Questions about Shure SE110

[Yaaar]

I recently bought Shure SE110s, and I have a few questions that relate to them:
-What is the general consensus of its quality for its price, looking from the perspective from someone who wants good quality sound (me) but isn't a complete audiophile?
-Is there a difference in quality if you let them "burn in"? And if so, do you have to use specific frequencies/sounds, or can you just use normal music?
-What drive does SE110 use, and what exactly are the differences in results between those types of drives and the "better" types?
-On sites like apple.com, cnet, and Amazon, why are there so many polarizing reviews? Is there something that the 5-star reviews "get" about the SE110, or something that the 1-star reviews "don't get"?

Thanks!

 

[thechungster]

Well, I have owned the SE110's for roughly a year and I don't particulary recommend them. They use balanced armature drivers, so they do not require any burn in. When I bought them, they were "Detailed" to my ear, but after a year I find that they are ok. They lack bass though, which is why I don't recommend them to be honest.

 

[mark2410]

well...... compares to most of the crap thats out there and that most people will have heard the se110 are really very good. however for the money circa £50 better can be had, i mean i have seen the se110 for sale at just over £70 here for that in shops that rip you off les can get you the se210 which is quite a bit better.

that said i still think if you get it going cheap its a nice all round IEM

 

[walkingman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaaar /img/forum/go_quote.gif I recently bought Shure SE110s, and I have a few questions that relate to them: -What is the general consensus of its quality for its price, looking from the perspective from someone who wants good quality sound (me) but isn't a complete audiophile?

The general consensus that I noticed is many here do not regard the SE110 as good value for money (this is at its recommended retail price).
Quote:

-Is there a difference in quality if you let them "burn in"? And if so, do you have to use specific frequencies/sounds, or can you just use normal music? -What drive does SE110 use, and what exactly are the differences in results between those types of drives and the "better" types?

They use Balanced Armature drivers, meaning they won't see much (if at all) benefit by burning-in. All headphones sounds different but as a general rule, BA headphones does not have the same bass impact as headphones that uses dynamic transducers. There are exceptions like the Klipsch Image X10.

Quote:

-On sites like apple.com, cnet, and Amazon, why are there so many polarizing reviews? Is there something that the 5-star reviews "get" about the SE110, or something that the 1-star reviews "don't get"?

Different preference to sound signature and value etc. I guess...

 

[VoLTaG3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkingman /img/forum/go_quote.gif The general consensus that I noticed is many here do not regard the SE110 as good value for money (this is at its recommended retail price). They use Balanced Armature drivers, meaning they won't see much (if at all) benefit by burning-in. All headphones sounds different but as a general rule, [size=medium]BA headphones does not have the same bass impact as headphones that uses dynamic transducers.[/size] There are exceptions like the Klipsch Image X10. Different preference to sound signature and value etc. I guess...

My Shure SE530's makes my head rattle when I plug it into my laptop and boost the BASS. The BASS comes out clear, detailed, and HARD!!! If a BA cant produce the same sound impact as a dynamic driver than wow. A dynamic driver should only produce more BASS impact than a BA when sound is playing through a whole room but in a space as little as the ear canal it doesn't matter.

 

[Yaaar]

Thanks for the replies!
I don't think bass is a really big issue for me so far. So far, the biggest issue that I have with these is that it doesn't play classical music too well, but all other genres sound good (especially folk/country music. Too bad I don't listen to too many of these). I guess when you're recording a huge symphony, it's pretty hard to get the individual sounds of every single instrument -_-

Any other opinions/suggestions/comments?

 

[rawrster]

for classical at that range i would go for er6i

 

[walkingman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoLTaG3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif My Shure SE530's makes my head rattle when I plug it into my laptop and boost the BASS. The BASS comes out clear, detailed, and HARD!!! If a BA cant produce the same sound impact as a dynamic driver than wow. A dynamic driver should only produce more BASS impact than a BA when sound is playing through a whole room but in a space as little as the ear canal it doesn't matter.

I did say there are exceptions...

 

[Yaaar]

Are the SE 210s really "quite a lot better"? What exactly is "better" about them? Is the difference really THAT noticeable? According to user reviews of various sites, it seems as though the 210s have the same basic problem (small bass) as the 110s.

 

[Yaaar]

Anyone? D:

 

[SactoMan101]

I've heard the SE110 and frankly, the big problem is the really rolled off bass and the not very crisp treble. That's why I prefer the cheaper Sony MDR-EX90LP--strong, clear bass and surprisingly decent treble.

 

[K_19]

Highs are very slightly more pronounced on the SE210's, and mids are little more clear and upfront. The bass pretty much remains the same though. If you want to stick to Shure and want to go for something with decent bass, then SE310 would do the job but it is also much more expensive than the 110's.

 

[mark2410]

well i think the 210 has less bass than the 110, but i think the 210 sounds much better overall

 

[SactoMan101]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark2410 /img/forum/go_quote.gif well i think the 210 has less bass than the 110, but i think the 210 sounds much better overall

However, if you're a "basshead" you can forget about the SE110 or SE210, even if you try Comply foam eartips.

You need an IEM in this price range with proper design for decent bass like the Denon AH-C551K or the Sony MDR-EX90LP.

 

[thechungster]

What is the sound sig of the 310's? I need a cheaper pair of IEM's so I don't have to bring my IE8s to school