Zune MP3 Player: Shure SE210 Sound Isolating Earphones Review

I was lucky enough to get a prototype version of the upcoming new earphones from Shure. I briefly tested the product at CES last January but Shure sent ClicZune a pair of the SE210 for further review of the product. I’ve been using them for week now and I switched back a few times to the Zune earphones to see the differences with different kind of music.

The verdict: Throw away your Zune earphones and buy these in-ear canal earphones right away.

Read our complete review of the Shure SE210 Sound Isolating Earphones.

Product category: Earphones

Description: Premium sound in a sporty package. The $149.99 SE210 is designed with a Hi-Definition MicroSpeaker to provide full-range audio distinguished by an optimal high frequency response. The SE210 offers a sporty style and includes a Deluxe Fit Kit for a comfortable, secure listening experience.

Pros: Deep bass, clear highs. Reveal details of the music you probably never heard before.

Cons: Expensive, difficult to adjust.

Pricing and availability: $149.99 and available at the beginning of March.

Company website: www.shure.com

Made for: Zune, iPod or any other 3.5mm equipped audio device.

Product quality (9/10):

The earphones come with a nice looking case that you will probably want to keep for storing you earphones and sleeves. The cable, the connectors, the sleeves and the earphones themselves looks like very high quality product. Construction quality is also very good and the connections between the connectors and the cable and the earphones and the cable look very solid as well.

Performance (9/10):

At $150, we expect a lot from this kind of earphones. The thing is the SE210 delivers great performance. Once you listened to your Zune with these earphones, you know you won’t go back to the regular earphones. Be careful to choose the right sleeves for your ears though. Try a few sizes to see which ones fits your ears perfectly. The earphones need to go deep enough inside your canal, otherwise you will miss all the bass the product can deliver. If you choose sleeves that are too small, you will have the same kind of problems.

Once adjust, the earphones gave us great bass response and high frequency response was also really good. I used to boost the bass and highs of the Zune with the EQ but with the SE210, I went back to the flat EQ because the earphones do a great job reproducing the frequencies of the music.

You will notice that you won’t crank the volume to the maximum anymore. A volume of 12/20 is loud enough.

Comfort (8.5/10):

If this is the first time you use in-ear canal earphones you will feel a bit of discomfort. Removing them after a while will give you a burning sensation inside the ear. This sensation won’t last for long but can cause some discomfort the first few times.

The most disturbing aspect of the earphones is also one of its qualities. Between songs or when you stop the player, it feels strange being completely isolated from the world with earplugs.

The cable has been split for you comfort as well. Having a connection in the middle of the cable makes it easier to unplug the earphones without having to reach the player itself. But the most important advantage of having the connection is that it breaks the noise transmitted through the movement of the cable (microphonic phenomenon). Only the last foot of the cable is subject to this problem. The last source of discomfort could come from noises from your body. Breathing, coughing, eating, etc seems louder or unnatural while wearing the SE210.

Conclusion (8.5/10):

The SE210 are excellent earphones and are a must if you are a real music fan. Standard earphones may still have some advantages. Being able to understand the conversation around you may be more convenient sometimes. You should also be cautious when using them on the street because being completely isolated from the outside world could eventually become dangerous.

Shure SE210 Sound Isolating Earphones Review

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