Shure SE530PTH Sound Isolating Earphones with Push-To-Hear Control Reviews

• A strong but qualified recommendation from two very happy ears

  
  By AEGQWVR6KWBV on 2007-08-28
  If you've already done your research and only want to know why I am qualifying my recommendation, skip down to near the bottom of my review. Otherwise, read on...
  
  As most everyone says, these earphones are an absolute dream. The sound quality is amazing, better than the average home stereo and better than any headphones or earphones I've ever heard. Each side has two woofers and a tweeter.
  
  It takes a little while to get used to properly inserting the phones and getting them situated just so, for optimal sound quality and noise isolation. But you get the hang of it before long, and then it's pretty easy.
  
  The sound isolation works pretty well (if you have the phones situated properly in your ears). You get a good seal, which greatly reduces the amount of outside sound that can get in. I've found it works very, very well on airplanes and at the gym (the two noisiest environments I'm typically in).
  
  In contrast, "noise-cancelling" headphones do not block outside noise, rather they add an electronically generated noise designed to cancel the frequencies of the outside noise. They require batteries, and I don't like that they are adding noise to what you're hearing. Some work better than others, but none that I've tried (including the famous and expensive Bose QC2s) work as well as the Shure line of sound-isolating earphones (the SE530 is the second pair I've owned in this line).
  
  With earphones that sit inside the ear canal, comfort is extremely important. I find the SE530s comfortable for long periods of time. I often listen to my ipod in bed at night to help relax; if I fall asleep with the earphones in, my ears don't hurt when I wake up later (unlike all other earphones and headphones I've tried). Shure thoughtfully includes 9 different pairs of interchangable tips in varying sizes, so it is very likely most users will find at least one pair that is comfortable for them.
  
  The modular aspect of the cabling is clever and very useful. The phones themselves have a very short cord. But Shure includes a variety of extension cords of different lengths, which allows you to have the right length cable in different situations.
  
  One of these modular cables has a built-in volume control, handy for when your device doesn't have a volume control (or it's not accessible for whatever reason).
  
  If you order the SE530PTH, you also get the push-to-hear module, which has a little mic and volume control. If you turn it on, it transmits sound from the mic into the headphones, allowing you to have a conversation with someone without removing the earphones. (Removing the earphones is easy, but putting them back in and getting a good seal takes a minute or so, especially for newbies.) I find the PTH to be a neat accessory. However, my wife pointed out that I can simply pause my ipod and then carry on a conversation just fine, w/o removing the earphones (the earphones still block outside noise, but not so much that you can't hear someone talking directly to you). So I don't think the PTH is particularly necessary. Amazon sells the SE530s with and without the PTH option. If you get it without PTH, you can always buy it separately, though it's cheaper to get them together.
  
  The build quality is exceptional. The cords are thicker than any other headphones/earphones I've seen, and where they attach to the earphones or accessories is very well reinforced.
  
  I also have a much cheaper pair of Shure noise isolating earphones, the E2c's. A week or two before the 2-year warranty was to expire, a short developed in the cable going to one side, so that if the cable jiggled at all, the sound would intermittently go out for a second or two. This was my fault - I had been using and abusing these things pretty hard - never using the included case, throwing them around, etc. But I sent them to Shure with a copy of my receipt for warranty service, and they sent me a brand new pair, no questions asked! (and quick turnaround!) The SE530s (and all Shure earphones) carry the same 2-year warranty.
  
  In summary, I love the SE530's amazing sound quality, terrific build quality, and generous bundle of thoughtful accessories.
  
  But now here is my qualification:
  
  To know whether they're really worth the money, you'd really need to compare them to the SE420's (the next cheaper model in this line, about a hundred less than the 530s). Most of us who rave about the SE530s have only ever compared them to MUCH cheaper earphones. In my case, the Shure E2c's (about a hundred bucks) and a pair of Sennheiser cans (about half the price as the SE530's). Of course the 530s will blow away phones that are half the price or less.
  
  But, what we should really know before spending our hard-earned dollars is whether the human ear can distinguish between the SE530's and SE420's. If not, we would be wasting an extra hundred bucks by purchasing the 530s.
  
  Before buying, I searched for a good, objective review comparing the 420s and 530s. I could not find one from a reputable, objective source. So I had to make a choice between two risks: the risk of spending too much (buying the 530s when the 420s sound just as good) vs. the risk of not getting the best possible sound quality (buying the 420s to save money when the 530s are really better).
  
  I decided that avoiding the second risk was more important to me than avoiding the first risk, so I picked the 530s. I was in the very fortunate position to be able to afford them. In my current situation (newly married, still paying for the engagement ring & honeymoon - though very happy!), I'm not sure I would still pick the 530s (though I would still want them badly).
  
  So there you have it. Good luck with your purchase decision, and enjoy whatever earphones you end up getting!
  
  

• Your musical experience with the 530PTH will depend on how you use it

  
  By A17LEZ9IYD54EH on 2007-10-01
  I had 2 reasons to purchase the SE530PTH: one was to listen to my iTouch iPod, the second was to use it with my high-end stereo system. SO, this is really 2 reviews in one based on what my ears hear. I'll skip what comes with the earphones and I'll skip the PTH operation since the sound quality is what I consider my primary requirement.
  I auditioned the SE530PTH with my iTouch iPod first. I played an mp3 encoded selection (purchased from the Apple iStore) and an AIFF encoded selection (supposedly uncompressed). The SE530PTH certainly blew away the tinny "earphones" (earbuds?) standard with the iPod. The audio quality was good in most respects but the bass sounded a little muddy with either selection and maybe even slightly distorted. This iPod source produces reasonably good sound, and though the SE530PTH is certainly MUCH better than the earbuds, it is not audio Nirvana. It's hard to know what the quality of the sound that the iTouch iPod can reproduce is. Unless, of course, you can compare it with an unquestioned audio source. After all, until your audio source is beyond reproach, you can't really judge the SE530PTH.
  So, I next connected the earphones to my high fidelity system which includes the following (for those who know or care): Audio Research CD7 Reference CD player, Ayre K-5x preamplifier, Ray Samuels "Emmeline" Headphone Amp. I also have a pair of Grado RS-1 stereo headphones that I can compare to the SE530PTH as well. The result? The SE 530PTH transformed itself from a good performer to an excellent performer.
  The audio quality improvement was instantly noticeable: vocals were natural, instruments were rich and dynamic. I actually prefer the Shure SE 530PTH to my old Grado headphones. BUT, here's the "but":
  In a high-end system like mine, my ProAc SPEAKERS will easily surpass the Shure earphones for audio enjoyment. But ProAcs cost a LOT more than the SE 530PTH. Such small audio transducers in the SE 530PTH simply must have SOME limitations. As long as your expectations are reasonable for these earphones, you should enjoy them a lot.
  Bottom line: an iPod is NOT a high-end stereo system. The earphones that you connect to it can only reproduce the audio information which is fed into them. In this respect, the Shure SE 530PTH does a fine job
  with an iTouch iPod and you should not be disappointed with the audio that you hear with these phones,
  especially as compared with any other in-ear earphones on the market. But the SE 530PTH is equal to the job of stepping up to even better audio sources (if you have them) to reproduce even higher quality sound.
  Afterthought: Not many people can HEAR the slight "muddiness" of bass or the slight possible distortion that I heard when listening through the Shure earphones to the iTouch iPod. As such, these earphones will sound pretty darn good to most people. I will KEEP these earphones and will use then with my iTouch, and they will replace my Grado headphones when I listen to my high fidelity system with phones.
  
  

• Feeling some remorse

  
  By A3ACTHAU1JXUSA on 2007-10-05
  I am unschooled in the realm of high-priced earphones, so take this for what it's worth: If you've not previously bought earphones that cost in the three digit range, you should probably start with something cheaper than these. I wish I had. The sound quality is excellent; they're comfortable; the Push-to-Hear function if fine... but I'm still pained to think that I blew so much money for these things and I find it hard to believe that some of the earphones priced for significantly less would have been unsatisfactory.
  
  And then there are some irksome things about the SE530s. The carrying case isn't really adequate for carrying the earphones plus the Push-to-Hear control; maybe some of you can force it all in, but with $500 earphones, I don't want to feel like I'm cramming or forcing these things anywhere. The sound isolation? Nyuh. It's ok, but don't expect miracles. I'm sitting next to my computer, which makes a pretty soft whirring noise; with the earphones, I *still* hear the whirring noise (if there's no music playing, obviously). I hear it only very very faintly, but I thought I wouldn't hear it at all.
  
  If $500 is nothing to you, the earphones are fine. If $500 is a splurge to spoil yourself on a special occasion, I would first try earphones for $100 or $150 and spend the rest on something else. For me, when I spend $500 on headphones, I want an epiphany, perfection, bliss--so if earphones are misshapen when they come out of the package or the case is inadequate, etc., I am not happy at all.
  
  

• Expensive, but worth it

  
  By ADK2LGB8EZXIL on 2007-05-30
  I use these earphones when riding my bicycle and when traveling by air. In both cases I have been extremely impressed with this product. The earpieces fit snugly, and almost completely block any outside noise. While the earphones are snug and come with a clip to attach the cord to the collar, I do not know if they will stay firmly seated during extreme activities like jogging or mountain biking (all my biking is more city/smooth trail rides). The sound quality is phenomenal; with full rich bass, and excellent midrange and upper range as well. I read one review where they said you would have to go back and relisten to you music all over again--they were right! The level of control when using the volume control knob (a separate cable component attached to the headset) and the Push-To-Hear module is excellent. The Push-To-Hear (PTH) component is very useful on the airplane; since I have not used it while biking I cannot say how useful it is during that activity, but it is lightweight and equipped with a metal belt clip so I suppose it would be equally useful (be careful, the slide switch on the PTH module is a little stiff and requires a little practice before getting the hang of it). The product comes with a little round zipper pouch, but this is full of all the extra earpieces and wires. I kept them in there and purchased a separate zipper pouch to store the earphones, PTH module and volume control wire.
  
  Yes, this is an expensive set of earphones. If you can afford it, and you want really good sound quality, you won't be disappointed with this.
  
  

• Fine phones, BUT DON'T BUY FROM ELECTRONICA DIRECT!

  
  By A33NBFPV4NJTBL on 2007-07-07
  Great product. Nothing even comes close in sound quality. Worth every cent, if sound quality means that much to you.
  
  But don't ever buy anything from Electronica Direct! Have gotten this and the Etymotic 4 Micro Pro earphones from this seller. Both have come in damaged condition. I firmly believe this seller deals in damaged goods, in seconds. The Etymotics came in a broken box. The Shures came with a faulty earphone extension wire. My advice: Pay a little more, maybe, but avoid the hassle of returning defective goods to Electronica Direct.
  
  
• High price + low comfort = unimpressed
  By A88J45OQ9JDOR on 2007-11-21
  I had heard so many good things about these headphones that I just HAD to have them. Like so many other things in life, though, if it's not convenient and easy to use, it's often not worth it---that was the case with these headphones. They are not easy to insert in the ear and once in, are not particularly comfortable. That said, I realize that everyone is different---some folks are bound to enjoy shoving chunks of plastic in their ears; for those so inclined, this might be an interesting choice, except for the price and sound quality. My B&O headset is vastly more comfortable, easier to put on and take off, and has roughly equivalent sound quality for approximately one third the price. I didn't try these on the plane, since I couldn't get past the comfort issues and the weak sound; perhaps they are strongest in the sound isolation category. This was a disappointment for me and I returned it immediately.
  
  
• Very good, but don't expect miracles
  By A2DYNRK7GL4N4I on 2007-12-28
  These are very good earphones.
  
  I'm a gadget guy, and typically shoot for the best products - also willing to pay premium $$$ for premium products.
  
  I purchased these to replace the deluxe Apple in-ear earphones for my iPod (the in-ear canal ones, not the ones that come standard with the iPod and rest on the edge of your ears).
  
  The quality is very good, the fit is very good, the sound is very good. However, I wouldn't characterize any component as awesome or be able to identify to you any aspect of these headphones that warrants the price.
  
  I went back and forth about returning them, but did end up keeping them. I'm growing more fond of them, but caution you to consider that there's only so much you can expect to get from these earphones when the audio source (in my case, my iPod, Sirius portable radio, and XM portable radio) isn't high-end or comparable to what these earphones are capable of delivering.
  
  I considered these along with the Bose QC 2&3, looking to drown out airplane and other noise when listening. The Shure's do a good job, and are much more versatile because of their size, but I would NOT go so far as to claim that it silences all outside noise as some other reviews have claimed (and YES, I'm seating them properly in-ear and have tried the other earphone tips that were included).
  
  The case is durable, but a little on the small side.
  
  Haven't used the Push-To-Hear adapter, I can pause the music and have a conversation just fine.
  
  The cables to lengthen the cord are high quality - I find that I only use the long one.
  
  The fit is comfortable. It takes a little getting used to the over-the-ear fit. There are several sizes and styles of adapters, making it easy to select ones that are most comfortable for you.
  
  If you can find these in the $300 price range, you've got deal that's worth the money. At the full retail price, they're just a little more dollars than sense, to me.
  
  
• Perfection for $500
  By A1MN7D80T9V011 on 2007-06-02
  For me, no other audio source has ever produced such perfect sound. Previously I had the Shure 3C (and loved them). These blow them away. $500 is a lot of $$ but not for perfection. You will not only hear sounds you never heard before but you will be there - right next to the artist. They are that good.
  Thank you Shure!!!
  
  
• Fantastic sound
  By A38KK0SZYEH5UD on 2007-07-20
  I'm picky about my sound and after trying Bose, B&O and a few other brands, I figured I'd give the Shure's a try. The Shure's sound is very smooth and well-extended at both highs and lows, and although I was hesitant, I find the in-ear design to be comfortable for extended periods of time. Really, the sound is amazing - can't say enough about it. I do have two minor complaints: one is that I find I'm not using the Push-To-Hear module much - I probably would have just as happy to have skipped it. The other complaint is that the case Shure provides doesn't really fit the earphones, cables and so on very well.
  
  
• Awe Inspiring
  By A2U5IM0R77428X on 2007-12-24
  Let's face it, if you're considering spending around 500 bucks on a pair of earphones you're someone who's obsessive about their music. You're the hard to please type not easily impressed by anything less than seriously impressive. Well, be assured that these tiny miracles of science are indeed impressive, seriously.
  
  The most notable feature of the Shure SE530s is their ability to convey a multi-layered sound stage with absolute precision. Music you've heard over and over again takes on new life with an incredible sense of clarity that is always lucid and rich and never confused or entangled no matter what you throw at them. Where they really shine, though, is with lossless or uncompressed digital recordings or mp3s with a high compression rate. With recordings of this quality, the `530s are adept at producing an extraordinary dynamic range with a sense of magnificence that you didn't know your ears were capable of decoding. For example, the expertly mastered "Teardrop" by Massive Attack was delivered with insanely crisp and clear highs, a deep, solid bass and with the placement of Liz Fraser's spine-chilling lyrics with meticulous precision. My much older reference track, "Golden Brown" by The Stranglers was delivered with an equally exciting presentation whilst remaining true to the fidelity of the original recording.
  
  Sparknotes.com describes an epiphany as "a sudden, powerful, and often spiritual or life changing realization that a character experiences in an otherwise ordinary moment." That's what happened to me when I listened to The Beloved's "The Sun Rising" on my `530s.
  
  For those new to "shove-right-into-the-ear-canal" type earphones the `530s may take a few goes at experimenting with the different types and sizes of sleeves supplied in order to achieve the perfect fit necessary for them to perform (no seal = no bass). But once you've found your "sweet-spot" you might just find yourself ignoring everybody you know for the foreseeable future or taking your dog out for a walk several hours a day more than he's used to.
  
  
  
• Almost perfect
  By A2AN7YLF7TFMHY on 2008-01-17
  I have been using a pair of SE530 for 6 month now I here is my opinion:
  
  Fit: I am using plastic sleeves. They fit very comfortably in my ears and I can keep them in for an hour or longer with no discomfort at all. I commute to work on a train and sometimes after I finish listening to the music I do not take them off, just to keep the surrounding noise down. I have used the foam sleeves at first and they are also good but a bit more hassle to put in, though they provided even better sound isolation.
  
  Sound Quality. My previous pair was Shure E2c and the sound quality for this pair is noticeably better. The bass is very clean and tight, powerful but not overwhelming. The midrange is simply amazing. The treble is more pronounced then on e2c but not as crisp as I would like though, it sounds a bit screechy sometimes. (It could also be a music source issue). Overall the sound is excellent, probably as good if not better
  sounding than my pair of floorstanding phase technology speakers. I use them mostly with my IRiver H120 player, and with these earphones I almost always keep the equalizer on the normal, flat setting - the sound is so balanced, it needs no adjustment. Also the headphones are very efficient, you don't need to crank up a volume much, I guess your battery will last longer, too.
  
  Build quality. This is the area I am the least satisfied with. I had problem with the cord on my E2c, connection near the plug broke after about 1-1.5 year of use, I have been repairing it a few times by soldering a different (Sony) cord to them. So this time I was careful to buy from the authorized dealer (Amazon, not Electronica Direct) to make sure I have full two year warranty. The original set I ordered from Amazon came defective, one of the earphones had a sound breaking up intermittently, it looked like a cord problem where it enters the earphone. Amazon handled this great, they shipped replacement right away after I called and the second set had no problems. But I will not be surprised if the cord problem happens again. Unfortunately the cord Shure uses with their headphones is quite stiff and there are only a few individual strands in each wire which are relatively thick and not flexible themselves. (I know this as I had to re-solder the wires a few times on E2c). I think this makes it more likely to break and stiff cord is also not comfortable when handling. For comparison, Sony or Senheiser headphones use much more flexible and comfortable cords, I wish Shure used similar ones.
  
  Value: Are they a good value for the money? You have to decide for yourself. For me the money was not a big issue and I wanted the ultimate sound quality. Do they sound 4.5 times better than a $100 pair of E2c? I don't know, and how do you compare the sound quality? It is very subjective. If you are on a budget I would be careful. Try to listen to them before buying if you can, $450 is quite a bit of money. I, personally would likely buy them again. Even if they last only 2 years (warranty period) that would be about $20 a month: i think it is worth for someone like me who uses them almost every day.
  
  Overall: I am giving them 4 stars (I would give 4.5 if I could) because of the cord quality concerns. Otherwise it is a great pair of headphones and if you have money to spend and demand excellent sound quality - they are for you.
  
  
  
  
• Comparison of three noise-isolation earphones
  By A2B90WWGOS138W on 2008-09-04
  If you, like me, work or commute in noisy environments and are looking to replace standard iPod earbuds, read on.
  
  A word of advice before my review, don't try Shure SE530 if you are not ready to spend over $300 on earphones. Seriously, trust me on this. Once you hear music through these earphones, you will know what you've been missing and will want to buy them. My advice: first set aside $350-500, and then try them on. If you are not ready to spend this much on earphones, don't try them (go and try some lower-end models), or you'll either end up buying these anyway (blowing your budget), or will know you missed out.
  
  I first got Shure SE210 and boy they sounded good, nice sound isolation and a significant improvement over standard iPod earbuds. It was not until I ordered SE530 and compared them side-by-side (SE210 in one ear, SE530 in another ear, with the same Dire Straits album playing), that I was really able to appreciate the richness of SE530 on all frequencies (especially lows and mids).
  
  I then compared four headphones side-by-side: Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones, Shure SE210 Sound Isolating Earphone - Black, Panasonic RP-HC500 Noise-Cancelling Headphones, and standard iPod earbuds. Here is my take:
  
  1) Shure SE210 provided the best overall noise isolation, matching Panasonic RP-HC500 for constant-frequency noise (such as fans and air conditioners) and exceeding it for other types of noise such as sound of TV or other people talking.
  
  In terms of quality of sound and frequency response, Shure SE210 were very similar to standard iPod earbuds *if you were listening to them in a quiet room*. However, in a noisy environment they provide a much better listening experience than iPod earbuds, as noise isolation allows them to preserve clean output on all frequencies.
  
  Bottom line: if you are happy with the sound of iPod earbuds, if you tend to listen to music of lower quality (MP3 128 kbps), and you just need earphones for noisy environments, get Shure SE210. They provide the same sound quality as iPod earbuds, and have the best noise isolation of all earphones I've reviewed, at a reasonable price.
  
  2) Panasonic RP-HC500 Noise-Cancelling Headphones provided the best overall sound clarity and richness, but only when noise-cancelling switch was on. They sounded much better than both standard iPod earbuds and Shure SE210, and slightly better than Shure SE530. Their noise-cancellation was also superb, at par with Shure SE210 for constant-frequency noises (such as bus, airplane). You would probably never want to listen them with noise-cancelling circuit off, as the sound was much more "muted".
  
  Bottom line: if you don't mind a pair of large headphones over your head, if you need them mostly for travel (such as subway or airplane rather than loudly talking people), these headphones (Panasonic RP-HC500 Noise-Cancelling Headphones) are your sure bet, they are some of the best-sounding headphones, with superb noise cancellation, and an unbeatable price below $100.
  
  3) When you first try Shure SE530, you are sure to be amazed at how such small earphones can provide such great sound. Feel free to check out other reviews for superlative praises, and yes I also screamed "OMG!" when listening to them for the first time! I could actually hear the difference in quality between MP3 ripped at 192kbps and a CD, so clear was the output of SE530.
  
  And while Shure SE210 provided a better noise isolation (perhaps due to their smaller size) and Panasonic RP-HC500 provided a fuller bass (due to their larger 40mm driver units), I will have to give Shure SE530 the first prize for their amazing sound clarity and rich bass in such a small package.
  
  Bottom line: If you have $350-500 to drop on a pair of earphones, and you crave some of the best sound in a small size, you won't regret getting Shure SE530s.
  
  
• These are just really expensive earphones that come with earplugs
  By A210W3FSFTAG3P on 2007-06-28
  At my office, I sit in a really noisy cubicle environment, so I am in the market for some headphones or earphones to help me work in peace without any distractions.
  
  My initial research led me to noise-canceling headphones. These headphones are good at blocking out steady noises, like a loud fan or the noise inside a plane cabin. But I read that they don't do a good job of blocking out sudden noises (like a door slamming) or people talking. Many people also don't find them to be very comfortable.
  
  So then I came across the Shure earphones, which don't use noise-canceling technology, but instead use "sound isolating technology". At first I was really excited by this, because I read that they block out almost all noise, including sudden noises. They also fit in your ear and don't use batteries, so I found them to be more appealing than noise-canceling headphones in every aspect.
  
  After doing some more reading about the Shure earphones, though, I have to say that I think they are a serious rip-off. The way that the Shure earphones work is that you have to stick them into your ear canal, and then the sleeve will create a seal with your ear canal to block all outside noise. Apparently this is what they mean by "sound isolating technology". I would hardly call that "technology". It's the exact same way that earplugs work, you stick them into your ear canal and they form a seal to block all outside noise. I can go to my local drugstore and pick up several pairs of earplugs for a few bucks. These Shure earphones don't seem to use any special technology to block out noise, they just seem like regular earphones, except they get embedded inside earplugs. I don't know why they are so expensive, it seems like all you're getting for the extra money that you pay is some earplugs.
  
  
  
• Awesome sound and excellent support make one satisfied customer.
  By AQWN2CE5F8NCI on 2007-10-26
  I've owned both the first version SE500PTH and this one SE530PTH, not sure why they changed the model number, it's the same, albeit with a few different accessories.
  
  The box is sleek, black and silver brushed metal, solid. The paper box inside has the earbuds surrounded in molded foam, the cable is about 1'. Also inside is the rather small oval zip carrying case, containing a host of accessories; short (~9") extension, long (~2') extension, cleaning tool, volume control extension, pth adapter (has volume control and 2' cord and push to hear mic with on/off switch), stereo adapter plug, and airline (2-1 plug) adapter. The first version 500PTH didn't have the airline adapter, its a welcome addition to the 530PTH. It also comes with a small bag of several different earbud tips, S/M/L soft rubber, M/L black foam, and one size triple flanged rubber. Instruction booklet and warranty papers also inside. Very neat and stylish presentation.
  
  Try out all the tips to see what fits best, I was fine with the medium soft rubber. Once inserted, it really blocks out ambient noise, walking the NYC street to the subway, I heard nothing, I only "felt" my footsteps. It was pretty awkward and cool, watch out for traffic though! With my Ipod volume not even halfway up the music blocked out all the noise of the NYC subway! I didn't even know the train was approaching until it was right in front of me. The sound is unbelievable, and you will love it more the more music you listen to, it really spoils you. In my entire collection of music I am hearing sounds and lyrics I never heard before. The clarity is great also, voices sound natural and lifelike, and there's great separation between lows, mids and highs. You can even pick out any single instrument and follow that alone if you want to, its that clear.
  
  The reason I've had both models is because about eight months in, the sound on the left earbud began to fade until it was mute. The cords are thick and heavy, but its possible I tugged on them too hard a few times. I thought it was my hearing at first but eventually it was clear the left earbud was malfunctioning. The phone support staff was great, giving me no hassle directing me to their website to complete a service request form. I mailed in the bad earbuds with my receipt and the service form and within 4 days I received a brand new box (the SE530pth!)
  
  Also of note, I bought mine, new, from ebay, for $350. I used my paypal reciept as proof of purchase and had no trouble from Shure replacing the defective product. I can't guarantee they will honor ebay or other secondhand purchases, but I had a great experience and am loving my brand new second set of Shures.
  
  
• Switched from Etmotic ER-4 to these, couldn't be happier!
  By A1SBQZH5ZBCGLK on 2007-11-03
  I've been an Etymotic user for years. I've had two sets including the ER-4. The Shure SE530s are worth the price premium. Comfort and sound quality are well beyond that provided by Etymotic. Rich open sound stage and life like bass -- better than any others I've tried including the Etymotics and large Bose.
  
  
• Tremendous
  By AL9L52VWSE0V on 2007-12-03
  These arrived today.. What can I say.. I never write reviews but these have set a precedent..
  
  I first got a pair of Shure e2c's a couple of years ago. I loved them. Great for the office because no matter how loud you play them they dont annoy anyone around you.. Loud to you. Quiet to everyone else.. Nearly silent..
  
  The e2c's were destroyed in the buncefield oil depot explosion.. google it if interested.. I rewarded myself with the Shure e3c's. They rocked... More than the e2c's.. I was hooked.. I broke them.. I wasnt happy with myself...
  
  I had a decision to make.. Do I buy the e3c's again.. or do I upgrade... Being a man of extravagant tastes the choice was simple... I got the Shure SE530's with the PTH thingy..
  
  By god I never thought I'd enjoy deafening myself so much... They always say 'you'll hear things in your music you never heard before'. I read a lot of reviews.. They weren't lying.. I've turned the volume down a few times because I've heard things that I never expected to hear.. Glorious. Turn them up and you will be mesmerized.
  
  The closest analogy is this. If you've ever watched the file 'Sunshine' where they become fascinated with the sun.. To the point where they want to be exposed to it even though its killing them... These headphones are like that.. You just want to turn them up. and UP. AND UP.. They sing. They resonate. They totally and utterly rock... They're dangerously good..
  
  These earphones are magnificent..
  
  
  
  
• SE530PTH Outperforms the Etymotic
  By A2QREJBVPRXNSE on 2008-02-01
  Having moved up from the Etymotic ER-6i, I am extremely pleased with these headphones. I have tried the ER-4 Etymotics in both the Portable and Stereo versions. For a true music head that has a portable amp, the ER-4S would take the cake. If you're on the go and interested in a bit more mustard behind the bass, the 530's are the way to go.
  
  A lot of people will complain about the over-the-ear way the Shure's were built. It only takes a few times where someone accidentally hits your earphone cord that you'll be thankful they were designed that way. Once you have these things in and fitted you'll forget you have them in.
  
  
• absolute Perfection
  By A1F9W9TL9F4KY0 on 2008-02-16
  The Shure 530s are hands down the best all around earphones on the market. Their clarity ranging from bass to highs are unsurpassed. I have owned countless pairs of headphones to include four from Shure, I have a passion for collecting and listening to just about all genres of music from country to Metallica, brodway, classical, top 40 and so on. These earphones handle and accentuate the spectrum of music I run through them. One comment I have for those stating that these dont sound as clear as advertised, if you are listening to music on your computer or MP3 player ripped at a low bit rate (64-128) trying to crush your music so small to maximize space, and increase the amount of songs you carry, yea it probally won't sound so good. try listening to quality ripped music, anything above a 225 bit rate. I guaranty you'll hear a difference then!!
  
  Price. They are indeed on the expense side. A few years ago I would have never thought about paying more than thirity dollars for a pair of earphones, until a friend introduced me to a pair of Shure E2s. The bottom line is this, you getting what you pay for. With the 530s thats a lot!!!
  
  Comfort. I prefer the foam tips because they conform to my ear creating a perfect seal. I have fallen asleep many nights with these in my ears and I have NEVER experienced pain or discomfort. Frankly just the opposite!
  
  These are expensive earphones, however if you are serious about your music, and want to hear, and experience it the way it was meant to be heard, these are the earphones for you. Perfect clarity and comfort, absolute perfect. My hats off to Shure!
  
  
• If you're considering buying these for iPod...
  By A39BIG4FC12655 on 2008-07-19
  Just like everyone else in this review, I wanted a replacement for my Bose noise cancelling headphone that broke after using it for a little more than two years. I didn't really have much complaints about the headphone, it sounded great, noise cancelling was working beautifully. But once the plastic broke, I just decided to splurge and get the best earphones, since I was thinking that lugging those bulky headphones around was a bit silly.
  
  Reading various reviews, I ended up getting SE530PTH. For some reason the vendor I purchased from had cheaper price on SE530PTH than SE530, so I bought a pair of SE530PTH. When I received mine, I opened the package, connected to my iPod Classic (6G) and started play music. Hmm. The music actually sounded very good, but I was expecting absolute heaven, since most of the reviews raved about these earphones. Thinking that I might have made a huge mistake, I checked Shure website. There, it had a proper care and usage for these earphones. Yes, yes, now I understood, those olive like foam needs to be compressed, and yes I would have to hold them in my ear and wait until the foam expands. Then I properly inserted those earphones in my ear, and the sound improved a lot. Ok, it sounds good, but these things are being sold for $500. I was thinking I would pay $200 for them, but not $500... Feeling disappointed, I used them for a few days using my iPod, and then I realized that I've never tried them with other audio systems. So, I thought what the heck, I'll use the plug converter for my stereo and see if I can hear anything different...
  
  OMG!!!!!!!!!!
  
  The music that came out of my stereo system was absolutely positively the best I have ever heard, everything was clear, bass was so rich, and I can almost visualize instruments playing right in front of me. I was so taken by this revelation, I tried all different types of music, classic, opera, rock, house... They all sounded fantastic! I was discovering instruments and notes that never registered before.
  
  Then I went back to iPod. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! I just never realized how much mp3 would deteriorate the sound, and how much CDs retained the quality of music. The same exact tunes actually sounded so different with these earphones. I am actually regretting hundreds of dollars I've spent on buying mp3 or iTune music. With these earphones I can actually hear, and tell the difference!
  
  Now I am in a very strange situation. I have this fantastic $500 pair of earphones with iPod that I use to travel with, but I don't want to listen to iPod with these amazing pieces of earphone. I am actually considering buying another pair of cheaper SE110 earphones so that I can use them with my iPod to not be able to hear the difference.... Noise reduction property of SE530 is superb, but I believe this is largely from the foam earpieces that are blocking the noise from outside during the music playback, so SE110 should do the same trick. I think I'll use SE110 for my iPod and save my SE530 for more serious listening.
  
  Well, I really don't consider myself to be an audiophile, but I was able to, and did hear the difference in the sound quality between iPod and CD using SE530. Now that I know how big of the difference there is, I am not even sure I would ever want to listen to iPod at home. I'd have to dig up my CD collection once again, and listen to them using these wonderful earphones... (Although the cord is a little plasticky and feel like it will fray if I overused them.. And PTH is not that great. It's ok. I can hear my own breathing through PTH... And the carrying case doesn't hold everything but the earphones themselves... I guess nothing is perfect.)
  
  
• Experience the real music, wonderful clarity, I don't have words to explain
  By A1GLT3UXMJYQ0A on 2007-10-07
  I have Bose - 3, and now I bought Shure - 530PTH. You cann't compare the voice quality of these two, SHURE is way beyond better. I really like BOSE as well, but SHURE is best.
  
  
• The greatest headphones ever ...
  By A28GBXPE0A418H on 2007-10-13
  I have owned and heard many great headphones, but the Shure SE530PTH are by far the best sounding. The bass rocks!!! I mow the lawn with these headphones and I don't hear the mower. I am not too happy with the Push-To-Hear gadget. I wish it was less bulky. Carrying all the cables in the headphone pouch is very difficult. Instead of using the PTH device, I use the attenuator and it works just as well. Don't even think about another headphone. Just buy this one and you'll be extremely happy.
  
  
• Outstanding headphones
  By A3U9B7KWTJVX3V on 2007-10-15
  I have purchased a significant number of portable headphones and this set is by far the best I have ever tried. I have owned and used ultimate ears super-fi extended base, Etymotic ER4's and several others. The sound quality of the 530PTH is head and shoulders above all of these. Quite expensive, but worth it.
  
  
• It's really expensive but you get what you pay for
  By A1RSD3OG857QN7 on 2007-12-11
  The SE530's main flaw is that with its starting $500 price tag, it is priced many times higher than common consumer earphones. Another flaw is that given its "background noise isolation" premise of these earphones, it may be uncomfortable for first-timers, and also you have to clean the earphones often to ensure longetivity of the product.
  
  To compensate for such discomfort first-timers may experience, you have plenty of earphone fit options. The package offers generous fit options, such as foam, flex, and even 3-flange sleeves.
  
  You also have an attenuator and an airline adapter you can also use when you use air flights often--a light alternative to common noise-cancellation earphones.
  
  However, the real reason why you are going to be paying more than "the common earbuds" is because given Shure's close-to-90-year audio experience coupled with a steadily approaching 20-year-earphone expertise, complex balance armature with environmentally-friendly noise isolation is deployed. Each side has three low-mass, high-energy balanced armatures of Neodymium--one for highs, one for mids, and one for low frequencies coupled together with an internal vent for efficient air movement, for optimum listening at low volume levels. The SE530 can be used for a wide range of audio devices, such as personal monitors and even gaming systems. While the SE530 was meant to be used by musicians, it can be used for personal audio entertainment as well.
  
  With the generous sound detail more than making up for such a high price tag, it is obvious that you should get the PTH version of this, since it will also contain a device which helps you get into a conversation without having to remove the earphones. The sad part is that you have to pay a lot, but the best part and the bottom line is that your ears will get what you pay for with the SE530.
  
  Some outlets let you test out the SE530, so it's up to your ears to determine if the sound quality is worth the high price tag.
  
  
• Awesome -- No Kidding
  By A1SM5FK52PKGH4 on 2007-12-22
  I just got the SE530 Push-to-hear headphones as a Christmas present to myself. I've looked at these things longingly for some time, but I was always dissuaded by the price. I had Shure E4s, which are pretty good. I figured, how much better can the SE530s be? Man oh man. These puppies are mind-blowing. Full bass, crisp highs, and clean, clean sound. I've had them on all day, listening to my Playlists as if hearing them for the first time. They fit good, and even when I blast the volume (which I don't because full volume is MUCH MUCH louder on these than on the E4s) no one can hear what I'm listening to.
  
  Here's how I justified spending the money on these things. I used to save my paper route and lawn mowing money to buy great speakers for my stereo -- which cost a lot more than these headphones. But today, I get my music almost exclusively on my iPod. The SE530s are just like getting great speakers. These things are totally worth it. If you have the cash -- don't hesitate. They are AWESOME.
  
  
• O melhor fone que já usei
  By A2IFIINC87QS23 on 2008-01-20
  'Sem dúvida o melhor fone do mercado, parece que a orquestra está tocando dentro da nossa cabeça, além disso, o microfone é sensacional, dá para escutar até mesmo as conversas mais distantes. SENSACIONAL!!!!!!!
  
  
• Very good earphone with some problems
  By A2NQ95RW02X0H0 on 2008-05-02
  First of all, the sound quality is absolutely top notch and for some people this is all they need. I am satisfied with the earphone. I compared it to my Quite Comfort 3. The overall sound quality is comparable to, if not slightly better than, Quite Comfort 3. When i used the foam ear pieces on Shure SE530PTH, it seemed to offer slightly more noise reduction than Quite Comfort 3. Unlike Quite Comfort 3, you can still use the earphones even when the battery is dead. It's needed only for Push-to-hear feature. The earphones will be as comfortable as the ear pieces you choose. They have put in several different ear pieces in different sizes. I opted for the medium size foam ear pieces. They block enough outside noise without making my ears uncomfortable. After wearing them for several hours, my ears get uncomfortable. My ears got uncomfortable with Quite Comfort 3 because of anti-noise pressure. In terms of extended wear, neither may be suitable.
  
  The earphone came up with several cords and extensions. By far the largest one is the PTH device which cannot be removed. Then there is an optional volume control connector. I tried it without the optional volume controller. There was a slight hissing background sound which the optional volume controller reduced. I think it also dampened the sound slightly. My biggest complain is that it gets quite awkward to carry because of the PTH section which has to be on the outside. One can put it in a pocket, but this simply negates the whole point of having PTH.
  
  Because of the design of the earphone, when used with foam ear pieces, it transmit any vibration or sound on the device. The cords rubbing against clothes can be heard. At the same time, any chewing or drinking sounds are also amplified.
  
  
• Best Headphones You Can Buy!
  By ADY6DVEL3E0RP on 2008-05-07
  I know this thing is expensive, but honestly I have had several other mid-ranged Shure headphones (lost or eaten by my dog). The extra $100 is well worth it. It's like the difference between a Toyota and a Benz.
  
  The 1st reason is the ear bud covers feel very nice. I always had a slight problem with the lesser models. The 2nd reason is that it comes with every conceivable connector (iPhone, airplane, etc.). And perhaps the most important is the little microphone interceptor hand held thing. Basically, I have these in my ears six to eight hours a day and when ever someone wants to talk to me I have to pull them out of my ears because they insulate outside noise so much. What this microphone thing does is that you push a button and you can hear the outside world. DUDE this is great for an office an I would pay several hundred more for this one great feature.
  
  The people at Shure really did their homework refining their best pair.
  
  
• Excellent
  By AUGVZBY33I28E on 2008-05-09
  They're not cheap. You know that, you've got this far. Here's my review...
  
  I upgraded from the E3cs about 6 months ago, so I've had a decent period to bed them in. I use them with my Ipod Touch mostly on planes, around the house and listening in bed.
  
  SOUND QUALITY: Outstanding. Bass and mids much better than ECxs which I thought were weak. Don't mess about and go straight for the foam yellow sleeves. A good fit in the ear canal is essential to generate the highest quality. It's a good idea to order an extra pack of these when ordering as they deteriorate reasonably quickly and 'go hard', causing sound leak and reduced quality. Extras are inexpensive.
  
  Also has an extra benefit for those of you that are modest about your music taste. Others can't hear what you are listening to. My wife in a silent room lying 2 feet from me can't hear when it's about 1/2 volume (which is as loud as you'd want it). Your fellow passengers on trains and buses etc would have little chance of an AC/DC appreciation session.
  
  DESIGN: The ear buds are great. Unlike my E3cs, they lie flush in your ear, meaning that if you are lying down (in bed or on a plane - for you lucky first class passengers) it's comfortable and you don't ram them down your ear canal.
  
  The Push to Hear (PTH) gizmo seems unnecessarily large and a bit "plasticy" to be honest. Shure could have done a bit better. The switch requires more a than reasonable effort, but I guess it does avoid accidental switching. That said, it works as advertised. You can hear what's being said through the mic easily enough. For the avoidance of doubt, it doesn't pause your music, just shuts the sound off to the headphones.
  
  PACKAGING: They give you a neat little zip case for them. Problem is that it's a tight fit to get all the bits in. I recommend just using it for the phones and sticking the PTH device in your bag separately.
  
  SUMMARY: They're great. No "buyers regret" on my purchase. I've got plenty of use out of them and will continue to enjoy them for many years to come. Thoroughly recommended.
  
  P.S To the guy that gave them one star without ever hearing them...You Rock!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Best IEMs on the market. Period.
  By AD6ZRUUUIVQPQ on 2008-06-27
  I have been using the SE530PTH for well over seven months now, and I have officially concluded that there is NOTHING else that I would use to listen to music on the go. Once I tried these initially, I instantly used my employee discount to pick up a set and listened to as much lossless and high-bitrate MP3s as I could. I could pick apart instruments in various locations with these earphones on, which I have never heard before. The low-end was pronounced, but not overbearing. The mid-range is untouchable by any IEM on the market today. The highs are precise and clear, a hint of harshness is detectable, but definitely not a deal-breaker. I have used the Triple.fi 10, Klipsch Custom-3/Image, Westone UM1, and Bose Triport IEs since I purchased these. They don't come close.
  
  What you MUST do with these earphones to maximize their potential is get a high-quality source. Plugging these directly into an unamped iPod will net decent results (primarily due to these earphone's sensitive nature), but the lack of a customizable EQ and weak power output will mean that you will not be driving these earphones to their full potential. I personally use a Cowon D2, because of its high power output and FLAC/OGG support. The biggest draw of the SE530 is the fact, you can make these earphones sound any way you desire. EQ these babies any way you want them to sound, they can handle it with no distortion.
  
  If you listen to high quality audio, you can't go without these. I promise.
  
  
• Quality Sound
  By A19MNLXNDBHI54 on 2008-07-12
  The bottom line is quality costs money. It's why a Lexus costs more than a Ford, and it's why a Montblanc pen cost more than a Cross. If you've ever driven a Lexus or used a Montblanc pen then you know what I'm talking about.
  
  I will leave it to the experts to explain the technicalities of why these earphones are so good. For me, it's the sound. And I think in the end that is what it must be for everyone. I bought some Bose TriPort In-Ear Headphones - Headphones ( ear-bud ) - black and used them for about a month. The bass was good but the high end was muffled, including the singer's voices. You can really hear the bass, but I knew that this is not what good, quality sound is all about. The high end gets muffled to bring out all the bass. It doesn't sound right.
  
  I listened to both the Shure SE410 and the Shure SE530 before I bought. I got the PTH (push to hear option) when I went for the SE530s. The sound was just better on the SE530 earphones. Some reviewers question whether it is worth the extra money to get the top of the line. Even if the difference is $200 or $300, then I say you have to go for the best, the SE530. The reason is that it is just better sound. If you must justify the cost, then cut out coffee for a month, or walk a few places (if possible, and without any danger of getting killed) instead of driving. It won't take you long to save $300.
  
  I've been using these for my MP3 player, and they are remarkable. And if you look at some of the other reviews -- if you use CDs or higher quality MP3 songs -- then the difference is even more remarkable.
  
  You know you can justify buying these if you want to. Your friends will think you are crazy for spending so much until you let them listen. Then you can rest easy because you just justified what you thought was an insane expenditure. You have the last laugh.
  
  A Tip for Inserting the Earphones: If you hook the wire of the earphones over your ear before you insert them you will find they are much easier to put in your ear. They will be hanging down at just the right angle, and you just push them in. I found this out quite by accident one day when I looped the cord over my ears first.
  
  

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