Selection Guide

The Shure SE535 might be your best bet for finding reference in-ear monitors without having to schedule an audiologist appointment to get customized molds made for your ears. Featuring Shure's acclaimed balanced armature construction containing a tweeter and dual woofers inside each earpiece, listeners can expect accurate high-definition sound with the same musical clarity as full-size reference headphones at similar cost. With an audibly fuller, richer tone versus 'generic' multi-driver designs from Westone or other lesser-known makers, the Shure SE535 three-driver array works just like a room speaker with discrete transducers presenting excellent instrumental separation, precise tonal definition and a huge dynamic range just like audiophile 'over-ear' headphones, but in a tiny earplug-like dimension perfect for portable high-end listening. And, although not required, adding a quality headphone amp to the SE535 provides the final icing on the audio cake, bringing a razorlight focus to the sound while deepening the soundstage image and increasing fast dynamic range extension. The earplug fit of the SE535 provides thorough noise-blocking and listening privacy even in the noisiest environments, like during airline flights or commuting. The SE535 has cool detachable cables with flexible routing allowing easy cord replacement if ever needed, thereby extending the life of your sonic investment while also offering a comfortable fit. You can also change the cord to "mic'd" versions for iPhone or smartphones. Discerning music lovers on the move or frequent flyers using bulky 'noise-canceling' headphones may want to investigate the SE535 a bit further.

Shure's proprietary 'sound isolating' eartip sleeves deliver up to a claimed -37dB of isolation, meaning almost total blocking of ambient noise intrusion. The wide array of accessories and eartip shapes + sizes included with the SE535 ensures a comfortable wearing experience without the overly fastidious fit procedures of some deeper-inserting IEMs. Remember to try all the various SE535 tips for the very best fit and, thus, the best sound quality performance. You can then (eventually) purchase a pack of your favored Shure eartips separately and you'll be good to go for years. Another of the SE535's big design advancements is their lightweight low-profile earpiece shape/ergonomics with an optimized earpiece nozzle angle specially engineered to rest comfortably within the ear canal. The varied flexible cord routing styles keeps cables out of the way and the detachable cord design features a uniquely durable Kevlar-reinforced sheathing, allowing for quick replacement or change-overs. Gold-plated MMCX-type connector into the SE535 earpieces has a solid locking mechanism and full 360 degree rotation ensuring a comfortable fit and long-life durability without worries.

NOTE: The free Shure 2-year manufacturer's product warranty on the SE535 remains in effect ONLY when proof-purchased [pls keep that receipt!] from verified Shure-authorized dealers, like HeadRoom.

Almost perfect sound
Posted by Clearmind from American in Taiwan on 2012-07-10

Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Taught, well-defined bass and mids
Cons: Highs can turn hard sometimes

These have a well-deserved reputation, though today some products at lower prices, such as the UE700, are beginning to approach this level of performance. The overall balance of the 535s between the bass, midrange, and treble is just about perfect, though with a slight tilt toward a warm, midrange sound rather than a lot of extension at the frequency extremes. This balance in itself is very satisfying and contributes to a presentation that is tremendously realistic with good presence. The sound is solid and very well-defined from the deepest bass up through the mids, with powerful dynamics throughout the bass range. The highs can be clear and detailed, but occassionally the upper midrange and highs can take on a rather hard or steely character. That means they may not be ideal for listening to older recordings, but for well-recorded music they're very transparent.

The highs on these will improve with a fair amount of break-in time. The source I use has enough resolution to reveal the very minor flaws in the sound of the Shure 535s, and in all fairness I've listened to them from an iPod and didn't really hear too many problems with the treble. And overall these overall have a tremendous sense of realism in their presentation.

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Very Disappointing
Posted by HJK on 2012-03-01

Recommend Product: No
Pros: Very good midrange and good top end
Cons: Unsatisfactory Bottom

Maybe I've been spoiled by superior headphones ( Sennheiser HD 800, Sennheiser HD 650, Ultrasone Edition 8 and even Grado SR-1 ) but these headphones are extremely disappointing. By comparison the bass is very poor
notwithstanding the claim that a proper fit and break-in is all you need. It cannot hold a candle to any of the other headphones I have mentioned and i very much regret this purchase.

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May be my final Iem.
Posted by Audiojunky from Merrill, MI on 2010-11-04

Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Great mids, more than adequate bass, highs are just fine for my taste.
Cons: A little sibalant if the tips don't fit right. Cord a little too long for me.

I have tried every brand of Iem's in the last ten years including the Se530. I am older now..and my tastes have changed..therefore I no longer require a huge BASS dominated sound. I have been listening to the Westone 3 for the last year or so and was just desiring more detail and mids than I had been experiencing with them. I tried the um3x by westone and the detail was a little better but still not what I was looking for. I decided to go for the Se535 and see if the Shure mids were to my liking now that I am older and my tastes are different. Well, to my delight, I am so head over heels for these earphones. The mids are to die for...the highs are not rolled off.. the detail and vocal presentation is just so beautiful for my taste in music.. and the bass is more than adequate too. I think I may have ended my nearly decade long search for the perfect Iem. These work for me in pretty much every style of music. I use them while exercising and the bass driven music is covered more than fine..I feel the beat just like with my Westone 3. But when listening to acoustic or vocal oriented music..the SE535 shine like no other imho.

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