I've always found the sound of the SE215 very easy to get used to. Very easy to forget the phones and just hear the music. A relative recently gave my wife some Shures buds in the little round case he had laying around for a coupe of years. Turns out they are E2s. So of course I had to listen to them. Quite honestly, it was nice to get back to my 215. .To think the E2 originally sold for $299. You get a lot more for your money today. I found the biggest detraction was like a thin veil over the music compared with the SE series. 

I've had my SE215's for a three months or so now. Really impressed since they're my first IEM and I've always been a headphone girl.

I'm curious though, do people usually buy those silver plated cables on eBay or are those a waste of money? And do people usually amp this? Using an iPhone 5 as source.

Neither my E11 nor Asgard made any noticeable difference with the 215s.

Personally I'm skeptical about the benefits of recables, I heard minor differences with the UM3X and Silver Dragon but in retrospect it could have easily been placebo.

If you ask me, the 215s are best just the way they came, unless you don't like the memory wire. Also Shure's mic cable is the best I've heard, so there's that too.

jjacq said:

I've had my SE215's for a three months or so now. Really impressed since they're my first IEM and I've always been a headphone girl.


I'm curious though, do people usually buy those silver plated cables on eBay or are those a waste of money? And do people usually amp this? Using an iPhone 5 as source.

Click to expand...

gilly87 said:

Neither my E11 nor Asgard made any noticeable difference with the 215s.

Personally I'm skeptical about the benefits of recables, I heard minor differences with the UM3X and Silver Dragon but in retrospect it could have easily been placebo.

If you ask me, the 215s are best just the way they came, unless you don't like the memory wire. Also Shure's mic cable is the best I've heard, so there's that too.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the prompt reply. I will continue to use my SE215s as is then!

gilly87 said:

Neither my E11 nor Asgard made any noticeable difference with the 215s.

Personally I'm skeptical about the benefits of recables, I heard minor differences with the UM3X and Silver Dragon but in retrospect it could have easily been placebo.

If you ask me, the 215s are best just the way they came, unless you don't like the memory wire. Also Shure's mic cable is the best I've heard, so there's that too.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I'm going to have to dispute that placebo effect.. . I've had the SE215 paired with the FiiO RC-SE1 SPC cables.. . There was a very noticeable difference.. . The sound became more refined, there was an increase in soundstage and instrument separation and basically tightened up the entire presentation. I've done A-B tests comparing stock and the SPC so I know what I'm talking about. And it's not just me who's noticed it. I've been bringing my rig to meets and my friends from the audiophile community here in the Philippines can back me up as they've auditioned the SE215 with both cables.

*shrug* Everyone's ears are different. If FiiO had a mic cable, I'd give it a whirl.

Yeah, bro... That'd be cool.

How do you like the LTDs? Have you compared them to the original ones by any chance?

I had them at 2 separate times.. . I had the LTDs first.. . Sold those.. . Then got the standard ones a few months later... . From what I can recall, the LTDs have deeper bass response, probably better highs, but it wasn't at all evident due to the bass.. . The standards are better (individual preferences) becuz the renowned Shure mids are free to come out and play.. . Sounds more coherent without one frequency upstaging the other.. .

jjacq said:

  I've had my SE215's for a three months or so now. Really impressed since they're my first IEM and I've always been a headphone girl.

I'm curious though, do people usually buy those silver plated cables on eBay or are those a waste of money? And do people usually amp this? Using an iPhone 5 as source.

Click to expand...

The SE's are pretty sensitive earphones with the amp you won't really hear a difference. I would get a DAC with it for laptop/desktop use you will definitely hear a difference compared with stock sound card from you mac or pc.
 
Back to topic, I just picked up a pair of SE215's two weeks back for on-stage use and just for a back-up pair where I can just toss them around. Since I really like the Shure design and sound signature I couldn't pass these up.
 
First impressions were that for the price, I wouldn't think twice. I would say that these earphones really exemplify the smooth mids that you get from Shure. Bass is present (most "amplified" bass across the SE range) and extends well but I wish there was more body to it. Can't really say much more about the mids, male acapella vocals and guitars sound amazing. However, I am a bit dissapointed with the highs. The highs can sound a bit fake and I can hear a lot more sibilance comparing with my SE425s to the point where I would need to turn it down. Overall solid unit for the price and +1 for the 2-year warranty.

my first set of 215s arrive on Wednesday.  looking forward to this...
 
does anyone know if the stock cable has enamel coated insulation?  I ordered a spare stock cable that I'd like to shorten for use with a bluetooth jabra clipper that I use at the gym.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/363441/how-do-i-strip-insulation-earbuds#post_4748369
http://www.head-fi.org/t/79080/insulated-wires#post_1022958
 
look like good advise on dealing with enamel....but it would be a lot easier if I get to deal with normal wire.

man i just tried my cousin's 215 with my pro coppers....................damn they are way more bassy than even coppers!!!
 
****,,,but comfort and isolation is even better than coppers

From my experience, it may or may not be better if you choose to install silver plated cables on your SE215s. Silver cables normally give a "sharper, clear, and cutting" feel to the output of your music, while copper/gold plated cables generally give a more forgiving and "warm" feeling to your music. Personally, I would not recommend installing one. It makes you feel as though the earphones are spewing glass shards into your canal; the overall sound is too harsh for comfort.
 
Just my two cents worth though, you are free to try it if you wish.

Hey everyone, i've had the a couple days now, and i love them.
 
not very comfy yet, but i think they will wear in, i can wear them about 3 hours at the moment.
 
However, its difficult to get a proper seal with the black foam tips, since they are a bit too short.
 
Has anyone tried the yellow tips? or the comply tips?
do they go deeper?

you are rolling them before insertion?