Since the late 90s, Shure has become one of the biggest names in the field of professional personal-monitoring-systems. With the company’s long history going all the way back to the 30s and its extensive establishment in the audio industry, Shure is quickly becoming a major player in the consumer in-ear-monitors (IEM) market. The SE210 is the mid-level single micro-driver IEM in Shure’s latest consumer earphones line-up.



Comfort and Build Quality (7.5/10)

The ease and comfort of putting on a pair of IEM is limited. Unlike traditional earbuds, the SE210 have to be looped around the ear before insertion by twisting into the ear canal. The cable of the SE210 is also recommended to be hung on the back of the user. While the procedure may sound complicated on paper, users will quickly adapt to the method after a few attempts. Overall, although not as comfortable as Westone’s UM1, the SE210 provides reasonable comfort when fitted. We only wish its profile is smaller and the end of the earpiece sticks out less.

Like all products from Shure, the SE210’s build quality is of high standard. The black version (SE210-K) we tested was composed of two parts, glossy plastic and rubber. The cable itself is very thick and durable. However, the downsides of having a thick, stiff cable are that it isn’t at all that flexible and it doesn’t contribute much towards a casual look. Nonetheless, the SE210 seems very well built and able to withstand a beating.





The Sound (7/10)

Let’s be blunt here and start with the good and bad right off the bat. The highlight of the SE210 is its extremely competent bass. Listening to hip hop, electronica, and other bass-heavy music, the SE210 truly shines like a pair of high-end earphones with an extremely well-extended low end. The large, but fairly refined, bass provides the IEM a sound with powerful presence. As a result, the soundstage also appears grandeur. Its mids, however, falls short of our expectations. Due to the earphones’ emphasis on bass, the low notes slightly overshadow the already lacking mids, giving the sound a more colored character. In contrast with a lower-priced competitor from Westone (UM1), the SE210 lacks emotions and transparency. Moreover, although the highs compare fairly well with other IEM we have tested, we definitely detect the lack of crystal and crumble character to the treble. Nonetheless, despite some shortfalls, the SE210 performs fairly well overall. The warm, smooth, and full-bodied sound truly dazzles the listener.

Score Breakdown

Soundstage: 8/10
Treble: 7/10
Mids: 6/10
Bass: 8.5/10


Conclusion ( 7 /10)


Sometimes I wonder if the SE210 comes with dedicated mini subwoofers. The bass of these little earphones is just so powerful, refined, and well extended that the low notes will without doubt put a smile on your face. At the same time, however, the bass-oriented nature negatively impacts the transparency of the overall sound. The mids are also one of the downfalls. Thus, the reproduction of vocals becomes a weak point for these earphones. Despite its extraordinary bass performance, the SE210 doesn’t quite stand up to some of the qualities audiophiles look for – transparency, decay, and emotions. Regardless, considering its price tag at $179.99 MSRP, the SE210 from Shure is definitely an above average, highly acceptable pair of IEM. I wouldn't hesitate for a bit recommending these earphones to those looking for the utlimate bass in IEM.





This review was written by Cecil L on August 15, 08.