Shure SE420

The Shure SE210 costs less and offers less than the SE420s. Therefore, the main decision in this match-up comes down to your budget. If you’re looking for the better pair of headphones, then pick up the SE420s. If your main concern is price, then rest assured the SE210s will offer you the same quality-to-price ratio as the SE420s. Our recommendation is the SE420s, especially if you’re a commuter or have to be in noisy environments; the SE420s have crazy good isolation.

This match-up is not in the SE420s favor. The MM 50 iP headphones have better audio quality and are a much better deal than the SE420s. The entire case for the SE420s hinges on isolation and leakage. As you’re probably aware if you read this review so far, the SE420s have remarkable isolation and leakage control. If those factors are important to you, the SE420s win hands-down. In all other cases, however, we’d default to the MM 50 iPs.

The ATH-ANC3 headphones are a confusing package. They have active cancellation, but when it’s on they block out far less sound than non-noise-cancelling in-ears. They also performed a lot better on our audio tests when the feature is turned off. The ATH-ANC3s’ strong point is their unique sound. Their frequency response graph shows a clear emphasis on bass, and they really emphasize 7kHz, which is around where the attack of a drum is. Therefore, if you like music with a heavy beat, at least give the ATH-ANC3s a listen. For our choice, however, we’d lean towards the SE420s in this match-up.

The Denon AH-C351s are the clear pick for anyone on a budget. For $50 they offer solid audio quality, a good wear experience, and, like the 420s, have a short cord and extension. The Shure SE420s did have better audio quality and much better isolation and leakage control, but they also cost considerably more. You therefore have to ask yourself what’s more important: performance or keeping your money.