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11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
5.0 stars
"Better than Shure e500?"
Pros: Great sound, really. Compact, comfortable design. More comfortable and secure tips. Excellent warranty service.
Cons: Needed warranty service
Summary: I originally purchased an e500 PTH, and my review was posted on CNET for that product. Unfortunately, a cable problem developed, but showing extraordinary service, Shure didn't just repair them, they shipped me the SE530! No refurbs, like you get with some vendors.
So, the SE530 is supposed to be the same as the e500. It's not. First, they put the PTH out as a more expensive option, which does, in fact, make this a price increase. Second, the sound is different. Whether it's manufacturing variation, or evolution, I can't tell you, and Shure doesn't seem to say. However, what I can say is that everything in my review below still holds true, except that these actually sound better.
The difference? They are a touch brighter from abuot 4KHz up. Maybe 1dB. It's just enough to add some presence, and a little sparkle to cymbals, or presence to violin. The result is quite pleasing, as I noted in my first review that the unit seemed a bit muted.
Two details; the new ear tips are more comfortable. The soft-foam ones can be fitted, and the round soft-rubber tips are textured for a more secure fit. One change for the worse: the product includes a short cord for users with arm-mounted ipods (my config), and for a Nano with the connector on the bottom, it's now about 2" shorter than the e500 cord, making it too short to use.
It's enough to push these little beauties to a perfect "10."
Attached is the review...
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I'm an audio engineer, and have about six sets of headphone and earphones, including Shure e4c, Sony MDR V6, little Panasonics, Bose Quiet Comfort 2.
The fit and finish of the Shure are top of the pack; light, but clearly extremely high quality construction.
The Push To Hear device is way larger than I would have expected, and feels cheap. That's a dissapointment.
Sound: The first impression was that the bass was boomy and a bit over-blown (I'm a bass fan). However, within two days, the sound completely transformed; the bass became taught and well balanced, and blends incredibly smoothly throughout the who range. THere is no discernable gap or hole where driver overlap/interference detracts from the sound.
In listening to old-favorites, on CD, AAC (192K), or 128MP3, EVERYTHING was audible. I have listened to some of my source material for years, on the highest-of high-end gear, and this little beauties were so revealing I was hearing not just a little, but a LOT, or ambience, detail, production overlays (and yes, CODEC artifacts, especially with MP3).
I was simply floored by the level of detail. Not the least of reasons being that, in a sense, these phones are not in-your-face tipped up with sizzly treble (like the Panasonics or Sony's), and the midrange is so clear and free of grain that at first, I thought detail was *missing* from some of my recordings.
This was a surprise, as vocals which used to have a bit of grain, or cymbals and snare drums, sounded almost soft. But, the incredible detail and transparency makes it clear that many of these "details" were sizzle and hash created by the drivers in the other phones.
Needless to say, in comparison to the Bose products, the Shure's provided a more compact travel solution, better noise reduction, and vastly superior, more transparent and extended audio.
The PTH was usefull for knocking about in the office, I could talk to people without "unplugging" myself. I just wish it were more compact and solid. But, this is an extra, it's not the reason for existence for a product such as this.
This is without a doubt the best headphone/earphone I've ever heard. Improve the PTH, and it'd be a 10 for sure. Thanks Shure!
Updated on Sep 23, 2008I had ANOTHER warranty issue with the cords. Here's the story, according to Shure.
A "small percentage" of users have sweat that includes a chemical that interacted with the original cable housing to stiffen the plastic, resulting in a failure by the strain relief. Cables that will fail were indicated by the housing that wrapped around the ear retaining the "ear shape" and becoming less flexible around the ear area.
Shure claims that recent product has re-formulated cable housings that will not react with sweat/oil. The new cable should stay supple from earbud to connector, and not retain shape when removed from the ear. That said, they did recommend periodically wiping the cable down in the area in contact with skin.
- 4 replies to this review
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I have been through three of these headphones (Shure shipped a new one each time) due to the cable problem. If they "reformulated" the cable sheathing, I can't see that it helped much.
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The earphones, drivers, cords and most of the included sleeves are the same. There is not any quality of sound difference between the two models. The differences are only in accessories and packaging.
With the SE530 you get the option of with or without the PTH models. Additionally, the SE530 includes the airline adapter for the 2 prong connections, and the sleeve kit has the new black foam sleeves thrown in. All other features and specifications are the same.
Now that Shure has discontinued the E500PTH You can find the model on sale now for as much as 50% off list price. If you can find one of these deals, grab it. (I did) The savings more than justifies having to buy foam sleeves & an airline adapter should you really need them. You will still get the same great sound. -
Shure has repeatedly stated that there should be NO change in sound with use; the balanced armatures used on the e500 are not subject to burn-in. It's been reported by several members on head-fi.org that replacement e500s (usually for the dreaded cord problem) sounded EXACTLY like the broken e500 they just sent in.
Frankly, I'd be more interested in the design and engineering improvements that supposedly address some if not most of the flaws with the e500PTH. I wouldn't pick up an SE530 just because, since the e500 has suited me fine. But if I suffer the fate so many have with their e500 cords, it would be nice to know if Shure really fixed the problems with the replacement.
However, if I DO go and 'upgrade' again, it's the new UE11 that has my attention, even though it's more than twice the price of the SE530. -
with the SE530 you get 3 cord options. The first is the one you describe, which I agree is too short. The second is to attach the volume control cord (about 6"), which makes it perfect for me. And the third is to attach the 2' extender, which along with the volume control cord, makes it very long. I agree with every aspect of your review. You don't realize just how good these are until you put another set on. After using these, no other headphones/in-earphones sound right.
Where to buy
Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones:
$279.00 - $449.99
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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MemorySuppliers
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