A thousand dollars for a pair of earphones? One thing's for certain, they better be good. Though putting down that kind of money to enjoy some tunes may seem absolutely nuts, if you're serious about your audio, the pricy in-ear headphones by Shure can be worth it.
What makes the Shure SE846 earphones so high-tech is the way they're designed. By using laser-cutting technology, the company created holes only 40 microns wide into the earphones' stack of steel plates. The miniaturization of tech at that level wasn't available until recently, and the SE846 earphones launched just last year, making them as costly as they are.
That's impressive, but what else do these sharp earphones have going for them?
Sound and hardware
In terms of both quality and sound, the Shure SE846 earphones are in a class of their own, delivering sound isolation similar to custom-made in-ear monitors. The earphones run on quad micro drivers (while standard earphones have just one) and have a low-pass filter that reproduces deep bass, essentially creating a miniature subwoofer. Shure claims that with this technology, called “True Subwoofer,” the SE846 earphones can reproduce deep bass without affecting any details in the mids and highs.
Shure's three interchangeable nozzles. Image via earphonesolutions.com.
To further customize the frequency response for a more personalized listening experience, Shure introduced an interchangeable nozzle filter system in the SE846 earphones. By using the provided key, you can open the earphones and switch in the specific nozzles to make them sound like one of three audio profiles: balanced, warm, or bright. The balanced nozzle, which is blue, depicts true neutral performance; the warm nozzle is black, and slightly decreases the frequency; and the bright nozzle, which is white, does the opposite. According to the company, most listeners prefer the balanced baseline option.
Design
With a transparent, futuristic design, Shure's earphones show off a high-tech interior. They come with a ton of accessories as well, including two carrying cases, a cleaning cloth, an extra 60-inch long cable, nine different types of earbuds (including a Comply memory foam, silicone, and rubber), and a detachable volume adapter.
The Shure SE846 earphones have a futuristic look. Image via Mashable.
Fit
Shure earphones aren't worn in the same style as headphones or even standard earbuds. To enjoy superior sound isolation and audio quality, it's important to get a proper fit. The tiny nozzles, which are needed for miniaturization, fit comfortably inside the ears, though they require special attention to fit properly. The earphone cord must wrap over the top and down the back of the ear, or the cord can be worn hanging straight down. For ultimate comfort, it's best to determine the type of earbud that works best for you.
Different ways to wear Shure earphones. Image via Shure.
Want to learn more? Got the cash to enjoy music like this? Visit shure.com.
Source: Mashable.
Advertisement
Learn more about Electronic Products Magazine
