New Shure SE215 - First Impressions

I thought of sharing this one since it got me smiling and wondering...

Under $100, the new SE215 with dynamic drivers is delivering a ton of bass and carries the same design as Shure's flagship SE535 and it has the same great replaceable cables:

Shure SE215 Review

I thought they were pretty awesome in this price range and it will certainly cause a lot of disruption in the $70-$150 price range.

They are launching tomorrow btw.

REF: the whole fixed cable vs. replaceable cable issue.

What if I tell you all that Earphone Solutions has hard data collected since the first replaceable cable universal earphones were launched that supports, without a doubt, and by a huge margin, that earphones with replaceable cables fail much more often and at a much higher rate than earphones with fixed cables?

I completely understand the perception that with removable cables, one may feel "safer". The only products we don't have enough data yet because they are relatively too new, are the SE535, SE425, SE315, UM2-RC & UM3X-RC.

I have a set of UM2s that are completing 5 years now.

Another aspect to consider. When the cable fails on an earphone with fixed cables, they get replaced or repaired at no charge for the first 2 years (after submitting registration, etc.) under the manufacturers' warranty.

When the cable fails on an earphone with replaceable cables, the first and most common action is to buy a new set of cables.

This could be big business. We sold many thousands of cables back in the day. Customers wouldn't think twice between trying to enter a warranty claim with the manufacturer or simply buy new cables.

So my question is: is that BETTER for the consumer? I don't think so. My everyday set is a fixed cable UM3X. I also love my SE535 but the way Shure built these cables it seems these would never fail hence never replaced.

I think in Shure's and Westone's case it's the manufacturer responding to demand and desire. It's the perception of the end user that replaceable cables are better, which honestly, I don't share that view. Because I know the return rate and the sales of replaceable cables, and the calls and feedbacks we receive from our customers. Hard data collected for several years.

The problem, I think, is because once you have a replaceable cable, you have just created a "weak link": the connection.

One needs to re-think the "freedom" of being able to replace ( = buy) cables every so many months (sometimes weeks).

I have had this conversation with numerous customers and manufacturers. It's difficult not to offer replaceable cables given the perception and desire for them. I will stick with my fixed cable set. Less moving parts, less connections, to me, equals simpler, more reliable and ultimately better.

Just my 2 cents.

Perhaps people considering getting this new product should be aware of the following comments written nearly 2 months ago and posted in the Westone 4 thread: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/527694/westone-4-appreciation-thread-and-reviews-a-k-a-westone-4/240#post_7177145 -- note that the $450 Westone 4 does NOT come with replaceable cables.