Shure 215 in-ears, am I missing something?
- Thread starter bermuda
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Update on my in-ears...
In order to be fair to the product, I took them on the gig in question and diligently used them the whole night. The "quiet stage" really wasn't implemented as I thought it might be, everyone had their amps and there was no drum shield. Only the floor monitors had been eliminated, which cut the vocals and misc instruments in the wedges, reducing the stage volume a little. It's hard to imagine what significant effect that had on the house mix, but that's not my call. Basically, in order to hear the vocals and a desirable instrument balance, we had to wear ears/phones.
The sound was still poor, and not any real isolation. I will rationalize the poor isolation as acceptable since I didn't have to remove them at any point - I could hear song names and other comments perfectly well with them in. In fact I initially had them in my ears during the first break, I sorta forgot they were there because they didn't hamper my hearing at all.
However, when I did remove and re-insert on subsequent breaks, they were a bit difficult to manage. The earpieces swivel 360° and were a little tricky to get into the correct position. I even tried inserting the wrong piece into my ear because I couldn't see the orientation and the red (right) and blue (left) dots are pretty small.
I stand by my initial assessment of these: they're awful. And while $99 (+tax) isn't really a lot of money, I feel this was an expensive lesson. There are better uses for that money. To those of you who can make these work, I salute you. But I won't be using them again, however I may keep the pouch. On future gigs there I'll use my headphones, and maybe bring along the $5 Coby buds to see how they fare on the job.
A note to Shure: stick to microphones!
In order to be fair to the product, I took them on the gig in question and diligently used them the whole night. The "quiet stage" really wasn't implemented as I thought it might be, everyone had their amps and there was no drum shield. Only the floor monitors had been eliminated, which cut the vocals and misc instruments in the wedges, reducing the stage volume a little. It's hard to imagine what significant effect that had on the house mix, but that's not my call. Basically, in order to hear the vocals and a desirable instrument balance, we had to wear ears/phones.
The sound was still poor, and not any real isolation. I will rationalize the poor isolation as acceptable since I didn't have to remove them at any point - I could hear song names and other comments perfectly well with them in. In fact I initially had them in my ears during the first break, I sorta forgot they were there because they didn't hamper my hearing at all.
However, when I did remove and re-insert on subsequent breaks, they were a bit difficult to manage. The earpieces swivel 360° and were a little tricky to get into the correct position. I even tried inserting the wrong piece into my ear because I couldn't see the orientation and the red (right) and blue (left) dots are pretty small.
I stand by my initial assessment of these: they're awful. And while $99 (+tax) isn't really a lot of money, I feel this was an expensive lesson. There are better uses for that money. To those of you who can make these work, I salute you. But I won't be using them again, however I may keep the pouch. On future gigs there I'll use my headphones, and maybe bring along the $5 Coby buds to see how they fare on the job.
A note to Shure: stick to microphones!
BGDurham
Silver Member
It's possible earwax and ear hair may affect the fit and function of earbuds. When I began using in-ears 3 years ago I also started managing both. About once a week I put a few drops of olive oil in each ear and let it sit for ten minutes. This helps the wax flow more easily. About once a month I use a ear/nose hair trimmer to get rid of the little tufts. After seeing what comes out of my son's ears I know wax could be a real issue for some people.
Stroman
Diamond Member
That's too bad, Bermuda.
I am beginning to doubt myself now as to whether my old Shures are 215s at all. Your description of them doesn't really match mine. It would also explain why the new tips won't fit mine.
I just checked again, and there is no model number marked on mine at all, as far as I can see. They just say Shure. The packaging is long gone, but I thought they were 215s. Sadly, I don't trust my memory about such things any more.
I am beginning to doubt myself now as to whether my old Shures are 215s at all. Your description of them doesn't really match mine. It would also explain why the new tips won't fit mine.
I just checked again, and there is no model number marked on mine at all, as far as I can see. They just say Shure. The packaging is long gone, but I thought they were 215s. Sadly, I don't trust my memory about such things any more.
DrumDoug
Senior Member
I had the opposite experience using my 215s this weekend. It’s the first time I’ve used my in ears in over a year. For the first gig I used my Alclair custom molds. They don’t sound bad but they don’t have much low end. For the second gig I switched to my 215s and there was a huge difference. They had a much fuller sound with more low end. The lesser amount of isolation also helped me hear what was going on on stage. I don’t think people take ear shape into account as much they should. Different shapes might work better for different people. I have shallow ears that bend quickly. The audiologist had trouble making molds for my customs. He couldn’t get them to Alclair’s specs. Alclair took my molds and my money and made them anyway. Mine don’t look like other custom molds I’ve seen. I think that’s why they don’t sound good. It may be why the 215s fit better and sound better to me.
PorkPieGuy
Platinum Member
I think it really depends on what you're used to. If you are used to used high-end IEM's or those big over-the-ear things with tons of bass response, they are probably going to sound pretty bad. I've always liked the way the 215's sound.
After using 215's for many years, I ended buying a set of triple-driver Westones, and they were pretty good. I then turned around and bought some of those CCA 6-driver IEM's from Amazon for like $50 as a back-up set of monitors. One day, I sat in my car during my lunch break, and for a solid hour I A/B/C'ed the Westone, the Shure, and the CCA, and the CCA won out, and these are the ones I primarily use now.
I can't find new tips for them because there is a size difference. The Shure/Westone tips' holes are too small.
Shure has been making the 215's for a while. I wonder if they are making them cheaper now than they were?
After using 215's for many years, I ended buying a set of triple-driver Westones, and they were pretty good. I then turned around and bought some of those CCA 6-driver IEM's from Amazon for like $50 as a back-up set of monitors. One day, I sat in my car during my lunch break, and for a solid hour I A/B/C'ed the Westone, the Shure, and the CCA, and the CCA won out, and these are the ones I primarily use now.
I can't find new tips for them because there is a size difference. The Shure/Westone tips' holes are too small.
Shure has been making the 215's for a while. I wonder if they are making them cheaper now than they were?
eric_B
Senior Member
I wondered about that as well, mine are around 14 years old and stil sound great to me.
For reference, I have a good set of Dynaudio monitors in my home studio.
I tried those CCA-6 as well but couldn't get a good fit, even after buying other eartips.
IEM's can be great but are pretty much useless if they don't fit well.
jaykaydrums
Silver Member
i dont rate them, tried them and they sound like cheap generic earphones with a single driver to my ears.
I'm used to the good stuff and cheap ear buds. The 215s sound like cheap ear buds, but at a much higher cost. If I had only wasted $20, it wouldn't be such a big deal. And, I'll bet I could return them to Target, Big Lots, CVS, anywhere but a musician-oriented store. I'm disappointed with Shure AND Guitar Center.
paulwellsdrums
Member
I recently used IEMs for a dance production choreographed by Twyla Tharp that rehearsed and ran for about a month. I have molded Westone IE60s, and universal fit Westone W60s, but since I had to leave gear at the venue, I decided to use the Shure SE215s that the production provided. I was surprised at how much I liked them. They won’t win any audiophile awards (although many audiophile/head-fi enthusiasts LOVE the flagship SE846) but they fit me well and isolated just enough. My biggest complaint, as Bermuda mentioned, is the red and blue indicators for left and right are impossibly tiny to use onstage.
I will add that I’ve found many IEM fit, isolation, and sound issues can be improved by experimenting with third party IEM tips. Comply is one of the best known companies, but there are many others. There are many different sizes and materials that can customize your fit with an IEM and perhaps make it more useable. It’s an added expense of course, but maybe worth looking into.
I will add that I’ve found many IEM fit, isolation, and sound issues can be improved by experimenting with third party IEM tips. Comply is one of the best known companies, but there are many others. There are many different sizes and materials that can customize your fit with an IEM and perhaps make it more useable. It’s an added expense of course, but maybe worth looking into.
AudioWonderland
Silver Member
I used them with an xvive in ear wireless transmitter. I was playing guitar on these gigs but the drummer was right next to me. I barely cracked the volume. Had no trouble with getting them to seal. Maybe try one if the other size cushions?
I tried 4 of the 6 cushions that would fit, none were very good.
UPDATE: I ordered some Sony $20 earbuds from Amazon, which were on sale for $10. I kid you not, they sound the same as the Shures (or vice versa) and fit better. The only possible drawback is that the wires are flimsy by comparison, but I'm not trying to use them in vigorous situations or on tour. I'll just be a little careful (or maybe order a few spare pairs.)
If I dollar-cost-average the two purchases, instead of wasting $99, I've only wasted $55*. I feel so much better now!
* Okay, $54.50
PorkPieGuy
Platinum Member
I'm recanting this statement. I used two different pairs of 215's over the past week, and they do sound horrible, especially when compared to my $48 CCA's. I'm ordering another set of CCA's so I can use them at home.
GetAgrippa
Diamond Member
Sorry to interrupt the thread but I just saw an ad for this product-
www.audigolabs.com
Curious if anyone has experience with it and I wonder is it worth a toot?
Audigo - The pocket-size recording studio
Easily record great sounding audio and video anywhere.
www.audigolabs.com
PorkPieGuy
Platinum Member
Sorry to interrupt the thread but I just saw an ad for this product-
Curious if anyone has experience with it and I wonder is it worth a toot?Audigo - The pocket-size recording studio
Easily record great sounding audio and video anywhere.
I made a thread about these maybe a month or so ago with no response.
While these things looks like they would work well, they are really expensive (to me anyways), and I think you have to pay a subscription fee to use the app. At this price point, the app should give you unlimited uses. Forget it.