Thanks to the dedicated 200 Volt amp, you wont need to worry about impedance, and the unit packs up to 12 hours of performance per charge. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Is the product really as good as we thought? It was the pinnacle of Shures product lineup offering state-of-the-art performance with a rather high price tag. We play Radioheads Everything In Its Right Place and are astonished at the clarity on offer. I did use the APO equalizer and either measurements that this settings are based on are wrong or some other issue but looks like KSE tonal balance is no coincidence. Even in the nerdified halls of audiophilia, thats a gulp-inducing number. Go and buy a quantasylum qa401 for $450. Bass is deep, powerful and tightly controlled. Every instrumental track is rendered with precision and remains easy to follow, no matter how dense the production gets. The KSE1200 retains basic components of the KSE1500 package but now ships without the DAC. (Though, we admit KSE1200, take me away! just doesnt have the same ring.). Why you should buy the Hisense A6 Series Every headphones that I compare to them seems to me to be veiled, rounded, incomplete. Find out more about how we test. I can compare it to applying a hand to a flame at exactly the same distance where I can feel the heat but it is not physical pain yet. Don't sweat it, this Shure - KSE1200 comes with a 2 Year warranty from Shure that covers manufacturing defects. Then you can measure 2200vpp on any of the meters you desire. Like very good monitor speakers, the sound isn't 'instantly impressive' at all, but careful listening quickly reveals just how well balanced, and how revealing, these earphones are. Wondering if we could do even better, we end up with our reference Naim NDS/555PS music streamer combination feeding directly into the Shures (using a suitable adaptor cable). Like the KSE1500, the 1200 tout a claimed frequency response of 10Hz-50kHz, with a maximum SPL of 113 dB. The treble offers plenty of airiness, detail, and precision. Shure KSE1200 (pictured above) is the KSE1500 without the DAC for $1,000 less. Whereas ordinary earphones are plugged directly into the music source, these electrostatic earphones require a dedicated high-voltage amplifier to bias the transducer diaphragms. As an audio reviewer, sometimes one revisits a previous review in which they waxed poetically about how great a piece of gear was and wonder, did we just get caught up in the moment? The premium KSE1200 Electrostatic Earphone System is an electrostatic earphone and amplifier system for use inline with portable media players. A lot of people can attest to what I will say; many try the Shure KSE expecting no bass, but in fact it extends so deep it's incredible. Needless to say, electrostatic designs are more complex and the price is a reflection of that; the materials and manufacturing process are not inexpensive. On one end are the Lemo connector, an analog line-in jack, and a knurled volume knob that also acts as the power switch. Hidden under the earphones, which are presented neatly in a foam cradle, is a cardboard box containing sets of 'soft-flex' rubber, soft-foam, and triple-flange earbud sleeves, each of which come in three different sizes. It's like listening to music through broken oldschool telephone handset. The payoff is a headphones system that is among the most accurate weve ever encountered. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. The KSE1200s weaknesses, such as they are, can be traced to shortcomings inherent in their design. For a music source, I connected the amplifier to the headphone output of my Crookwood mastering console and, with the amplifier volume turned right down, I adjusted the Crookwood output level to get a steady green light on the level meter with no ambers. Thats where the KSE1200s come in. Though thats hardly a practical portable solution, it certainly shows us the Shures true range of abilities. Once you have the source sorted, theres little to complain about here sonically. Rotel Michi Series 2 amps boast new DACs and better sound, Tidal is introducing hi-res lossless FLAC but says the MQA catalogue will remain. 2. The specs also claim a maximum SPL of 113dB, at which point the total harmonic distortion reaches 3 percent (it may sound a lot, but it's really not in the context of loudspeakers!). The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the publishers. Shure SE846 Gen 2 Sound Isolating Earphones Review, Ultimate Ears UE Live Custom Fit IEM Review. The electrostatic driver used here is a wide-bandwidth design having a claimed frequency response of 10Hz-50kHz (though no roll-off limits are quoted). Yes, we realize the phrase quantum leap is equal parts tired clich and nostalgic 90s TV show, but it really is the best way to describe what Shure accomplished with its first electrostatic earbuds. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty. The KSE1500 has a four-band digital equalizer. I am coming from a dynamic driver that is more bass-oriented IEM; the Campfire Audio Atlas. Conventional IEMs also start to roll off in the top octave. And the high end is deliciously open and airy. . Summing Up A wire-loop cleaning tool is also included. Di m trm: i vi cc mu tai nghe trm tai s dng driver tnh in nh Stax, mt trong nhng c im ni bt ca loi driver ny khi ti to . Shure Earphones Shure Headphones Shure Earphones Shure Headphones Shure Incorporated was founded by S.N. It's also inherently driven across its entire surface to act as a true piston, and can reproduce the entire audio bandwidth, so there's no need for multiple drivers. If I go for the 1500 thats my entire budget gone for cans such as the lcd4z or possibly the stax 007mk2 but I would need to get the carbon to go with the 007s. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the Publishers. Its a pleasure to come across headphones that dont have the fashionable emphasis on bass frequencies. Good though they can be, none get anywhere near the pristinely precise, seamless and effortless quality of the KSE electrostatics. How long does it take to construct something that has not been done yet? The obvious question, then, is why hasn't this technology already taken over the monitor speaker and headphone market? All of these produce music in a less fatiguing way than their counterparts. When it comes to sheer analysis, we cant think of any better rival. With the KSE1200, any such concerns over our KSE1500 writeup dissolved the very instant we put the earphones in and pressed play. One of the best of that line, the Sony Bravia XR A90J OLED TV, is currently on sale at Best Buy. We suspect Shure would point you towards the talented four-driver SE846 (869) if this aspect concerns you. . . We switch to Stravinskys The Rite Of Spring and the Shures continue to weave their spell with a performance that brims with insight and dynamic contrasts. A crocodile clip is also included to attach the cable to clothing, if required. The high tones are as stretched as possible. How does the technology even work in the context of a pair of earphones? For such a compact unit it's surprisingly heavy, at 155g, largely due to a large Lithium-ion battery pack. Ultimate Ears 11, and Stax SR-L700's. The Shure's have superb definition as one would expect from an electrostatic transducer. You literally can't get anything better than this under $5. Look this is actually simple, you all spend thousands on amplifiers. The sheer size, scale and scope of the instruments however is exactly as in full-size headphones. Would you guys consider the bass to be anemic on the Shure KSE1200/1500s? When spending $2,000 on a pair of IEMs, it is more than reasonable to expect world-class performance. The earpieces are similar in size and shape to the existing Shure SE Series models and utilize clear plastic so that the internal components are visible. One side of the unit has two rubber bars that serve as feet when set on a desk or spacers when bundling the energizer with a DAP or phone. Theres seems to be mention of the included DAC not being optimal to squeeze the best out of these - but I really want a one box solution, Ok thanks. Just over two years later, a new set was presented, which includes the same KSE1500 headphones, this time in pair with the KSA1200 amplifier without the DAC function, which allowed to lower the price to 1999$. Well, one of the reasons is that the electrostatic transducer requires a very high biasing voltage typically several hundred Volts and in the past that has generally required a mains power supply, which isn't very convenient for listening on the move! What's interesting here again, electrostatic technology flexes muscles because these sharpness is never annoying. A slide switch on the base next to the USB socket engages a 10dB input pad, which could be useful when connecting high-level analogue sources. While the KSE1200s are not actively noise cancelling, their mechanical noise isolation is claimed to be around 37dB, which is a good amount. The Shure KSE1200 Electrostatic IEMs offer breathtaking clarity and detail. The premium KSE1200 Electrostatic Earphone System is an electrostatic earphone and amplifier system for use inline with portable media players. Shure Tech Portal open_in_new. If you are willing to spend the money, the Shure KSE1200 offer one of the most open sounding experiences you can find with IEMs; the accuracy, detail, transparency, and speed performance are world class in every respect. 2001-2023 Head-Fi.org. I review TVs for a living, and this simple trick will massively improve picture quality, Why the Q Acoustics 5000 speakers' new cone technology is a rather big deal, The best home entertainment buying advice, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Bath By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. It takes a ton of power (relatively) to complete this process, which is why the KSE1500 and KSE1200 are both tied to a dedicated amplifier system the old audiophiliac ball and chain. The Shure Energizer (not the bunny) has a unique shape to say the least; it resembles a flattened aluminum cylinder with a rather thick faceplate and rear panel. . Cymbals have a lot of energy and detail that never sounds hard making the top end rather clean with most recordings. Selectable pad for attenuating analog line input signals to 0dB and -10dB. Also make sure the reinforced cable wraps around your ears for a stable fit. I used both my PonoPlayerstill the best-sounding portable player I've triedand the unbalanced outputs of my PS Audio DirectStream DAC fed data via USB from my Roon Nucleus+ server to drive the KSE1200SYS. More recently I became an owner of Stax earspeakers too. Strongly recommended. What is the output level difference between Shures Beta 87A and SM58? That doesnt make them superior but it does offer a very different window to the music. One such moment came from an old favorite from Weens White Pepper, the tropical parody anthem, Bananas and Blow. Fortunately, there are many, many movies available on the major streaming services. Fortunately, there is no shortage of ways to do so these days thanks to an ever-expanding list of affordable, portable hi-fi devices, from Astell & Kerns AK Jr.($500), to Fiios X3 II ($200 and change), or even hi-fi phones like LGs V30 and V35. Enter the Shure KSE1200. This allows air to flow over the main surfaces and helps prevent overheating. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Electrostatic headphones do take up some space on the desktop because you require both an amplifier for the headphones, DAC, and sources. The KSE1500 in-ear electrostatic earphone was a breakthrough product 3 years ago and occupies a top spot in the high end in-earphones market then. It takes a lot of engineering prowess to manufacture an electrostatic loudspeaker or pair of headphones/IEMs. When a high AC voltage (carrying the audio signal) is applied across the grilles, the film is attracted and repulsed by the changing electric charges, and by moving back and forth it acts as a diaphragm to reproduce the acoustic audio signal. The first major indication of this fact came with an outtake from Jason Isbells latest album Something More Than Free, in which the track Racetrack Romeo sounded in comparison to what wed been hearing flat, and decidedly mediocre. 1. And now a second, slightly more affordable model has been introduced: the KSE1200. Shure KSE1200SYS electrostatic in-ear headphone system. Shure include a nice complement of cables for connecting to all your devices. Youll need something that offers a higher quality signal to get the most out of these shockingly accurate earbuds. Required fields are marked *. Read on. Impressively, these KSE models are no more expensive than many high-end multi-BA offerings from Shure's competitors, and actually the KSE1200 reviewed here is less expensive than the 64audio U12t, reviewed in SOS February 2020: www.soundonsound.com/reviews/64-audio-u12t. Audiophiles were slightly late to the party on the headphone side but there are thousands of IEM users in N. America who swear by the SE846; Ive been a user for almost a decade and they have a permanent place in my travel and gear bag when I perform. And SM58 lot of energy and detail that never sounds hard making the top end clean. Get anywhere near the pristinely precise, seamless and effortless quality of the best of that,... Their design inline with portable media players ago and occupies a top spot in the high end market. 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