Traveling is many things, but tranquility is often not one of them. From the roar of jet engines to the high-volume announcements at the airport, the noise of traffic to disregard hotel guests, there is a regular need to silence the outside world when on the road.
Earplugs are a good option, but if you find them uncomfortable or just prefer music to silence, headphones with some form of noise suppression are an ideal alternative. After years of putting up with cheap and low-quality models, I’ve been using a pair of Shure SE215 headphones on a daily basis while traveling for the past few months. Ten thousand miles later, this is how it went.
Noise isolation
Since noisy environments – airports, buses, coffee shops, and other public spaces – are so common during travel, effective noise suppression is vital. The Shure SE215s use molded foam tips that fit inside the ear canal to provide passive noise cancellation. Tips come in three sizes and require a little practice to achieve a secure fit.
However, once this is done, this type of noise blocking technique can be surprisingly effective. Background noise disappeared with very low music volumes, and even crying babies and loud conversations were easily blocked. Noise reduction is almost too good at times as I almost missed station announcements and boarding calls because I just couldn’t hear them.
As with wired headphones that block outside sound, wearing them during vigorous exercise is not ideal. Noise travels up the cable as it brushes against skin or clothing, exacerbated by the relative silence. Damage to perspiration could also be a long-term problem, as these headphones are not rated for waterproofing.
Sound reproduction
Listening to a variety of different music, podcasts, and radio shows, the sound quality of the Shure 215 has been impressive across the board. If you’re an audiophile who requires a completely “flat” soundscape, you probably want to look elsewhere in the Shure range. For most listeners, however, the EQ is pretty much ideal.
Bass is rich and warm without being excessive, while midrange sounds are clear and crisp. Even with low quality MP3 files, or when streaming songs from Spotify and online radio stations, there is very little to complain about.
Durability and design
The noise cancellation and high sound quality of these headphones only happen if the foam tips fit perfectly into the ear canal. Otherwise, the outside noise is filtered out and the bass notes (in particular) disappear.
To help ensure a perfect fit, the headphone cables are looped behind and over the ears before snapping into place. It looks and feels a bit unusual, and it takes a few tries to get it right, but it seems like a small price to pay for the end result. The cables behind the ears hold their shape, so it is rarely necessary to readjust it after the first use.
Headphones tend to break in one of two places: at the bottom of the plug section, or where the cord kinks when connected to drivers (speakers). It seems Shure has figured this out, using thicker reinforced wire for those sections around the ears, and an oversized plug housing.
However, that durable plug can cause a little problem. Due to its extra size, the case tends to overlap with the space allotted for the headphone jack on many phone cases and music players. This sometimes prevents the plug from clicking firmly into place, resulting in a loose connection when struck or moved.
The headphones are stored in a small, semi-rigid sleeve that protects them from damage and prevents cables from becoming tangled. It’s a nice touch, and an important one for those on the go.
Value for money
The list price for the Shure SE215 headphones is $ 99, and unless there is a sale, that’s what you’ll pay online too With high-quality sound reproduction, impressive noise cancellation, and a durable design that can withstand the inevitable hits, This represents an extremely good value.
What about Bluetooth?
More and more phones are being shipped without headphone jacks, making it difficult to use wired headsets like these. While you can use a dongle that converts between micro-USB / Lightning and headphone ports, Shure has a couple of other alternatives.
First of all, if you already own a pair of wired headphones from the company and want to switch to wireless, you can purchase a replacement cable that adds Bluetooth capability, along with a microphone jack. If not, just buy the Shure SE215 wireless model.
Final word
The Shure SE215 is a great choice for travelers looking for a set of durable noise-canceling headphones and great sound quality that doesn’t cost a fortune. It’s as simple as that.
