Most “audiophile” gear is designed to be enjoyed at home. Picture a crushed leather chair, a tumbler of aged scotch, and a library lined with many leather bound books and smelling of rich mahogany. That’s partly why Shure’s KSE1500 earbuds are so distinctive, designed as a portable setup that brings that rich mahogany feeling with you, wherever you may roam–now for $900 off retail price.
I auditioned these transformative earbuds years ago, and still remember the experience as a visceral sonic imprint. They’re not only the first electrostat drivers I’d reviewed, but also the first I’d seen in a pair of earbuds. Using a thin, oscillating membrane suspended between dual metallic plates with opposite charges, electrostatic drivers are known for their vivid clarity and detail, and a fabulously nimble transient response. The KSE1500 lean into this for fabulous fidelity and expansive stereo imaging, providing some of the best instrumental separation and definition I’ve heard to this day. Even more intriguing, because of the design of their acoustic chambers, the KSE1500’s sound is also remarkably rich and smooth for electrostat speakers–an unexpected “happy accident”, according to Shure reps.
To get all that sound into a pair of tiny in-ear monitors is no small feat, and it’s why Shure charges a bundle for these buds. They include a special amplifier and DAC (digital-to-analog converter), so they’re not as portable as your average in-ears. But the sound they create is worth it. Audio brands talk a lot about “being in the studio” but the Shure KSE1500 are one of the few pairs I’ve tried that back up that claim. Get ready for an intimate reintroduction to your favorite music in ways you never expected. Is that worth the massive cost, even at a serious discount? Only you can answer that. But if you have the scratch, yes. Yes, it is.