Mr Grumpy
Ambassador of Comings and Goings
I love music and have always enjoyed good speakers and headphones. Working abroad and travelling around alot, I've generally been using headphones - and here's a comparison of three pairs I have.
I used a few music videos/recordings and played the three back to back, such as one my favourites (I reckon it's a really good test for headphones):
About four years ago, I picked up a pair of Shure SE215 in-ear buds for flying, gym and general listening. They cost about $100, and they are superb for the money, imho. The music is not that accurate, but it is absorbing and full of energy. The video above sounds really good, powerful, but perhaps a few nuances are missed, soundstaging is a tad blurred but its a complete and powerful performance. It doesn't sound like you're there, it sounds like a good 80s sound system, lots of fun; a bit like the Beats Audio stuff, over-processed and bass heavy, but a good listen. These buds are well worth the money, and I'd merrily recommend them and buy them again.
A couple of years ago, I wanted a nicer pair, so I picked up the Shure SE 425s at about $300. These get very good write-ups by many folks/magazines and are considered one of the best for the $. From day 1, I was never quite sure... They are better than the 215s in many ways, more detailed, far more precise, but they are a tad cold and there is very little soundstaging - they certainly highlight bad sounds though; they are quite uncompromising, so aren't the best for everyday general listening; maybe better for a studio environment? With the video above, they are more sensitive than the 215s; I took the computer volume down from 55 to 50, and the individual sounds are far better, symbols, singing, everything is much more accurate, certainly better than the 215s, but soundstaging and togetherness isn't fantastic; it's good, but doesn't sound like you're there; it doesn't do this recording justice; it almost sounds like there's a thin veil between you and the music at times(?). To be honest, these are not worth three times the 215s; they may, just, be worth double, but that really depends on your application - if you're playing mp3s then stick with the 215s; if you're usng them for analyzing music then the 415s are much better. I don't think I'd recommend them or buy them again - although they are very good. There must be better out there for the money.
A couple of days ago, I saw a pair of Shure SE 535s for sale at a good price (they are around $500, but these were more expensive limited edition ones on sale at about $400), so I thought I'd give them a try... With the video above, they are more sensitive still, I bought the laptop sound down to 37. Immediately more involving; the nuances in the voice, the connection between the instruments, soundstaging are a level (several levels) above; very involving; so much more detail (you can hear individual members in the crowd, his voice is much more nuanced, sounds fantastic). These really blow the 435s away. They aren't cheap, but they are everything I'd hoped they would be (which the cheapish 215s were too, but the pretty expensive, and soon to be sold/given away, 425s were not). Highly recommended.
This video sounds spectacular too:
BTW, the main reason I've always gone with in-ear buds was that I was doing international business for years, flying several times every week, and I couldn't stand the noise of the engines, babies crying, etc, and also hated the type of headphones that constantly needed batteries recharging...
Any of you rabble got these headphones or would recommend something?
I used a few music videos/recordings and played the three back to back, such as one my favourites (I reckon it's a really good test for headphones):
About four years ago, I picked up a pair of Shure SE215 in-ear buds for flying, gym and general listening. They cost about $100, and they are superb for the money, imho. The music is not that accurate, but it is absorbing and full of energy. The video above sounds really good, powerful, but perhaps a few nuances are missed, soundstaging is a tad blurred but its a complete and powerful performance. It doesn't sound like you're there, it sounds like a good 80s sound system, lots of fun; a bit like the Beats Audio stuff, over-processed and bass heavy, but a good listen. These buds are well worth the money, and I'd merrily recommend them and buy them again.
A couple of years ago, I wanted a nicer pair, so I picked up the Shure SE 425s at about $300. These get very good write-ups by many folks/magazines and are considered one of the best for the $. From day 1, I was never quite sure... They are better than the 215s in many ways, more detailed, far more precise, but they are a tad cold and there is very little soundstaging - they certainly highlight bad sounds though; they are quite uncompromising, so aren't the best for everyday general listening; maybe better for a studio environment? With the video above, they are more sensitive than the 215s; I took the computer volume down from 55 to 50, and the individual sounds are far better, symbols, singing, everything is much more accurate, certainly better than the 215s, but soundstaging and togetherness isn't fantastic; it's good, but doesn't sound like you're there; it doesn't do this recording justice; it almost sounds like there's a thin veil between you and the music at times(?). To be honest, these are not worth three times the 215s; they may, just, be worth double, but that really depends on your application - if you're playing mp3s then stick with the 215s; if you're usng them for analyzing music then the 415s are much better. I don't think I'd recommend them or buy them again - although they are very good. There must be better out there for the money.
A couple of days ago, I saw a pair of Shure SE 535s for sale at a good price (they are around $500, but these were more expensive limited edition ones on sale at about $400), so I thought I'd give them a try... With the video above, they are more sensitive still, I bought the laptop sound down to 37. Immediately more involving; the nuances in the voice, the connection between the instruments, soundstaging are a level (several levels) above; very involving; so much more detail (you can hear individual members in the crowd, his voice is much more nuanced, sounds fantastic). These really blow the 435s away. They aren't cheap, but they are everything I'd hoped they would be (which the cheapish 215s were too, but the pretty expensive, and soon to be sold/given away, 425s were not). Highly recommended.
This video sounds spectacular too:
BTW, the main reason I've always gone with in-ear buds was that I was doing international business for years, flying several times every week, and I couldn't stand the noise of the engines, babies crying, etc, and also hated the type of headphones that constantly needed batteries recharging...
Any of you rabble got these headphones or would recommend something?
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