Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Its a pleasure to come across headphones that dont have the fashionable emphasis on bass frequencies. 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 model is a sublime electrostatic earphone for several users. Strangely enough, where the midrange really stood out for me was with rather complex and fast orchestral pieces that can be challenging for a lot of headphones and IEMs. The KSE1200's amplifier is housed in a nicely machined black aluminium case with dimensions of 59 x 93 x 21 mm (WHD). Scroll to continue reading. 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. Both use the same earphones, and the difference between them relates only to the amplifier pack and its facilities. www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sennheiser-ie800, www.soundonsound.com/reviews/64-audio-u12t. The earphones connect via a miniature LEMO socket which sticks up a good 50mm from the top of the amplifier. Sound isolation 37dB. You must log in or register to reply here. I'd written that the KSE1500s' balance was a touch bright, but I didn't find that to be the case with the KSE1200s. Enter the Shure KSE1200. The electrostat technology created for the KSE1500s driver system (and utilized in the KSE1200) is not only highly complex, but also extremely difficult to deploy in small spaces. Considering the lack of quality of the older models DAC circuitry, thats not a great loss, nor do we much miss the originals range of equalisation features. Shure is preparing to celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2025 and that puts the company in rather elite company along with Denon, Luxman, and Yamaha. Yincrow x6: kinda cringe. You are using an out of date browser. 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. Soundstage is very big for an IEM, and almost like in open back headphones, although still bested by for example Sennheiser HD800 or Beyerdynamic T1. A quick blurb from Tina Feys series 30 Rock had us unexpectedly mesmerized. The Shure KSE1200 Electrostatic Earphone System is priced under $2000. And the KSE1200 are no exception. Bass notes have excellent definition, clarity, and speed but they wont pound you over the head; listening to Miles Davis Bitches Brew, both Dave Holland and Harvey Brooks have the opportunity to shine with the acoustic and electric bass. The Sony Bravia XR A90J OLED 4K TV also comes with exclusive features that will let you maximize the capabilities of the PlayStation 5. X6 but with treble. Other than the Stax portable IEM system, for which I have not read any high praise, the KSE are the only full range single estat driver IEM system that I know of. victor ha-fw10000jvc . Next to the Power LED on the front panel theres a signal strength indicator that tells you whether the input feed is at a sufficient level. I found the fit comfortably snug and secure, and I could shake my head and jump about without any fear of losing the earpieces. For such a compact unit it's surprisingly heavy, at 155g, largely due to a large Lithium-ion battery pack. The dynamic inflection with the KSE1200 was palpable here, giving a bigger sense of space and expansiveness, realism, and immersion for a live-studio feel. Advertisement. The end result is one of the best sounding IEMs available at any price. It comes down to sound quality. The electrostatic transducer modules are encased in transparent bodies (although there's nothing interesting to see), and the cable entries have the usual stiffened sections which can be shaped tightly behind each ear. . Thats what youll get with the KSE1200 from square one. From left: Beyerdynamic Xelento, Noble Audio Kaiser Encore, Campfire Audio Solaris and Shure SE-846. One of the best of that line, the Sony Bravia XR A90J OLED TV, is currently on sale at Best Buy. It all sounds simple, but it's hard to get right thanks to the high voltages and other practical demands of electrostatic operation. All rights reserved. Modern electronics have solved that problem, though. Though thats hardly a practical portable solution, it certainly shows us the Shures true range of abilities. I have the KSE 1200 and I have to disagree with one of your negative points. All of these produce music in a less fatiguing way than their counterparts. Shure SE846 Gen 2 Sound Isolating Earphones Review, Ultimate Ears UE Live Custom Fit IEM Review. Sound Would you guys consider the bass to be anemic on the Shure KSE1200/1500s? Shure are one of the most respected and familiar manufacturers of earphones, with their own range of sound-isolating models starting at under 50 (for the SE112GR), and extending up to nearly 900 for the SE846. Nevertheless, the cables are still very flexible and the usual sliding 'cable cinch' can be used to hold them securely at the back of the head. SE112 Sound Isolating Earphones. The SE846 represented the top of the Shure lineup for years until the release of the KSE1500 in 2016; the package included a set of electrostatic IEMs, DAC, energizer, and battery pack in a convenient portable package the size of a smartphone (2016 version) but with twice the thickness. The treble offers plenty of airiness, detail, and precision. So I never use the EQ. Reference quality? KSE1500 are faster, more detailed, more direct, more tangible, more holographic, and above all more real than anything I've heard so far. Why go to all that trouble? 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. Again, the earpieces' extended, weighty low frequencies allowed the bass guitar and kick drum to appropriately underpin the craftsmanship of these musicians playing at the top of their game. A slide switch next to the USB port can be used to reduce the input level by 10dB, if necessary. The KSE1200's amplifier is housed in a nicely machined black aluminium case with dimensions of 59 x 93 x 21 mm (WHD). He used Crin's measurement I've posted earlier. For example, Sennheiser applied its considerable expertise in moving-coil headphone drivers to develop a miniaturised version just 7mm in diameter, for use in their top-of-the-line IE800 earphones, which I reviewed a few years ago see www.soundonsound.com/reviews/sennheiser-ie800. The Shure's midrange offered superb claritysomething that, with hindsight, I hadn't made enough of in my review of the KSE1500. Close. A portable electrostatic IEM is a very different kind of product and Shure deserves a lot of credit for their design creativity. Because the common opinion about the built-in DAC is that it is average at best, it is not too much of a loss. This allows air to flow over the main surfaces and helps prevent overheating. The Shure KSE1500 are very similar in their operation to the STAX over-ear electrostatic headphones that require the energizer to operate. A major component of the experience is the ominous, almost transportative sound isolation. Shure's KSE-1200SYS IEMs certainly don't sound too polite, but their extended highs lack any hint of brightness or brittleness, and their superbly natural midrange and well-defined low frequencies make them a must-hear product. CW-L05QD vs Shure KSE1200 (vs Zeus)? The KSE1200 connect to your source device via an old-fashioned headphone jack, meaning youll need something that offers a higher quality signal to get the most out of these shockingly accurate earbuds. A coil of wire wrapped around that end of the bar receives the audio signal, causing the bar to oscillate up and down, while a lever attached to the other end transfers its movement to a diaphragm to generate an acoustic output. The midrange performance is superb, giving vocals all of the clarity, detail, resolution, and texture they require to sound accurate. A leather pouch with belt loop is available as an accessory for around $45! Thats amazing considering the high regard in which we hold those headphones. stax sr-009s . Bath That wide response allows Shure to get away with using just a single drive unit, which comes with the promise of improved cohesion and greater phase consistency than a multi-driver alternative. 0. I have the impression of participating in a concert, during which someone has asked me to go out and I can still hear music seemingly still very clearly, but it is only a distant echo and an incomplete picture. I'd have to say these are the most transparent and natural-sounding earphones I've ever heard. But with so many new (and classic) movies being added to the libraries, it can be hard to stay on top of the new options to watch. Kek. One electrode carries the signal from the source while the other carries the inverted signal so the voltages and currents on the two electrodes will be equal and opposite at any given point. It was the pinnacle of Shure's product lineup offering state-of-the-art performance with a rather high price tag. No, in terms of low-frequency weight, the in-ear Shures still couldn't match my long-term headphone reference, Audeze's LCD-Xes, driven in balanced mode by Ayre Acoustics' EX-8 integrated amplifier. In fact, the 70-inch A6 series is a great example, as it's packed with features yet still has a reasonable price, and there's even an Amazon deal you can take advantage of that brings it down to $500 from $590. KSE1200 UPDATE (with some thoughts on form factor) And it includes the amp! Despite all the challenges, though, and after eight years of development, Shure created the world's first (and currently only) electrostatic earphone, the KSE1500, a couple of years ago. USB Micro B jack for charging. Consequently, high-quality earphones tend to use several BAs, each being optimised to reproduce a different part of the frequency spectrum, much like the separate drivers in a threeway monitor loudspeaker. . In this pursuit of technical perfection, however, I never have the impression that anything is excessively strained, on the contrary it feels calm and composed as if the transducer itself was able to transmit much more but it's simpy not needed at this time. In conclusion, the KSE1200s are exceptionally transparent and detailed earphones, with perfect balance, extension and resolution, and I've certainly not heard anything else as capable or competent. One such moment came from an old favorite from Weens White Pepper, the tropical parody anthem, Bananas and Blow. Was gegen den Shure KSE 1200 spricht kann nur der Preis sein. In order to use the full potential of the headphones, it is definitely recommended to connect it via a line in input. A dedicated amplifier module (more below) sits in the presentation box alongside a tough zipped carrycase to store the earphones, adaptor cables and spare earbuds (but not the amplifier). We certainly are. . BA1 1UA. With the PS Audio I used a 2m-long, RCA-to-3.5mm AudioQuest Coffee cable. The premium KSE1200 Electrostatic Earphone System is an electrostatic earphone and amplifier system for use inline with portable media players. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence. Then build your own 20x attenuator board, or wait for me to release mine. 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. However, the KSE1200 reviewed here is an analogue-only device, and its USB connection only provides the charging functionality. The KSE1200SYS come with a two-year limited warranty for parts and products, and a one-year warranty for the battery. For the Money: B+. We suspect Shure would point you towards the talented four-driver SE846 (869) if this aspect concerns you. You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address. The rear panel has a single micro-USB port for charging and a single switch marked PAD with 0dB and -10dB positions. By contrast, the Shure KSE1200s's high frequencies had excellent treble extension. The second LED displays the status of the analog input signal: green indicates that the amplifier is receiving audio signal, amber that it's receiving input at the ideal level, red that the input level is too high. driver configuration makes the Moondrop Blessing 3 IEMs a very interesting at $319. Were big fans of the shape of Shures in-ear designs, but take care to find the right tips, as you lose bass when the seal isnt right. Posted by 2 years ago. It isnt often we see an audio product take a quantum leap forward like Shures KSE1500 headphones. Technology marches on and that created a dilemma for Shure; whilst the energizer and earphones kept pace with the market the 24-bit/96kHz DAC started to really show its age and was no longer competitive with other products in the market. Shure Asia Limited, 22/F, 625 King's . The KSE1500 has a four-band digital equalizer. SHURESTAX . The updated price of $1,999 USD is still on the higher side and whilst it is a lot more affordable than the original KSE1500 and some other flagship models within the segment it is still double the price of the Shure SE846 Gen2 IEMs and does it really deliver that much better of a sonic experience? In the slow movement of what is really a miniature piano concerto (16/44.1 WAV, master from Bravo!, Stereophile STPH014-2), the Shure's clean, uncolored midrange allowed the piano to sound as brilliant as it had when I made the recording. The detail and texture are almost mesmerizing on a good recording. At sensible listening levels transducer distortion was utterly inaudible, even with complex multi-tonal sources; but more than that, I'd have to say these are the most transparent and natural-sounding earphones I've ever heard. Shure KSE1500 vs KSE1200: Price. While the KSE1200s are not actively noise cancelling, their mechanical noise isolation is claimed to be around 37dB, which is a good amount. . The unit is turned on or off by rotating the volume control, which has a switch function at the counter-clockwise end. is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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. What is the output level difference between Shures Beta 87A and SM58? Thoughts on form factor ) and it includes the amp a practical solution! 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