was that the bass was boomy and a bit over-blown (I'm a bass fan). However, within two days, the sound completely transformed; the bass became taught and well balanced, and blends incredibly smoothly throughout the who range. THere is no discernable gap or hole where driver overlap/interference detracts from the sound.
  
  In listening to old-favorites, on CD, AAC (192K), or 128MP3, EVERYTHING was audible. I have listened to some of my source material for years, on the highest-of high-end gear, and this little beauties were so revealing I was hearing not just a little, but a LOT, or ambience, detail, production overlays (and yes, CODEC artifacts, especially with MP3).
  
  I was simply floored by the level of detail. Not the least of reasons being that, in a sense, these phones are not in-your-face tipped up with sizzly treble (like the Panasonics or Sony's), and the midrange is so clear and free of grain that at first, I thought detail was *missing* from some of my recordings.
  
  This was a surprise, as vocals which used to have a bit of grain, or cymbals and snare drums, sounded almost soft. But, the incredible detail and transparency makes it clear that many of these "details" were sizzle and hash created by the drivers in the other phones.
  
  Needless to say, in comparison to the Bose products, the Shure's provided a more compact travel solution, better noise reduction, and vastly superior, more transparent and extended audio.
  
  The PTH was usefull for knocking about in the office, I could talk to people without "unplugging" myself. I just wish it were more compact and solid. But, this is an extra, it's not the reason for existence for a product such as this.
  
  This is without a doubt the best headphone/earphone I've ever heard. Improve the PTH, and it'd be a 10 for sure. Thanks Shure!
  
  Updated on Sep 23, 2008

  I had ANOTHER warranty issue with the cords. Here's the story, according to Shure.
  
  A "small percentage" of users have sweat that includes a chemical that interacted with the original cable housing to stiffen the plastic, resulting in a failure by the strain relief. Cables that will fail were indicated by the housing that wrapped around the ear retaining the "ear shape" and becoming less flexible around the ear area.
  
  Shure claims that recent product has re-formulated cable housings that will not react with sweat/oil. The new cable should stay supple from earbud to connector, and not retain shape when removed from the ear. That said, they did recommend periodically wiping the cable down in the area in contact with skin.

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  9 out of 9 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 7 stars

  probably the best earbuds in it's class, but does not compare to high end oversized headphones

  by f00fighters on October 16, 2007

  Pros: blocks out most ambient noise, and overall sound is good

  Cons: the bass tends to drowned out a bit of the highs and mids, and the befenfit does not exceed the cost

  Summary: For this review I have been using nothing but Apple Lossless formats from Sound Garden, Collective Soul, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, U2, etc.
  
  I bought these primarily for my
  
  ...

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  Summary: For this review I have been using nothing but Apple Lossless formats from Sound Garden, Collective Soul, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, U2, etc.
  
  I bought these primarily for my iPhone. Unfortunately, the problem with these earphones, is if you create an airtight seal, you'll get plenty of bass, but your highs & mids are a bit convoluted. I guess that's the problem with in-ear buds. I even tried using the "treble boost" in my equalizer settings on the iPhone which made only minor improvements. These headphones sound AMAZING when plugged into my mac pro, with "sound enhancer" option checked in iTunes as well as the manual settings enabled in my iTunes equalizer. Unfortunately, you don't have those options in the ipod/iphone. You can only use the preset EQ settings in the iPhone and there's no sound enhancer option. The sound cannot match that of over the ear cans, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, these are probably the best in-ear buds money can buy, and they do sound great if you have the right equipment. But the combination of only these headphones and an ipod, I have to say I'm not all that impressed. Now, I believe with a portable headphone amp, these headphones will show their true potential. I love bass, but clear highs and mids are equally as important, and I believe that they are a bit lacking because of too much bass. I believe the expense of these headphones for use with an ipod, is not easily justified unless you invest in a portable headphone amp.

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  7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 10 stars

  If you demand the best get the SE530's

  by ryork272 on August 21, 2007

  Pros: GREAT sound! Very light and comfortable. Nice cord options & case. Affordable : -)

  Cons: Hmmmm...I need 10 characters here. None.

  Summary: There simply are no negatives to these headphones. You can get them for $100 cheaper and brand new on eBay. I have the Shure e4c's. I thought they sounded ...

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  Summary: There simply are no negatives to these headphones. You can get them for $100 cheaper and brand new on eBay. I have the Shure e4c's. I thought they sounded great. I bought these and compared the two. Well, I was astonished! Everything sounds better with these. The sound balance is incredible and the bass is perfect (bass sounds a bit empty with the e4c's). The sound isolation is top shelf, especially if you fly often.
  
  The new soft tips are a welcome change (they also fit the e4c's) as is the cord options. The e4c's cord was hideously long and always in the way. The oval shaped carrying case is also very nice.
  
  In short, you will not be disappointed with these in-ear headphones. They are expensive so don't lose them!

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  6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 9 stars

  Very balanced, exceptionally tight bass and clear highs

  by logonx on June 20, 2008

  Pros: Fit nicely, don't fall out when jogging or strenuous activity (like the SCL2's did)

  Cons: Price is a little high for the increase from the SE310....(Not worth $200 more IMHO...maybe $100 more)

  Summary: I tried the Klipsch Image, The Klipsch Custom 3, the Shure SE210, SE310 and the SCL2 and I have to say that the only comparable set to the SE530 is ...

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  Summary: I tried the Klipsch Image, The Klipsch Custom 3, the Shure SE210, SE310 and the SCL2 and I have to say that the only comparable set to the SE530 is the SE310. (For fit and sound quality) It would be nice to have the 530 in the size of the 310, but that's the price to pay for 3 drivers....I really think that if you want the best get these, but if money is an issue the 310's are exceptionally good as well. I am one of those people that like to pay that little bit more to have the best rather than to settle for second....If you can get these earphones for less do it without question. If you prefer a smaller set thgat sounds almost just as good, go for the 310's (Almost sounds like a review for the 310's here.... I suppose they really made an impression on me. I listen to Classical, Jazz, rock and progressive metal....as well as some some really heavy metal, but to find a set that works for everything is not too hard....look no further....

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 10 stars

  Ri-dic-u-lous. Words will not describe how good these are.

  by justanordinaryguy on May 28, 2008

  Pros: Sound so good it makes me feel like I am on some sort of drug. Fit is perfect, you forget they are there. Changes the way you heard almost every song you have ever heard, really and truly.

  Cons: None. Some say price, I found them New for $280 delivered. They are worth $600 or more.

  Summary: Bottom line is this? I have had Sony Reference Headsets (over ear style), the Shure E310's, the UE Super.Fi Pro 5's, and the Q-Jays (most recently). Each ...

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  Summary: Bottom line is this? I have had Sony Reference Headsets (over ear style), the Shure E310's, the UE Super.Fi Pro 5's, and the Q-Jays (most recently). Each were great, with the Q-Jays being the best of that lot, but even the Q-Jays were no where close to what we/I have in the 530's.
  
  I have never in my life heard the balance, smoothness, thorough and complete bass spectrum response, highs that are smooth and sound correct (not ear-piercing or scratchy). The entire mix is crystal clear -- hear the chair move during recording session, finger motion on the fret board, warmest minute nuances in the timber of vocals, smallest definition of a drumstick bouncing or rolling off a drum head, you get the picture, sounds as I have with these babies. It is almost scary how intimate it can feel... like you are next to the musician breathing on you while they sing.
  
  I produce music, manage a band, as well as play and sing myself. These 530's are simply unbelievable. They literally make me want to re-listen to every song I own (about 8134 of them to be precise). I like to call them my aural nirvana. You will not be disappointed period.

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 9 stars

  Spectacular!

  by trospero on May 23, 2008

  Pros: Brilliant sound stage, comfortable, well designed.

  Cons: Price might be a drawback for some, but these are SERIOUS headphones.

  Summary: The big advantage of these is that they offer superior sound that easily compares with the sound quality of many expensive full-sized headphone sets, while offering the discreetness of small ...

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  Summary: The big advantage of these is that they offer superior sound that easily compares with the sound quality of many expensive full-sized headphone sets, while offering the discreetness of small size. And with the sound isolation, most environmental sounds are filtered out, leaving only the amazing sound of these speakers. If you are going to spend $450 on ANY kind of headphones, you should consider these. I cannot praise them enough. You will be dazzled.

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 6 stars

  Good, but not worth $500

  by alexn87 on February 4, 2008

  Pros: Sound isolation is pretty good if you have the right fit. Sound quality has a bit more 'body' to it.

  Cons: $50 sound-isolating earphones will probably sound exactly the same.

  Summary: The sound isolation is pretty good, but there are many cheaper alternatives out there which would provide the same sound-isolation.
  
  As for quality, I wouldn't say it's "$500"
  
  ...

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  Summary: The sound isolation is pretty good, but there are many cheaper alternatives out there which would provide the same sound-isolation.
  
  As for quality, I wouldn't say it's "$500" better.
  
  Compared to a traditional earphone (without sound isolation) the sound quality does seem better. For example, normal earphones have a 'dryness' to them, and sounds like the sound is leaking out of them. These earphones dont have that, and so the sound quality is much richer. However... comparing these earphones to other (cheaper) sound-isolating earphones, there is not much difference.
  
  The quality is in my opinion 'normal'. By that, I mean the sound sounds exactly how it *should* sound (coming from an MP3 player), but don't think it will make you jump out of your seat in surprise. The clarity is also normal, I wouldn't say it sounds noticeably better than headphones or other sound-isolating earphones.
  
  Think of padded headphones, but with slightly less bass (if you don't already have sound isolating earphones).
  
  In terms of comfort, they're not that bad, but you can really feel that they are in your ear, unlike normal earphones which just rest in your ear.
  
  Overall, if you already have sound-isolating earphones, you probably won't notice any difference, so it might not be worth it.
  
  If you don't already have sound isolating earphones, buy some for $20-$50 and you will probably get the same quality. I honestly can't *hear* the "2 woofers and tweeter". Just sounds like regular sound-isolating earphones to me.
  
  However, if you don't mind being over-charged for a product that is 'Made in China' which sounds identical to cheaper alternatives, by all means, buy this product.

  Updated
  As I've recently discovered, the foam sleves increase bass, but decrease treble. Foam sleves have the best sound isolation.
  
  If you want high clarity (trebles) try the plastic/rubber sleves. Just a note though, these sleves do not isolate sound as well as the foam ones.
  
  While I prefer the foam sleves, I'd like to make a note. Since I already said that foam sleves drop the treble, I highly recommend that you make a custom equalizer on your MP3 player (if it supports it). It sounds much better this way.
  
  Therefore, I change my original rating from 6 to 7/10.
  
  However, I still think cheaper solutions would have the same outcome.

  Updated
  I just noticed something, and I'd like to point it out.
  
  A lot of people who buy these earphones wear them normally. If you actually wear them with the cable coming over your ear, they don't stick out as much. In fact, they don't stick out at all, and they kind of fit the exact shape of the ear.
  
  To me, this is great, because sometimes I like to lie down on my side (in bed) when listening to music, and it's very easy with these.
  
  By the way, I bought the PTH version, and the microphone is really good!
  
  Update rating to 7.5/10 :P

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  4 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 10 stars

  shure e500 with great improvement

  by jinx20001 on August 22, 2007

  Pros: the best iem to date,giving better mids and bass than ultimate ears alternative triple fi 10's,superb design also beats ultimate ears down!

  Cons: none,hence the perfect rating

  Summary: these earphones are spectacular,im a bit astonished at the cnet review to be honest because the shure e500 got the 8.7 rating also but these offer better foam ...

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  Summary: these earphones are spectacular,im a bit astonished at the cnet review to be honest because the shure e500 got the 8.7 rating also but these offer better foam tips which make a great comfort and design difference so why are they rated the same?? i find the sound of these earphones perfect in every way,simply stunning,expensive but well well worth it,i recently tried the super triple fi 10's and these simply have better punch to bass and cleaner more forward mids! im also suprised that cnet claims the earbuds stick out of the ears (have these guys seen those ultimate ears!) these are some of the smallest triple driver earphones available and never stick out of my ears no further than my ears themselves infact the whole earphone body is in my ear but not obviously in my ear canal,honestly there is not anything to complain about,if anything was ever to go wrong theres shures superb no reciet needed warranty,amazing!

  Updated
  these headphones are regarded on cnet as very very good,spectacular infact and i along with many many users agree and love these earphones,they sound as good as e500 with improved foam tips and modular cable and so on,so why the same 8.7 scoring,they are a slight improvement,i think an 8.9 would be more accurate,nestling nicely just under the ue 10 pro's and a nice improvement over e4c's which are rated 8.5,please cnet re rate these earphones,thay deserve a bit more credit! the only shortcomings are the bulky pth unit (which is optional now anyway,another plus) and slight fir and saze concerns,you guys need to check out the size and fit of triple fi's then these could be considered pretty small and close fitting

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  2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 9 stars

  INCREDIBLE!!! but yet...

  by alexamh9 on June 27, 2008

  Pros: Completely amazing! Perfect base, quality, mids, highs, lows, sound-isolation, appearance, comfortable, and difficult to break!

  Cons: The average iPod or Zune user doesn't need them and they are not exactly free.

  Summary: THESE ARE AN AMAZING PAIR OF EARPHONES!!
  
  Their small size is incredible considering they block out pretty much all noise (I could still, however, hear a tiny dronning noise while
  
  ...

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  Summary: THESE ARE AN AMAZING PAIR OF EARPHONES!!
  
  Their small size is incredible considering they block out pretty much all noise (I could still, however, hear a tiny dronning noise while in an airplane), but for normal use they do a magnificant job!
  
  The average iPod and Zune user really doesn't require them because similar quality can be reached by cheaper earphones. The true potential of the SE530's can only be met in a studio.
  
  The best of my songs have been converted to AAC lossless format(iTunes compresses them to about 8-20% at the most). This is of course great, considering they average at about 300-320kbs per song, but it burdens not only my storage capacity but also my time. It takes forever to reconvert over 120gb of music. And since you cant upgrade music (as far as I know), I have to re-rip the CD's.
  
  Overall, a great buy, highly recommended for the serious user, but not the best choice for an average low-quality music listener.

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  2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.

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