Today I've compared for an hour the 846s, the Andromeda and the Atlas, and I have to say that the Shures 846 are still really amazing.
For me the Andros are the best if we focus only in sound: very resolving and detailed, neutral but not boring at all, very open from left to right and probably the best highs I've never heard in any IEM.
The Atlas are worst of the three in my opinion: a bit dark for my tastes, with less presence in the mids, a bit congested from left to right (although with good depth feeling), too relaxed (even if in theory the highs extend more than in the 846s, they sound quieter). I didn't like it too much for their price.
Then the 846s (which I have for almost 4 years), yes they don't sound as detailed as the Andros, but they are close; the highs don't extend so far, but good enough to feel the details and avoid congestion, in fact I prefer the highs of the 846 for vocal music, because they don't dristract me and many times they sound a bit more... organic; they are not so open from left to right like the Andros, but they give me a bigger 3D feeling; they are more resolving than the Atlas as well; and really important, I can listen the Shures for hours (Andros are a bit agressive, and Atlast sounds boring for me).
Now, what it makes the Shures great compared with the other two is the combination of fit, seal and sound. I love the Andros, really love them, but after 20 days trying I can not use them for more than an hour, they don't dissapear in my ears like the Shures do. Isolation in the Andros is good, but in the 846s is just fantastic. Atlas is more comfortable for me than the Andros, but the sound is not my style, I miss some detail and air.
So after experiment with these guys, I will keep using the Shures 846. For now is without a doubt the best IEM I've tried considering all the factors. So returning the Andromedas, at this price I need to put a check in all the boxes and only the Shures do this.
I went through pretty much the same comparisons (minus the Atlas, they were not out at the time) between Andro, and a few other TOTL IEMs vs. SE846 and ended up with the 846
again. Yes, you read that correctly. This is my 2nd time owning these great IEMs. First time was back in 2013-14. I sold them due to lack of use and a hiatus from the hobby overall.
My decision was based on :
1. Fit, comfort. I haven't found another pair that I could fall asleep with them on.
2. Known and proven build quality and track record
3. The sound quality was still excellent in comparison to current TOTL IEMs. They also take EQ well.
4. 846 are great band monitors. I haven't found a pair I like better when I am on drums. Female vocals don't scream into your ears. True that male vocals might need a couple dB on the high end but it's not always the case.
5. For $500 used this 2nd round of ownership, it was a no brainer decision for me. I did not have a single reason to go for any other IEMs.
Shure IEMs have always been very popular in the pro audio community, I have had 215, 535 before 846. Believing the 535 are better than 846 mainly because of some technicality measurements, IMO, is just pure ignorance. It's like I can always say my wife's Toyota Prius measurements are better than an Evo in all aspects, except for speed/acceleration (cheaper, better gas mileage, greener...etc...)
Ask yourself why people still listen to vinyl and pay top $$$$ for a vinyl system and why tube amps are still the holy grail for many audiophiles. For sure, the reasons are not because these measure technically better. Audio has always been and will be a very subjective hobby so let's stop throwing measurements around as the only basis to judge a product, even though measurements could surely be a necessary deciding factor to be considered. It's kind of funny to start seeing just about everybody could hear "the difference" after seeing frequency response charts and distortion measurements. Please be honest with yourself and no, you don't need to be able to hear measurements to be an audiophile or enjoy your music.
Also, I recently purchased the Focal Clear. I chose the Clear over Utopia. Once again, technicality, Utopia surely measure better but just did not sound right to my ears and preference.
For anyone considering buying the 846, I would recommend them without any hesitation. However, I would not buy them at the full retail price. Go the used route. At $450 to $500 used, these won't disappoint.
