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Shure SE535 review
It's been a good, long while since we visited the upper rungs of Shure's in-ear monitor lineup (about four years, to be exact), and for good reason: the E500 / SE530 was already a stellar product that the company was understandably in no rush to replace. Of course, for the heart-stopping $500 they commanded, buyers had every right to expect aural perfection -- just as they do with the new SE535 that replaces them. Price? Still $500, of course. Read on to find out exactly how Juno Reactor sounds after you've been relieved of half a grand. %Gallery-100291%
Five Gifts for the Mac AV Geek
'Tis the season to be buying. But what do you get for that special geek in your life? I can't speak for your geek, but I know what I'm asking Santa for this year – I just hope he's a TUAW reader. Whether he is or not, maybe going through my list will give you an idea on how to max out your credit card spread some holiday cheer this year. Dear Santa, I've been a good boy this year. I've cut back on the booze, and they don't greet me by name at the strip club anymore. So instead of a stocking full of coal, could you find it in your heart to bring me one or more of the following items on the night before Christmas? I know it's a long flight to New Zealand from the North Pole, but you've got to admit, at least the weather down here is waaaay better than in Cleveland this time of year. First of all, I'd like a shiny new 802.11n Airport Express. I like my Time Capsule (when it's not being a recalcitrant piece of junk), but the 5GHz wireless signal doesn't reach from my living room all the way back to my office. With an Airport Express, I'd be able to extend the wireless signal from my Time Capsule to the other side of the house and geek away in privacy. That way my wife won't have to grit her teeth every five minutes when the theme from Metroid goes off at 80 decibels and tells me I got a new e-mail. And since the Airport Express is 802.11n-enabled, I'd still be able to back up my data to the Time Capsule at a brisk pace. I'd also like these Shure SE115m+ earphones. I've been using a set of Shure E2cs for about three years now, and I love them, but the one big advantage the SE115m+ has is the controls built into the cord that would allow me to pause, play, and skip through tracks on my iPhone. I'd also be able to take calls, and it even has a built-in microphone. Santa, if I had these earphones I'd be able to put those white earbuds that came with my iPhone into a drawer and never look at them again, and that would make me a very happy boy indeed. You know how I like to shoot HD video, right Santa? But not those kinds of videos, because that would get me on the naughty list. My MacBook Pro does a good job of encoding video – it works pretty close to real-time – but if I had an Elgato Turbo.264 HD Video Encoder, it would go so much faster. Like 3-4 times faster. That way I could spend less time waiting for videos to encode and more time drinking helping old ladies across the street. If I'd been a really good boy this year, like if I'd won the Nobel Peace Prize or employee of the month at TUAW, I'd ask for a bona fide guitar amplifier. But since I haven't been that good, I'd settle for a Zoom G2.1U Guitar Effects Pedal with USB interface. This thing will simulate all kinds of guitar effects for me, and it'll plug right into my MacBook Pro. So far playing my guitar through Garageband has been an acceptable substitute for a real, live amplifier, but the one thing I definitely miss is all my effects pedals. Garageband includes lots of neat software effects that simulate pedals, but you can't stomp on them to switch them on and off. I know – I've tried. Last thing, Santa: if none of those other things will fit in your bag, could you just get me a big, fat iTunes gift card? I've got nearly US$120 worth of songs I want to upgrade to iTunes Plus so I can stop worrying about DRM nonsense on my previous purchases and get higher-quality music in the process. Thanks Santa. Next year I promise to be more helpful and honest and say fewer naughty words about New Zealand's telecommunications companies.
Shure introduces three new sets of cans for pros and poseurs
Sure, you know Shure, the audio company best known in the consumer realm for its line of high-end, in-ear buds. The company's moving out, introducing three new over-the-ear headsets said to offer "professional" audio quality at prices that are a fraction of some of the other cans we've seen lately. The SRH240 are the lowest-end, intended for "consumer listening devices" (i.e. that knock-off MP3 player you got down on Canal Street) and expected to sell for under $60. Next up is the SRH440, positioned for console and DJ use, and available for under $100. Finally there's the high-end SRH840, featuring "reference-quality frequence response" and plenty of other hyperbolic traits for a retail price of $199.99. The three should cover most listeners' budgets and, while the demure styling won't win over the Skullcandy crowd, anyone looking for a solid value in listening isolation will surely want to tune in when these hit the streets the next few weeks.
Shure wants to bring microphones to your USB port
Whether you choose a direct USB microphone or you're an audio-specialist XLR type, Shure has you covered on getting that audio routed to your computer's USB port. The PG27USB and PG42USB are direct-to-USB condenser microphones with a cardiod pickup pattern -- pick the $199 PG27USB for a flat response or the $249 PG42USB if vocals are your thing. Like we've seen from other devices, the $129 X2u will marry your favorite XLR-type mic to your USB port with zero-latency, phantom power and headphone monitoring. The Shure name is well-trusted in microphones, but check the full details after the break if you're still not, um, sure.
Shure debuts colorful new $99 SE115 earphones
It's not exactly the first time Shure has dipped into sub-$100 territory with its earphones, but it looks like its new SE115 earphones could well attract a bit more attention than the company's other budget offerings, and not just because they're available in four snazzy colors. According to Shure, these sound-isolating phones make use of a new "breakthrough" dynamic driver that promises to deliver better sound than was previously possible in such a small form factor, with the usual Shure fit kit ensuring that the earphones fit just right. It seems that you'll have to wait a bit longer to actually judge 'em for yourselves, however, as they'll only be available at some unspecified point this spring.
Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic bundled with Shure SE210 earphones in Hong Kong
As you can probably tell from the naming convention used on Nokia's 5800 XpressMusic, this here phone was designed with music playback in mind. Shocking, we know. That being the case, we're not surprised to see this here Nokia / Shure bundle surface in Hong Kong, and honestly, we're a little surprised it took this long. The special edition kit will come packaged with one handset and one set of Shure SE210 earphones, and it's expected to go on sale today for around $620. Too bad you'll have to jet to Hong Kong and drop by the currency conversion joint to actually snag one.[Via The Nokia 5800 Blog]
Shure introduces $99 SE102MPA stereo headset
Shure slipped under the $100 mark with its regular earphones some time ago, and it's now brought its stereo headsets into the more budget-friendly territory as well, with its new SE102MPA sound isolating headset boasting the magic price tag of $99.99. This set is actually a bundle of Shure's new SE102 earphones and its standard Music Phone Adapter (or MPA), which used to cost a hefty $40 on its own, making the set quite the bargain as far as Shure products go. As you'd expect, the phones also come with three interchangeable sleeves to ensure a proper fit, and a handy carrying pouch to keep everything neat and tidy. If the low-end's not your thing, you'll also be glad to know that Shure has a slew of other earphone / MPA bundles available as well, with them ranging in price from $130 to $470 for the top-end SE530MPA set.
Shure busts out $99 SE110 earphones
Those put off by the high prices of Shure's earphones now have a slightly lower barrier of entry, with the company's new SE110 buds coming in just under the $100 mark, apparently making them the cheapest Shure phones to date. Of course, you'll have to put up with a few comprises -- namely, one driver instead of the usual two or three -- but you will get Shure's trademark "Balanced MicroSpeaker" technology, as well as an accessory package of sleeves, a cleaning tool, and a carrying case. According to IGN, the jack on the earphones is also small enough to use with an iPhone without an adapter, in case that's a top concern for you. Look for these to be available from all the usual sources on September 17th.
Peripheral vision
Peripherals for the iPhone started with a trickle at Apple and AT&T bricks and mortar stores, but are now building to a deluge as the handsets find there way into pockets across the nation. We thought in this "case" it would be somehow "fitting" (see what we did there? two puns in a row, we are off to an illustrious start) that the inaugural Peripheral Vision features what most users will likely grab first: cases, cases and more cases. Of course, we had to pitch in at least one non case-related item and found a sweet adapter that's "Shure" to fit the bill.
Shure's MPA-3c converts headphones to headsets
Shure -- a company with a long tradition of both excellent headphones and questionable accessories -- is introducing a new iPhone-targeted add-on into its stable called the MPA-3c. The gist of this adapter is that you can plug your high-fidelity Shure earphones into it and magically turn them into a headset for use with a cellphone (oh, and they claim that it delivers "rock star" quality audio). Essentially, $39.99 will get you a microphone and a send/end button that matches your iPhone.
Shure headphones contest winners!
We've got some winners from last week's Shure headphones contest. Ready? Holding your breath! Here they are: Illtron -SE530 Christopher Johnston - SE420 Chinman - SE310 Winners have already been contacted. Thanks to everyone who entered, and don't worry if you aren't listed in the three above, we've got some more killer contests coming up soon.P.S. -Expect to see the winners of the mascot contest in the very near future!
Win yourself some Shure headphones!
Ok, so why should Engadget Mobile get to have all the giveaways, eh? We've got some top o' the line Shure headphones to give away up in here: in order left to right above, the triple driver mack daddy SE530 ($450 MSRP), double driver SE420 ($400 MSRP), and single driver SE310 ($250 MSRP). You probably know how good high end Shures get, so here's your chance to take a pair home. We've got one of each, which you can enter to win by leaving a comment below -- just tell us what you plan to listen to on these bad boys, and you'll be entered. Do mind the rules though, ok?A few rules (yeah, there are always rules): You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) In other words, be careful when commenting and don't submit more than once, ok? The prize is open to US entrants only. Sorry world, we didn't make that rule! Contest is open until 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, May 27st. P.S. -Those Engadget mobile giveaways again: Helio Ocean, T-Mobile Wing, Samsung UpStage
The 2006 Engadget Awards: Vote for Wearable Device of the Year
Now's your chance to cast your ballot for the 2006 Wearable Device of the Year! Our Engadget Awards nominees are listed below, and you've got until 11.59PM EST on Sunday, April 15th to file your vote. You can only vote once, so make it count, and may the best tech win! The nominees: Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth headset, HAL-5 robotic suit, Motorola / Oakley O ROKR, Nike + iPod, Shure E500PTH, and Sony Ericsson MBW-100 Bluetooth watch. %Poll-233%
Shure shows off its new SE210, SE310, SE420 and SE530 earphones
Those audio crazies over at Shure have some new ear candy for you, of the in-the-ear variety. The four new SE headphones weigh about an ounce apiece, and should all do a plenty good job at sound isolation. In the "low end" are the SE210 cans, which retail for $150 and feature a single (read: boring) Hi-Definition MicroSpeaker for kicking out the highs and lows. Next up are the SE310 rockers, which feature a "Tuned BassPort" for enhancing the lows, but'll cost you $250 for the privilege. The SE420 headphones bump it up to the next level, with dedicated tweeter and woofers for a more accurate and a hefty $350 pricetag, while the SE530 crank it to 11 with dual woofers and an internal crossover to keep those highs and lows for bumping into each other. Of course, the $450 pricetag is rather x-treem, and you'll probably need ears of gold to discern some of the differences, but you audiophiles know who you are. An optional push-to-hear accessory is available for all four headphones to let you tune into the outside world when it suites you. You can pick one of these up in February, start saving those pennies.
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Hands-on with Shure's audiophile-friendly E500PTH
If you happen to bump into us on the street in the next few days and we can't make out a word you're saying, well, here's why -- we recently had the opportunity to spend plenty of quality time with Shure's latest pride and joy, their flagship E500PTH earphones. Shure's been talking up the E500 for the better part of this year as a "new paradigm" in personal sound, but audioheads (with the prerequisite $500 to burn, that is) have only been able to find 'em in the retail channel for a few weeks now. Much like the E5c before it, Shure bills the E500 as the be-all, end-all solution to portable reference-quality sound reproduction, thanks in no small part to the three -- count 'em, three drivers in each bud. But unlike the E5c, the E500 has an arguably more compelling trick up its sleeve: its unique push-to-hear (PTH) module, which allows the wearer to switch between audio input and ambient sound at the flick of a switch. While our poor, buzzing ears are recovering from the constant barrage of sweet sounds they received in the name of conducting a proper writeup, we figure we'd hunker down and actually get this thing written, so read on for our full pictorial review.
Shure ships E500PTH sound isolating earphones
You want boasting rights and flattering amounts of auditory detail? Look no further than Shure's E500PTH, what's shaping up to be the most hyped and wildly anticipated (or so we're led to believe) earphones of the season. Oh, did we mention they're finally shipping? Sorry kids, only in the UK for now. We spotted these flagship 'buds at CES and now Shure obviously intends to deliver, albeit a few months later than expected. Housing two woofer drivers and one tweeter, the design promises to "change personal audio the way HDTV changed television" (saywha?). Easily among the most elaborate of assurances we've heard, the E500PTH has a lot to prove: the Push-to-Hear (no, this isn't the flipside of PTT) technology lowers music volume to let "environmental ambiance" (um, noise?) seep in, while flipping a switch activates a "so real, you're there" vibe providing two ways to groove. If style's your thing, the E500PTH sports a black and chrome outfit and maintains a low-profile while blocking up to 37db of outside interference (until you hit the PTH switch, of course). If you're ready to hear the touted "revolution" in sound, listen up: this aural pleasure won't come cheap. For the Brits who can grab these immediaitely, it'll cost you £419, while Americans must await a late-July ship date to drop their $500.
