Shure SE420-K Sound Isolating Earphones (Black)

Other products by Shure

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 4.7 x 4.5 inches ; 0.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000NDR2PA
• Item model number: SE420-K
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer What 80 Years of Audio Experience Sounds Like Today

If you’re as passionate about audio as the musicians who use our microphones, you deserve the legendary performance of Shure earphones. As a leader in the professional audio industry for over 80 years, we’re proud to bring you personal listening products that reflect our experience and ongoing pursuit of audio perfection--and the new SE line of sound-isolating earphones is the latest step in approaching that perfection.

Isolation, not Cancellation

Shure Sound Isolating Earphones are unlike headphones that feature noise canceling technology. For listeners seeking maximum audio fidelity, the differences are key. Noise cancellation technology uses active circuitry to counteract background noise, which may introduce artifacts into your audio. Sound isolating earphones comfortably fill the ear canal and naturally block most background noise for a clear, detailed listening experience--all without the need to listen at high volumes which may risk damaging your hearing.

Legendary Performance At Any Level
Each model has its own unique sound characteristic, providing increased range and detail as you move up the line:

SE210 (white) / SE210-k (black): High-quality on-the-go audio utilizing Hi-Definition MicroSpeakers to deliver full range audio, the ergonomic design of the SE210 is ideal for premium on-the-go listening. The SE210 also offers a flexible design for multiple wearing positions.
SE310 (white) / SE310-k (black): Breathtaking sound and style featuring Hi-Definition MicroSpeakers with a Tuned BassPort, the SE310 delivers extended range audio and optimized low-end performance. The SE310 also offers a flexible design for multiple wearing positions.
SE420 (white) / SE420-k (black): Heart-pounding performance featuring Dual TruAcoustic MicroSpeakers, the SE420 uses a dedicated tweeter and woofer to provide a detailed sound stage. Lows, mids, and highs are distinct and defined for accurate reproduction of all the details of your music.
SE530/SE530PTH: Pure audio precision--the SE530 uses Triple TruAcoustic MicroSpeakers to create an expansive sound stage. A dedicated tweeter ensures that highs and mids are incredibly accurate and detailed, while dedicated dual woofers provide balanced, full-bodied bass. The Push-To-Hear Control (included with the SE530PTH) adjusts levels of external sound for maximum intelligibility.

Product Description

Heart-pounding performance featuring Dual TruAcoustic MicroSpeakers, the SE420 uses a dedicated tweeter and woofer to provide a detailed sound stage. Lows, mids, and highs are distinct and defined for accurate reproduction of all the details of your music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars E2, E3, SE420--all good choices, August 26, 2007

By	Daniel Leithauser (Grand Junction, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As I indicated in a prior review, I purchased some E3's to upgrade from my E2 when I bought a new ipod. I loved the E2's and as expected the E3 were even better--with more definition at all frequencies and sound levels.

Earbuds (or plugs) definitely have some sweet fit spots to get optimal bass and avoid some tinniness that you can hear when they are not inserted or sitting correctly in your ear. Shure provides a number of ear plug options to help everyone find something they like.

Now, I have compared the E3, the SE420, and my Bose Quiet Comfort headphones sitting in the rear of a jet while traveling (next to the engine). The less expensive E3 beat out the Bose headphones with better high and middle end definition and equivalent outside sound isolation. The Bose headphones have a bit better low end.. but nothing is bone shaking with earphones or headphones anyway. I almost think that the Bose headphones seem muddy in the mid and upper end after listening to the E3 and SE420. The SE420, in my opinion has a richer sounding mid end then the E3, while handily beating the Bose headphones. I think that the bass and most of the high end frequencies are about the same in the E3 and SE420--maybe pushing your budget to purchase the E3 or equivalent... since the E3 cost $179 or so, and the SE420 cost $350.

As for Shure customer service--I had a suspected loose wire in one of the E3 earphones (used for 8 months) leading to dropouts when I would move my head. I got a return form off the Shure website--filled it out and sent it along with a copy of my receipt to Shure. Within 10 days, they had sent out a completely new pair at no charge. THAT is great service. In the meantime I purchased the SE420's while I was waiting for my E3 "repair". I just had to have another pair and my budget could tolerate a higher price point.

I understand why price does come into some consideration on rating, and $350 (at an Apple retail store) is pretty high end for earphones, but considering these SE420's sound better (to me) than the E3--I am only rating sound quality. With price considered, the SE420 would probably only get a 4, simply because the E3 is a great value.

I would recommend the entire line of Shure earphones, buying whichever one best fits your budget.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Respectable upgrade from the SE310 and q-Jays, January 23, 2008

By	Adam Miarka "ajmiarka" (Fishers, IN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

***Please see updated at the end of the review.****

Recently purchased the SE420s after using the SE310s and the Jays q-Jays. Wanted to try another set of dual driver headphones to compare to the q-Jays and was interested in the comparison between the SE310s.

The SE420s provide as much of the clarity as the SE310s but adds the bass that was missing. With the SE310s, I need to change the EQ to rock to get the sound that I wanted. With the SE420s, I do not need to do this which is a good thing.

Compared to the q-Jays, I feel the SE420s edge them out in terms of quality of sound. The SE420s provide a better sound stage and it's easier to locate instruments while listening to my music. The only downside is that the SE420s are probably 3 times the size of the q-Jays.

Also, the new version of the SE420s that I received came with an extension cable that fits the recessed jack for the Apple iPhone. This was a nice surprise. Shure must be doing this for all of their latest headphone extension cords.

Price was right as I was able to pick up the SE420s for $250 shipped from an eBay reseller of Shure headphones. I thought the $250 was a good deal from the $300+ that you usually see for these headphones.

***Updated***
Found an awesome deal on the Shure SE530s ($50 more than what I paid for the SE420s). After careful comparison, I've decided to sell my SE420s and keep the SE530s. For the $50 premium, I feel the SE530s are the better deal. The fit isn't as flush the SE530s, but they are still comfortable to use and the sound is absolutely amazing! If you have the money and keep looking, you can find the SE530s for under $300. The SE530s also came with a new modular cable that works with the iPhone.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars SE420 - A Step In A Different Direction, January 11, 2008

By	Jon - See all my reviews

The Shure SE420 may be a dual driver design but it does not sound as so. I purchased these earphones to upgrade from my older pair of Shure E3c's and I was expecting to hear a quality difference between a wideband driver vs a dual driver design. I was shocked after spending time with these that suffice it to say they don't sound any different from my older pair. I had the chance to try out a pair of SE210's as well and I think the SE210's sounded the same as well. Sound is hard to really put into words though so everyone is subjective to there own opinion and experience. However I would like to add that I did my listening experience with these earphones during the day for a few hours and during the night for 6 hours. Day vs Nightime listening is the tests I put these through and for me I am able to hear clearer when I am relaxed so nightime was when I was hopeful to hear a difference but overall I did not hear anything new I could during the day. The bass and midrange don't seem to have any noticeable difference with the added driver vs a single driver design. I tried listening through several sources and it did not make a difference but overall I used a CD player as that was the highest quality source I had.

Comfort wise though the SE series from Shure is much more comfortable to place in your ear and comes with a greater variety of eartips. You don't have to squish the foam tips to place them in your ears. Rather you can just insert them with a bit of a twist. The cables are nice and sturdy and would take some effort to really break so they can stand up to abuse.

Perhaps you might buy these earphones even so and I still recommend you give them a try if you want. You never know how they will sound until you hear them but as for my experience these dual driver earphones don't sound as though they are dual drivers to my ears!