Gadgetwise: Review: Shure SE846 Sound-Isolating Earphones

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 emphasize 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 favorite 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.