Shure SE535 Clear

By Steve H (customer and contributor)

SE535 Review

I have had the pleasure of using the SE535 for almost 3 months now and would like to provide my thoughts. I think it is always a good idea to wait until the "new toy" phenomenon wears off so it can be reviewed more objectively.

Brief history...for the past several years I have had most of the top universal IEM's (SE420, SE530, ER4P, W3, W2, UM2, UM3X, TFP10 Pro, GR8 and have enjoyed all of them to varying degrees. The thing is, with each and every one of them I could always point to at least one fault or deficiency which always seems to lead to more searching and more purchases. Aside from the fact that this audiophile hobby can sometimes seem obsessive.

I was a big fan of the SE530 when it came out but the rolled off highs were always an obstacle for me really engulfing myself into the music. When W3 was released I found it to be instantly a big upgrade. I was amazed how an IEM could have such a BIG FULL SOUND, with a very large soundstage yet it had an amazing amount of treble thrown in. For the past 2 years W3 has been my favorite IEM. It is not necessarily the most balanced IEM out there but boy is it fun! Back to SE535. Shure made a big upgrade to the ergonomics and build quality as well as changed the housing (smaller) and the positioning of the drivers to "tweak" the sound a bit (as a Shure product manager explained to me). As far as build quality it is safe to say this is the most robust and well-built IEM on the market today, period. Everything about it screams "durable and indestructible." You could probably jump rope with the cable without hurting it and the strain reliefs are big and solid on both ends. It's almost overkill but I love it as I often workout with IEM's and there is absolutely nothing to worry about with damaging SE535.

THE SOUND:

• Bass: Very controlled and tight, quite a bit less than W3 but it sounds much more proper and correct. It in no way drowns out the other frequencies as tends to be the case with so many other IEM's. The bass is there with authority when the music calls for it but is actually quite unassuming as well. Very well done.
• Midrange: Typical Shure magical luscious midrange. Enough said.
• Treble: Wow! No more roll off! It's almost bright sounding. Absolutely love it! They fixed the problem with SE530. It is very detailed but never sibilant or harsh. I have heard some say it is a bit metallic sounding but I do not hear it that way. But I am using Comply tips so this may soften things up a tad. Soundstage: I find this improved as well. It seems wider from what I recall with SE530. It is approaching W3 soundstage size. It is more horizontal than vertical but I find it to be improved as well. No complaints here either.

Everything just seems "right" with SE535. Nothing overpowers anything else. Nothing spikes out anywhere, everything is very controlled. It is very balanced and is true to the music. It is also very efficient. I am using the SE535 unamped out of a Nano and there is a enough volume to blow your head off and these IEM's aren't even breaking a sweat. Not sure how much difference an amp would make.

The big question might seem to be whether SE535 is worth the premium price tag over what SE530 can be purchased for? I would say yes it is and let me explain why. Since SE530, I have owned W2, W3 and UM3X all of which I found to be superior to SE530. But now, even after 3 months with SE535, I find it better than all three of those great Westone products. In fact I still own the W3 and have used it for about 10 minutes since I purchased SE535. When I did it just sounded to big and bloated. The bass hump was unacceptable. I am sure over time my ears would re-adjust but SE535 is just so more balanced sounding. In general comparison to the Westone products, the Westones are very creamy and liquid...a somewhat manufactured sound if you will. But I find the SE530 a little more raw and lifelike and it has me focusing more on the music than the traits of the IEM but this is probably more of a personal preference thing. In summary, I find virtually nothing to fault about SE535. The fact that it is pretty balanced and neutral may come across as boring to some but unlike UM3X (also very balanced), SE535 has much more "space" for the music to move around and it comes across as very pleasurable. It is truly astonishing how far IEM's have come with their sound quality and as far as universals go, you cannot do much better than the Shure SE535.

Steve H (customer and contributor)


SE535 Professional Sound Isolating™ Earphones

The SE535 Professional Sound Isolating™ Earphones offer new features and color options. Designed for both professional monitoring and personal listening, these two models integrate a detachable cable at the ear for increased durability and functionality, and formable wire for a comfortable and secure fit.

SE535 utilizes Triple High-Definition MicroDrivers for spacious sound with rich bass.

Detachable Cable. A durable Kevlar™ reinforced cable allows for easy replacement and customization. A gold plated MMCX connector allows for 360 degree rotation. Wireform Fit. Formable wire ensures secure placement over the ear.



Sound Isolating Design - Sound Isolating sleeves block up to 37 dB of ambient noise.

Personalization and Comfort - An ergonomic, professional design and lightweight, low-profile shape ensure both style and comfort.

Premium Fit Kit - Multiple shapes and sizes of sleeves achieve the best possible fit and maximum isolation.

Rating Read More

Powerful bass, strong forward mids. Highs are controlled and clean.
The vocals are amazingly detailed yet, no frequency range gets neglected. The sound is rich and warm; balanced and powerful at the same time. The SE535 is everything it promises to deliver. Comfort and fit has been improved even further and the new cable is robust like a tank.