Shure SE215-K Live Sound Monitor, Black

by Shure

• The SE215-K features a newly developed Dynamic Micro Driver from Shure, delivering detailed sound quality with enhanced bass.
• Detachable Cable with Wireform Fit
• Sound Isolation technology prevents outside noise from interfering with your audio experience, whether on-stage or on-the-go.
• Lightweight, low-profile shape with optimized nozzle angle is designed to rest comfortably in the ear.
• Soft, flexible sleeves in multiple shapes and sizes gently contour to your ears. Carrying case also included.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 7 x 2 inches ; 5.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B004PNZFZ8
• Item model number: SE215-K
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (446 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #94 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > Headphones
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 26, 2011

Product Description

Color: Black

Model: SE215-K

Color: Translucent Black

Click Images to View Higher Resolution! Featuring Dynamic MicroDriver, the SE215 delivers detailed sound with enhanced bass. A detachable cable with formable wire enables easy replacement and a secure, comfortable fit on-stage or on-the-go. Sound Isolating sleeves in multiple sizes provide up to 37 dB of isolation and a customized fit. Available in translucent black or clear. Comfortable sound isolating sleeves block up to 37 dB of ambient noise. Sound isolation technology prevents outside noise from interfering with your listening experience, whether on-stage or on-the-go. Shure Sound Isolating Earphones require a proper fit to achieve the best sound.The role of the included sound isolating sleeves is twofold: blocking ambient noise and ensuring a comfortable customized fit. Because every ear is different, the Fit Kit includes three sizes (S, M, L) of the flex and black foam sleeves. Experiment with the size and style that creates the best fit for you. A good seal is key to optimizing sound isolation and bass response as well as maximizing comfort during extended wear.

Features Sound Isolating Design Comfortable sound isolating sleeves block up to 37 dB of ambient noise. Sound isolation technology prevents outside noise from interfering with your listening experience, whether on-stage or on-the-go. Shure Sound Isolating Earphones require a proper fit to achieve the best sound. Unmatched Personalization and Comfort Ergonomic, Professional Design Lightweight, low-profile shape with optimized nozzle angle is designed to rest comfortably in the ear Over-the-ear configuration keeps cables out of the way Detachable Cable with Wireform Fit Durable Kevlar® reinforced cable allows easy replacement or customization Formable wire ensures secure placement, and over-the-ear configuration keeps cables out of the way Gold plated MMCX Connector has a lock-snap mechanism allowing 360-degree rotation for comfortable fit Fit Kit Includes Sound Isolating Sleeves The role of the included sound isolating sleeves is twofold: blocking ambient noise and ensuring a comfortable customized fit. Because every ear is different, the Fit Kit includes three sizes (S, M, L) of the flex and black foam sleeves. Experiment with the size and style that creates the best fit for you. A good seal is key to optimizing sound isolation and bass response as well as maximizing comfort during extended wear. Carrying Case A soft-zip, compact carrying case is included to provide a convenient, tangle-free solution to store and travel with your earphones. What's in the Box? SE215-K Sound Isolating Earphones, Black 64" Detachable Cable with Wireform Fit (Black) Fit Kit

Building on 87 years of audio experience, Shure's SE215-K sound isolating earphones feature a Dynamic MicroDriver that delivers detailed sound with enhanced bass. A detachable cable with formable wire enables easy replacement and a secure, comfortable fit on-stage or on-the-go. Sound Isolating sleeves in multiple sizes provide up to 37 dB of isolation and a customized fit. Available in translucent black or clear. Comfortable sound isolating sleeves block up to 37 dB of ambient noise. Sound isolation technology prevents outside noise from interfering with your listening experience, whether on-stage or on-the-go. Shure Sound Isolating Earphones require a proper fit to achieve the best sound.The role of the included sound isolating sleeves is twofold: blocking ambient noise and ensuring a comfortable customized fit. Because every ear is different, the Fit Kit includes three sizes (S, M, L) of the flex and black foam sleeves. Experiment with the size and style that creates the best fit for you. A good seal is key to optimizing sound isolation and bass response as well as maximizing comfort during extended wear.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 94 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Good and Bad of SE215-CL July 18, 2011

By Balaji Devarajan

Color Name:Clear

Great with few minor complaints.

I just got my Shure SE215 Clear earphones. I immediately tried them and road-tested them. Overall they are awesome except few complaints. I hope this doesn't damper your dream of owning one.

Good: Sound Quality and noise reduction:

Excellent and Awesome. I could hear even the weakest background note clear. Sound is well balanced. The Bass is perfect, not artificially amp'd to give you headache.
These earphones block most of the outside noise. I swear. On the LIRR train ride between my place and Penn station in NYC, I couldn't hear a decibel of outside noise. I couldn't hear the loud station announcement, not the loud chatter of girls sitting next to you, not the train sound. Nada. This was not possible with my old earphones. These are perfect for outdoor listening but watch where you use it (read on)

Bad: Noise reduction:
It blocks way too much noise to be used where you shouldn't be using an earphone - like biking, walking on the street or crossing roads.
Your ears tend to get heavy after an hour of listening. Probably because this earphone blocks most of the noise and all you listen is just music. It just isn't healthy for ears. Take breaks every half an hour to relieve your ear pressure.

Bad: Style & looks:

It takes a little effort to get used to wearing these but they fit perfectly firm. I bought the clear model as I was attracted by the shiny new silver like finsh in the photo. I thought they are a perfect show off but I'm disappointed. The SE215-CL looks much dull than in real-life than in picture. You can't see it unless you open the package. Since these fit in a certain weird way - like around your ear, I have people staring at me in public. Not sure if it is good or bad....

If style and look matters to you, checkout a real life picture of CLEAR and BLACK before purchasing.
Note: B&H photo store in NYC has SE215-CL for $89 ($10 less than black). Don't know why.

Good: Cord:
Cord quality is awesome. It has kevlar coating and unlike rubber I don't think it will break or tear. It is one of the reasons I chose this over Etymotic or Klipsch. And the most convenient thing is that the cord is behind your ears when you wear them and they don't fall in front of your face when you bend down.

Bad: Cord:
It just won't bend as much as the rubber cord does. A really really minor concern.

Overall: Sound quality matters to me more than looks. I just wish they had made the CLEAR ones like shown in the picture. Just saying. Read more ›

111 of 133 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally Found the Ones!!! March 30, 2011

By Noe

Color Name:Black|Amazon Verified Purchase

I would just like to say that when it comes to music sound quality, I'm spoiled. I have a sound system in my car that cost me a few K's, and as unfair as it may be, I compare all sound sources to it.

Of course, one cannot expect in-ear headphones to sound exactly like a car's sound system, but one can expect for them sound a little like it. At the $150 and below price range, these are the ones!

I've tried many, many in-ear headphones. Klipsch S4's, Monster Turbines, Audio Technica ATH-CKS70's and the Sony MDR-EX300's just to name a few. Let me say that each of the in-ear's just mentioned perform admirably, but, the SE215's do what all the others do well, in one package. The high's of the S4's? Check. The bass of the Turbine's and CKS70's? Check. The balanced sound of the EX300's? Check. Add to these features the replaceable cable, the perfect seal foam tips, durable construction, great looking transparent enclosure and what can I say? Ladies and gentlemen, I think I have found a keeper.

Buy these. It will be the best $100 you will ever spend. For those of you still using the stock earbuds that come with portable music players, listen to the SE215's and you will never go back!

60 of 74 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WOWWWWWWW March 23, 2011

By R. Jean

Color Name:Clear

Forget Dr Dre,forget klipsch,and definitely forget BOSE this is the earphone to get. This is by far one of the best $99 I ever spent on a pair of earphones. The fit is outstanding,the build quality of the SE215 is identical to Shure's $499 triple driver SE535. For $99 I challenge any one to do better than that. I highly recommend this earphones

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Shure is a sure thing August 5, 2011

By Kevin Roy Diaz

Color Name:Black|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is not the first set of Shure earbuds I've owned. I had a set of the E2c's, which were fantastic. After about 5 years of hard labor, they finally gave up the ghost, and suffered the usual death by cable rot to which that series of buds were so prone. So I took to the search for a replacement, and these were my criteria...

1. They must be in-ear style buds, with the option to switch the sleeves (The piece that goes in the ear). Also, they must include those swappable pieces.

2. They must have a good warranty of at least 2 years.

3. They must not cost more than ~100 USD.

4. They must sound great.

(These are in no order of preference, and all considered equal)

So with that in mind, I also need to mention that I was partial to Shure. Mostly, because the E2c's were my first real good set of earphones, and broke down all my stigmas as to "Why would anyone pay so much for headphones?" So here is my review.

The Sleeves - There are 2 different types of sleeves bundled with this set; one a flexible rubber, the other a re-expandable foam. Each has three separate sizes, to help you find a good fit. I tried both. The foam sleeves feel nice, so long as you insert them like earplugs. They expand nicely to your ear canal. They offer fantastic sound isolation, and stay inside. The rubber sleeves are comfortable, but they are constantly being pulled out of your ears by the very stiff cord. I will try them again once I get the cord broken in a bit more, but for now, I'm going with the foam sleeves.

The Warranty - 2 years, not bad, but my E2c's had 3. From what I hear, the cable rot issue is still going on, but I will expand on that in a minute.

The cost - If you can get them for 100 USD, then do it.... I think they are normally 2X that price.

The Sound - At first, I was a bit worried. I was hearing some odd pops in the earphones. Pops that I shouldn't be hearing from a headset this expensive. But, that turned out to be from the player I had them plugged into. I tried a different source, and no pops. They are at least as good as my E2c's were when I first got them. There is some talk about the lows and highs and all that, and I don't know about all that. I know that I was getting some weird looks at the restaurant I was at when I was headbanging and booth-breaking (sit down dancing at my table) to the music. I listen to a lot of rock, electronica, and trip hop, and it all sounds great.

Other Stuff - I mentioned the cables, and for good reason. Shure has a history of cable rot; the insulation on the wires literally rots off, and results in dead headphones. To combat that, they have added 2 features. One, an additional layer of insulation around where the wire goes over the ear (The most common place of rot). This likely extends the life of the cable, which makes it even thicker than it already is, which makes it VERY stiff. This stiffness leads to the cable not staying in place, and needing some serious breaking in, which in turn could lead to breaking the wire. So be careful, and be patient. If you use the foam sleeves, then it isn't that big of a problem.
The other thing is that they made the cable able to be detached from the earpiece, which means you can replace it if it goes bad. This is nice, except that, it's proprietary. It is unlikely that Shure will still have these cables in a few years available for purchase or otherwise. So while it's a nice feature, you likely won't be able to use it for anything other than changing the color of your wires. (It would likely be a good idea to order a spare once these earbuds are discontinued).
I also want to comment on the case that comes with the set. It is pretty crappy. It looks ok, but it lacks anything to wrap the cord around. You have to wind it up on your own, then stuff it in. It's also a soft case. The E2c's had a fairly solid case with a plastic piece inside to wrap around, and with a spot in the center of that to house the drivers. I don't know what gives on this, but come on Shure, you went backwards on this part. (Minor yes, but still, why go backwards?)

So that's my experience with the 215's. I recommend them to anyone that knows how important a good set of headphones are, but doesn't have a lot of money to dedicate to them. Read more ›