[Skullbox]

Quote:

 
Of course custom is best, but I figured the context of the discussion was based on universal tips.

... by custom i will also say, UM56 mold. That require ear impression. Custom sleeve at less price of a SE3x or SE5!!  

 

[Swiftay]

Does anyone feel as though buying a pair of the 535's is worth it coming up from the 215's?
I recently bought the latter, and I've grown a liking to the sound signature, so I'm considering picking them 535's up when I go overseas.
Also, does anyone have an experience with the Limited Edition models? From what I've read, they're a little bit more tweaked, and would it be worth trying to find those over the 'standard' pair? 
 
iirc this is my first post, and many thanks

 

[Skullbox]

Quote:

Sorry, I don't have a good camera ( I spend my money on audio instead) but if I "click" on the pic it seems to re-size it for a little bit better view.  Moderator,  feel free to delete pics if you think they are too poor looking.

lol  I'ts not camera, it's almost, the photographer. Out of Focus! Macro mode, sometime is better. bah it's ok! we all see this shure rigs b4!   

 

[Skullbox]

Quote:

Did somebody say SPAMMING??
 
 

Yep!... YOU!   

 

[Skullbox]

Quote:

Does anyone feel as though buying a pair of the 535's is worth it coming up from the 215's?
I recently bought the latter, and I've grown a liking to the sound signature, so I'm considering picking them 535's up when I go overseas.
Also, does anyone have an experience with the Limited Edition models? From what I've read, they're a little bit more tweaked, and would it be worth trying to find those over the 'standard' pair? 
 
iirc this is my first post, and many thanks

Welcome aboard Swiftay!
 
 
 

 

[soullinker20]

how is the instrument separation and imaging on the 535 red edition? how do they stack against the um3x or W4's imaging?
 
are they all around your head or like the SM3s?
 
 
thank you

 

 

[underhysteria]

Quote:

how is the instrument separation and imaging on the 535 red edition? how do they stack against the um3x or W4's imaging?
 
are they all around your head or like the SM3s?
 
 
thank you

 

Imaging is much better than the um3x and W4. I played kalafina's (a japanese trio group / orchestral orientated) and i could the 3 vocals channeling accurately from the distance they're placed.
 

 

[tienbasse]

Quote:

Imaging is much better than the um3x and W4. I played kalafina's (a japanese trio group / orchestral orientated) and i could the 3 vocals channeling accurately from the distance they're placed.
 

I have been interesting in the Special Edition for a while, so let me ask some clarification: do you mean that these SE535 SE are better at spatialization than UM3X ? Then I guess it would make them a pretty significant upgrade from the normal SE535, since this is not where SE535 usually seem to shine the most (from what I read here).
 
Not that I doubt you, but the Special Edition doesn't come cheap, so I'd like to be sure that they can hold the compairson with UM3X.

 

[underhysteria]

Quote:

I have been interesting in the Special Edition for a while, so let me ask some clarification: do you mean that these SE535 SE are better at spatialization than UM3X ? Then I guess it would make them a pretty significant upgrade from the normal SE535, since this is not where SE535 usually seem to shine the most (from what I read here).
 
Not that I doubt you, but the Special Edition doesn't come cheap, so I'd like to be sure that they can hold the compairson with UM3X.

 
Yes definitely. You'll definitely hear the difference in imagery and soundstage when compared to the UM3x. The LTD is a major upgrade to its predecessor
 
My review is up!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/shure-se535ltd-red/reviews/6158
 
 

 

[tienbasse]

Thanks for the review (and the answer).

 

[soullinker20]

thanks for the review!
 
i'll try to research some more coz it still not convincing to me and i really find it hard to believe that they have better ins separation than the um3x, i thought that it'd come closer only... but on mids, no doubt i really like the vocals on them..

 

[tienbasse]

Quote:

 
Yes definitely. You'll definitely hear the difference in imagery and soundstage when compared to the UM3x. The LTD is a major upgrade to its predecessor
 
My review is up!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/shure-se535ltd-red/reviews/6158
 
 

I received the SE535 Special Edition a few days ago (from Accessoryjack), so I'm still assessing these and A/B-ing against FX700/UM3X/EPH-100, but so far I'm impressed, much more than I was but my previous SE420.
I agree with most of your review, except for a few specific things that I'll cover now:
 
1) Build quality: they look awesome in red, but the casing is very similar in shape to UM3X (nozzles are a bit more broad and angled on the Shures, which is slightly better for my ears and to secure the tips). Casing finish is better than on Westones. But I'll be honest, the cables are a huge DISAPPOINTMENT. The light grey just looks like white cables full of dust. Shure, please chose clear, black or white, but grey just looks like some cheap computer cable!!! Second thing: the earguides are USELESS, they don't keep the shape you try to give them with the flimsy metal wire you can see inside. And they're not removable (unless you like to play with scalpels). If the custom-made cables for the SE535 were not so expensive, I would buy one right now (I may do so in the end)!

 
2) Instrument separation: well I start with this because this is what I expect the most when I evaluate IEMs. I wasn't sure about Underhysteria statement, but I can confirm, these babies separate better than UM3X (and EPH-100), especially in the mids, which is not a small feat. Really impressive how you can isolate and locate each instrument. This may be seen as totally alien by people loving more "naturally presented music" (especially if you already don't like that with the UM3X).

 
3) Soundstage: well this is always a difficult one, since you have to judge both depth (the distance thing) and spatialization (2D imaging, since height is not really a dimension for headphones). Well, I did not really a big difference in depth between the SE535Red, the UM3X and the EPH-100, they all put you very close to the scene, while FX700 put you a bit further and IE8 put you much further from the scene. Personally I like intimacy so Shures are fine with me. For spatialization, I would put SE535Red and EPH-100 in front, very good instrument placement around you. UM3X and FX700 are a bit behind, but not by much.

 
4) Bass: well, I would put SE535Red and UM3X on the same stand, bass is ok, present, but a bit too tamed for the dynamic driver fan which sleeps within me. Bass punch and impact is definitely better with the EPH-100 and even stronger with the FX700 (nearly bass-head level). Ok, I'll be fair, this can be 80% corrected with a bit of EQ-ing, so no big harm, I'm not a bass-head.

 
5) Mids: the main dish! As usual, you can expect forward mids with Shure. What makes so good with the SE535Red is that since seperation is excellent, vocals and guitar suddenly become crystal-clear and so intimate. Same quality as the EPH-100 but even better clarity. UM3X mids are less forward and clear (but not recessed either). FX700 are very clear but even less present (slightly recessed despite their quality). In the end, it is a matter of taste. V-shape lovers will hate the Shures. I personally EQ-ed the mids very slightly down, but not by much, just enough so they are only a bit more forward than with the EPH-100.

 
6) Treble: as stated by Underhysteria, they're not the SE535Red forte (and I don't have the normal SE535 to compare with). Treble are clear, in decent amount, but far from the quality you get from FX700. They're more natural than with EPH-100 (which is a bit dry). Unlike Underhysteria, I like the treble of the UM3X a lot, I find them smooth and natural and tend to boost them a bit. Cymbals for instance are better on the UM3X, but SE535Red is still doing a more than decent job in the area.

 
7) Comfort: the usual drill: either you have small/medium ear size, and you'll find the Shures and Westones equally excellent, especially with foams and silicone olives. If you have (like me) very big ears, NONE of the provided tips except the large silicone olives will give you a proper fit/seal... In this area, IEMs with smaller casings like EPH-100 or sitting nearly outside the ears like FX700 will be more universal, since they can be inserted with many different angles, so I don't need tips as big as with Shures to have a good fit.

 
8) Isolation: amazing with Shures and Westones when equipped with triple flange tips, IF you can bear the "ear-raping" feeling. Isolation with single flange tips or foams is average to good. EPH-100 again provide both comfort and isolation more universally (closed driver, excellent double flange tips, providing isolation close to Shure triple flange). FX700 are virtualy non-isolant, being open and inserted in a shallow manner. With my big ears, I can only use the large silicone olives to reach a proper seal with Shures/Westones, so isolation is worse than EPH-100.

 
Summary:
-Pros: the Shure SE535 Special Edition are providing good value for the price (not excellent since they're really expensive) and provide an amazing mid-centered experience (neutral sound lovers, leave immediately) with great separation, good bass and treble. Bass is not on par with excellent dynamic driver IEMs but on par with other triple BAs IEMs like UM3X. Translucid red casings rock!
 
-Cons: Treble sound natural but could be more forward (to be EQ-ed up). Cables just suck (shi**y light grey, earguides are NOT functional and can't be removed easily). Warranty is one year only (2 years with usual models).
 
 
 
Final note: this is the second time I receive Shure IEMs in boxes with no seal. Don't know if this is normal or not. Given the sound quality, I'm not suspecting fakes but this is a bit surprising. Can anyone confirm or not if their Shure boxes were sealed on arrival ?
 

 

[Xstream]

As a Shure SE535 owner i'm now thinking about adding an mobile headphone amp to give it a little more kick to it. 
Would this be an improvement? I've read many times that a high-end phone doesn't benefit that much from an amp?
If so, are there any tips and experiences with amps i.c.w. the SE535's?

 

[spkrs01]

Very nice review!!!
 
Adding a Baldur mk2 cable into the mix will correct all the cons of the 535 LE. It will make the red 535 an all conquering universal IEM. With this 3rd party cable, the mids are reined back and the bass and treble are enhanced. I really cannot emphasize how great the red 535 sounds.
 
I have tried many cables and can only recommend the Baldur mk2 with most 3rd party cables being rather detrimental sound wise. Copper is definitely a No No making the 535 sound too harsh and thick. Very expensive cables such as pure silver/gold mix softens the sound too much although very euphonic and relaxing. Whilst silver cables increase nuance but sounds too fast plus you lose out on the richness of unamped live music?! The Baldur mk2 is a copper/silver mix.
 
Adding an amp increases the quality of the sound even more especially the bass and staging. However, if one is adding an amp please have a 3.3mm i/c made in the same cable as the IEM for better synergy.
 
 
Quote:

I received the SE535 Special Edition a few days ago (from Accessoryjack), so I'm still assessing these and A/B-ing against FX700/UM3X/EPH-100, but so far I'm impressed, much more than I was but my previous SE420.
I agree with most of your review, except for a few specific things that I'll cover now:
 
1) Build quality: they look awesome in red, but the casing is very similar in shape to UM3X (nozzles are a bit more broad and angled on the Shures, which is slightly better for my ears and to secure the tips). Casing finish is better than on Westones. But I'll be honest, the cables are a huge DISAPPOINTMENT. The light grey just looks like white cables full of dust. Shure, please chose clear, black or white, but grey just looks like some cheap computer cable!!! Second thing: the earguides are USELESS, they don't keep the shape you try to give them with the flimsy metal wire you can see inside. And they're not removable (unless you like to play with scalpels). If the custom-made cables for the SE535 were not so expensive, I would buy one right now (I may do so in the end)!

 
2) Instrument separation: well I start with this because this is what I expect the most when I evaluate IEMs. I wasn't sure about Underhysteria statement, but I can confirm, these babies separate better than UM3X (and EPH-100), especially in the mids, which is not a small feat. Really impressive how you can isolate and locate each instrument. This may be seen as totally alien by people loving more "naturally presented music" (especially if you already don't like that with the UM3X).

 
3) Soundstage: well this is always a difficult one, since you have to judge both depth (the distance thing) and spatialization (2D imaging, since height is not really a dimension for headphones). Well, I did not really a big difference in depth between the SE535Red, the UM3X and the EPH-100, they all put you very close to the scene, while FX700 put you a bit further and IE8 put you much further from the scene. Personally I like intimacy so Shures are fine with me. For spatialization, I would put SE535Red and EPH-100 in front, very good instrument placement around you. UM3X and FX700 are a bit behind, but not by much.

 
4) Bass: well, I would put SE535Red and UM3X on the same stand, bass is ok, present, but a bit too tamed for the dynamic driver fan which sleeps within me. Bass punch and impact is definitely better with the EPH-100 and even stronger with the FX700 (nearly bass-head level). Ok, I'll be fair, this can be 80% corrected with a bit of EQ-ing, so no big harm, I'm not a bass-head.

 
5) Mids: the main dish! As usual, you can expect forward mids with Shure. What makes so good with the SE535Red is that since seperation is excellent, vocals and guitar suddenly become crystal-clear and so intimate. Same quality as the EPH-100 but even better clarity. UM3X mids are less forward and clear (but not recessed either). FX700 are very clear but even less present (slightly recessed despite their quality). In the end, it is a matter of taste. V-shape lovers will hate the Shures. I personally EQ-ed the mids very slightly down, but not by much, just enough so they are only a bit more forward than with the EPH-100.

 
6) Treble: as stated by Underhysteria, they're not the SE535Red forte (and I don't have the normal SE535 to compare with). Treble are clear, in decent amount, but far from the quality you get from FX700. They're more natural than with EPH-100 (which is a bit dry). Unlike Underhysteria, I like the treble of the UM3X a lot, I find them smooth and natural and tend to boost them a bit. Cymbals for instance are better on the UM3X, but SE535Red is still doing a more than decent job in the area.

 
7) Comfort: the usual drill: either you have small/medium ear size, and you'll find the Shures and Westones equally excellent, especially with foams and silicone olives. If you have (like me) very big ears, NONE of the provided tips except the large silicone olives will give you a proper fit/seal... In this area, IEMs with smaller casings like EPH-100 or sitting nearly outside the ears like FX700 will be more universal, since they can be inserted with many different angles, so I don't need tips as big as with Shures to have a good fit.

 
8) Isolation: amazing with Shures and Westones when equipped with triple flange tips, IF you can bear the "ear-raping" feeling. Isolation with single flange tips or foams is average to good. EPH-100 again provide both comfort and isolation more universally (closed driver, excellent double flange tips, providing isolation close to Shure triple flange). FX700 are virtualy non-isolant, being open and inserted in a shallow manner. With my big ears, I can only use the large silicone olives to reach a proper seal with Shures/Westones, so isolation is worse than EPH-100.

 
Summary:
-Pros: the Shure SE535 Special Edition are providing good value for the price (not excellent since they're really expensive) and provide an amazing mid-centered experience (neutral sound lovers, leave immediately) with great separation, good bass and treble. Bass is not on par with excellent dynamic driver IEMs but on par with other triple BAs IEMs like UM3X. Translucid red casings rock!
 
-Cons: Treble sound natural but could be more forward (to be EQ-ed up). Cables just suck (shi**y light grey, earguides are NOT functional and can't be removed easily). Warranty is one year only (2 years with usual models).
 
 
 
Final note: this is the second time I receive Shure IEMs in boxes with no seal. Don't know if this is normal or not. Given the sound quality, I'm not suspecting fakes but this is a bit surprising. Can anyone confirm or not if their Shure boxes were sealed on arrival ?
 

 

 

[maverickronin]

Quote:

As a Shure SE535 owner i'm now thinking about adding an mobile headphone amp to give it a little more kick to it. 
Would this be an improvement? I've read many times that a high-end phone doesn't benefit that much from an amp?
If so, are there any tips and experiences with amps i.c.w. the SE535's?

It depends on your current source.  Some can benefit a lot more than others.  What kind of player are you using with them now?