Shure SE210

Who's It For

Audiophiles

Real audiophiles tend to sneer at in-ear headphones; they would rather go with a big pair of headphones that have better sound performance. But the SE210s might be acceptable for the audiophile on the road who doesn’t mind making some compromises on sound quality.

Portable User

The SE210s are small and easily portable, so they will be a good pick for the modern person on the go.

Airplane Traveler

In-ear headphones aren’t always great for airplane travel (they don’t let the pressure in your ears equalize, so you have to take them out as the plane ascends and descends), but they do block a lot of sound.

Home / Office Use

The sound-blocking capabilities of the SE210s will be welcomed by anyone in a noisy office, but the slightly awkward fit and cable might make them difficult to wear while walking around or working.

Conclusion

The SE210s are a series of self-confounding pairs. There is a cleaning tool included, which is normally a nice extra. In this case, the open, deep nozzle simply invites grime down to where the tool can’t reach. The cable seems to be made of really sturdy material, but it can easily catch on the neck split, causing it to tear. The headphones do technically come with an extension cord, but the headphones are far too short to be functional with out it. The included case will undoubtedly cause you to accidentally spill your collection of sleeves all over the floor since there is no inner pouch to keep them contained.

This pattern is also applicable to the headphones’ design. Sure, the bent nozzle will make one style of wear more comfortable and attractive, but if you wear your headphones any other way the buds will stick straight out. Further, the plug after the neck split, while great for those looking to add a custom headset dongle, will just be an unattractive hassle to others.

In terms of audio quality, the SE210s have problems, even for in-ear headphones. They seriously under-emphasize higher frequencies. They have issues with tracking and distortion as well, but those areas are not huge problems. Really, these aren’t bad headphones, they’re just a little overpriced for what they are.