Headphones

Wow, these little cans are darn impressive. The most upscale in-ear headphone design from the research geniuses over at Shure Audio in Chicago results in likely the best "universal-fit" ( no audiologist needed) in-ear headphones available. Expect excellent soundstage dimensionality highly impressive from an in-ear monitor, along with accurately rich reproduction of the most intensely demanding recordings. The Shure SE530 utilizes three discrete miniaturized microdrivers--one tweeter and two woofers--which seamlessly blend together to deliver sweet midranges, a silky treble extension, and a full but evenly balanced bass response that's perhaps the smoothest bottom-end in the "universal-fit" earphone world. If we absolutely had to criticize, we'd say that the SE530's uppermost highs might be the slightest hint 'rolled-off' for ultra-picky, seriously demanding audiophile types. Certainly, the isolation from ambient sounds is far better than any headset or 'noise-cancelling' [NC] headphone can ever muster, making these gems outstanding for the traveler who desires a great listening experience even in extremely noisy environs. Given lossless music files or a high-quality audio source, these are true high-definition earphones and will easily surpass the performance of any of the lower-cost mini-cans. However, their price also surpasses most other in-ear headphones too. For music lovers always jamming on the move, these could be the flagship choice.

Included in the Shure SE530's premium accesories kit is a very useful 9-inch (23 cm) mini-cable extension, which allows the user to neatly keep an iPod/MP3 in their shirt pocket or in an arm strap holder if desired, as well as a 3-foot (91 cm) extension cord for those wanting longer reaches. The SE530 also comes with a full-size 1/4" plug adapter, an in-line dB attenuator for controlling loud or overly high-output sources [like an airline sound system], and an airline seat dual-plug adaptor as well. Of course, a complete set of replaceable eartip sleeves (one full set of s/m/l 'soft-flex' tips, one full set of s/m/l soft foam tips, one set of silicon tri-flanged tips, one set of the new 'black foamies' tips) are included in the Shure package along with a durable hard-sided clamshell travel case. The SE530 cable routing is the behind-the-ear style to keep potential cord obstructions and cable contact noises to a minimum. The SE530 rates at an efficient 37ohms and their sensitivity is 119dB, which should ensure robust audio performance from just about any portable player device, audio component source, or even from an upscale audiophile home stereo rig without dedicated amplification required. And the SE530's nifty bronze brushed-metal color scheme is really swanky-looking and effectively distinguishes them from the rest of the Shure line. A 2-year parts & labor warranty remains standard with all Shure earphones only when purchased from a verifiable Shure-authorized dealer  -- like HeadRoom! ... Nice going Shure, definitely color us waaay impressed.

RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES: The highly useful SHURE 'PTH' Adaptor ("Push-to-Hear") cable is available for this model or any other 3.5mm (1/8") connection earphone as a separate accessory: Call our Sales team for a HeadRoom 'package combo' discount on the PTH device when bundling it with any Shure earphone! Once you have tried all the provided 'sampler' eartips included with the SE530 and have decided which type and size is best for you, check our Shure Parts & Accessories webpage for your desired SHURE replacement eartip sleeves.

HeadRoom is a 100% SHURE-Authorized Headphone Dealer. Your Complete Manufacturer's Warranty Coverage Remains Intact With All Purchases. Always Purchase Your SHURE Headphones from True Factory Authorized Dealers. Remember to keep the SE530 receipt showing purchase via an authorized dealer--like HeadRoom!--in order to maintain fully intact 2-year warranty coverage.

Call HeadRoom at 800.828.8184 for current pricing info on Shure products, or send an email to sales@headphone.com

Average Customer Rating:
(based on 8 reviews)

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Stunning
by A HeadRoom Fan from washington, dc on 2010-01-28

Would you recommend this product: Yes

While I have not heard every universal IEM that is out there, this is regarded by many as the king of universal IEMs. As always with Shure, you know what you are getting in general terms before you purchase: clear and rich mids without any fatiguing or potentially fatiguing highs, decent but not overwhelming bass, and excellent fit and isolation. The Shure SE530 delivers spectacularly in all these areas, and adds an extra bit of bass, wider soundstage, and stunning looks. In many ways, I am jealous of those who start looking to replace their standard ibuds and jump directly to the SE530 without wasting time on lesser IEMs. Of course, if you were to opt for the SE310, and stop there, that would also be a wise choice, since those are also a phenomenal headphone. But if you want the best, go straight to the SE530.

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Good, but there are better IEMs out there
by VinnieVidi from NYC on 2010-01-25

Pros: Design, modular cable, strong clear mids
Cons: Recessed highs
Would you recommend this product: Yes

The SE530 are one of the most comfortable IEMs I have ever owned: the aperture of the tube is not too large and the shell around the driver fits flush within your ear. I am not one for flashy bits hanging out of my ears, but I will admit that I did like the color of the metallic finish—it isn't as flashy as in the photos.

On to more important things: Sound

What I liked about the SE530 was its visceral impact—especially when using them for movies—whether out of my amp or straight from my MacBook Pro. As for music, they are excellent for listening to rock music, vocalists and acoustic jazz instruments.

What I did not like was its rolled-off highs. I think that this aspect of the sound signature made the SE530s a bit boring when compared to the Sennheiser IE7 and IE8 (which I find to be similar to the SE530 in all regards but with deeper bass and more accentuated highs). The highs are clear, just under pronounced. This is very apparent when listening to classical music, where the lack of presence in the highs muted much of the airiness around the instruments. As I listen mainly to classical, this was a deal breaker for me.

The SE530's price point puts them out of contention for most people's impulse purchasing, so buying from HeadRoom—with their return policy—is a great way to try them for your self.


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Perfect for movies
by imzadi from Ontario, Canada on 2010-01-22

Pros: Well balanced, very good bass, good isolation
Cons: Main cord too short
Would you recommend this product: Yes

I loves these for the isolation, I use the black foam, and they are perfect. The bass is amazing out of these little things and they are awesome for movies because the voices are always perfecetly clear and the provided inline volume control is great for the quiet/loud scenes movies always have. They are great for music as well but these are my main movies headphones.

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Worth Every Penny
by jcmusicman from Philadelphia, PA on 2010-01-20

Pros: Confortable, Excellent Sound, Good Value,
Cons: None
Would you recommend this product: Yes

I have had the Shure SE530 In-Ear Monitors for almost a year and I cannot be more happy with them. They have excellent sound quality across the entire frequency range and are very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They also provide great passive noise cancellation and let the listener really enjoy the music. If they have one con, it's that the wires may short out or break over time (especially the included volume attenuator). Luckily they have a two year warranty and Shure offers excellent customer support.

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Outstanding
by WillDaddy from Seattle on 2010-01-16

Pros: Mates with any source, good bass, natural midrange
Cons: Odd cord design & ergonomics
Would you recommend this product: Yes

I bought these as a replacement for Etymotic ER4-P's and have never looked back. These SE530's sound great right out of an iPod and get even better with a high-quality portable amp. They took about 10 hours to burn in and have sounded fantastic ever since. They also seem to required little to no warm-up time, unlike the Ety's, which require about 45 minutes. The standard bud material compresses nicely and re-expands in your ear in just a few seconds for a good seal, though not as noise isolating as the Ety.

On the minus side, the 2-piece cord is dumb. The initial 18" section won't let you turn your head with iPod in shirt pocket. I also don't like using my ear as a cleat, which is what happens when you loop the cord over the back of your ear or they'll pop out of your ears from the weight of the connection at the 18" mark on the cord.

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AMAZING! Almost the best I've heard!
by Kboe from Georgia on 2010-01-15

Pros: Truly portable, triple driver, durable cable.
Cons: So small I feel I might crush them.
Would you recommend this product: Yes

If IEMs are your thing, if a sweet, warm sound is your thing, look no further. First noticeable feature is that they have three drivers for each side. This means a powerful sound across all frequencies. They excel at soundtracks and classical scores. While they do sound good straight out of an iPod, if your music is recorded "louder" these puppies will begin to clip when things get complicated. Not to worry though. If your going to drop this amount of dough, a portable amp, (HeadRooms AirHead at $99.99) will bring out the most of you investment. When properly amped, I don't think the SE530s have any limitations. All the little things you usually don't hear come into clear focus, why, the isolation. These and other IEM seal inside you ear to create an oasis of musicality. The IEM will come with three sets of rubber flanges to get the best fit for your ear. When properly inserted, the 530s are free to do their thing, and for me, that was to melt my soul away. As musicians and audiophiles, we often talk about the "flow" of music in a system. If you don't understand what that means, the 530s will show you.
Happy Tunes

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Best Headphones I Have Ever Used
by Michael from Rockville, MD on 2010-01-15

Pros: Outstanding clarity throughout entire frequency range, effective isolation from outside noise
Cons: Took a little while to get used to wrapping the wire over my ears
Would you recommend this product: Yes

These are far and away the best headphones I have ever used. They provide music that is rich, very clear, and well balanced from the bass right through to the top of the high frequency range. I listen without an equalizer, and the bass parts are well enounciated but not overpowering. Most notably, each instrument and vocal part has amazing timbre, as if you are standing right in front of the band or orchestra. The headphones are light and relatively sturdy and fit well into the ears. A variety of types and sizes of silicone and foam inserts should provide a nice fit for virtually all listeners. The earpieces do a good job of blocking outside noise. I had never worn headphones that inserted like these, with the wire from each earpiece looping over the ear. Once I got used to that configuration, I found it to be comfortable, and the earpieces stayed in well. This configuration also seems to minimize some of the noise that results from jostling of the wire.

In a nutshell, these headphones sound so great that, for the first time I find myself looking forward to coming home at night and shutting off the TV to listen to music. They are pricey, but definitely distinguish themselves from the less expensive headphones that I had been using.

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