 "Is an earphone worth $ 1,250?")
Is a pair of headphones worth $1,250? Shure thinks so. The company, a manufacturer of consumer and professional audio electronics, recently introduced its SE846 Sound-Isolating Earphones with that eye-popping price tag. But once you get past the sticker shock, the SE846 in-ear headphones do have a lot to offer.
The company has long been known for its engineering expertise. And the new headphones show off the company's latest technology with a transparent shell, exposing micro drivers and a low-pass filter, which Shure says provides "true subwoofer performance."
The headphones offer tailored listening with three interchangeable nozzles - "balanced," "bright" and "warm" - that focus on different aspects of music. The bright and warm nozzles emphasise the high and low frequencies, but I was happy with the balanced nozzle, which comes preinstalled.
The ergonomic design provides a comfortable fit, although it takes a few tries to get a proper alignment. I had to stand in front of a mirror each time to make sure I was doing it right. Several foam tips for the earbuds are included to ensure a tight seal and block outside noise. Other accessories include two Kevlar-reinforced cables (also transparent) and a hard-shell carrying case to keep it all tidy.
All that engineering really pays off; the sound is stellar, with clear vocals and a strong bass. My ears buzzed with excitement, hearing new nuances in my favourite songs, even though I was listening to compressed digital music stored on my iPhone and laptop - an experience, I imagine, that is akin to watching standard-definition programs on a high-definition TV.
As much as I loved hearing new layers in my music, I found the SE846 experience unnecessarily complicated. Fitting the headphones in my ears took too long, and afterward, I was too distracted about keeping them there. Putting my glasses on or wrapping a scarf around my neck without disturbing the headphones took diligence, and I certainly wasn't taking them off to answer the phone. I like my headphones to be fun and easy, and I got tired of fussing with the SE846.
The SE846 Sound-Isolating Earphones offer amazing sound, and they will appeal to audiophiles with money to burn, but I'm not entirely convinced they are worth the price.
The company has long been known for its engineering expertise. And the new headphones show off the company's latest technology with a transparent shell, exposing micro drivers and a low-pass filter, which Shure says provides "true subwoofer performance."
The headphones offer tailored listening with three interchangeable nozzles - "balanced," "bright" and "warm" - that focus on different aspects of music. The bright and warm nozzles emphasise the high and low frequencies, but I was happy with the balanced nozzle, which comes preinstalled.
The ergonomic design provides a comfortable fit, although it takes a few tries to get a proper alignment. I had to stand in front of a mirror each time to make sure I was doing it right. Several foam tips for the earbuds are included to ensure a tight seal and block outside noise. Other accessories include two Kevlar-reinforced cables (also transparent) and a hard-shell carrying case to keep it all tidy.
All that engineering really pays off; the sound is stellar, with clear vocals and a strong bass. My ears buzzed with excitement, hearing new nuances in my favourite songs, even though I was listening to compressed digital music stored on my iPhone and laptop - an experience, I imagine, that is akin to watching standard-definition programs on a high-definition TV.
As much as I loved hearing new layers in my music, I found the SE846 experience unnecessarily complicated. Fitting the headphones in my ears took too long, and afterward, I was too distracted about keeping them there. Putting my glasses on or wrapping a scarf around my neck without disturbing the headphones took diligence, and I certainly wasn't taking them off to answer the phone. I like my headphones to be fun and easy, and I got tired of fussing with the SE846.
The SE846 Sound-Isolating Earphones offer amazing sound, and they will appeal to audiophiles with money to burn, but I'm not entirely convinced they are worth the price.
© 2013 The New York Times