[gjc10212]

I've just brought a pair of these £209.99 and thought I'd share my experiences (so far) with you. My previous IEM's were the E4's, my portable audio device (the same), a Zen Micro.

First Impressions:

The outer box:
11.2cm wide
11.0cm length
8.3cm High

Box stated spec:

Sound Isolating Earphones
Dual Acoustic MicroSpeakers:
Dedictated Tweeter and Woofer.
Picture on Box rating - Lows 3/4, Mids 4/4, Highs 3.5/4 (circles)

Sensitivity 109 db SPL/mW
Frequency Range 20-19 kHz
Inpute Connector 3.5mm
Impedance 22Ohms

Manufactured Date - 2007/06/06

Accessories Included:

3' Cable (91cm)
Carry Case (Oval in shape)
Airline Adaptor
Volume Control
1/4" Adapter
Foam Sleeves (Black) 3 sets (small, medium & large) + additional Medium set included on SE420.
Soft Flex Sleeves 3 sets (small, medium & large)
1 Triple Flange

Inner Box

Black slightly rippled with a removable lid.

Inside the box

All of the above + vacuum sealed instructions.

The Sound:

Ok, straight out of the box they're very similar to my E4's (I no longer have the E4's for a direct comparison), the most immediate discernable difference is the soundstage......it's clearer, more spacial for want of a better term. There not as loud either.......

For now I've left them plugged into the Zen for burn-in. I'll report back soon....

 

[Yamabushi]

Thank you for your initial impressions. I am really eager to hear more about how these sound, especially in relationship to the E4's and the E500's. I look forward to your follow up.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[katsmiles]

I wasn't keen on them because the vocals sounded thick and muffled. I don't think they could've been faulty because I read other reviews which said the vocals were veiled

 

[gjc10212]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katsmiles /img/forum/go_quote.gif I also have the SE420s and was really disappointed when I compared them with the much cheaper 210s (which I also have). The 420s sound fine (slightly muted vocals which I don't like) - but it's only when you listen to the 210s that you realise the 210s sound better, clearer vocals, while bass and treble is the same.This is my first huge disappointment with a Shure headphone, and I would really advise trying the 210s first. As I said, the 420s sound fine without comparison - but the 210s go louder, are clearer and cost half the price! I left the SE420s to burn in for 24 hours in the hope it might have knocked out a little dust from the drivers or something - but they haven't changed at all. They're on eBay as I type! With relation to the 500s - I find the 420s are not so 'bright' and 'ear-piercing' at higher volumes. They're warmer than the 500s and the separation of frequencies is not as apparent which gives the music a more involving feeling. The E500's have better detail, but you can't really hear what's missing unless you're really listening for it. With regards to the E4s (yes, I've had them all!) - the midrange is more 'foggy' with the 420s although the overall sound is warmer which I found preferable as the E4s (like the E500s) can sound way too bright at higher volumes. The soundstage is about the same in my opinion. I preferred vocals and acoustic with the E4s, and have found nothing to equal that - but I couldn't stand the 'brightness' at higher levels as it left an uncomfortable ringing in my ears. So. . . the 420s are good, but the 100% price increase over the 210s is really not justified in any way. As I bought them in the UK, I can't even return them to Shure under its 30-day returns policy.

Thanks for your impressions.

I used to have the E2c's and I could easily distinguish the sound differences between the E2c's and the E4's. Now, with the dual driver arrangement that comes with the SE420's I'm expecting another level of sound to unravel............

Where did you buy your SE420's from everywhere I've checked have been out of stock and saying the release date was the 9th July 2007...?

 

[gjc10212]

Luckily I sold my E4's on ebay a few months ago, this saved me £90 on the price I paid for the SE420's.

I forgot to mention earlier that I tried the medium black foamies and I dont know if its me but I cant get them to fit (whichever size I use). Anyway the sound isolation and volume level increased when I used the tri-flange's instead.

 

[katsmiles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjc10212 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for your impressions. I used to have the E2c's and I could easily distinguish the sound differences between the E2c's and the E4's. Now, with the dual driver arrangement that comes with the SE420's I'm expecting another level of sound to unravel............ Where did you buy your SE420's from everywhere I've checked have been out of stock and saying the release date was the 9th July 2007...?

I got them from mercury-av ltd after I checked they were an authorised dealer!
I got mine last week as I'd been on the waiting list for 2 months. Now I'm selling them at a loss - that's if they even sell on eBay!

 

[gjc10212]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katsmiles /img/forum/go_quote.gif I got them from mercury-av ltd after I checked they were an authorised dealer! I got mine last week as I'd been on the waiting list for 2 months. Now I'm selling them at a loss - that's if they even sell on eBay!

Ah I purchased my E2's from them.

Are you sticking with the 210's or changing to something else?

*Good luck with your ebay sale*

 

[katsmiles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjc10212 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ah I purchased my E2's from them. Are you sticking with the 210's or changing to something else?

I'm sticking with the better-sounding 'inferior' 210s! I'm very glad I was able to test them side by side or I would never have known!

 

[Spyro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katsmiles /img/forum/go_quote.gif I With relation to the 500s - I find the 420s are not so 'bright' and 'ear-piercing' at higher volumes. They're warmer than the 500s and the separation of frequencies is not as apparent which gives the music a more involving feeling. The E500's have better detail, but you can't really hear what's missing unless you're really listening for it. With regards to the E4s (yes, I've had them all!) - the midrange is more 'foggy' with the 420s although the overall sound is warmer which I found preferable as the E4s (like the E500s) can sound way too bright at higher volumes. (

WOW! This is not good at all. E500's are NOT bright in any way. They are warm with slightly rolled off highs. So if E500's would be described as "bright" the 420's must sound like sh**."

Not sure what the purpose of that IEM was anyway. E4 to E500 is logical progression upgrade.

 

[katsmiles]

Just sold the 420s on eBay this minute. Will go pack them up and wave goodbye and good riddance!

 

[gjc10212]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katsmiles /img/forum/go_quote.gif The E500s sound too bright with my player, a Sony NW-A808 which I think is quite a cold player and needs warmer headphones. The 420s are definitely a better match for my player - but not at the inflated price they're selling over the 210s! Just sold the 420s on eBay this minute. Will go pack them up and wave goodbye and good riddance!

Out of interest what price did you get?....Encase mine go that route

 

[katsmiles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjc10212 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Out of interest what price did you get?....Encase mine go that route

I stuck them on at £160 buy-it-now as I just wanted to get rid of them.
Would be interested in hearing what you think of the 420s after some more use. They sound good - but the 210s sound extremely good for half the price.

 

[gjc10212]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katsmiles /img/forum/go_quote.gif I stuck them on at £160 buy-it-now as I just wanted to get rid of them. But I think you can get more for them if you wait till they're more widely available, at the moment they're so 'new' and they have hardly any reviews, which I think makes people wary about buying them. You might like them a lot, but I din't expect to have to turn the volume up so much and I really did not rate them better than the 210s. I've e-mailed Shure about it, but don't think they'll respond. I think most people will go straight to the 420s, and I would have done too except they weren't available and the 210s were, that's the only reason I got the 210s first. The one bug-bear about the 210s is that they are seriously the hardest ones to fit out of all the Shures I've had. I know how to insert them but they don't want to stay put for long and once the sound drops out and gets tinny and sharp, you know they've 'gone' even if you didn't feel it! Would be interested in hearing what you think of the 420s after some more use. As I said, they sound good - but the 210s sound extremely good for half the price.

Someone got a bargain there...

I'll post a more in depth review in a seperate thread tomorrow. BTW I too have emailed shure -- I'm going to return mine under the 7 day distance selling regulations act if they dont feel like an upgrade/price performance after some more testing.

 

[Yamabushi]

Katsmiles,

Thank you for your sharing your experience. I had the E4's (and before that the E3's) for quite some time, but unfortunately lost them on a return flight from Singapore. Basically, I am looking to upgrade from them to either the SE420's or the SE530's.

The E500/SE530's are well documented, but at this point there aren't many people with direct hands on experience with the SE420's so any thoughts and/or impressions are appreciated.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[katsmiles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjc10212 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Someone got a bargain there... I'm going to return mine under the 7 day distance selling regulations act if they dont feel like an upgrade/price performance after some more testing.

Well, good luck with that. Anyway, look forward to reading your review tomorrow!