I just received my Shure SE535 from Electronics-expo. I have the Shure SE425 and Etymotic ER4P. I'm listening to the 535's right now out of MacBook Pro and I've tried all 3 out of iPhone 3 GS, too, all with Apple Lossless files.
I've gone back and forth listening to The Punch Brothers' Alex, Missy, and Rye Whiskey; and Patricia Barber's Light My Fire, Silent Partner, and Too Rich For My Blood. I love all 3 earphones, but I prefer the Shure sound signature the most, and the 535's are the best of the three to my ears. The Bass is tight, deep, and fast without over-powering the mids or highs. The Mids are simply wonderful. The highs are crisp without harshness and plenty of air. The soundstage is wider than the 425 and Ety's by a bit, maybe. They are definitely not veiled or muffled to me, by any means. They are balanced, full, sweet, clear, and non-fatiguing. They are also more clear, with wider extension top and bottom, than the 425's, but I love the 425's and Ety's, too.
If I had only one of the three, I'd be happy but I think I will be spending a lot of quality time with the 535's. I'm sorry you're not having a good experience and hope you can solve the problem. Maybe try different sources and file types? Maybe they are defective? Did you get them from an authorized Shure dealer? Maybe you just don't like the Shure sound signature?
If you want a more treble-centric sound signature, try the Etymotic ER4P. They don't extend as deeply into the bass range, but the bass is present and fast; they are very accurate and flat, without adding anything.
Good luck. Let us know how it works out for you.
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Just got a set of SE535s. I think I need some help.
They don't sound clear. Highs are not very present, they sound extremely relaxed.
The sound stage seems very confined. Midrange is strong. Bass seems OK. But overall clarity doesnt seem there.
I think I'm getting a good seal. I can hear myself loudly and I can hear my heartbeat.
Is this just a characteristic of them? I've tried all the tips that they came with.
Some seem to work a little better than others except the white ones and large ones. They don't work at all for me.