Home > Consumer Reviews > Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones

OK...so defining or describing sound is almost impossible, but I will try to share with you my thoughts and comparisons of these AMAZING IEMs (In Ear Monitors) to other things that I have tried.

First, I am NOT acoustically astute (technical terms, engineering, etc) but I DO consider my self a pretty discerning ear. I drive people crazy with how I can hear things in songs and my overall hearing. This is not a "brag" but it does give some perspective to my "pickiness" when it came to finding some IEMs that made it for me!

I bought these as a gift to myself with some Christmas money my family sent to me. So, I didn't really "NEED" anything...but I DO love my music. The only thing else I needed for my portable/personal music was a great set of phones. I have 10,000 songs and the first/last thing I do during the day is listen to my music. So, I started doing research on high end (within reason) IEMs, ear phones and even full-sized cans. I ended up finding a company that made custom IEMs (like Ultimate Ears) but for less than $400 a pair. So, I went to the audiologist and shelled out $50 for custom ear molds and waited almost 7 weeks for my customs to come in. So, they arrived and....

I was NOT impressed. I went back to the research and try to stay in the same money realm (less than $300) and read and read and read reviews, pros/cons, comparisons on dozens of internet posts, etc. I ended up deciding on the Shure SE530s and got them via Amazon.

These things absolutely BLOW the customs away. First of all, they look good. Second, they are incredibly comfortable and light...but not cheap feeling. Third, the fir and finish is outstanding. I know that many people have complained about PREVIOUS cabling issues, but they have changed their design and dealt with that flaw in their original design.

Here is my set up, song list (to demo and compare) and also what I have come from.
iPod classic 160gig
iBasso T3 amp (NICE little rig from China that really beefs the output from the iPod)
Shure ES530s

The playlist and it's BEST spots:
Hotel California (LIVE) (The Eagles) - it feels as if you can reach out and touch them...you hear EVERYTHING!
4 Minutes to Save the World (Madonna) - not TOO much bass, but a nice punch on those insanely low notes
Olympic Fanfare (John Williams) - Can you say, "CRISP?" Wow - this thing shows off the variety of the sounds these things are capable of.
Just As You Imagined (Nine Inch Nails - from 300 soundtrack) - an unusual song, but one that is VERY active and busy and the Shures don't miss a thing
Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits) - tight...the rhythm is smooth, the lead guitar glows but does not overpower
The Apollo 13 Mission (launch sequence from the soundtrack) - this is the only set of phones that come close to doing this thing justice. I have NO idea the frequencies that this piece covers, but you can hear all of them - very clear and distinct.
Prelude (on Earth as it is in Heaven) (by Globus) - you probably have NEVER heard of this song, but it is in the genre of "EPICA soundtracks" This is a thumpy, invigorating, stressful piece that is all over the place...not too much for these things!
Need You Tonight (INXS) - this is one of their classics and is very well recorded. This catches everything - the thump, the crisp lines and the lyrics are crystal.
Doomsday Clock (Smashing Pumpkins from Transformers soundtrack) - the drums are intense as is the bass guitar and the driving sound of this piece, but nothing is lost and the high hat on the drums is still crystal clear even during all the mahem!

So - as you can see, my test playlist is no easy walk through. I am not a RAP listening, but other than that, I play it on my iPod. These things have not missed a beat and I am BLOWN away at the quality, look, fit and finish and overall sound of these great phones.

I have heard it said once...you spend $300 on an iPod, WHO KNOWS how much money on your music, $50 for your protective case and then you listen to your music on the $1.99 ear buds that comes with the iPod. Your IEM or earphone decision is much more important than any of the others in your music collection and with these things, you will not be disappointed.

Good luck and enjoy!
Sproles

I bought these wanting to be blown away because of the cost ($290). While they do sound good and are comfortable they did not blow me away. I have used models that cost a third of the price that sound nearly as good (but not as good). They do cancel out the noise really well. They are also pretty comfortable. I use them to workout in as well as travel. While working out sometimes they come loose. They never fall out but I have to reposition them occasionally. While I am happy that I have them I will opt for a less expensive pair next time. Model:Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones

I love the sound, but I had the exact problem with the wires fraying. For that reason alone I would not recommend buying these headphones.

I Use these plugged straight to ipod with mp3's ripped at 192 to 256; listening to all kinds of music--mostly rock & techno. These are super-sounding earphones.

If you're making the jump from stock earbuds, these will knock your socks off. If you're upgrading from a good mid-level ear piece/headphones, the differences are more subtle, but real & noticable. Is this difference worth the premium price-tag....that's up to you to decide, but I am pleased making the upgrade.

These things are super refined; music just sounds lush, wet & super smooooooth. Detail & clarity is unmatched; you get all the subtle nuances, sustains & artistry of the performance. Everything is balanced sounding & these work great with all kinds of music. I own/tried several well-respected mid-level FULL sized headphones & these little guys exceed all such full-sizers in sound quality. All the clarity & detail of balanced amature drivers without any of the dryness/coldness.

The included black foam tips are very comfortable & its relatively easy to achieve a good seal with them. However, the ear pieces (hardware) are somewhat large & you will feel it against your ear, especially if you wear it with the wire straight down v. over the ear, as you will need to put the "L" piece into the right ear & vice-versa. Also, note that the medium foams that are on the phones when you get them are almost impossible to get off (one of them ripped in my effort to remove). But rest assured that once off, all the other tips are much easier to work with.

I haven't owned these long enough to experience the infamous wire problem. I'll keep my fingers crossed & in the meantime enjoy the best sounding earphones on the planet.

On a strict price to performance value proposition, these might not be the best choice (Nuforce NE-6 at $40 wins the best "value" category, IMO). But if you're simply looking for the best, period: These are it.

This is my first serious headphones. After 10 hours break in they started to rock!!!!! I never liked to listen to music in my mobile( Google G1). But with SE 530, music from my mobile sounds fantastic. PRAT is very good.I already have MF V-Can headphone AMP. The both sound great together!!!!