Headphones Part 2 - Shure SE530

A few weeks ago, I posted the first of a three-part headphone review. This is the second.

For the past five years or so, the Shure E3 headphones (now called SCL3) had been my sound delivery weapon of choice for serious business. Developed for stage use, they quickly became popularized for portable audio for their excellent 30db attenuation of outside sound and crisp sound quality. Some criticized them for less than impressive bass performance, perhaps with good reason. But the super-detailed middle and high ranges more than made up for it for me. The phones were updated about a year after I bought mine, becoming the E3Cs and available for the first time in white to appeal to the white headset crowd. Later they were joined with the E4s to round out the line and give people an option between the E3s and the really pricey E5s. This is somewhat surprising considering these are considered professional equipment for performing musicians, but obviously, people were buying them in enough quantity for Shure to notice and shift their marketing to accomodate.

These types of ‘phones are not without their drawbacks though. Inserting them into your ears required a bit of fiddling to get them in right. The cables were also meant to be worn behind the head which often meant some fairly ridiculous contortions if you were trying to put them on in a confined space, like, say, an airplane seat or a small shower stall. (What? Don’t you listen to music in the shower?) Also, the small yellow foam sleeves (or “foamies” as I like to call them) could be uncomfortable for prolonged listening. The various silicone ear pieces never worked for me, in any of the available sizes. Walking around while wearing them can create a “booming” effect as your feet hit the ground, channeling the shockwaves up to your ears through bone conductivity. You can hear yourself breathing with them on. Talking to people (even though you can’t really hear them) is also really difficult and kind of disorienting.

Still, despite all these strange oddities, I really like them. A lot.

Enter the SE530s. I’ve been eyeing these as replacements to the “E” line of earphones since they were introduced. As a more consumer-friendly set of in-ear monitors, they lack some of the harshness of the E3s which could be, if possible, a little too detailed. The SE530s are also a three-driver design with a separate tweeter and two separate bass drivers. The difference really comes through on music with strong bass-lines and dynamic drums like the National’s album “Boxer”. The bass sounds smooth and doesn’t get overwhelmed by the surrounding drums in quieter tracks like “Start a War”. The mid and upper range detail is still there too, but it seems better blended than with the E3s. The SE530s produce a smooth, buttery sound that will envelop you in music.

Another great improvement is in the new foam sleeves. The new ones are a back foam that is apparently washable which should greatly extend their lifetime. I used to go through the yellow foamies at the rate of a pair every couple of weeks, more if I was using them heavily. I’ve had the same pair of foamies on the SE530s since I bought them and they’re still in great shape. Protip: You should wipe ‘em off periodically with a non-alcohol based anti-bacterial gel.

Other items included in the box are 3 foot and 9 inch extension cables, a full set of ear pieces in varying shapes and sizes, an airplane adapter and a 1/4″ conversion plug. The phones roll up into an included oval carrying case. Shure does not disappoint with build quality and accessories in the box and retailing for the price of a top-end iPod, you better believe the box they come in is real metal. The earphones’ cables are also really nice, with a supple feel.

Speaking of cables, I just acquired and tested-out the Shure MPA music phone adapter which comes with a “voice port” microphone for use with my iPhone. The first call was deemed a success. The little command button even works as a play/pause or answer call button.

So, would I recommend these for everybody? No, I probably wouldn’t. I wouldn’t have bought them myself if it weren’t for the ridiculous deal I found on eBay (seriously, if you’re looking for a pair, check it out). If you’re a discerning audiophile, or just someone who loves music and looking for a compact, portable listening experience that can block out a lot of external noise, then these might be right for you.