Shure SE530

Design

We’re not sure if anyone is still enamored with Apple’s aesthetic, given it’s been around for so long, but they do look clean and modern. While the Apple headphones have an advantage on style, they aren’t nearly as sturdy as the SE530s.

Shure SE530	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Frequency Response

The SE530s had a better frequency response overall, since they don’t have that downward spike towards 10kHz. It’s also much more even overall.

Shure SE530	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Distortion

The Shure SE530s are a better pick in terms of distortion because they barely have any. The Apple headphones showed a bit of noise towards the high-end.

Shure SE530	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Tracking

The Apple headphones have a ridiculously flat tracking, but so do the SE530s. Both are just about perfect.

Shure SE530	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Isolation

The SE530s have a much better isolation. All those spots where the Apple In-ears’ graph drops downwards are covered by the SE530s.

Shure SE530	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Comfort

The SE530s are more comfortable overall because they actually stay in your ears. If you’re moving around, the Apple In-ears will pull loose.

Wear
Shure SE530	Apple In-ear Headphones with Remote & Mic

Verdict

This is another budget vs. better match-up. Where the price is hundreds of dollars different, it’s really up to the consumer to determine whether or not they’re willing to make the additional investment. All we will say is that the Apple In-ears are sub-par while the Shure SE530s are above average.