[NallyFace]

Hello,

It’s that time again where my Shure SE425’s fall apart and Shure want to charge me a fortune for new replacements. I’m done with this now, it’s like some sort of rental service where the glue lasts a year or two and I send them away. It’s cost me too much over recent years. What is frustrating is that I treat them like glass, in my ears, in the case - yet here we are again and again. Each time I’m told there are cracks or case split. I can’t do more to care for them.

So, time to move on? What are my options being in the UK in terms of support if alternative IEM’s break, Shure are UK based so it does make that side easier.

Any advice on which IEM’s - around £400 mark are well built and not going to have glue or case separation issues?

I have these in mind so far but am open to suggestions:

Penon Serial
Final B3
Blessing 2/3 or Dusk 2
Iinsoul THIEAUDIO Hype 2

Music taste is a broad range, Bowie to Radiohead, Aphex Twin to Nils Frahm.

Would love some views to help me decide.

Thank you!

 

[Doug2507]

Not heard them personally but Mega5EST seem to be well received for the price bracket they're in...

 

[BS5711]

If you bumped your budget up just a little you would be in the range of the AuR Audio Neon Pro and Ascension.

I have the Neon Pro and have the Ascension ordered.

Might be worth reading about them here:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/aÜr-audio-iems.965140/

I really like the Neon Pro. I recently bought a set of Campfire Solaris 2020 which are/were a TOTL set and highly regarded and cost 2.5 times the Neon Pro. The sound signature is different but I enjoy the Neon Pro as much and possibly more overall, they are excellent value for money, beautifully built and designed and a pleasure to use.

 

[NallyFace]

Not heard them personally but Mega5EST seem to be well received for the price bracket they're in...

Thank you for the suggestion- they look great

 

[NallyFace]

If you bumped your budget up just a little you would be in the range of the AuR Audio Neon Pro and Ascension.

I have the Neon Pro and have the Ascension ordered.

Might be worth reading about them here:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/aÜr-audio-iems.965140/

I really like the Neon Pro. I recently bought a set of Campfire Solaris 2020 which are/were a TOTL set and highly regarded and cost 2.5 times the Neon Pro. The sound signature is different but I enjoy the Neon Pro as much and possibly more overall, they are excellent value for money, beautifully built and designed and a pleasure to use.

Looks like these would be hard to get from the UK. I’ve been stung with import duty before so could be a factor.

Look real good though so thanks for the heads up.

 

[Doug2507]

Thank you for the suggestion- they look great

Indeed, can even choose your own faceplates for a modest add on.

 

[KinGensai]

Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite. I still can't believe how inexpensive it is for the caliber of sound it delivers. My go to rec for mid-range and below. Plus it's a solid little brick of resin, so it won't fall apart on you.

Amazon

 

[joshnor713]

This post resonates with me. I used to be a big Shure fan, starting with the SE846 and moving up to the KSE1200. What's surprising is my earpieces of the much more expensive 1200 began breaking apart at the seams after 2-3 years of ownership (i.e. when you press on the earpieces, you can actually see movement). My older 846's survived a bit better, but you can see cracking all along the seams.

I treat all my IEM's carefully. Shure just doesn't learn to make their IEM's more robust, so they will stop getting my money.

I've had a IE 900 now for over 2 years and it still looks like day one.

 

[NallyFace]

This post resonates with me. I used to be a big Shure fan, starting with the SE846 and moving up to the KSE1200. What's surprising is my earpieces of the much more expensive 1200 began breaking apart at the seams after 2-3 years of ownership (i.e. when you press on the earpieces, you can actually see movement). My older 846's survived a bit better, but you can see cracking all along the seams.

I treat all my IEM's carefully. Shure just doesn't learn to make their IEM's more robust, so they will stop getting my money.

I've had a IE 900 now for over 2 years and it still looks like day one.

Damn those are expensive! It’s shocking really that a product costing £1200 is not solid and going to last a very long time.

 

[KinGensai]

Damn those are expensive! It’s shocking really that a product costing £1200 is not solid and going to last a very long time.

Wait, where can you get a KSE1200 for 1200 pounds? Those are a bit below $2k new.

I guess I dodged a bullet, I was considering getting a KSE1500. Not feeling that much anymore.

 

[NallyFace]

Wait, where can you get a KSE1200 for 1200 pounds? Those are a bit below $2k new.

I guess I dodged a bullet, I was considering getting a KSE1500. Not feeling that much anymore.

Right you are, £2k on Shure site.

 

[Knale]

Why Hype 2 instead of the 4 out of curiosity?

 

[NallyFace]

Why Hype 2 instead of the 4 out of curiosity?

Simply put, I had no idea it existed, and now I want the Hype 4! Great reviews so far for that IEM. Looks like I can buy it from a UK seller also so no import tax.

Thanks for mentioning!