Advanced Headphones take a quick look at Shures SE535

Sound quality is awesome IF YOU CAN GET A GOOD FIT. I struggle to get a good fit in one ear. Can't get a good fit at all with the supplied foam tips. I have also tried various Comply foam tips, but again no joy. The best I can get is using the triple flanged ones, cut down, this works most of the time, but plenty of times the seal in one ear will break. I never had this problem with my previous SE310s, which I upgraded from. I'm not sure what it is about the design of these earphones that doesn't allow them to seat properly in my ear, but have never had this problem with previous Shures nor with Etymotics. It's a real shame as the sound quality is 5 star when they fit. The other problem with having to use the triple flanges is that they don't sound as good as the sound with the foams :-(

I bought these earphones under the impression they were the best universal fit earphones currently availble. I was wrong...the frequency reponse for these has a sudden drop off at the high treble range resulting in high frequency vocals to sound nasaly and compressed.
There is no denying the isolation is incredible and a lot of vocal tracks sound wonderful. These earphones really fall to pieces with complex and high dynamic range music. The sound is muddled and lacks any kind of atmosphere. The price of these simply does not relate to performance in any respect and there are many other earphones that can match and even better these in a number of areas for a lot less money. Sorry Shure, I have been a fan for years but these are simply not up to scratch.

I like these and will comment more when I get my custom ear sleeves. I have a pair of SE530's and bought these along with the CBLM+K mic/rmeote for my iPhone 4S. The swivel plug at each ear piece is also a good idea in that it allows for a better fit and replacement of individual ear pieces or the cable should that be required.

Hi I Have been using my shure 535 for a couple of weeks now, And so far the only niggle is getting used to the hard tubing that is designed to go round your ear, my SE530 never had that problem but that's probably why they broke.
Sound from SE535 is the same as SE530 which is amazing ,the only bad thing I would say about shure earphones is there supplied tips are crap, And it`s about time they started bundling some COMLPY tips instead.

Expensive, but excellent. Very accurate and very comfortable.

I'd tried a variety of in-ear earphones in the sub-£50 price range over the last five or six years, but always been terribly disappointed by the lack of decent bass response. Finally I decided to splash out on a pair of Shure SE535s since, with their triple drivers, they seem to be regarded as one of the best earphones around. I was not disappointed this time - these phones are in a whole different class to those that I've purchased previously. Not only is the bass really powerful (without being "boomy"), but the detail from the mid and upper tonal ranges is breathtaking. The set comes with a huge range of different shapes and sizes of ear canal seals, and I would recommend any new user to spend some considerable time choosing the optimal shape and size of seal for their own particular ears. Believe me - it can make a huge difference to the sound quality, and in particular the bass response. The ones that work for me are the soft grey rubber plugs with the thin, almost spherical outer shell.They seem to seal the ear canal perfectly, while suspending the the earphone sound-tubes delicately in the centre. The alternative self-expanding foam or rubber seals, which grip the ear canal very firmly, tend to transmit too much accoustic "rustling" noise from the stiff tangle-resistant cables which are supplied with these earphones.
These earphones can seem a little awkward to position in and around the ear at first, but once you've learned the technique it becomes first nature. Quite simply the best earphones I've owned - by a long shot!

Phenomenal! Crisp high-end tones and a bass that can almost physically feel down your spine.

I took the plunge when I lost the free earphones which came with my phone. I really wanted something which would do justice to my music collection. Sadly I don't think I'm getting anywhere the best out of these earphones, driving them directly from an iPod Touch or HTC Desire phone. I fear I shall have to invest further in a portable amplifier of some description!

Intro
I'm no audiophile so sorry if I don't use the appropriate terminology within my review. I'm just a guy who likes to enjoy his music where ever I go. I usually commute most my life (to university and work) so I want a really good pair of earphones that will last as my companion for as long as possible and are compatible with my iphone 4, these are my requirements.

The path to the shures se535
First I bought the shures se315 and I weren't really impressed with them so I changed to these. I've come from a few high end headphones (for me anyway):

Shures SE115m+ - I really liked them but I was looking for something better so I gave them to my girlfriend which she is currently using moved on.

Bose Quietcomfort 3's - I couldn't justify the price for the average SQ and noise cancellation that hurts you so I just had to return them.

Monster Turbines Pro Gold - These were really good, clear and bright music but lasted only 6 months, so I am currently waiting for a replacement which I'm deciding to give away once I get.

Sennheiser IE 8 which had amazing SQ and bass but the Sennheiser logo came off and put me off the build quality.

I then bought the shures se315's to replace the IE8's but was very disappointed with the sound quality as it sounded very muddy and it lacked bass (it could've been just my pair that I got that were faulty) so I had to send them back. Then I decided to take the plunge and buy the se535's due to all the good reviews on the net. I couldn't find a single bad review about them so I thought it'll be an investment as I've come through so many headphones already.

First Impressions
Coming from the disappointment of the SE315's sound quality, these sounded like heaven when I first plugged it into my iPhone to play "Just can't get enough" by BEP. Comparing it to the Sennheiser IE 8's I had previously (from what I remember) the detail that I hear in songs is much better in the SE535's. The only downside is that there isn't as much bass as I hoped but it does have a very good amount to enjoy music to. With the bass I guess it depends on the individual's tastes of how much bass he/she enjoys but I think the bass in the se535 is perfect for the majority but its just me that likes it to have just that bit more to make the tracks a bit more exciting.

Cabling
The main reason for purchasing the SE535's is because of the removable cable. The reason for changing headphones most of the time is because the wire at the jack end slowly breaks in my jean pockets (where I always keep my iphone) and causes sound to cut out from one of sides of the earphones. Now this solution will save my buying a new pair all the time and instead just get a new cable. So investing in good earphones such as these is more logical than getting the SE315's or anything lower (well that's what I told myself anyway). I bought the replacement cable that enables song skipping and answering calls and I really find it very irritating. With the Shure SE range you're pretty much stuck with wearing the wire over your ears which as most reviews say "isn't for everyone". So wearing the new replacement cable I got, it didn't have the kevlar support as the original cables had that came with the earphones so I found the cable coming out of place very often. It got so annoying that I switched back to the original and downloaded a tweak for the iphone to skip tracks by holding down the volume keys (like the blackberry range). The kevlar coating on the original cables are AMAZING. They mould to the shape you want so they'll hold on your ears. I don't know why Shure didn't implement this on the iphone replacement cable as well seeing as it costs £50 for a replacement cable. The iphone replacement cable is also thinner than that of the original, where the original seems much more durable.

Sound
I've used these for the past two days now and they do make me want to carry on listening to them whenever I get the chance to (or maybe it's the price that makes me want to justify their use!). They do sound crisp and I do hear things that I didn't with some previous earphones. I've yet to "burn" into them as most reviews suggests but if they do get better then they'll sound even more amazing then they currently are. I read one review that said that these earphones don't have that "blow you away" effect and I completely agree. After these two days I'm slowly appreciating the sound of these earphones a little more and more and hope to carry on doing so. As I said above, I think it should have that bit more bass to give it a bit more punch to my music. The range of music I listen to is usually RnB and the old school songs like backstreet boys (it reminds me of my school days). I also listen to my Thai tunes (Thai classical instruments and Thai pop and RnB) but I don't think not many people who read this would relate to me. That's why I think it lacks that bit of bass as RnB requires a slightly high amount of bass to get into the fee of the songs. However, my old school songs Thai Songs sound really great. It feels like the instruments are separated so you can hear each and every one.

Comfort and Isolation
Wearing the these correctly does make a difference in the sound you get back from them as they give the appropriate seal. I liked the foam tips that come with them, but I upgraded to the comply TX-100 foam tips instead as I saw in reviews that they were apparently amazingly better than the shures'. In my opinion they are actually a bit more comfortable as they're more soft and they also have the wax guard but apart from that there's no other perks so I recommend to stick with the shures' foam tips. Another recommendation is to not where the kevlar hooks too tight on the ears as they start to hurt after a while, just hook it enough so that it holds. Sitting on the bus and tube in London, there's so much unnecessary noise that people make, but then again, that's public transport for you, and that's where these earphones are a godsend. They block out majority of the noise so with the music playing, it does cover up pretty much all the sound.

Conclusion
In the end of it all, I still believe I need more time with these earphones, but my initial impressions on them are that they are really worth having. I know i'm no music artist but as I said, I really do appreciate my music. The price tag still doesn't justify what the earphones offer but I'm hoping that over time that it will. My recommendation is that if you can afford it, then get it as I do believe that it will be an investment as there aren't many earphones with replaceable cables out there. I also don't have any experience with others so I've yet to try the others. Hopefully I won't need to as these ones will last!

I purchaased these Shure SE535 to replace my Ultimate Ears Super Fi 5 when they broke after 3 years. I am pleased with the Shure but not as much as I thought I would be given the higher price. The Shure have 3 drivers and my old Ultimate Ears only had 2 yet I haven't noticed much of an improvement. The Shure are harder to put in your ears and take a bit of time getting used to than the Ultimate Ears because they are neater in size. The Shure look much nicer and have a slightly better sound but not as much as I was expecting. Overall I would recommend them but would advise checking out the cheaper Ultimate Ears headphones as there didn't seem £100 or more worth of sound improvement. The Shure 535's look much nicer and have the best sound but only marginal. Hope this helps.

Fantastic headphones. They are pricey - and there are other good headphones for less - but if you're able to afford these, you will not be disappointed. The sound is amazing. Detail, crispness and overall quality do put the price in context I.e. You do get what you pay for in my opinion. I use them everyday for the commute to / from work, and have not regretted the purchase. Infact after 2 weeks or so now, I can tell they are burning in (some commentators suggest they need 50+ hours to fully burn in) as the sound is getting better and better. The clarity and natural balance is their strong point, with a deep natural bass. However, if you expect bass to really thump unnaturally then these aren't for you - the bass is full, natural and deep - not artificial or 'kicking'. These replaced my Shure SE530's so I am a Shure fan - the 535's sound similar, but a touch better in all areas, with detachable cable and slightly lease chunky in the ear....worth upgrading? For me, yes (but then my 530's had a lot of use and so were fairly shabby and needed changing) - others may want to wait until the price drop as the difference in sound is not necessarily worth the significant outlay, but that is just a reflection of how good the 530's are too. If you are simply looking for new headphones - look no further as the 535 are pure class!

An excellent successor to Shure's previous top of the range earphones SE 530. The sound is crisper and more detailed, the external noise isolation is much more effective and the detachable cable is a definite plus. Well worth the price.

Wow, wow and wow again!! Even out of the box these are something special. I have been listening to some familiar recordings on my Cowon J3 - often complex multilayered orchestral music - and I am just astounded at the clarity and the stereo image. I've heard things I've not heard before even though my old Sennheisers were pretty good. It's like looking at a painting after layers of dirt have been cleaned away. I understand that they will get better as they burn in for about 40 hours. I am enjoying the sound so much that wont take long!

Actually, it took me a long time to decide to purchase this eaephone, mainly because of the price. However, this earphone is actually superb, such high clarity and quality. You will never regret getting this earphone, sound better than even my computer speaker...

I own Bose noise cancelling for aircraft and home use, these were bought for my daily walk to and from work and are hooked up to an old Sony NWHD5 on which I have recorded tracks at 352kbps Atrac3. Whether it is the fact they exclude external noises so well, or that the units are really so good I do not know. It may be a combination of both, but whatever, the simple fact is that as far as my sensors are concerned, these sound like nothing else I have ever owned. I have heard notes on tracks and people in the audiences I have never heard before. Yes they are expensive, but I look at all the other earphones I have bought in the past, Sony in ear noise excluding, Bose, standard Sony units and others. Wearing them takes a bit of getting used to but I have not had any discomfort, it is obvious they are quality units and they feel as though they will last a lifetime. Oh why didn't I buy the Shure equivalent at the start and be done with it all.

I've consciously forced myself to wait a respectable amount of ownership-time prior to writing this review; it would otherwise, I fear, be too easy simply to say 'outstanding' as soon as you plug them in to a device. So, two weeks - and a lot of mainly commuting-based listening - later, I can safely say that these are truly wonderful earphones. I bought these as a replacement to my three-year old Shure E4C's (excellent, but suffered from the cracked cable fault so widely known and fixed in the SE535's) which were, in turn, a replacement for a set of Shure E3C's. Initially amazed by the E3C's, the step up to the sound of the E4C's was immediately discernable and I wondered whether there really could be THAT much more to gain from yet another step up (not least in price) to the SE535's. How wrong I was. Whilst slightly less comfortable in the ear than the E4C's (note that for my ears, this is not related to an ill-fitting sleeve, rather the earphone housing itself), the SE535's are simply astonishing. The depth and width of the soundstage is beyond compare. The detail is immense across the range and completely immersive, whether deep underground on the noisy Northern Line, above ground rail travel or simply walking around. All music types shine, from classical to dance to guitar-based pop. As a test of the quality, use them in a silent room to truly appreciate what's in your ears. I swear I was hearing previously unheard notes in tracks I've listened to dozens of times over the years. As with all earphones, they can only replicate the data in the track/device so for that reason I will conclude by saying that I use a Cowon S9 with tracks ripped as FLAC.

What can I say - I previously used Bose noise cancelling headphones which I thought were fine. However, Bose cans only really work well on a plane. In any other situation these Shure SE535's absolutely walk all over them (more comfy too). The detail is absolutely incredible in every way. Really detailed across the entire frequency spectrum and for a pair of in-ears they kick out a fair amount of low end.

I would recommend these wholeheartedly to anyone

What can I say?!
.....These new earphones from Shure are pretty mind-blowing.
I love the new detachable cable (which is also mouldable) and they are super comfortable.
If you have not worn Shure earphones before, they will take a little getting used to, as you need to get a good fit, and 'mould' the cable around your ear...but trust me, it is well worth it.

I’ve only been listening today but already the sound stage is remarkably wider, the sound much
sweeter and smoother, the bass is better and extended, overall much more musical and present.

As you'd expect from the top-of-the-range earphones from a top earphone manufacturer these make for a pretty incredible listen - very wide soundstage with fantastic detail and energy.
I found the fit of the earphones fairly challenging (unlike other Shure earphones it's not apparent how to fit them and there's no indication of which is right and which is left) but a quick read of the manual and the wrapping of the cable over the ears made for a snug, secure closure. It's a lot of money but the feeling of money well spent increases with every listen...