[6PANDEMONIUM6]

So, I was just about to pull the trigger on the KSE 1500s. However, before I was finished I saw the 1200s and started researching them.

Apparently, the 1500 and 1200 contains the exact same driver and amp. The only difference between them is that the 1200 does not have the Dac and EQ. (Which is just software.)
Well, I wasn't going to use those features anyway.

Also, the 1200 gets superior battery life because it does not have to power the digital components.

This seems like the obviously logical choice seeing as I was not going to use the Dac or EQ anyway and the 1500 is $1K more than the 1200.

Wait, $1K?

This makes no sense, surely you aren't trying to lead me to believe that is a $1k Dac inside the 1500? The Chord Mojo is not even $1K.

So why the major price jump? Is there some difference between them that I am not seeing because the 1200 with the greater battery life appears to be the obvious choice. Why would Shure step on their own toes like this?

 

[cj3209]

I don’t think Shure thought through the DAC technology very well and how quickly technology moves; they are not DAC specialists like chord; they’re a headphone maker. The 1200 is what they should have released instead of the 1500 if they had done the market research, timely.

The included DAC in the 1500 is a nice addition but not worth 1k. Maybe $200-300...

 

[Roscoeiii]

Well, Shure probably realized that they would sell more electrostat IEMs at $2k than $3k. Not to mention, based on the KSE1500 forum here, most people saw the DAC as the weak point of the 1500. So maybe having it included in the 1500 was not the added bonus they thought it would be. I also imagine that we'll eventually see the 1500 price come down.

Oh, and the 1500 come with a nice Pelican case and the leather cover for the DAC/amp. Major? No. But nice lil extras.

 

[6PANDEMONIUM6]

Well, Shure probably realized that they would sell more electrostat IEMs at $2k than $3k. Not to mention, based on the KSE1500 forum here, most people saw the DAC as the weak point of the 1500. So maybe having it included in the 1500 was not the added bonus they thought it would be. I also imagine that we'll eventually see the 1500 price come down.

Oh, and the 1500 come with a nice Pelican case and the leather cover for the DAC/amp. Major? No. But nice lil extras.

Fair, but they both come with that small black case which is more portable right?

I am actually bummed about the leather cover though. Hopefully someone will start making cases for it on Etsy or someplace.

 

[Roscoeiii]

Both have a black leather (or something like leather) zipper case that the cord and headphones fit in (tightly). Though some prefer larger cases for those, since the size of the black one may cause some strain on the cable...

 

[waveSounds]

@6PANDEMONIUM6 The case can be bought separately. Whether the dimensions are the same, well, I dunno.

 

[Roscoeiii]

@6PANDEMONIUM6 The case can be bought separately. Whether the dimensions are the same, well, I dunno.

Dimensions are not the same.

 

[TYATYA]

Base on what you have already and/or next plan buying new stuffs.
With some smartphones, laptop/pc, kse1500 is a choice.
With person who own good dacs or dap, kse1200 is better choice for p/p.
IMO, kse1500 need to own a dac which quality same as that of hdvd800 amp, a Burrbrown R2R dac.
Bcs it is +1000 from kse1200

 

[TYATYA]

Use kse1500 slider to select mode of INPUT. I can switch fastly the dac of SP1000 and the on inside kse.
Some bad of sp1000 has and some good that kse has.
Nothing completly perfection

 

[TYATYA]

I am currious why in a combo dac/amp like hdvd800 and kse1500 (correctly name ksa1500) the clairity is might be maximum portential of the dac. Very clean and clear!

 

[6PANDEMONIUM6]

Use kse1500 slider to select mode of INPUT. I can switch fastly the dac of SP1000 and the on inside kse.
Some bad of sp1000 has and some good that kse has.
Nothing completly perfection

Absolutely Beautiful.

Say what you want about A&K, they make some sexy Daps.

 

[6PANDEMONIUM6]

I am currious why in a combo dac/amp like hdvd800 and kse1500 (correctly name ksa1500) the clairity is might be maximum portential of the dac. Very clean and clear!

Oh yes, electrostats definitely take full advantage of whatever Dac you pair them with.

All the more reason not to buy one with a built in Dac. You'll just have to upgrade it down the line.

 

[TYATYA]

Absolutely Beautiful.

Say what you want about A&K, they make some sexy Daps.

Want it to has the clean and clear as the dac+amp mode in ksa.
This is not my 1st time check sq of ksa but I have never feel so big difference.
Other time I use my smartphone to feed the dac mode. This time, by sp1000.
There's something I cant pont out WHY that can make difference (when smp and sp1000 using).
Sp1000, is excellent if it can keep wide sound stage at clean of CS4272 inside ksa

 

[6PANDEMONIUM6]

Ha, Shure actually messaged me.

 

[cj3209]

What they say?