KSE1500

Shure KSE1500 in 2015 then in I think 2017 they released KSE1200, cheaper version without the DAC and EQ integrated for $1k less, they are now discontinued but to this day imo best IEMs, close 2nd(or 3rd if you count these as two different IEMs) would go to GoldPlanar GL-AMT16, those are driver that's something inbetween ES and planar, developed by GoldPlanar(they make planar drivers for a lot of other brands, they made drivers for all of the Audeze planar IEMs afaik) might be too expensive right now and are waiting for production price to go down to make a push with it because it's currently best tech we got except ES and ES need a special amp to run

I’ve been waiting for these since hearing the prototypes at CanJam NY 2025. At CanJam NY 2026, they were the best IEM of the show for me, so I bought them from Amazon as soon as they popped up and in a consumerist’s miracle, got them today. They’re even better at home. I’ve grown tired of the IEM market disappointing me time and time again so I really only know about IEMs that I see in front of me when I actually use them at CanJam. Seeking “neutral” has usually been a crapshoot, especially since my ear canals’ resonance peak is usually between 5-6kHz. This means most IEMs have a hole between 6-9kHz and with many IEM manufacturers seemingly only able to release BrightSlop garbage like the Mysticraft Hex or Brise Fugaku that sounds even brighter than they usually measure because of my length mode, IEMs that aren’t the Subtonic STORM just don’t do it for me. The Reference is the first IEM since the STORM that instantly didn’t piss me off. I don’t think the Reference is a “budget STORM” because they go for a much darker air presentation. I’ve been so close to buying the STORM since it was released, but as someone with a bad case of ADHD object permanence (three years ago at CanJam Dallas, I managed to lose 3 hats), I just haven’t been able to stomach the idea of losing something that valuable. I knew eventually someone would release a competently tuned IEM that wouldn’t cause an existential crisis if I lost it. Why do they sound good? Unlike the other two IEMs in this picture, the FitEar DC and Shure KSE1500, they don't resort to party tricks to get the listener's attention. These are one of the few IEMs with treble that doesn't fatigue me after a couple of songs, have a really wonky midrange tuning, or have too much bass. They sound good because, unlike many IEMs, they actually get balance right. I stopped chasing "neutral" IEMs for a few years after not liking things like the Mega5EST, Volume S, and even the Meta much at all because they still sounded like one step forward, one step back from a greater goal. The Reference sounds so much closer to someone figuring out how to make "neutral" actually sound that way that even works for longer canals. This is something I can't say for the Prisma Lumen, which suffered from the same 6-9kHz dip I hear on so many other IEMs. Is there an argument that these may sound boring? Sure! I love a steak seasoned with salt and pepper to show off the quality of the meat. When I want something more interesting and have a less than great piece of meat, I'm not afraid to do other things to that steak. I don't plan on getting rid of my FitEar or KSE1500 because they make certain genres sound fun, but not "normal." I'm still on the lookout for a Victor FW10000 because their own seasoning isn't something I want to bother EQing something into. I've included an impedance measurement which shows how much the Reference reacts to additional output impedance. It does make them more W-shaped, but not in a great way. Full review up this Friday! But just to nail down just how much I like them, I usually measure something then move right to listening to music with my speakers because, well, why would I not use speakers if I can? But I'm typing this impression post with the Reference still in my ears. I've only ever done this with the Audio Technica ADX7000, ZMF Caldera, and Subtonic STORM.

Recently gone to my personal iem end game myself with the Shure KSE1500. Seriously never heard audio from headphones as pristine and effortless before. Made my Sony IER M9 ($1500) sound artificial and cheap in comparison.

Shure did come out with something far better than the SE846 with their KSE1500 which is discontinued now unfortunately. The jump was pretty massive. Actually made all my other headphones sound cheap in comparison. Never thought the day would come that I felt my Sony IER M9 sounded cheap but the KSE1500 managed to do it.