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PopZeus
386
Apr 27, 2017
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As someone who wasn't terribly impressed with the sound quality of the SE215 but loves the construction quality and ergonomics, are the SE535s a real upgrade in sound? I need punchier deep bass, cleaner mids, and smoother extended highs than what the SE215s provide. If these can bring the fidelity and fun while also keeping the same build and design then I might be convinced to throw down the money for a pair.
Apr 27, 2017
malvinvnv
81
Apr 27, 2017
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PopZeusWell, I can't say much, but I find myself enjoying the SE215 more when I EQ-ed the bass down low. The SE535 has mids and bass, but it has no clarity nor air whatsoever. The highs on this is really, and I can't emphasize more, recessed. If you're looking for more clarity and all, perhaps it's better to look elsewhere. Shure's BA offering is very very dark, lazy and recessed sounding. If you want something that fulfills this requirement at this pricing or less, you can try and take a look at Campfire Orions, or the ATH-IM02 (Or LS200 if you can't find it). Both are midcentric, with less punchy bass, but certainly a lot more clarity in the mids and treble.
If you got a budget at the MSRP, then perhaps you might want to look at 64 Audio's U4-SE offering on Massdrop, or the U3 directly from their site
Apr 27, 2017
mikdman
16
Apr 27, 2017
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malvinvnvassuming that you're using these w/ a proper headphone amplifier you'll get good sound even on the highs along w/ wonderful sound-stage
Apr 27, 2017
PopZeus
386
Apr 27, 2017
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malvinvnvI actually don't hate the frequency response of the SE215s. Yeah, there's a surprising lack of sub-bass and top-end treble but in broad strokes, I like this more than "neutral" or "bright" sound profiles. The issue with the SE215 is more about refinement. If the SE535 can deliver better bass, mids and treble, in addition to better detail, soundstage, and instrument separation, that would be worth the additional costs. In some ways, it reminds me of more unrefined version of the mid-centric Oppo PM-3, but with less scalability. I've burnt through so many cheap, great-sounding IEMs that just die after a year (at most). I'd be willing to spend extra if I can get that audio quality with exceptional manufacturing quality. After I save up some money. Hahaha.
Apr 27, 2017
malvinvnv
81
Apr 28, 2017
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mikdmanOn HA-2 SE bruh, still sound lifeless. And that's a good portable, bright sounding DAC/Amp, second only probably to Chord Mojo in terms Of quality
Apr 28, 2017
malvinvnv
81
Apr 28, 2017
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PopZeusIt will have a better quality of bass, mids and treble, but when the roll-off starts at 7k, you'll find that the 535 can sound dull (the 215 have a spike around that, before going down and raising up again on 9.5k and peaking on 10, roll-off after that). It is a much more refined IEM than the 215 can be since it's also Shure's upgrade path, but it's based off the old SE530 and runs with 3 BAs that are already very old and outclassed by many. Campfire Orion is one such thing. While being midcentric and only a 1 BA IEM, it's a lot more capable of microdetailing. It's also priced the same, has better measured FR range, and measures better in FR curves. I'mve tried both and can easily recommend the newer Campfires.
Then again, sound is a subjective thing. I'd say, find some place where you can audition everything and then decide from there
Apr 28, 2017
mikdman
16
Apr 28, 2017
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malvinvnvi run mine through an rnhp-1. i'm unsure if it's my pair specifically, but i don't find the roll off to be as strong as some people say. my top end seems to be fairly crisp throughout
Apr 28, 2017
malvinvnv
81
Apr 28, 2017
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mikdmanWhat's the OI on the amp? I heard that high OI can make a BA IEM sound brighter
The 535 is a 36 ohm IEM, so all of my DAC/Amp, and phones will probably make it sound darker since it's got OI less than 1/8 of the headphone impedance
Apr 28, 2017
mikdman
16
Apr 28, 2017
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malvinvnvi'm a little confused by this comment... your output impedance should be low, generally like .1Ω (ie my amp has .08 Ω impedance to limit frequency variation). overall though my amp has a very flat response and i don't find the highs to have too severe of a roll-off
Apr 28, 2017
malvinvnv
81
Apr 28, 2017
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mikdmanWell, your ears and mine are different and I think your comments and thoughts are as valid as mine. Audio is a subjective (and a bit of objective side) thing so no answer is the truth
Personally, I think that the 535 might be a capable headphone but it severely lacks updates that make the sound still relevant. If you find the FR curves online, and compare the raw responses with each other you'll actually find that it's 10 dB weaker at the 9k region. Now, this also might be my tendency to prefer a more balanced, perhaps even reference sounding signatures (I own an MSR7, which was well regarded as a bright headphones) and to me, I really prefer that it's more balanced.
The low OI helps, but it only goes as far as to eliminate the variances in impedance. And to me, at least, in this case I really want that extra variances to boost up the 9k onwards
The 535 might work well for you, but it certainly does not work well with what I usually listen. hotly mastered track would work well with these, but it dulls down oldies and many of jazz recordings. It eliminates the airiness and the sparkle too much for me to actually appreciate it as a technically capable IEM. Sorry about that
Apr 28, 2017
mikdman
16
Apr 29, 2017
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malvinvnvoh sure i totally agree. i was only confused about the matter regarding that your impedence is like a 16th of the headphones. that would make your low end sound blown. personally i use the 535 for jazz guitar and rhodes, i find them wonderful for the purpose. but again, you're totally right on the subjective matter.
Apr 29, 2017
childreyesque
72
Apr 29, 2017
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PopZeusYes, wall of fame monitors
Apr 29, 2017
professordumas
24
May 1, 2017
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PopZeusYou won't get punchier deep bass with the 535 compared to the 215. The bass is great, but the 535 is tuned flatter than the 215, which already bass heavy. I've got both.
May 1, 2017
Brandonlim
11
May 5, 2017
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PopZeusThe 215s isn't comparable to the others man
May 5, 2017
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