Before reading below, please check out my video review of the Focal XS 2.1 Satellites on YouTube. Please also support the channel by liking the video and sharing it with your friends! A sub won't hurt either
 

 
 
Background Information
 
I picked these up for around $450 CAD (Used) from Amazon.com after exchange rate and duties about half a year ago. They currently retail for $699 CAD and $599 USD although you may be able to find them slightly cheaper in the US.
 
I feel that Focal in many respects is often overlooked here on Head-Fi and are quite underrated. I guess that's perhaps Focal has just entered the headphone game a couple of years ago so that's understandable. However, Focal is certainly not a stranger to speakers and the quality seemed to have trickled down to its smaller and relatively cheaper desktop speakers: the Focal XS 2.1 Satellites. 
 
I was looking for something to upgrade my Bose Companion 3s and without even listening to these beforehand, I bought them. I knew I was going to get a quality product as the reviews I've read online are generally positive and Focal is a reputable French brand. I had a chance to listen to the Audioengine A5+ and Bose Companion 5s during my search for new desktop speakers. Surprisingly I did not get a chance to listen to Focals nearest competitor, the Bowers and Wilkins MM-1s. I did thoroughly enjoy the A5+ but was confident that Focal had the superior product. And they did.
 
  
 
 
Accessories
 
Quite a good selection of cables you get out of the box. You get a 3.5mm jack, also a USB to use the built-in DAC of the speakers although both these cables seem to resemble cheap dollar store cables but that's fine. You also get a tray of all your iOS adapters which is a great bonus (but keep in mind that the new lightning connectors will not work on these speakers!)
 
Out of the box you also get a wireless remote that sticks onto the magnesium (I believe) frame of the speakers and it is quite handy for turning the speakers on and off as well as skipping/pause/play of your music. Aside from that just your usual manuals and focal authenticity number to register your product. 
 
 
Very useful remote when I'm just relaxing back on my chair.
 

Cheap USB cable but it can be replaced if you wish.
 
Just a cheap 3.5mm cable probably from the dollar store.
 
Features
 
This is truly an all-in-one media solution for people who stay at their desks for an extended duration of time. The Focal 2.1 XS Satellites come with a very hefty subwoofer (6.5 inches I think) putting out 70W of power which makes it great for bass-heavy songs as well as for movie lovers who really love deep thumps that come alive. One of my favorite features of the speakers is that it has an iOS docking/charging/syncing station. Great way to have your iPhone or any iOS device that fits with the included adapters charged and synced up before taking it out. Please note that the new iOS devices will not work on the system.
 
The XS 2.1 Satellites also has a built in Burr-Brown DAC so you can connect the speakers digitally through the USB provided in the box. However, the downside is that it only supports up to 16bit audio which is quite outdated compared to today's standards. You can also connect it via a 3.5mm audio jack also provided but I'm not sure why you would want to. However, that is an option and it's great that Focal included it with the speakers!
 

Docking/Charging/Syncing station for older iOS devices
 
 
Focal brands these as a "Multimedia" sound system for not only music but also movies.
 

Very heavy subwoofer. 70W of power into the 6.5inch diameter driver
 
Build Quality
 
Amazing build quality. These speakers are extremely heavy and that's because most of it is made with metal and magnesium components. High quality glossy plastics are also used throughout the build. The box is HEAVY!
 
Sound Quality
 
Now the fun part, how do they sound? Or maybe the most prominent question would be are they worth $600 bucks? I think so. These are easily the best desktop speakers that I've listened to and even bests some professional monitors in terms of detail retrieval. Focal did a great job in not making these sound too cold or bland which is the case for professional monitors. I'm glad that Focal realized they are making a product for the music enthusiast rather than for the producer in mind. Although these do sound detailed and quite analytical for desktop speakers, they are tuned very musically and perhaps that added subwoofer brings the music even more alive. 
 
Bass
 
The Focals handle the lower frequencies with ease due to the dedicated subwoofer. Best of all, you can adjust the bass quantity to your liking. I normally keep mine around 10-20% when I'm listening to music. However, what is great is that no matter how high you crank the bass up, it remains tactile and clean. Compared with the Bose acoustimass, I think these are better for music with a much faster and sharper decay while the Bose is the winner for movies due to the extreme rumble that can't be replicated on the Focals. In other words, the bass on the Focals are tight and controlled with much deeper extension while on the Bose it is uncontrolled and loose which make it good for explosive scenes. The bass is really the star of the show here for music, very fast and detailed and well rounded-off without that mid-bass hump (3T- Stuck on You).
 
Midrange
 
The Mids on the Focals are very likeable. Focal seems to have a midrange that is neither forward nor lush but still presents itself with great detail and clarity. It is not too in your face so long listening sessions are wonderful. I found there to be a slight grain on pure vocal tracks perhaps due to the fact that the midrange reproduction is quite flat sounding without too much body or roundness in reproducing the voices. Although this is nothing major and for most tracks I could not even tell. 
 
Treble
 
The high frequencies of the Focals are represented by the 0.75 inch Mylar dome tweeters. Focal seemed to have used this type of Mylar-Titanium construction on their headphones as well. This all translates to a very faithful reproduction of the treble. I would say a slight roll-off in the higher regions but the quantity and quality seem to be present and coherent. No details are lost and triangles are well positioned in the track (Savage Garden - Affirmation). At no time I felt that I needed anymore treble in terms of quantity and that slight roll-off tames off any sort of sibilance. A track I used which sounds extremely sibilant on some other speakers and headphones are not present with the Focals (Stevie Hoang - So Incredible). This is not to say they lack energy but rather makes it great for long listening sessions without any harshness. 
 
Soundstage/Imaging
 
The Focals definitely do not give you a 3D feel due to its design limitations (it is a 2 channel speaker afterall). So if you're looking at a true 5.1 surround sound system go for a Logitech. Plus, for HiFi it has to be 2-channels IMO Otherwise left/right imaging is great and very realistic however at times I wish the drivers were able to separate the instruments a bit cleaner. 
 
Headphone Comparisons
 
Open Back - AKG K812 (Detailed, Analytical, but still very musical and fun to listen to)
 
Closed Back- Focal Professionals (Focal house sound, very similar sound characteristics)
 
 
Final Impressions / Comparisons
 
Well if you couldn't tell already I am extremely pleased with these speakers. A clear winner in my books. In my opinion, it is better sounding than it's desktop competitors out there around and below the $600 range. Here are some brief comparisons:
 
Bose Companion 5 - Focal sounds much clearer and much more transparent. The Bose is great for movies though. 
 
Audioengine A5+ - Great fidelity from desktop speakers. However, the Focals best it in every respect (resolution, imaging, speed, accuracy). Although amateur listeners may prefer the slightly warmer sound the A5+ presents but the Focal is definitely the technically superior speaker.
 
Bowers and Wilkins MM-1 - To my ears, they sound equally as detailed and both are very competent. However, the Focals are more powerful and a better option for movies and also has the convenience of an iOS hub. 
 
I've yet to hear the KEF X300s nor the Logitech GLA-55s which are both quite a bit more expensive and most likely sound better. My future upgrade would probably be the KEF LS50s or the Sonus Faber Chameleon B but that won't be for a while plus they aren't really desktop/computer speakers since they will require a good amp to drive them well. 
 
Tracks Discussed:
3T - Stuck On You
Savage Garden - Affirmation
Stevie Hoang - So Incredible
 
Thanks for Reading!
 
--
 
Kevin

Before I get flamed by all the M50/M50x lovers out there who praise nothing but the M50s, I would just like to point out that this is my personal opinion. Although this is my personal opinion, I am sure that many people would agree with me that a couple years back, these were quite a good value for what they cost. However, with many other competitors coming out with headphones that sound better around the same price or even cheaper makes you wonder why the hype around the M50x's are still here. Maybe it's because a YouTuber with 3 Million subscribers "claimed" that these were the best. Maybe the best that he's heard, but far from the best when you take into account the competition. So guys, my point is don't fall victim to what everyone tells you to buy. Have a listen to the competitors and make a decision for yourself.
 
To me, the M50s are not a reference monitor by any means, even if Audio Technica brands them as "Monitoring" headphones. These headphones just lack the finesse to really be a good pair of mixing/mastering headphones. First of all, although the bass is punchy and full and may please bassheads, but it definitely takes too much of the rest of the frequencies with it. Although I must say that the bass of the M50s is it's best attribute. The mids really suffer from the congested lower end that the M50's possess. Not terrible though but they do not sound as lush or smooth as some other headphones around this price point. At times they tend to sound artificial. The treble is well distinguished from the bass but the quality of the treble is subpar in my opinion. Very artificial sparkly highs and a bit uncontrolled and watery. Again, that finesse is lacking and there is a noticeable sibilance on some tracks that I've tested. To my ears, these headphones sound close to a v-shaped signature as opposed to balanced or let alone neutral.
 
Because there has been so much hype around these headphones especially on YouTube and social media people just turn a blind eye on other brands which are extremely competitive at around $150-$200. Buy a pair of M50s and call it the best thing in the world. Heck, I have seen people comparing these M50s to Focal Professionals or even orthodynamic cans. At the end of the day, for $150-$200 they are just OK. Nothing special but not all that bad. 
 
I would like to help point out and raise awareness that for around the same price (and perhaps even cheaper) you could get similar sound quality and often times a more accurate and detailed sound for the same price. Some options I would include are Shure SRH440 (cheaper), M40x (cheaper, more balanced, neutral, and with very similar detail), Focal Spirit One, Sennheiser HD558/598, Sennheiser Momentums, Sennheiser Amperiors/HD25II, AKG K545/550, and even the Q701/K701 which are much more capable headphones although you will require a dedicated source and amp for them but the Q701 can be found for around the same price as the M50x and side by side the Q701 is a completely different beast but you will need the right equipment.
 
Guys, look at my recommendations up top before diving directly into the hype and regretting it after. I'm not a hater by any means but really there are better options out there and some much better for the same price. I might be able to recommend it for under $100, but for its current price of $170, its just not worth it. Sorry if anyone is offended by my opinions but the real truth should be uncovered. 

First of all I would like to thank HiFiMAN for running the valentines giveaway where I was fortunate enough to win these IEMs. 
 
Overall, I think for $49 these fit the bill quite nicely. Definitely not the best sounding nor far from the worst but fair for the MSRP.
 
At first, I could not get the IEMs to seal properly and I felt that the bass was lacking and contrary to what everyone reported. However, I changed the tips to some Sony ones and it made a huge difference. The sound signature changed dramatically. I will report my findings down below and a short comparison to the SE215's. Please keep in mind I've only auditioned these for a couple of hours but I think I can make a good first impressions judgement oh the RE300h.
 
What first took me by surprise was the amount of bass these 8mm drivers push out. Having briefly heard the RE400s previously, this is a completely different IEM. Where the RE400 was neutral and borderline dry to listen to (for me) these sounded more dynamic and livelier. I can't really mention about detail as I do not really recall the accuracy of the RE400s but from what I remember it was quite good. The bass on the RE300h feel like deep extended bass. Very abundant and present. Quick and punchy is a great way to describe these but for me the bass lacks body and roundness to it. It is not as deep as some other IEM's I've heard (but those cost much much more) but we have to keep in mind that these are sub $50 IEMs. It does bleed into the midrange but definitely not as much as the SE215's. The bass on the SE215s are definitely more rolled off in the lower regions and have a stronger presence in the mid-bass region which can blanket the higher frequencies.
 
The midrange is where I found the RE300h to be its biggest weak point. Although the midrange is still not bad, it just doesn't have the texture or forwardness of an SE215. Male and Female vocals sound slightly grainy and artificial while the SE215s are forward, smooth, and textured. That is not to say that the SE215 has a very good midrange, just a better and more detailed midrange than the RE300s. 
 
The treble response on the RE300h's are not bad. But definitely leaves me to desire a more well-bodied and fuller high notes. Cymbal crashes are present but just not really engaging. They sound quite thin at times and don't have that overall refinement as some other IEMs do (of course, higher priced). However, I am happy to say that the treble on the RE300s are a substantial improvement over the SE215's. Where on many rock tracks that the SE215 just completely falls short of reproducing any decent amount of treble, the RE300s have that extra shimmer which makes rock songs and faster tracks seem more fun to listen to.   
 
In general, I would recommend the SE215's for acoustics, vocals, and slower songs. Jazz works better with the SE215's imo. However, if you are looking for that extra bit of detail and a faster driver, the RE300s would be the one for you. With that said, the RE300's drivers are the more technically superior ones but there are genres in which the SE215 outshines the RE300.
 
Going from my SE215s to my RE300s, they felt like a toy. I can't give much credit to HiFiMAN for their build quality as they really feel like cheap dollar store earbuds. However, at the price, I'm sure that HiFiMAN has spent the majority of their capital towards R&D of sound rather than build. But it would definitely be nice to see an improvement in build quality, especially in their higher end IEMs such as the RE600s. I would be furious if my $200 IEMs broke within days of normal use. 
 
All in all, the RE300s are a decent sounding IEM for under $50. I've heard a lot of earbuds under $50 lots of random sony and phillip ones and I can easily say that these RE300s are probably the best at the under $50 range. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a budget friendly solution to entering the audio world. I would recommend an amp as well as it just tightens everything up. Especially the bass.
 
Tested with: iPhone 4S > FiiO E07k > Tidal HIFI Streaming
 
Tracks used:
Five for Fighting - 100 Years
Matchbox Twenty - Bent
Beverley Knight - Everytime You See Me Smile
Simon Webbe - Lay Your Hands
Lemar - What About Love
Savage Garden - California
MAKJ - Encore 

Owned this amp for just over a year and it is wonderful for the price. FiiO is one of the few companies that openly lists all of their specs to the public. I reason I bought this was primarily to be used as a portable DAC. The Wolfson WM8740 is a very competent DAC which is found in much higher priced equipment. 
 
Just because FiiO is a Chinese company, does not mean that the quality of the E07k Andes is poor. On the contrary, the design is very compact and the materials used mostly comprise of metal parts. The unit feels very solid in the hands without being too heavy to carry around. 
 
Plugging these in via USB on my laptop completely blew me away on how much different and detailed it sounded in comparison to my stock motherboard sound. A night and day difference. While most people are not able to hear a difference on perhaps higher end equipment, I can guarantee almost everyone is able to hear a considerable difference through using a DAC vs. Computer Sound. 
 
Pairing these with IEMs around 30-40ohms are great as I use these as my portable setup hooked with my iPhone 4S. The quality bump is minimal using IEMs and these as an AMP rather than a DAC since the iPhone is already a very good DAP. However, I did notice that compared to plugging it in directly to my iPhone jack, the E07k provided a flatter response with not as much bass. The bass was still very impactful just not as noticeable. It is also apparent that the bass did tighten everything up and made the IEMs retrieve detail ever-so slightly more due to this subdued lower ranges. 
 
Pairing these with lower impedance full-size cans will work as well although not recommended. It has a low impedance so it works great with IEMs but with more powerful headphones it does lack power and is rated for 150ohms maximum. Most professional headphones will linger around the 300-600ohm mark and at 36mW at 300ohms, these will definitely not be enough for say for example the Sennheiser HD650 or the DT990s/880s. It would not even be an optimal choice to use them with 150ohm headphones. However, at this price you can't really complain.
 
I would recommend this if you are looking for slight amplification but with a great soundcard for the price. A top choice in the portable market but not enough power as a desktop solution. Would recommend the E09k to pair with this if you are using it for desktop.

After picking these up from the Sony Store about a year ago, I can say that these are definitely not worth the $350-$400 price tag. Luckily, I picked them up for around $180 and to me, this seems like a more reasonable price for the XBA-4.
 
I really wanted to like these IEMs a lot more than I actually do. These were primarily going to be my pair for electronic music. I immediately discovered that these work extremely well with electronic house and heavy trap/bass tracks so it definitely hit the spot for me. However, outside of these genres, these earphones do not sound too good in my opinion.
 
I can immediately sense that the 4 BA drivers do a great job handling its own set of frequencies. But due to the fact that this headphone does not use any crossovers, the frequencies just don't blend well together. The advantage to not using any crossovers is that instrument separation is good and I can hear every instrument of the track independent from each other but they do not integrate well as it should for a headphone. The bass is extremely powerful and has a lot of body but surprisingly does not drown out the mids too much. However, the mids for some reason are extremely veiled and distant sounding (maybe I am too used to Shure's forward vocals). Therefore, listening to any type of track that has a strong vocal presence tend to sound "muffled". The major gripe with these headphones is the ever-so fatiguing treble. Which I will go into detail in the next paragraph.
 
Before anyone starts claiming that I do not have the right source (the XBA-4 at 8ohms is a very picky IEM). I paired it with a FiiO E07k which although far from an optimal source, have a low enough output impedance to drive the XBA-4 without a problem, Unfortunately, even hooked up with my E07k, the treble is way too harsh and metallic. Auditioning Steve Hoang's "So Incredible", the sibilance is so strong which renders the song completely unenjoyable. The fake and metallic treble really coupled with its distant midrange really makes for a strange sounding headphone which EDM lovers will rave about and listeners in general I think will find too fatiguing.
 
At the end of the day, I don't think these deserve the title of flagship and with 4 drivers I was expecting a lot more. I guess the low resale value coupled with struggling to retain its MSRP price is a direct reflection to the IEM's incompetence in the many aspects listed above. I see it listed on amazon still for around $250 I would avoid it at this price point. However, if you could get one under $150 and you are primarily using it to listen to EDM, I would recommend it.  

Before reading below, Please check out my in-depth YouTube review of the Shure SE215 as well! Please support my new channel by clicking "like" and sharing it with your friends
 

 
Background Information
 
Before I begin, I picked these up at my local music store for $99 CAD. They currently retail for $124 CAD and I believe $99 USD. Street and used prices vary widely with the SE215s.
 
First of all the reason I rate the SE215 4/5 stars is primarily because of the value it presents under the $100 mark. You will be extremely hard pressed to find a pair of IEMs at this price with such rugged build quality along with its very likeable Shure house sound. Although it is not the most detailed IEM out there it is one of the best in this price point and users who are looking for this type of sound will be satisfied. I also find that this IEM directly caters to the average consumer's preferences due to its plentiful mid-bass impact as well as the forwardness of the midrange especially with male vocals. 
 
First of all, being a dynamic driver IEM, it does have its strengths and weaknesses. However, it is hard to fault the 215s due to the price you can obtain them for and these shortcomings are nothing major. I personally, am a huge fan of the Shure house sound. Having previously owned the SE315, SE535 and currently own both the SE215 and SE425s I can easily say the SE215 hands down present the best value out of all of these. 
 
  
 
 
Accessories
 
The SE215s don't come with the full Shure "fit kit" that you get with the SE315s and up. Therefore, it is lacking the 1/4inch adapter, the yellow foams, and also the triple flanged eartips. Although you do get a good enough selection with the SE215s with 6 pairs of tips in total (3 pairs of foams + 3 pairs of rubber). Included is also a soft shell case which is a nice touch but don't expect it to protect your IEMs if you plan to toss it around in your bag as it is prone to getting squished. For that, I would recommend a hardshell case like the Pelican 1010.
 
 
 
Build Quality
 
Two words - Simply Outstanding! Definitely a class leader in the build department rivaling many competitors at the $1000+ range. I am happy to see that Shure did not cheap out on the SE215s and maintained the rugged build quality from the SE215's older brothers. Although the SE112 which was released not too long ago does not have this rugged build (which is forgiveable considering the price). The SE215s build just exudes quality and durability. I can clearly see that these were built for professional use.
 
The L-Shaped 3.5mm gold-plated jack has a very bulky and industrial design. Strain relief is probably the best I've encountered on any IEM. Although it is important to note that there is a high chance that the SE215s will not be able to fit in your phone cases.
 

 
The Y-Splitter is even more impressive. At no time do I feel that the cable will break or tear apart.
 

 
The detachable cables are the selling point of the SE215s IMO. Although the Shure connectors are hard to pry off at first, once you get used to them it should be quick and painless. If the cable does die on you (which I highly doubt) replacements can be found for under $50 a piece.
 

 
Comfort
 
Overall decent for me. You will either love the over-the-ear design or hate it. I'm impartial. Although I do still kind of lean towards just a traditional wearing style. It's a lot easier and doesn't require 2 hands. It can be a hassle to put on at first when you are not used to it after a couple days of putting them off and taking them off you get used to it. However, with the over-the-ear design, the SE215s reduce microphonics to a minimal. This is also great for stage use as it keeps the IEMs from moving around while you are moving on stage. 
 
The negative profile and ergonomics of the SE215s are also a plus. They are suitable for listening in bed as the driver housing does not protrude out so you can lie on your side comfortably. The design of this is very reminiscent of a Custom IEM (CIEM). 
 
Sound Quality
 
Probably what most of you guys are expecting! However, I am slightly dissapointed to report that the overall sound quality (SQ) is the SE215s weakest point in comparison to its build, comfort, etc. This is not to say they sound bad, but at this price if you are solely looking for sound quality, you may need to look elsewhere. 
 
Bass
 
With the SE215s you can expect thumping bass with good body and impact. The lows do bleed into the mid frequencies but due to the abundance and forwardness of the mids, the midrange is never masked. However, the bass at times can get slightly uncontrolled and boomy on tracks that have quick transients as the dynamic drivers of the SE215s are unable to keep up with the quick decay. Electronic music therefore sounds a bit slow and congested in the lower regions. That is why I prefer slower tracks with the SE215s such as Hip-Hop/R&B. I wouldn't say the SE215s have a good amount of sub-bass but on the contrary, they are more mid-bass focused. They lack the rumble in the lower regions sometimes (Dru Hill - Angel).
 
Midrange
 
Definitely the highlight of these IEMs. As with every Shure SE model that I've heard (up to the SE535s) I find the midrange to be extremely forward and very likeable. You get that warm midrange that works well with vocals and genres such as R&B, Soul. Great also for slower songs such as acoustic and singer-songwriter stuff. Jack Johnson sounds particularly good with these (Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes). Great amount of detail retrieval in the midrange and just overall a pleasing and buttery smooth experience. Male vocals sound great but female vocals can sound slightly restrained (depending on the singer) as it does lack that upper-midrange to treble sparkle and energy.
 
Treble
 
Only the SE535's have only slightly impressed me with the upper regions. The SE215s I can confidently say that they lack of any sparkle or shimmer in the treble regions. Cymbals and triangles seem forced at times and it feels like trumpets have their mutes on (even when it is being played without the trumpet mute). Many times I can't even hear or barely hear passages in the upper registers without looking for it closely. Not at all impressed with the treble extension on the SE215s.
 
Soundstage / Imaging
 
A very narrow soundstage both vertically and horizontally. Due to the fact that these IEMs lack extension on both the top and the bottom, it is a very mid focused with everything sort of congesting in the centre. The sound is therefore in your face which is a good thing for music professionals who need that sort of reproduction on stage. Not too good for HiFi listening though as the instruments are slightly harder to pick out.
 
As described above, the instrument separation is just average, therefore the imaging is just decent as well. Most instruments are heard but once you get up to more demanding tracks the SE215s start to fall apart. On more convoluted tracks, the drivers of the SE215s are only able to pick up the main instruments in the mix leaving a lot of background / secondary instruments not able to be heard clearly or even at all sometimes. Therefore, it does lack transparency in this sense. The placement of instruments does not give you a 3D feel but the 2D left and right panning is done well.
 
Final Impressions
 
All in all, I love the SE215s and use it for work (DJ) where I can throw it around and not worry about breaking it due to its rugged professional design. I also have the Sensaphonic custom sleeves on there which improves the isolation and bass response. It also has the bass quantity that I need when performing on stage. These are my go-to IEMs for under $100 for a well-rounded warm sounding IEM.
 
The Shure SE215 deserves a solid recommendation for me due to the fact that it is comfortable, and most of all built like a tank! Sound quality is quite good as well but if you are critical about the finest details, then I would suggest the HiFiMAN RE-400 or the VSonic VSD3 both under $100. To many people who are not used to flat sounding headphones/IEMs these will sound amazing and are very versatile. However, to the more discerned individual who listens to nothing but neutral headphones, these may sound bloated (although most likely an exaggeration) and lacking in detail.
 
Tracks Discussed:
Dru Hill - Angel
Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes
 
--
 
Happy Listening!
 
Kevin

Please check out my video review of these:
 
 
 
(Sorry for the lack of images as I have since sold these IEMs)
 
Background Information:
 
Before I begin, I picked these up from a friend of mine for $280 CAD. They currently retail for $379 CAD and $299 USD. Street and used prices vary widely with the SE425s.
 
First of all, the reason I rated these 3.5/5 is because of the value it presents in terms of build quality and also accessories out of the box. It also has a great vibrant midrange. However, what is holding it back is the fact that these are not the best all-rounders at this price point.
 
Being a dual-BA configuration, these produce detail quite admirably however they are by no means a detail monster. Some microdetails are lost due to the lack of extension on both ends.
 
Accessories
 
Packaging is great with a bigger box than the SE215s. Inside the box you will get the usual Shure Fit Kit that comes with the SE315 and up. Compared to the SE215s, you get more tips including yellow foams as well as triple-flanged tips. You also get a hardshell carrying case as well as 1/4inch adapter which is also missing on the SE215s. A cleaning tool is provided as well.
 
Build Quality
 
Very solid build quality from the SE425s. You get the same rugged build as every other Shure SE model (with the exception of the SE112). The cable exudes confidence and is very robust. All the strain reliefs are reinforced heavily and at no time I feel that they are going to give-in or break. If they do, the cables are replaceable for a small cost (in comparison to the IEMs)
 
Comfort 
 
They are very comfortable out of the box. The housing is slightly smaller than the SE215s which provides a more snug fit in my ears. I currently use the Sensaphonic Custom Sleeves with the SE425s which brings comfort into another level. Isolation is improved as well. These are great for sleeping as the ergonomics let you lie on the side while in bed. 
 
They might be a hassle to put on at first but once you get used to it it is like any other IEM.
 
Sound Quality
 
Ever since picking these IEMs up, they have been my go-to pair for slower vocal-oriented music. They provide a great balance of neutrality paired with extremely forward and lush mids which do not make the IEMs sound dry at all in comparison to some other neutral IEMs.
 
Bass
 
Although there is good sub-bass extension, the perceived bass will mostly be mid-bass as the frequencies of this IEM all seem to creep towards the midrange. However, the bass does not bleed into the midrange too much thanks to its dual-BA configuration with a dedicated bass driver. The quality is quite good but you are not going to get the tactility or low end rumble when compared to other IEMs. The quantity is definitely flat and never elevated. The bass you get is what your music provides you. Nothing more nothing less.
 
Midrange
 
Simply Beautiful! Very lush and well bodied midrange. The mids are presented forward in the mix and the texture and detail is presented great. This IEM is great for singer-songwriter guitars, slower vocals, and also ballads. (James Ingram - Forever More)
 
Treble 
 
The highs could use more shimmer. Cymbals and female soprano vocals struggle to punch through with authority but do sound quite good as they blend well with the extremely detailed and forward mid-highs around the 4-6k region. However, fast and convulated tracks that are demanding leave a lot to be desired with these IEMs as the SE425s fail to provide listeners with a engaging top end. The SE425s are not the fastest kids around the block and faster more demanding tracks may leave the SE425s breathing for more air. (Earth Wind & Fire - My Promise)
 
Soundstage/Imaging
 
A very closed soundstage with an extremely forward in-your-face midrange section. I prefer a closed soundstage when preforming as details are presented right at me. However, for critical listening, I would have preferred a wider soundspace which incorporates more air. Therefore, because of the closed off soundstage, instruments are slightly harder to pick out and microdetails are often lost. 
 
Imaging is average due to the lack of a wide soundstage. 
 
Overall I would recommend these IEMs to almost anyone who strictly listens to vocal-extensive music. The SE425s has probably the best mid-range out of any IEM I've heard. However as an all-rounder for the price unfortunately I cannot give the SE425s a whole-hearted recommendation.
 
Tracks Discussed:
 
James Ingram - Forever More
Earth Wind & Fire - My Promise
 
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Thanks for reading and happy listening!
 
Kevin