shure ksa1500 review

The working principle is fairly straightforward, involving a very light diaphragm loaded with static charge placed between two metal grids. In this design, a precisely linear ‘push-pull’ action occurs across the entire diaphragm with the driver force being radiated evenly across the whole surface which helps avoids any potential distortion artifacts. As the music signal is fed to these grids, they vary in polarity accordingly, so causing the diaphragm to move. It may appear simple, but it’s complex to put into practice and difficult to engineer properly due to the high voltages involved. Why go to all this trouble? The DAC section isn’t as good. The lovely vocals come through with immense subtlety. The IEM will debut shortly at the Tokyo meet and as such I have seen no pricing at this time. The Shure KSE1500 in-ear system achieves a mind-boggling feat of audio engineering - delicately sandwich a lighter-than-air, vanishingly thin film membrane between two tiny back plates that are electrically charged to apply voltage variations across the membrane, thereby creating magnificent sound. With that mindset, our 365-Day return policy was born and followed up with free, same-day shipping while curating the store to have the best selection possible for our customers.Â, Sign-up to be the first to get notified about upcoming products, deals as well as our giveaways.Â, The review team here at headphone.com has seen and heard a lot of great headphones in our 25 years in business. Clearly, the electrostatic approach favors big detail over big impact. So it takes a bit of something extra to galvanize us wholeheartedly on a product. PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE: We will match any lower price you find from an Authorized Dealer, ‘Electrostatic Valhalla In Your Ears’. Use something like Spotify and you’ll find the results thin, hard-edged and notably lacking in subtlety compared to well-recorded high-resolution recordings like Paul Simon’s Graceland. For audiophiles needing the best of the best for mobile or portable listening, the, Shure KSE1500 electrostatic in-ear system, Read more about Shure KSE1500 Electrostatic Earphone. I've owned the Sennheiser HD 800 + HDVD 800, and the IE800 before and none of them compare to the clarity, speed, and realism in sound produced by the Shure KSE1500. It’s solid and feels like a quality item. In the end, it’s really the music and the musicians that we're all about here at headphone.com, so anything that brings us closer to the heart of the creative artist is manna to our ears. There are presets to boost bass and cut highs, even one to de-emphasise sibilance. Visit our corporate site. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, What is a DAC? We think so, simply because they’re so good. Everything we’ve described is how the Shures sound like through the line level input. MORE: What is a DAC? Certainly, the miniaturization of such complex acoustic componentry into a small, comfortable in-ear headphone is nothing if not a massive scientific breakthrough. They always sound in control without going so far as to take the energy out of the music. All that insight is great, but it does mean that these won’t hide the flaws in the rest of your set-up. Views: 292. Each single MicroDriver Sound Isolating electrostatic earphone features a virtually weightless, massless diaphragm, surrounded by an electrostatic field generated by back plates that manage charge oscillation. September 22, 2016 Audio & Video gear, headphones, luxury, Review, Shure, Shure KSE1500. For audiophiles needing the best of the best for mobile or portable listening, the Shure KSE1500 will likely blow away any balanced armature or dynamic driver in-ear headphone in terms of  resolution and midrange/treble openness. With more complex, busy recordings like the UK pressing of the first Henry Cow ‘Legend’ LP on the Virgin Records label from 1973, the Shure KSE1500 sounds collected and composed with a cool, easy pacing that made the angular music appear more accessible and democratic. The Shure's midrange offered superb clarity—something that, with hindsight, I hadn't made enough of in my review of the KSE1500. But perhaps the biggest breakthrough is the breathtaking level of detail resolution, dynamic range quickness and incredible transient response speed the little Shure KSE1500 in-ear electrostatic system can conjure up. delicately sandwich a lighter-than-air, vanishingly thin film membrane between two tiny back plates that are electrically charged to apply voltage variations across the membrane, thereby creating magnificent sound. Shure KSE1500 Review Compared to a custom-molded Ultimate Ears Ue11Pro IEM, the Shure KSE1500 offered vastly better instrumental separation and detail in the midranges and highs. Ultimate Hi-Res sound Using such lightweight speaker diaphragms means the KSE1200 headphones respond to signals faster than just about any other headphone - or speakers for that matter - currently available. It’s the first time we’ve reviewed in-ears with this technology, and it gets us thinking that these headphones might be worth taking seriously. “Shoot This Sound Up My Veins”: Shure Audio’s KSE1500. But once we get over the hard wallet pounding, the thing that remains is how effortlessly the Shure KSE1500 makes our music drive us forward through a hard workday or survive that absurdly long plane flight with what seems to be only screaming babies aboard. It sounds thinner and less subtle, lacking the talent to shine in the same way with dynamics and pace changes. Move to Kendrick Lamar’s King Kunta and the Shures respond with wonderfully textured bass and an enviable ability to organise and stay composed even when the music becomes busy. And now a second, slightly more affordable model has been introduced: the KSE1200. Electrostatic drivers require high voltage to be driven, and won’t work with a conventional amp. Dynamics and overall clarity also went to the Shure, although we must sheepishly add that the always ephemeral musical ‘fun factor’ was seemingly more evident in the UE11Pro's whiplash sound versus the slightly astringent, drier approach of the KSE. in-ear monitors employ either balanced armature drivers (tiny tubes wrapped around a voice coil) or dynamic drivers (the piston-like voice coil-and-magnet drivers commonly associated with speakers and headphones Pro. And it's free!Â, 365-Day Returns on all new orders. While these headphones will work with phones and portables you’ll only really hear what they’re capable of with top-end hi-fi sources. Calling these the best in-ears we’ve heard is selling them short. Providing an unrivalled level clarity and detail, the KSE1200 system brings the award winning performance of Shure’s electrostatic technology into a more compact, efficient, and affordable solution. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Shure EATFL1-6 Triple Flange Sleeves for SE Model Earphones, KSE1500, E3c, E4c, E5c, E500PTH, i3c and i4c Models,White at Amazon.com. That’s because the earphones come bundled with their very own amplifier that … The review team here at headphone.com has seen and heard a lot of great headphones in our 25 years in business. We particularly like the knurled volume control, and the display is clear, if a little small. Like the KSE1500, the KSE1200 system produces the absolute highest level of detail and isolation available in a portable design and we are thrilled to now offer electrostatic sound at a more affordable price.”The KSE1200 is the result of Shure’s decades of research and design experience in Sound Isolating Earphone development. All rights reserved. They provided microphones … In-ears have a hard time with perceived value at the best of times, but before you write these Shures off as an exorbitant luxury for those with more money than sense, take a closer look. Both the Shure KSE1500 and KSE1200 systems make portable high fidelity audio a reality. The amp pack is beautifully made. The KSE1500s use electrostatic drivers. is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. BA1 1UA. Does not apply to special-order, open-box or sale items.Â, Reach out to us through our handy live chat or by e-mail.Â, Secure payments with Credit Card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Cryptocurrency.Â, Headphones.com, started by Andrew and Taron Lissimore, was founded in 2016 with a strict focus on delivering the best customer service possible. It took Shure eight years of development to get the KSE1500s to market. Electrostatic headphones have particular electrical requirements that mean they can’t simply be plugged into any old headphone output. The unusual electrical demands of electrostatics mean that normal headphone amplifiers, including those built into phones or tablets, just won’t work directly into the headphones. View all reviews, videos, ratings and awards for shurekse1500. The leads also loop around the ears for additional security, which is great when you’re on the move. Yeah, we know we’ve been saying the ‘B’ word a lot lately, but it's a genuine testament to the maturation of the high-end headphone industry that every other time we turn around, there are new awesome headphones revolutionizing our sport. In this design, a precisely linear ‘push-pull’ action occurs across the entire diaphragm with the driver force being radiated evenly across the whole surface which helps avoids any potential distortion artifacts. Solid build quality and simple to use with a classic design. In-ears are by their very nature meant for travelling, but the only way you’ll hear them at their best is with talented home gear. Transparency is of the highest order. The 11Pro also lacked the open sense of air and quick extension at the top of range delivered by the Shure. The Shure KSE1500 electrostatic in-ear headphones certainly qualify as one of those revolutionary new products. They reveal the natural warmth in the beautifully recorded Mount The Air by The Unthanks with ease. The resulting dramatic advancements in sound quality has been some pretty heady stuff (pun intended). All comments are moderated before being published. They communicate the dynamic ebb and flow superbly too. The response is flat, a rich neutral, perfectly reproduces instruments, is very fast, and is portable. One disadvantage of using such a technology is that the KSE1500s need a dedicated amplifier. The music signal is fed to those grids and the diaphragm moves back and forth between them as the polarity of the music signal changes, so moving air … Vocals almost appeared somewhat recessed with the UE11Pro while the Shure delivered an exquisitely unblemished midrange tone that made voices feel solid, centered and full of emotional body. Shure’s KSE1500 is best described as an in-ear headphone system. Very detailed sound presentation. Find An Answer Browse our vast Answer database for answers to many common technical questions. So it takes a bit of something extra to galvanize us wholeheartedly on a product. Android devices will need to be able to output audio through their USB connection for this to work, while Apple’s iOS units should work without issue. The amplifier will digitally connect to phones and tablets, though. What are the best high end earphones for listening to music? TestSeek is an independent and unbiased review aggregator, it is our mission to collect all expert reviews and calculate an average rating for each product. Outstanding sound quality. The working principle is fairly straightforward, involving a very light diaphragm loaded with static charge placed between two metal grids. Review of Shure KSE1500 powered by the Slant community. The tonal balance is excellent, and the bass is nigh onto unbelievable. The KSE1500 was the first, and only, of its kind until now. We’re no strangers to premium priced gear at What Hi-Fi?, but even we took a collective gasp at the £2500/$3750 price tag attached to Shure’s new range-topping in-ears, the KSE1500. What Hi-Fi? Judicious use of the KSE1500’s onboard tone-shaping EQ parameters can likely help address some of these audiophile quibbles. We would have expected at least 24-bit/192kHz, and for this price, DSD compatibility too. Shure KSE1500 electrostatic in-ear headphone system John Atkinson | Nov 1, 2016 I wrote several issues back that my first high-end headphones were Koss Pro4AAs, which I bought in 1972 following a positive review in the British magazine Hi-Fi News . Shure KSE1200 Review Since its conception 4 years ago, the Shure KSE1500 earphones were a breakthrough product featuring electrostatic drivers in a portable form factor. The KSE1500/1200 is a marvelous technological achievement by Shure, when you think of the miniaturizing of an entire estat system for portability as an IEM system and delivering top-tier sound quality with satisfying bass. Producing this on a miniature scale has taken Shure eight years to develop and was first launched on the reference KSE1500 model. Both the Shure KSE1500 and KSE1200 systems make portable high fidelity audio a reality. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Since air is actually much heavier than the microscopically thin film membrane itself, its own virtual weightlessness inherently dampens any acoustic resonances and allows a completely uncolored, accurate audio reproduction that is strictly faithful to the original source. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi?, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! The UE11Pro had obvious difficulties keeping up with the obtuse frenzy and smeared much of the high-tension interplay between Fred Frith’s skronk guitar and the chattering saxophones of Geoff Leigh and Tim Hodgkinson, leaving an unresolved miasma of broken-sounding notes in its wake. New level of reference sound signature for portable audio. Since air is actually much heavier than the microscopically thin film membrane itself, its own virtual weightlessness inherently dampens any acoustic resonances and allows a completely uncolored, accurate audio reproduction that is strictly faithful to the original source. Shure KSE1500 Review. The. Pros. If you love headphones, you'll love our emails. Bath Jude has just released a detailed video review of the product and he appears to be gaga over it. This type of technology is hard to achieve let alone in such small dimensions. Please refresh the page and try again. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Certainly, the miniaturization of such complex acoustic componentry into a small, comfortable in-ear headphone is nothing if not a massive scientific breakthrough. By contrast, the UE11Pro showcased the funky second-line drive of  Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie’s bass drum against the sinewy guitar figures while downplaying the bee-sting welt of Jones's Fender Twin amp sound. Once we started delving into the technology and engineering involved that scary price looked more understandable. Electrostatic earphone system consists of single-driver, electrostatic earphones matched to a digital-to-analogue-converter with EQ control. the audiophile headphone market take a quantum leap forward in cutting edge product development. For more information about the KSE1500 feel free to visit the Shure website. It’s the first time we’ve reviewed in-ears with this technology, and it gets us thinking that these headphones might be worth taking seriously. Ranked in these Questions Question Ranking #2. It has confessional, revealing sound quality that shines a bright white light into favorite recordings and lets you hear them in a precious new way. Current Headphones: Sennheiser HD 820, Shure KSE1200, Sennheiser IE 800 S, Shure SE846, Fiio F9 Pro, Sony WF-1000X Past Headphones: RHA CL2, Sennheiser IE 800, Sennheiser MTW, Beyerdynamic Xelento, Fiio FH5, UE 900S, RHA T20, V-Moda ZN, V-Moda XS, Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear, Sennheiser CX 985, Sennheiser CX 300-B It is indeed prohibitively expensive and big bass lovers or seekers of blanketing tonal warmth may not find themselves well-served here, although the aforementioned onboard parametric EQ feature does allow for some personalized tweaking of its energetically direct, zero-hype/zero-bloat style. Is there still a place for them? If these genres do not interest you, my review has little to offer. Absolutely amazing sounding earbuds from Shure. As the music signal is fed to these grids, they vary in polarity accordingl… They’re wonderfully clean and clear without sounding either bright or forward. Our first reaction when putting them on is that they sound a little understated, but that impression soon changes as we discover just how insightful and well balanced they are. Performance is merely good rather than great. As with all in-ears it’s vital that you find the right tips, and Shure provides a generous spread of sizes and shapes to provide the best seal. We have 11 reviews of Shure KSE1500 and the average score is 90%. There’s no shortage of nuance, these headphones delivering each change of intensity and emphasis with considerable skill. Especially throughout the upper midranges, the KSE1500 has a much sweeter, significantly more cohesive sound probably due in part to the cascading multiple-driver arrays employed within the UE11Pro quad-balanced armature that can sometimes betray the transitional crossover seams in the presentation. Seriously, it’s really a fantastic time to be into headphones. There’s also a digital-to-analogue converter on-board, which is capable of accepting PCM signals up to 24-bit/96kHz. The resulting dramatic advancements in sound quality has been some pretty heady stuff (pun intended). There are two inputs – a 3.5mm line level connection and a micro USB. This dedicated amplifier accounts for a sizable chunk of the Shure’s hefty price and is included in the package. Unpacking the KSE1500 is a treat. Being the first of any new product category usually means a high price and one day the technology of the KSE1500 is going to trickle down into a more affordable package. We find these comfortable to wear. MORE: Best headphone deals: in-ear, over-ear, wireless and more. Best wireless noise-cancelling headphones 2021, Best 8K TVs 2021: the ultimate 8K resolution televisions, Best 40, 42 and 43-inch TVs in 2021: small TV bargains. It’s also plainly obvious that using only lossless quality audio files is demanded. The KSE1500 is based on state-of-the-art electrostatic technology. Electrostatic technology’s inherent lack of distortion also makes them easy to listen to over long periods. Seriously, it’s really a fantastic time to be into headphones. Electrostatic technology is rare, and for good reason. The Shure KSE1500 system is much more than just a pair of earphones. Despite all the challenges, though, and after eight years of development, Shure created the world's first (and currently only) electrostatic earphone, the KSE1500, a couple of years ago. Shure KSE1500 Review Shure is one of the oldest microphone brands in the USA. It comes in an elaborate box packed with a good range of cables, adaptors and a rather fetching leather case. We’re no strangers to premium priced gear at What Hi-Fi?, but even we took a collective gasp at the £2500 price tag attached to Shure’s new range-topping in-ears, the KSE1500. There’s also the provision for fine-tuning these settings to taste, and that’s useful. The KSE1500 transports you deep inside the sound of the music with an energy and a clear precision few other in-ears can manage. Shure KSE1500 review. The Shure KSE1500 electrostatic earphones are the result of many years of research, development, and technological advancements from the Shure engineering team. Listening to straight-forward,  simply layered dynamic recordings like the Boogaloo Joe Jones ‘Right On Brother’ 1970 LP on Prestige Records, the fast energetic presence of the Shure KSE1500 allowed his classic 1950’s Gibson hollow body guitar tone to show a glowing, facile single-string attack that reveled in dexterity and smooth melodic soul-jazz inventiveness. In such circumstances it helps that the KSE1500 are good at blocking out external noise. Don't worry, we hate spam as much as you do. Although its not completely perfect and rather painfully pricey, we all agree the Shure KSE1500 electrostatic in-ear system is a scientific landmark and a breakthrough headphone. There was a problem. The electrostatic drivers deliver premium quality, high definition audio for the first time in an in-ear design, which provides superior comfort and isolation from outside noise. You will receive a verification email shortly. Of course, its not a product for everyone. style: KSE1500 Verified Purchase I'm comparing the KSE1500's with the latest Etymotic Research ER4XD, Ultimate Ears 11, and Stax SR-L700's. Simply put, a well-engineered electrostatic design will give you a more detailed and accurate sound than conventional alternatives, all other things being equal, which they usually aren’t. They’re among the finest headphones around, regardless of price or type. Why does Shure supply an amplifier in the first place? These in-ears major on accuracy and detail resolution rather than impressing through lots of bass or emphasising punch. Even with the Shure KSE1500 high-caliber digital processing abilities, low-res streaming music heard through reference electrostatic headphones will still sound like 360p videos look on a giant 4K-resolution HD television - it can be done, but the results sure ain't going to be pretty. The KSE1500 sells for $2,999 in the US, £2,234 in the UK and AU$3,999 in Australia. To cover some quick technical background, electrostatic technology offers the fastest, most accurate transient response with the lowest distortion possible in speakers and big headphones but, until now, it had never been applied to in-ear earphones. 3 0 . There are earbuds, and then there's the Shure KSE1500 Electrostatic Earphone System. Can’t wait to hear it at my next big meet. Such headphones work by having a highly charged, light diaphragm between two metal grids. But perhaps the biggest breakthrough is the breathtaking level of detail resolution, dynamic range quickness and incredible transient response speed the little Shure KSE1500 in-ear electrostatic system can conjure up. It started off as a manufacturing brand of microphones including wireless ones, mixers, phonograph cartridges, headphones including wireless ones. $2,999. Obviously, it's the first technological achievement of its kind and extremely expensive as is any early leading-edge design. Thank you for signing up to What Hi-Fi?. Shure Thing. Undoubtedly, the KSE1500 has a neutrality that is highly involving simply due to its sheer transparency, but it can also feel a bit rigorous and ascetic at times for listeners seeking heated slam and warm punch. Getting your product to you as fast as possible is important to us! It makes a fine first impression and that positivity only increases once we start listening. Providing an unrivaled level clarity and detail, the KSE1200 system brings the award winning performance of Shure’s electrostatic technology into a more compact, efficient, and affordable solution. Micro … These may be the only earphones out there (at the moment) that use electrostatic drivers.

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