Shure SE530PTH Sound Isolating Earphones with Push-To-Hear Control

Other products by Shure

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
• ASIN: B000P6M6HY
• Item model number: SE530PTH
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Shure SE530PTH Sound Isolating Earphones with Push-To-Hear Control marks the bridge from the classic E Series line, to the new line of Sound Isolating Earphones from Shure. Evolved from personal monitor technology road-tested by professional musicians, and fine-tuned by Shure engineers, the SE530PTH earphones deliver an unparalleled acoustic accuracy rivaled only by live performances.

The Shure SE530PTH utilize three balanced armature drivers, one dedicated tweeter, and dual woofers, to bring you a listening experience that has been optimized for high-quality recordings and lossless formats. And with integrated passive crossovers that ensure high and low frequencies remain distinct and defined, you get an incredibly wide and detailed sound stage, distinguished by precision highs and robust bass. What's more, the SE530PTH includes sound isolating sleeves that block over 90-percent of ambient noise and provide a customized fit. Combined with a low-profile ergonomic design and modular cable options, this helps ensure interruptions from the outside world are minimized so you can focus on your musical passion. Not only are these earphones comfortable and audibly engaging, but the innovative triple driver configuration is a first in class for universal fit, sound isolating earphones.

For occasions when you must tear yourself away from the music, the SE530PTH includes an innovative Push-To-Hear control. A first for sound isolating earphones, the detachable Push-To-Hear control allows you to activate the VoicePort microphone and adjust levels of external sound for clarity. Similar to the microphones used in Shure QuietSpot cellular headsets, the VoicePort microphone is tuned to pick up the human voice, ensuring maximum intelligibility. Ideal for brief conversations without removing your earphones, the Push-to-Hear switch allows you to quickly and conveniently alternate between your music and your connection to the outside world.

Shure's SE530PTH comes with a premium fit kit that includes everything you need to get the most out of your new earphones. Because every ear is different, this kit includes three sizes: small, medium and large of both the flex and the black foam sleeves, as well as a pair of universal-fit triple-flange sleeves. These allow you to experiment with the size and style that creates the best fit for your ears, in order to provide a good seal for optimized sound isolation and bass response, as well as maximum comfort during extended wear. These earphones also come with a detachable cable solution that has been designed based on extensive user feedback to enable unmatched personal customization. The two included modular cables provided give you the option between a three-foot and a nine-foot option, so you can tailor your experience depending on your activity and application.

The SE530PTH earphones feature a sensitivity of 119 dB SPL/mW, an impedance of 36 ohms, and a frequency range of 18 Hz to 19 kHz. These earphones include a 0.25-inch adapter that allows you to use them with home stereos and other devices with 0.25-inch jacks instead of 3.5-millimeter jacks. The SE530PTH package also includes a carrying case as a convenient, tangle-free storage solution, and a level attenuator that allows for comfortable listening from any high-output audio source. What's more, they even include an airline adapter that optimizes compatibility with European airplane armrests for overseas travel. The Shure SE530PTH earphones come with a cable length of 18 inches, and a manufacturer's limited two-year warranty.

What's in the Box
Shure SE530PTH earphones with Push-to-Hear control, sound-isolating sleeves, 1 x 3-foot modular cable, 1 x 9-foot modular cable, 0.25-inch adapter, carrying case, level attenuator, airline adapter, user's guide and warranty information.

Product Description

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.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

134 of 135 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A strong but qualified recommendation from two very happy ears, August 28, 2007

By	Ron Cronovich "Ron" (Kenosha, WI) - See all my reviews

If you've already done your research and only want to know why I am qualifying my recommendation, skip down to near the bottom of my review. Otherwise, read on...

As most everyone says, these earphones are an absolute dream. The sound quality is amazing, better than the average home stereo and better than any headphones or earphones I've ever heard. Each side has two woofers and a tweeter.

It takes a little while to get used to properly inserting the phones and getting them situated just so, for optimal sound quality and noise isolation. But you get the hang of it before long, and then it's pretty easy.

The sound isolation works pretty well (if you have the phones situated properly in your ears). You get a good seal, which greatly reduces the amount of outside sound that can get in. I've found it works very, very well on airplanes and at the gym (the two noisiest environments I'm typically in).

In contrast, "noise-cancelling" headphones do not block outside noise, rather they add an electronically generated noise designed to cancel the frequencies of the outside noise. They require batteries, and I don't like that they are adding noise to what you're hearing. Some work better than others, but none that I've tried (including the famous and expensive Bose QC2s) work as well as the Shure line of sound-isolating earphones (the SE530 is the second pair I've owned in this line).

With earphones that sit inside the ear canal, comfort is extremely important. I find the SE530s comfortable for long periods of time. I often listen to my ipod in bed at night to help relax; if I fall asleep with the earphones in, my ears don't hurt when I wake up later (unlike all other earphones and headphones I've tried). Shure thoughtfully includes 9 different pairs of interchangable tips in varying sizes, so it is very likely most users will find at least one pair that is comfortable for them.

The modular aspect of the cabling is clever and very useful. The phones themselves have a very short cord. But Shure includes a variety of extension cords of different lengths, which allows you to have the right length cable in different situations.

One of these modular cables has a built-in volume control, handy for when your device doesn't have a volume control (or it's not accessible for whatever reason).

If you order the SE530PTH, you also get the push-to-hear module, which has a little mic and volume control. If you turn it on, it transmits sound from the mic into the headphones, allowing you to have a conversation with someone without removing the earphones. (Removing the earphones is easy, but putting them back in and getting a good seal takes a minute or so, especially for newbies.) I find the PTH to be a neat accessory. However, my wife pointed out that I can simply pause my ipod and then carry on a conversation just fine, w/o removing the earphones (the earphones still block outside noise, but not so much that you can't hear someone talking directly to you). So I don't think the PTH is particularly necessary. Amazon sells the SE530s with and without the PTH option. If you get it without PTH, you can always buy it separately, though it's cheaper to get them together.

The build quality is exceptional. The cords are thicker than any other headphones/earphones I've seen, and where they attach to the earphones or accessories is very well reinforced.

I also have a much cheaper pair of Shure noise isolating earphones, the E2c's. A week or two before the 2-year warranty was to expire, a short developed in the cable going to one side, so that if the cable jiggled at all, the sound would intermittently go out for a second or two. This was my fault - I had been using and abusing these things pretty hard - never using the included case, throwing them around, etc. But I sent them to Shure with a copy of my receipt for warranty service, and they sent me a brand new pair, no questions asked! (and quick turnaround!) The SE530s (and all Shure earphones) carry the same 2-year warranty.

In summary, I love the SE530's amazing sound quality, terrific build quality, and generous bundle of thoughtful accessories.

But now here is my qualification:

To know whether they're really worth the money, you'd really need to compare them to the SE420's (the next cheaper model in this line, about a hundred less than the 530s). Most of us who rave about the SE530s have only ever compared them to MUCH cheaper earphones. In my case, the Shure E2c's (about a hundred bucks) and a pair of Sennheiser cans (about half the price as the SE530's). Of course the 530s will blow away phones that are half the price or less.

But, what we should really know before spending our hard-earned dollars is whether the human ear can distinguish between the SE530's and SE420's. If not, we would be wasting an extra hundred bucks by purchasing the 530s.

Before buying, I searched for a good, objective review comparing the 420s and 530s. I could not find one from a reputable, objective source. So I had to make a choice between two risks: the risk of spending too much (buying the 530s when the 420s sound just as good) vs. the risk of not getting the best possible sound quality (buying the 420s to save money when the 530s are really better).

I decided that avoiding the second risk was more important to me than avoiding the first risk, so I picked the 530s. I was in the very fortunate position to be able to afford them. In my current situation (newly married, still paying for the engagement ring & honeymoon - though very happy!), I'm not sure I would still pick the 530s (though I would still want them badly).

So there you have it. Good luck with your purchase decision, and enjoy whatever earphones you end up getting!

41 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Your musical experience with the 530PTH will depend on how you use it, October 1, 2007

By	mavn "Rand Fan" (AZ, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I had 2 reasons to purchase the SE530PTH: one was to listen to my iTouch iPod, the second was to use it with my high-end stereo system. SO, this is really 2 reviews in one based on what my ears hear. I'll skip what comes with the earphones and I'll skip the PTH operation since the sound quality is what I consider my primary requirement.
I auditioned the SE530PTH with my iTouch iPod first. I played an mp3 encoded selection (purchased from the Apple iStore) and an AIFF encoded selection (supposedly uncompressed). The SE530PTH certainly blew away the tinny "earphones" (earbuds?) standard with the iPod. The audio quality was good in most respects but the bass sounded a little muddy with either selection and maybe even slightly distorted. This iPod source produces reasonably good sound, and though the SE530PTH is certainly MUCH better than the earbuds, it is not audio Nirvana. It's hard to know what the quality of the sound that the iTouch iPod can reproduce is. Unless, of course, you can compare it with an unquestioned audio source. After all, until your audio source is beyond reproach, you can't really judge the SE530PTH.
So, I next connected the earphones to my high fidelity system which includes the following (for those who know or care): Audio Research CD7 Reference CD player, Ayre K-5x preamplifier, Ray Samuels "Emmeline" Headphone Amp. I also have a pair of Grado RS-1 stereo headphones that I can compare to the SE530PTH as well. The result? The SE 530PTH transformed itself from a good performer to an excellent performer.
The audio quality improvement was instantly noticeable: vocals were natural, instruments were rich and dynamic. I actually prefer the Shure SE 530PTH to my old Grado headphones. BUT, here's the "but":
In a high-end system like mine, my ProAc SPEAKERS will easily surpass the Shure earphones for audio enjoyment. But ProAcs cost a LOT more than the SE 530PTH. Such small audio transducers in the SE 530PTH simply must have SOME limitations. As long as your expectations are reasonable for these earphones, you should enjoy them a lot.
Bottom line: an iPod is NOT a high-end stereo system. The earphones that you connect to it can only reproduce the audio information which is fed into them. In this respect, the Shure SE 530PTH does a fine job
with an iTouch iPod and you should not be disappointed with the audio that you hear with these phones,
especially as compared with any other in-ear earphones on the market. But the SE 530PTH is equal to the job of stepping up to even better audio sources (if you have them) to reproduce even higher quality sound.
Afterthought: Not many people can HEAR the slight "muddiness" of bass or the slight possible distortion that I heard when listening through the Shure earphones to the iTouch iPod. As such, these earphones will sound pretty darn good to most people. I will KEEP these earphones and will use then with my iTouch, and they will replace my Grado headphones when I listen to my high fidelity system with phones.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Expensive, but worth it, May 30, 2007

By	Professor Anthrax "Gentleman of Fortune" - See all my reviews

I use these earphones when riding my bicycle and when traveling by air. In both cases I have been extremely impressed with this product. The earpieces fit snugly, and almost completely block any outside noise. While the earphones are snug and come with a clip to attach the cord to the collar, I do not know if they will stay firmly seated during extreme activities like jogging or mountain biking (all my biking is more city/smooth trail rides). The sound quality is phenomenal; with full rich bass, and excellent midrange and upper range as well. I read one review where they said you would have to go back and relisten to you music all over again--they were right! The level of control when using the volume control knob (a separate cable component attached to the headset) and the Push-To-Hear module is excellent. The Push-To-Hear (PTH) component is very useful on the airplane; since I have not used it while biking I cannot say how useful it is during that activity, but it is lightweight and equipped with a metal belt clip so I suppose it would be equally useful (be careful, the slide switch on the PTH module is a little stiff and requires a little practice before getting the hang of it). The product comes with a little round zipper pouch, but this is full of all the extra earpieces and wires. I kept them in there and purchased a separate zipper pouch to store the earphones, PTH module and volume control wire.

Yes, this is an expensive set of earphones. If you can afford it, and you want really good sound quality, you won't be disappointed with this.