Shure - SE215 Pro

if you value ergonomics and non flashiness, it's hard to beat the Sennheisers or Shure style iems. I've tried a lot, and outside they are imho the best as they are flush with the ear. The Shure se215 are imho even better for small ears. They have a ~3mm nozzle, the transparent casing makes them non attention grabbing. The cable on them sucks though, extremely microphonic. People claim they are outdated audio quality wise though. All i can say is they EQ extremely well (measured).

As someone who has tinnitus because I didn't wear hearing protection in my 20s, please continue to wear them. There are earplugs geared towards musicians called Eargasm. They're really great. But also, if proper monitors are being used, then it's not your hearing protection causing you not to hear the solo. He's not up proper in the mix. Another option for you is getting a personal monitor. Behringer makes one. Just plug an XLR into it and run you some good noise canceling phones or buds. I'd at least recommend the shure 215s or if you have the budget, custom IEMs. That way you can keep the volume at a reasonable level in your ears and still hear everything.

I have the 215s and also have two pairs of $25 to $35 Chinese IEMS. They both BLOW the 215 out of the water in quality. It’s insane how far audio has come since the Shures were dominant. It’s a shame though because the 215s are the comfiest IEMs for me lol. Edit: they’re also both better than my Astro and Razer headsets.

I play to a click with Shure 215s and my band follows me. Forget anyone who says it can’t be done. As others have said, you’ll want to rehearse this with your band before taking the stage and you’ll need to do hi-hat chirps for any parts you aren’t playing (guitar intros, breaks, etc). You follow the click (not your bandmates), and your band needs to follow you. It takes a bit of practice to get it right, but for my band this is the only way we play. Everything you need: * https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pro-metronome-tempo-tuner/id477960671 * https://a.co/d/bTxtNF3 * https://a.co/d/iyD4kAV * https://a.co/d/gdO0Z3N * https://a.co/d/5kp4fr6 * https://a.co/d/dTvbvi8 That last link is a cable that allows you to connect the audio from your stage monitor directly into your mixer (without having to even ask the sound guy for a feed), and it splits the mono signal to left/right so you can hear your band and the click in both ears. I plug the monitor mix into channels 2/3, and the click from my phone into 4/5. Without the mixer you won’t be able to hear your phone click over the band. It amplifies the signal.

I have a pair of Shure 215s that I picked up last year and absolutely love. If I dont have to worry about needing to take my headphones off I use the IEMs, they're better in pretty much every way, and I love my HD25s

I would say shure se215s for IEMs. I haven't used the transmitter you mentioned, but im aware of it and have heard nothing but good things.

These are the IEMs I use: Shure SE215-CL Sound Isolating In Ear Stereo Earphones (Clear) with 3 Pairs of Triple Flange Sleeves for Better Sound Isolation https://a.co/d/gt5835h This is the most recent Xvive (I believe): Xvive U4 Wireless in-Ear Monitor System Professional IEM System Transmitter and Beltpack Receiver for Studio, Band Rehearsal,Live Performance (U4) https://a.co/d/7byUKG1

I have a couple pair of the 215s. I liked them enough to buy them again. Tell me about the Westones please. I see them mentioned more and more.

As a hobbyist as well - I got a set of KZM Pro in-ears for like $40. They're wired tho (I'm a drummer), and I just have a small mixer to receive the monitor send. Both my singer/keyboardist and bassist have the same earbuds, the bassist uses a little Behringer P2 clipped to his belt so he can move a bit more freely. I also own the Shure 215's and I prefer the cheaper KZM's. This setup will get you in the door and if you start to feel like it's lacking you can upgrade from there.

I have had both of them plus my current ones of the Shure 215 SE Pro. The bose ones were definitely my favorite. They were so comfortable and the sound was amazing. My dog broke them after about two years. Now I can't find a pair that isn't crazy expensive because they are discontinued (at least can't find them in canada) The truthear ones I am not sure if I got a defective pair but the sound was really muffled regardless what I did with my sound settings. I only used them for about a week. They were alright for comfort. Then I bought the shure 215 pro and I found them really good. They were really close in sound quality to bose. They are pretty comfortable too because they are really light. I ended up buying a second pair to have as a back up. They aren't as expensive as the bose either but I think they are a really good option. I know a few pros use them but I can't remember which ones

I am a big guy slightly over 6 feet 250#, I can't get them in enough to make a seal. I currently use the Shure 215. The 215 unit is smaller so I can get them in to seal. might try to send these back

I have Drumeo IEMs, SE535, SE215, Moondrop Aria, KZ Pros. I cannot recommend the Drumeo IEMs unfortunately. They are just tuned weirdly. If you get them free, go for it. Otherwise I would get Aria or KZ, if you want to spend, look at Shure.

Shure 215s are awesome but I gotta say I've been using these on tour and they SMOKE JH Audio stuff at 1/10 of the price. KZ ZAR in-Ear Monitor 7BA+1DD... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTDG5BJR?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Comfort and build wise, they're great. Tuning wise, they're outclassed by what you can get for $20 these days.

Me and my drummer use the same setup, we have Shure se215s plugged into a "smart acoustic" active controller that clips on the back of your pants and you can monitor your own levels, it was cheap, easy and works

I second this. I bought the Shure 215 IEMs and they are great. I can hear better with the volume lower than with a headset and I no longer get the headset headache. I also use a separate dedicated mic to communicate

Shure 215s and grab a pack of the silicone "Christmas tree" style ear tips with different sizes. The fit in your ear is the biggest thing for comfort. Down the line get ear molds, as that's where it's really at. Also don't forget a headphone limiter, feedback/pops, etc can damage your ears with IEMs, good to have the limiter just incase.

Turn down the music and play the drums louder. That's where your "mixing" comes in. I have the 3M work tunes, but I don't use them for drums. They make the drums sound really bad and muffled. IEMs, like Shure 215s, with the correctly fitted ear pieces have a much flatter frequency reduction and the drums will sound better. Adjusting the music volume and playing volume should get you close to what you want.

Like the other comment said, IEMs if you want a reasonable representation of how it sounded in the recording studio. [Here's a pair that's about 100$](https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/shure-se215-pro-review), not the best sound, but still miles ahead of common ear buds with overpowering EQs to compensate for poor basic sound reproduction.

I like the Shure SE215 PRO ($99.00 on Amazon.com). With the compressible foam sleeves you can barely hear outside sounds, so you have to rely on your mixer (split cue is your friend).

Is the low cut because your headphones distort? Because that could be a huge part of the problem depending on how high you’re cutting. If you’re cutting at 40-50Hz, that’s one thing, but if you’re cutting at 100+, you’re cutting the part of the kick that’s gonna cut through the bass. As much as it sucks, we really are one of the instruments that need the multi-driver IEMs with the low bass response. IEMs on par with SE215s are decent enough for most players when starting out, but the drummer and bass player truly need robust sound right where 1-driver and cheap 2-driver IEMs fall off. When I switched from SE215s to SE535s, it made an absolute world of difference instantly. Molded is the way to go for sure, but if you can’t swing a pair of molds, try to grab some overtime shifts, save a bit, help some buddies with odd jobs to get into something like SE535s in the mean time. It’ll be good later also when you can spring for molds because you’ll have a decent quality set of spares.

I use the Shure 215s for practice and live. They're not el cheapo-est, but they're not super expensive like you can get. $100. I have some $15 ones, and they really don't sound as good.

I use Shure 215s. $100. Wiork great. Send me money.

Been using 215s for a couple years and they are great, for $100

I am a se215 absolutist. They sound great and hold up to most other things. Though the truthear nova is probably the best iem under 2000 but it's 60 more than the se215 at retail Also on the secondhand market you can get the se215 for a song so that adds to the value. Plus parts can be had to repair them which is another huge plus for me $100 for these is overpay though there's no way around it

I would say the SE-215 are ok for the isolation and comfort, but it's kind of outdated advice - there are MUCH better options for the price/sound quality ratio. KZs are a good start, but there are more "chi-fi" brands making even better sounding stuff for not very much money: Moondrop, Truthear, Simgot, Tangzu, 7hz, Tripowin and more. Not all of them will be great for isolation, that can be improved by buying foam eartips as was mentioned in the post.

Shure 215 or if you want to spend more for better sound, the Shure Aonic 4s. They're IEMs that are also great headphones and block 35dbs of sound. I used the 215s for 8 years and the Aonic4s for 2. You can play the drums as hard as you want, have the music at half volume, and hear everything clearly.

Can't go wrong with a pair of Shure 215s. They block out a significant amount of external noise so you don't have to crank your volume to play along with songs. I have the Aonic4s also. It's definitely a step up in sound quality and sound scape, but also an extra $100-150. Their cables hold up for a long time as well, My first one lasted over 10 years.

Hi! I'm a drummer/musician. Want in ear monitors? Go with Shure. I've used these to play drums for years, plus on airplanes and wherever else I need 'em. Wired. No battery life to worry about, pretty damn bullet proof - [https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-CL-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PO10E2/](https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-CL-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PO10E2/)

I started with these. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Aonic215Cl--shure-aonic-215-sound-isolating-earphones-clear I also have some Drumeo branded IEMs and I currently use a set of Behringer headphones via a Yamaha EAD 10 to play along and record myself.

Just found mine from 2007 in my parents basement and I’m looking forward to revisiting them once I find a replacement cable. I’ve since bought some ChiFi pairs but remember the Shures being excellent for isolation without Ety discomfort (I’m a drummer).

I've used se215s for years they're amazing

This is a fair question, though. A decent pair of in-ear monitors will likely be cheaper, more comfortable, and as protective as headphones. They can also work in any live and recording situations as well. My vote is for a good pair of IEMs. I'm a fan of the Shure SE215 (and for a good while, they were the industry standard), but there are plenty of other options on the market. I would avoid the cheapest options, as I doubt their ability to protect your hearing.

Yes, intermediate or pro quality IEMs will protect your ears as well, if not better, than most earplugs on the market. For example, I have the Shure SE215 IEMs, which can offer over 30db in noise reduction. I highly recommend these because they are proven to reduce a ton of sound, and they also have good clarity with their monitors. So I can hear myself playing, and I can also clearly hear the music I'm listening to simultaneously. In fact, the SE215s are the only thing I can have in my ears while singing and playing. Anything else distorts the sound of my voice too much. I know there are cheaper IEMs out there on Amazon or elsewhere. I just don't have the ability to trust a $25 pair of monitors from who-knows-where to protect my ears like a well-respected company like Shure that specializes in high-quality sound equipment. All that to say that you have one set of ears and tinnitus sucks. Spend the money to protect them well. Whatever you get, do your research and make sure it's quality.

I have two suggestions: If you want to listen to something while you play, get in-ear monitors. There's no better option. I have the Shure SE215 model that I bought for a great price when they were on sale. While they can get a tad uncomfortable after a couple hours of continuous use for me, I'm completely happy with them. They have incredible 30+ decibel sound protection that doesn't overly cut any frequency band. This means I can clearly hear myself while also hearing what's coming through the monitors. Oddly enough, They're the only headphones / monitors I found that I can sing with while I play because of how cleanly they cut frequencies. If you just want ear protection, get Earasers. They have incredible protection (if you get the 30+ decibel reduction model, which I HIGHLY recommend as a drummer). They are comfortable and the company has great customer service. I've converted many of my fellow band mates and musician friends. Plus, they're great at super loud venues and concerts.

Get in-ear monitors. I have the Shure se215 and they're great at protecting my ears while allowing me to listen to music and play. If something like that is too much money, I've heard good things about the Amazon brand in ears from a bunch of musicians that I've played with. This is your best and most flexible option to protect your ears, hands down.

I use the Shure SE215m+ with my nano 7 on my daily ride to university. The comfort, inline controls and passive noise cancelling of the 215s, paired with the nano’s light weight sure do wonders for someone always on the move like me. But when I’m at home or at school then I’ll whip out my Sennheiser IE300 and iPod touch 2 combo, for a more leisurely and critical listening experience.

Me the drummer and the guitarist both use these from sure. For $99 at Sweetwater it’s a good way to get into a decent pair of buds. Cost goes up from there of course. Custom molded can be $1-$2k. Shure SE215-CL Sound-isolating Earphones - Clear

If you can afford molds you gotta do it. I started with Se215s and then went to the 535s. The 535s were nice but pretty soon after I got 64 Audio A4s custom molds. There was a pretty night and day difference for me and I can’t go back. Isolation is better, the fit is perfect and there no fiddling and sonically they are just more detailed but more importantly, they are so fun to listen to. Get molds if you can. You won’t regret it.

Proper musician IEMs will have *much* better isolation than ChiFi stuff. I have a set of Shure SE-215s, and while I don't use them on the bike, they do isolate pretty well on the train. No hate for ChiFi, I have a few that I use at home and have used on transit in the past, but they're not much different from regular earbuds when it comes to isolation. Do note, though - ["Shure earphones do not carry a NRR rating and are not meant to be used as a hearing protection device"](https://service.shure.com/s/article/isolation-of-shure-earphones-and-nrr-rating?language=en_US) > Shure earphones provide between 29 dB and 37 dB of isolation. Sound isolation is dependent on the shape of the ear canal, the sleeve used, the earphone model, and the fit. A secure acoustical seal in the ear canal is vital for the best sound isolation. As every ear canal is different, an accurate noise isolation rating can only be measured; it cannot be accurately predicted. > Measurements from past models: > E2C, E2G, E2C-N, I2C Earphones > * Yellow foam sleeves: 31dB (88% of ambient noise) * Clear sleeves: 29 dB (87% of ambient noise) > E3C, E4C, E5C, I3C, I4C, E3G, E4G Earphones > * Gray Soft Flex: 30 dB (90% of ambient noise) * Yellow foam Sleeves: 37 dB (93% of ambient noise) > All measurements taken from tests done at an independent Lab on isolation vs. noise canceling. > ... > Our newer Black foam sleeve that ships with the SE model earphones will perform as well, if not better, then the yellow foam.

I have 7hz Salnotes Zero (first gen, two of them because they're crazy cheap now, like $12), CCA CRA, KZ ZST (which have a Fiio bluetooth set attached), and Shure SE215s. The SE215s are definitely the best as actual on-stage monitors since they have much better isolation (like earplugs that play sound, not just earbuds), but they're a bit above your budget at $100. The others are all pretty cheap, around a $20 price point, but those would all be good enough to practice with (and I've used them for exactly that). Going higher end will definitely get better quality, and the upgraded cables are *really* nice (I have [this](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Z6XZQG3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1) on my SE215s, it's harder to justify a $20 cable for $20 IEMs, but it flows really nicely). For more expensive but not $100, the Truthear x Crinacle Zero stood out at ~$50 having a dual driver for better bass response, but I haven't had a chance to try it out. I know it's not the only one with dual (or more) drivers, I think it was just the cheapest when I was doing more digging. I ended up getting the Shures though.

IEMs. Shure SE215s are the ones you'll want!

In-ear monitors and play quietly, that works for drumming along to recordings. Use blasticks/multi rods for a quieter sound while maintaining a similar feel to sticks. Better yet, drum and cymbal silencers, or a drum pad kit. Then it is no problem hearing the recording at a reasonable volume in the headphones/in ear monitors. The cheapest Shure in-ears are fine. 215 is the model I think.

Just good in ear monitors to protect your hearing and listen to music, drumless tracks, or just a click to practice. We are literally just talking about earbuds especially made for music and to protect hearing. It's nice to have Bluetooth buds just to mess around, but only if you wear hearing protection over it. If you're going to get into recording, playing live, or even just get an EAD-10, you're going to want wired hearing protection, anyways. Something like this is nice, but I have knock off stuff that's also pretty good. The secret is using the right memory foam tips to get a good seal. I basically bought knockoffs of these for $25.... https://a.co/d/949LpRv

> Shure se215s This is what I bought. Whacked the foam tips in and holy smokes what a difference compared to the AT studio headphones I was using previously.

Shure 215’s are great budget options. Bass is a little thin because it’s a single driver, but it’s perfectly serviceable. If you have the budget for it, I use Westone UM30 and absolutely love the bass response.    Also be sure to get a plugin pack. Doesn’t have to be wireless. Behringer P2 is great and cheap. You want this for safety reasons, they have built-in circuit to limit volume in the event someone drops a mic or unplugs a cable. Protect your hearing. 

Shure 215 are the best value on a budget. You can get a pretty decent mix if you know what you’re doing, but the bass is a little low. I’d recommend going a step up and looking for a two-driver or three-driver model. I think the 315 has two drivers, and heard good things. Personally I rock Westone UM30 which sounds amazing. Wouldn’t go beyond that.

Shure 215s are the worst. Unpopular opinion, but I hate them with a passion. I had three pairs, all of them broke way too quickly. I now have some senheisers for about 120€. They do the job. After a while I realised that the sound of the headphones isn’t that crucial (as long as they sound okay that is!). What is much more important is how they fit and how realiable they are. The fit determines how much Bass you get (not that important to vocalists, but important to have a satisfying experience which is in turn somewhat important to everyone) and how well they seperate you from stage noise. The last point is the most important overall.

Get IEM's, they have much better sound quality than those "gaming" headsets. I would recommend Shure SE215 Pro, or if you want active noise isolation, Bose QC20. QC20 might be hard to find because it is an old IEM.

Having seen my bandmates' wireless IEMs sh*t themselves on a regular basis, or else broadcast the gig to the local taxi company, I'm very much a naysayer unless you're spending big money. For what it's worth, I used a pair of Shure 215s and a wired Behringer P2 for the best part of 2 years and probably 150 gigs so far. Add to that some cheap rechargeable AAA batteries and you're flying! I don't use wireless to my amp, so I just used some cable ties to attach the XLR for the IEMs to my guitar lead. I know that wasn't the question as such, but just pointing out that wired IEMs are a whole lot more reliable and cheaper if you can make them work. 😎

I already have 5 xVive wireless IEMs. I got the ASI audio that has microphones so you can bring some of the stage sound into your Monitor mix but just for me. I like them, but the rest of the band can’t afford those. I give them the fairly low quality se215s and they complain about them.

This exactly. I used Shure 215s for a couple decades and the latest set of KZs I just picked up blow them out of the water for 1/5th the price.

I own both the headphones mentioned. The IEMs actually seem to isolate even more than the VF overheads

Love my IEMs. I use Shure 535 and also Shure 215. Both sound great and very happy i made The change

I got some SE215s used a few years ago, they’re still going strong.

They’re good but they sound somewhat artificial. I stepped up to the SE846 and didn’t notice an enormous difference, but then switching back was crazy. The 215 sound like a budget imitation of the 846.

I assume you're playing acoustic drums rather than e-drums. I will play with an earbud in one ear and an ear plug in the other. Depending on your setup, the Shure SE215 is a relatively inexpensive but very popular in-ear, keep in mind it isn't wireless. You can always use a Bluetooth earbud, since most phones don't have a 3.5mm jack anymore, but you might have problems with noise bleed. You can possibly wear earmuffs over top of wireless earbuds. If you've got more money to spend you can get custom-molded ear plugs and IEMs, but that route can be a little pricier. If you have insurance or an HSA, you might be able to get some of that cost covered by going to an audiologist. Technically, you're protecting your hearing, which is considered preventative, but YMMV.

IEMs:- Campfire Andro 2020 > Shure se846 > Sennheiser ie800 > Dunu sa6 > Sony mdr ex800 > Sony xba N3 > final a4000 > Sennheiser ie200 > etymotic er2xr > Sennheiser ie600 > Kiwiears Cadenza > Shure se215 > blon bl03 > Moondrop Space travel Headphones:- Audeze LCD2C > AKG K701 > hd600 > hd660s > hd6xx > hd650 > Meze 109 > Koss porta pro > Grado sr225 > Grado sr80

The budget IEM recommendation is usually the KZ ZS10 pros. I got a set recently on sale for $40, but they’re typically $50 on amazon. Get some better fitting tips and they’re really solid for the price. They’re 5 driver and have a ton of low end. Almost too much honestly. I haven’t gigged with them yet but compared to the ultimate ears set I usually use the UEs sound much more balanced. I think the KZs might get boomy/muddy, but we’ll see. A lot of people like and recommend them. In both cases the headphones I have are universal fit, not custom molded, so finding the right tips is very important. If you don’t have a good seal on your ear you get a ton of external noise and end up having to crank the volume on the IEM which can just cause more problems, or they’re falling out all the time and you’re losing your monitor. When I first started using IEMs we all had the shure psm systems with the SE215 headphones. They’re fine. Like you said not the most robust bass response but they worked well enough for me. That band eventually split and I got away from IEMs for a while. Got back into using them more recently with some of my other projects.

I used to have a set of the SE215 when my band was all on wireless ears. Not sure where they went, I know I sold the system but haven’t been able to find the headphones. I recently got a set of the ultimate ears universal fits. They have one, two, or three driver options in the universal fits. Took some trial and error to get the tips right and the seal how I wanted, but they sound awesome. Drummer from one of the bands I play with uses the KZs and was impressed with the quality for the price, but I haven’t tried them personally.

Yea these were decent IEM's 10+ years ago. But Chu II's are much better at a 1/4 the price.

Ooooh. My first iem was a Shure 215 for drumming and then my first chi-fi was the kz Andromeda clone. I got rid of both and good riddance they suck ass. You know what doesn't suck the kz zst and the tin audio t4. Both are great

Shure 215 in ear monitors with over ear construction headphones. Let’s you play the music at a level that won’t deafen you and still hear what your doing

If you don’t have one you’ll need a decent digital rack console with enough inputs and xlr outputs your band will require. Decide if you want stereo or mono outputs. I would then get a split snake to fit your inputs and label it well. Try throwing everything in a rack and your set up will be sooo easy. IEM on a budget, get some se215 and some art hp1 if you’re staying wired. I’d recommend getting headphones with better bass response but the 215 do the trick for the price. There’s lots of other options but it’s worth putting some money into it and you’ll get consistent great sound in your ears.

I went to my ENT and got custom ones made. They were less than $200 and work great. The better the fit the better they filter. I wear Shure SE215's for in ears at the moment, but as soon as I can afford it I will get custom in ears made too.

I have SE215's and Chu II's. The Chu's are significantly better and much much cheaper.

My Shure SE215's don't sound as good as my Chu 2's. My recommendation would be to buy a pair of Chu 2's first and see if they tickle your pickle before getting any other IEM's.

Guitarist here. Full wireless IEM rig for our foldback. I have a few ZS10 Pros as backups, but I vastly prefer my Truthear Hexas. I honestly think what musicians really want, almost always, is neutral balance, which KZs are not exactly famous for. Never the less... - KZs are cheap. Some musicians splash crazy cash on gear, but there are so many bits of gear you need that IEMs aren't high up the priority ladder. - Musicians have mixers. I have access to all kinds of parametric EQs and other adjustments, I can make anything decent sound good with enough effort. - ZS10 Pros are much better than the Shure SE215s, for example. We started out on those because they came with our IEM wireless gear. The 215s are a reliable work horse, but they sound terrible compared to a lot of much cheaper IEMs these days. I think a lot of guys are just running what their systems came with, and from that position KZ is very good. - Marketing just worked. I don't know if it was truly grassroots stuff or if this was an intentional marketing campaign, but a lot of musicians forums and subreddits have been talking about KZ for the last year or two. Word got out, and many jumped on the band wagon. They're wrong though. I think Hexa or other more neutral IEMs would go in a lot more musician's ears if they knew about them. 🤷‍♂️

I have the Shure 846G2. But I use the yellow foam inserts. Check those out on the 2nd picture. You can use them with Shure 425, and I believe the Shure 215 as well. The foam is a way better seal than the rubber. You compress it. Stick it in your ear then it expands out. Molds would be best but this is fantastic as well. [Shure846G2](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SE846G2JD--shure-se846g2-sound-isolating-earphones-jade)

I swear by the shure se215's

If you haven’t tried the er2, then you might want to test run them. Sound will be good, but fit in the ears… not for everyone. The se215 are just ok. Safe bet in general, with a comfortable fit. I think better as a daily beater.

I started with Shure SE215’s (bad,) then Truthear Hexas (better) and now 64Audio A6t’s (really really good.) I gave the Hexas to our singer and she likes them a lot more than the MeeAudio M6 Pros she had before.

IEMs are best. The Shure se215 are the iconic mid range IEM and I love mine, but they’re a bit pricey - there are similar products for cheaper.  I’ve heard Linsoul and Truthear all mentioned on a positive light, I’ve never used them though.

So I play in an 80s hair metal covers band, doing weddings, parties, corporate events etc, and I have the exact same set up as you pretty much. QC with a preset for each song (no Global eq) to Soundcraft UI16 mixer (modest subtractive eq + high/low pass only on the guitar!) > Shure PSM300 transmitter, Shure PSM300-K3E receiver into Shure SE215 earphones. The QC sounds great out of the FOH, studio monitors and headphones. It sounds pretty damn similar through the EIMs but it is a slightly different experience. They’re EQ’d to be clear in a live band situation so it does sound a little more treble and have more of an upper-mid presence than on other systems. I also realised I had the high pass filter a bit too high when I moved to IEMs - Not that noticeable through the PA in a mix but it totally lost the low end through the IEMs, so I pulled the HPF down a bit (maybe to around 90/100hz?). I’m more than happy with how it sounds in my IEM, but appreciate it’s not 100% the same listening experience as it is through monitors etc. It sounds like yours is VERY different though? As a previous commenter mentioned - It’s not an aux/line level issue is it? There’s a switch for that on the back of the PSM300. Presumably though if all the other instruments sound fine, then it’s just the QC that sounds weird? Does it sound good out of FOH? If it’s the same QC output that you’ve sent to speakers/headphones where it sounds ‘good’, then it can only really be a mixer/IEM issue? For the record, as semi-professional gigging musicians we find the SE215s to be just fine. We bump the bass on our receivers up by a couple of notches, but that’s it. Clear as a bell.

I had two pairs of TMA-1s. Snapped the band on both. Switched to Shure 215’s in 2018. Upgraded to the 535’s in 2020. They’re not for everyone but they significantly made DJing better for me.

I know these are pricey. BUT if you are planning on playing drums for the rest of your life. I would invest in a pair of Ultra Phones. You can hear the kit clearly. Its like someone just turned down the volume. Plus they are super comfortable. [https://www.gk-music.com/product/ultraphones/](https://www.gk-music.com/product/ultraphones/) Also if your going to be playing for a while listening to a song to play with or record. I would put an EQ on it and cut the highs down. The high frequencies are what can do the most damage to your ears. I tried the Shure se215 but they just don't block enough sound out. Plus the rubber starts warping and starts leaking sound and you don't realize it. Even if you don't get the Ultra Phones. I would recommend over the ear ones.

You need a good seal. Ears can be vastly different in size and shape, so what works for one might not for others. I got a BASN MMCX from amazon, triple drivers sound awesome. I chose it because it's smaller. KZ ZS10 is very popular, but a bit bigger. Many of these Chinese IEMS come with a lot of tips, or you can find extra foam tips (Comply, Dekoni Bulletz). Shure SE215 is popular with musicians, but has only a single driver. IEMS need a good seal for the sound, too. They can sound horrible and tinny if they're not well inside.

While I agree with mist that you say, the Shure SE215 has never been the industry standard. That would imply that they are ubiquitous among industry professionals (they're definitely not), have been around for a long time (sorta I guess) and that they're exceptional (hell no). They are however popular for anyone who doesn't want to spend a lot of money and doesn't do too much research in the market. They are the cheapest brand IEMs with any sort of reputation, but sadly aren't all that great and pretty overpriced for what they offer amidst most lesser known competitors.

They are very mediocre. They are mediocre by themselves and they are incredibly mediocre considering they cost more than a hundred bucks. They've been that way for more than a decade while left and right there's been all kinds of competition that offer more for much less. In the end they are pretty simple single-drivers. I did a listening session with a custom IEM builder a few towns away and everything they had was just so much more usable for on stage performances. Even the single driver unit they had sounded better. And that one was not much more expensive, and custom molded too. SE215 don't sound like shit. But they sure don't sound like a hundred bucks either. And that's coming from someone who's far from an audiophile.

I use the Alclair Tour Triple Driver, it’s been awesome. A huge upgrade from the Shure SE 215s I was using before.

I use the Shure SE215 and they work great for me. You’ll definitely want an extension cable, but I don’t think any IEMs come with a long cable

I recommend getting a cheap Amazon one first just to try it out. If you like the concept then go for a nicer one, I use and recommend Shure SE215

I’ve used Shure 215s for years and they are $100. I’m sure there are better values and products but if you’re just getting in to IEMs they will get you where you want to go at a reasonable price. You can always upgrade to better multi-driver IEMs later. Moving from wedges to IEMs will change your life and save your hearing.

Might just be me but I didn't have great experiences with the Westone um10's or the Shure SE 215s, both of which people liked at the time. I liked the sound but the driver fell out of the westones and I had to perform surgery on them and the 215s had weird cable issues. My cheaper chifi iems I've gotten since have held up much better

I use the KZ ZS10 Pro. They sound WAY better than my old Shure SE215 and are way more comfortable. Get some [Comply Memory Foam](https://a.co/d/cRC1KUp) tips to really up the game. They are easily the best value and you'd have to spend $3-400 to get better.

I daily used the se215 for about 8 years. 2012 to 2020. I have a soft spot for them, but they’re trash. Bass is bloated and the mids are recessed. It’s just not a competitive iem in the market anymore. It is really comfortable though

I started with the SE215 and migrated to the SE535. I found the 215 lacked clarity in some cases. The 535 seem to improve this, but I’ll test it for real in a few days. I still prefer regular ones for comfort and to more easily hear the real output, including room reverb and all, but I went for the better hearing protection, cleaner look and undamaged hair because I’m petty like that. 😂

I've had both, Chu 2 is better but se215 does sound more natural, I remember first Chi-FI IEM I tried from the friend Trn V30, it was all around better than se215 only upper bass sounded kinda harsh on it, on se215 it was more polished, that was one thing it was better than $30 IEM from 5 years and a half years ago, new stuff has gotten even better, I'd take GATe over it any day even if same price

I was using some Shure 215s and they started cutting out so i swapped to some XVive T9s and for the money they are excellent. Easy to put in and pop out with the silicone ear pieces (come with foam too if you prefer) and have a whole bunch of sizes. I was thinking of getting a custom set made at some point but these T9s are real good and i may just roll with them.

yet my $89 SE215's have been trucking along for years and i can monitor everything i need to just fine in a variety of situations. i've got to ask, what kind of reference material were you working with? plug them straight into your phone and listen to some commercial mixes, anything with a lot of energy and density that was put out relatively recently. compare your $300 to your $50 in this way. i guarantee you both will be usable in a monitoring situation what i've found most often with those that struggle with IEMs, and monitoring in general, is that people forget that monitoring is monitoring. it's not necessarily meant to sound good, it's just meant to ensure you can get through the gig. a lot of people listen to KZ's or SE's or UE's or 64's or whatever through their IEM mixbuses and think everything sounds bad, but monitoring isn't meant to function like a commercially optimized mix. it's *okay* that the monitor mix doesn't sound like the record it's all a matter of expectations. simply, don't expect your early-tapped, poorly balanced, non-limited, user-mixed monitor mixbus to sound like the record through some SE's or KZ's. and then when you try some UE's or 64's, don't act like that early-tapped, poorly balanced, non-limited, user-mixed monitor mixbus suddenly sounds like the record; it doesn't, it's just confirmation bias because you have a 4 figure hole in your wallet that you have to justify to yourself somehow

Cosmic Ears CE3P for the custom ones and a set of Shure SE215 as spares. If I didn’t have the custom molded ones, I’d probably go for the Shure SE535 as my main drivers. 

Shure SE215 is a solid choice.

Don't bother with the Shure SE215s. I have them. They have lasted a good long while, but the sound quality is underwhelming. My bandmates recent all got some Mee Audio M6 Pros for $40. Apparently they like them a lot. [https://youtu.be/mHoljbkyAEs?si=CkvOo-1vCn6RTuP1&t=217](https://youtu.be/mHoljbkyAEs?si=CkvOo-1vCn6RTuP1&t=217)

My first proper hyped up IEM was the audio sense T800, I had others before this but this was the first big step up from the SE215 which is had owned for years at the time. I got mine pretty well as they came out in 2019 I think? I only got rid of them recently because the a few drivers in each side failed which meant they were unusable.

I've used the following models with success on stage and rehearsals (I play the drums): ZVX, ZS10 Pro X, Libra, Krila, Vader. At least the first two are sensitive enough to go loud even with a wimpy amp. Like you I previously used Shure 215's (and 315's). For years. And any of the models I mentioned sounds better to my ears.

Bought a par of Shure se215 back in highschool bc i was a music student. They blew my mind. I think its just what you like and what you expect.

I’ve been using daily the same set of iems for about ten years (shure se215) and they’ve been great, and even more so for simracing. No heat, good passive noise attenuation. I can only recommend. I got a dedicated mic just for the sim, an audio technica ATR 2100x USB which includes a USB ADC and filters out ambiant noise like fans etc since it is cardioid pattern.

Noise Cancellation is bad, it gives me a headache - you want Noise ISOLATION. Cheap Custom Plugs: Decibullz, bout $30 and custom molded in your kitchen, do the job well. I wear mine to concerts, too. They are the best bang for your buck out there that I am aware of and have filters in them. Cheap IEMs: Shure SE215 - they have replaceable cables for when you break them, and you prob will cause drums are an active sport. Sound okay, plugs are as comfy as you make them. Bout $100. Better IEMs: Shure SE535 - sound pretty good, same features as the 215s just more drivers. Sound better for sure. Fit is the same. Bout $450. I had a pair for about 10 years that I fixed a few times from stepping on them and such. Sold them at cost a few years ago when I got my current IEMs. Price isn’t an Option: UE Live Artists. Custom molded and sound amazing. I have mine ported to let in a little ambient noise so I can hear the drums. They were over $3k.

Sennheiser G4 IEM system or older G2 system (I have two rigs for different bands) ACS Dual Driver IEMs and a pair of Shure SE215 as backups

You can't use IEMs with earplugs, so that's why we're confused here. But some IEMs isolate just as well as earplugs. Look at Etymotics, although since they stick out a bit they might be unwieldy for use under a helmet. Shure SE215, although not the best sound for the price anymore, has very good isolation and is a great small fit for under a helmet, as well as being as solid as IEMs get. Sennheiser IE200 is similar but less reliable.

It was my first iem I ever had too about 15 years ago.. there’s better options for sure now a days but I still love the se215.. for 30$ I recommend the blon 03.. great tuning for music.. a lot of people on here are going to tell you that the shure se215 are outdated and not worth it.. but as long as you like them that’s all that matters..

I use my shure 215 at home. But I'm just a bedroom dj so it's kinda my main stage :D What is the difference between records and digital media when it comes to headphones? 

Tried shure se215 but cant get used to them, so switched back to hd 25s

First, you need some proper ear protection- ANC headphones or earbuds like Air Pods are better than nothing but the general consensus is that they should be used with either protective earbuds or cans. Adding even the cheap little foam buds to your current setup will help protect your hearing. Steps 1 & 2- get yourself some IEMs like Shure 215s or ZS10s (or whatever you find and like) with foam tips- they will provide protection even unplugged for practicing or whatever and you can connect these to your phone to listen to tracks or a click while you're practicing or to a computer or mixing board to monitor yourself while recording. You'll likely need a headphone adapter since phones no longer have headphone jacks. Steps 3 & 4- I have a Behringer P2 which allows you to pull the XLR cable from your stage monitor and put that signal directly into your ears. It has an amplifier in it so you can adjust the volume as you need. I use this for rehearsals and gigs where our usual wireless IEM system is unavailable. There are other models that do the same thing at other price points. Beyond that you're looking at wireless IEM systems which are a way more expensive and complicated bag of worms.

Shure SE215 is pretty much the most popular entry-level IEM. I would highly recommend them!

They are still good today ig Just a lot of cheaper Chi-fi can match if not surpass it's quality. And for the same price of 100 bucks there's a lot better options. Sound wise still good, bang for buck wise not so much.

Pro and Regular are the exact same IEM the only difference are the Cable.

for the Sennheiser you don't get much different earpieces. I switched from the Sennheiser IE100 to the Shure SE215 myself for that reason. The Shure have really a boatload of earpieces because they use a standard format and there are many 3rd party earpieces that fit too. In the SE215 package there are those christmas tree like styled earpieces. I like those most. A year ago I upgraded to the SE535.. next upgrade would probably be a custom fit

I have a pair Shure SE215. I recently got my ears molded and got custom inserts through Sensaphonics. I'm not sure if I like them. I they feel like they're slightly too big for my ears despite being fit for me. I also feel like they don't do a great job blocking out sound. Obvious they're not completely silent and I didn't expect them to be, but I feel like the higher end still comes through and my ears felt slightly tired. Now given, the first time I used them at practice, I was getting over a cold, so my ears weren't at their normal state. I'm gonna give them another shot, but I'm gonna be really disappointed if they still don't sound or feel right because I paid $200 for those molds.

I tried the er4xr and it is hurting by ear due to their deep insert. I currently have shure 215, but they feel heavy in ear and very dull sound. Going to try ie200 and see. 

For starters the Shure SE215 units will be good. They’re solid in-ear monitors that really block the outside sound out and aren’t outrageously pricy. Any of the similar models that are higher up than that are going to be similar but with higher audio quality/more audio drivers etc. As a drummer it’s good to have a set of your own in ears anyway. Don’t wanna have to borrow someone else’s ear pieces haha 🤢

Same here, I love them. They're good for walkin' around too (ie. Non-studio use).

Shure se215 because omthe fit and isolation is fantastic. Brands like simgot, and moondrop sound way better for the price, but the shures have the best fit and isolation, and that makes a bigger difference.

Get shure se215... ironically the much cheaper kz in ears sound much better, but the shures are just so much more comfortable that they are the better choice. When you are drumming you want something that will not fall off and won't distract you.

IEMs with a least -25db ; shure SE215 are what most people start with. They are not really amazing in any way, but they are going to be just fine for practicing with music

I have a set of Ultimate Ears molds that I’ve had forever. I also have a set of Shure SE215’s and a couple pairs of KZ AS10’s. The UE are my main set, but I keep the others around for backups or in case someone needs some. Just pop on new tips and they can bail a bandmate out in a bind.

Yep I was just about to suggest it. My band mates currently use this and have told me to get my hands on one when I can. Just got mine with the Shure 215 in ear monitors. Best $320 I've spent.

Most of my band members use Shure 215. I had a KZ ZS10PRO for a year and I thought it was a bit too harsh for live but sometimes the harshness is what gives you the energy for a better performance. As a singer, I can say that what I hear with the IEM affects drastically my performance. I also don't know the reason for the KZ ZS10 to still have such popularity between musicians when there are so much different choices now.

In comparison to custom molded in ears - the outer Sounds like cymbal bleed in your ears is immense. I wouldnt use the 215 anymore. Ehrn i got my customs i was worried if the 215 causer damage to my ears😂

Ordering some shire se215s now! I been doing air pods playing the music under headphones plugged into nothing for too long. Thanks!

For an acoustic kit the first step is isolation headphones like the Vic Firth cans or basic IEMs. I’d highly recommend Shure SE215’s for that, or KZ ZS10 Pros which run about $50 on Amazon but they’re a Chinese product so lord knows how much they’ll cost by the time you read this. I’ve used both and the Shures have better isolation, and come stock with foam tips whereas you have to buy them separately with the KZ’s. Besides that you’ll want to get a dongle to connect a phone or iPad to standard headphones. Usually $10 or so. I’d also get a headphone extension cord if using IEMs since they’re only designed to reach your pocket/belt and you probably want the device sitting next to you. The Vic Firths have a long cable. With that you should be able to play music at a safe volume and hear the kit’s noise behind the hearing protection. This is exactly how I practice most of the time. If you want to hear the kit better you’d need a small mixer and a room mic to provide what the hearing protection is eliminating. That can be done with a basic analog mixer and a dynamic mic like an SM57.

I am both a sim racer and an audio guy (ran sound professionally for a few years).  The Shure SE215’s are the industry standard budget IEMs. Replaceable parts, very robust. They are a little over your budget, but not by much. I see them on Amazon for $100. I personally probably wouldn't go cheaper than that. The 215s are a great value IMO.

I finally gave up on over the ear headphones and went with the Shure SE215 in ear. I have to feed in my overhead mics a little because they block everything.

I use the Plunge Audio Unity. KZ sound absolutely insane for the price but barely offer any isolation, even with third party tips. Shure 215 is the best for entry level and you can work your way up to the higher end ones if you like them. Noise cancelling/Bluetooth are not what you should be using for drumming.

The Shure 215’s are decently inexpensive. You can then get custom molded tips that block the most outside noise.

I'd recommend against both of them. See, you can just get aftermarket tips for a good set of iems. For shure's, this is really annoying because they use a very small bore diameter. If you want something name brand, I love sennheiser iems. The ie200 and up are great, and you can very easily switch out the tips (which you can find for cheap online), and most importantly, they're tinyyyy. The drumeo ones try to look like custom iems, but this means they're huge. If they don't match your ear shape they're gonna suck. I personally use letshuoer z12's, they're still small, sound absolutely amazing (especially for drums, nice powerful but accurate low end), pretty affordable and they came with very nice tips. But the brand is not a big brand so you might not be very comfortable with it. Hope that helps!

Haven't tried either, only had the Shure se215's, but I kind of hated the sound. Super scooped, not much high end, bass was muddy. To me it feels like the drumeo iems are marketed really well but there is barely any technical specs to be found, which makes me scared that they won't sound all that great

I have had the 215 for quite a few years now...the sound isolation is great and I still like them alot, but I reckon there are alot of newer sets that are alot cheaper and sound decent too...my suggestion would be to look at some of the chi-fi stuff

probably my favorite iem case ever, fit my ears so well. sound was really not amazing even a decade ago though.

I have a wired system. Behringer powerplay P2 and shure se-215

Unfortunately no, the ones I have were old school. Shure 215 (longest owning, more than 10yrs old) Aonic 4, still have it, I use it for bed listening, several KZ IEMs (gave to my kids) Hidiz MP145, Shanling ME600 (this is my goto for most general listening, slightly warm, good bass, good resolution, simply enjoyable listening to anything. Tangzu Xuanwu Gate, Thieauduio Monarch MK3 and the Aful Cantor that is on the way.

I'm using the Shure SE215's with the Shure Foam tips, just ordered some of Comply Professional tips to try out. I love them and get very good passive attenuation. You can always start with the foams and if you're unhappy have some sleeves made later.

I use the Shure SE215's as IEM's on my acoustic kit, I like the sound quality and feel its pretty balanced (Sadly not an audiophile so can't comment on the specifics). Plus the 37dB attenuation is superb for keeping my ears happy :)

I really like the Shure SE215's with the Comply Pro Foam Tips

Noise cancellation doesn't protect your ears, it's probably more damaging. If you want budget IEM's the KZ ZSN Pro's with the foam tips always get rated well, if you want to spend a bit more from a big name, Shure SE215's, use the foam tips and you can't beat them.

I’m trying this thing where I rotate my iems so they all get used and I get better at hearing the differences between them, tomorrow is the se215’s day

Shure 215s are pretty affordable and you can get Bluetooth cables for them too, lots of product support. I rarely use mine (prefer some nice cans) but on airplanes, I wear the shures underneath my headphones with an audio splitter and I can't hear jack shit outside lol.

I have Shure SE535s and SE215s and they both came with the same tips: S/M/L silicone S/M/L foam Round yellow foam Triple flange/Christmas tree And they were both fitted with comply foam tips (which is what I use most of the time with them) They both have the same fit and isolation and I would highly recommend the SE215s

Shure 215s. Ain’t the greatest things in the world, but most of the time boost mids and cut highs and lows, and play with a comp and they sound like if butter was music.

Buy Sennheiset IE100 or Shure SE215 You can listen to music and they block out 90% of outside noise. I have been using them for 7 years now

If you use Sennheiser or Shure in ears then you get a boatload of earpieces that you can try. For me, the medium or large foam pieces be shure fit the best. They block 90% of outside noise. Will be the same with Sennheiser. Sennheiser IE100 are a good cheap version, so are the Shure SE215

I had some connection issues with the left ear bud cutting out - i think over times some sweat just worked its way in there. The bud can be disassembled in the middle, pulled in half to expose the connector. Cleaned it with some rubbing alcohol and theyre still going strong. Point being, even when they start to die, you can possibly resurrect them lol

Shure SE215's Works and sounds well. You can get replacement foams, if you like foams. Or you can get a $20 set off amazon. The price tag for the Shure's is worth it imo. ($100)

Whats your budget? Being a drummer you have probably heard of Shure. Honestly I haven’t heard many IEM’s besides them and Etymotic who actually block enough noise to the point of legitimate protection (I know drums are stupid loud). I love my Shure SE215’s for music, them and Etymotic’s ER2XR are my recommendations. The Etymotics block out up to 40 db at the cost of a deep insertion fit but they sound and isolation is worth it. Both the Shures and the Etymotics cost $99 and I would consider that budget but I dont know the funds you are working with.

Love the 215’s. They are the first IEM’s to show me an audio equivalent of a physical form for my music. Ive had the Moondrop Arias, FiiO JD7 and Letshouer S12 Pro up to that point so at first I didnt realize what I was hearing and they just sat in a drawer until one day I decided to give them another shot. I plugged them in, scrolled through Reddit and I dont know when but all the switches unconsciously flipped in my brain and I could isolate and pick out every detail of every sound I was hearing. I heard the full range of vocals from the low to the top end more fully and clearly than any other monitor up to that point. They sounded so real and once I got used to them nothing stepped on one another and I finally understood why these are directed towards musicians and DJ’s. They present the sound in a way that you can hear all the essential parts of the song but hear everything as clearly as those necessary parts are needed in order to keep time. They are the only pair of monitors I have where I can accurately keep track of where I am without confusion because these are designed to do that, to be stage monitors first. And yes, they sound great. I feel like a lot of the hate is from people expecting these to be leisure devices and then hearing something that doesn’t meet their expectations.

>I want to shit on my friends’ AirPods Pro 2nd gen and AirPods Max  I love this lol. I own both the Shure SE846 and SE215. The latter, of which, were my son's but he preferred his cheaper chifi IEMs so now they're mine. I think the SE846 are great and are super comfortable. I can't compare them to iStuff because I don't own any. If you have any interest in the SE846, I can try and so some testing between the two Shure IEMs, but disclaimer: I'm not an experienced audiophile, so I can't give you a deep dive. I'm just a guy that appreciates higher-end gear and learning as I go :)

I used them once in a very loud environment, was much better than headphones. I still use headphones mostly because I often play with friends and I like to listen to the room/monitors, but any place I would play professionally on my own I bring some Shure 215s which isolate incredibly well. I’d definitely consider it if you want to save your hearing further. Professional earphones made to measure would be even better of course

I started with the Shure SE215 and they had very little bass. I got some Westones AM Pro 30s and wasn’t impressed by them either. I now have the KZ ZAX with an upgraded cable (Tripowin 16 core) and they make the little hairs in my ears *DANCE*. The frequency response is a little scooped, but they’re the absolute best bang for your buck imho.

I've only gotten the 800's heard that modding them makes them into a psudo 1000. never heard of the xba-z5. I'll have to look at them. Right now I'm using koss porta pro I've been having inner ear problems.i have 5 IEM's now, 2 being the 800's, a set of blessings 3 , linsoul zero:2. Used to have Shure 215 but they legit fell apart and the plastic wouldn't stay together.

I’ll probably get flamed for this, but it’s true: I’ve had Shure 215s for a while and they’re fine. Heard so many good things about out the KZ ZS10 Pro that I recently bought some. In MY opinion, the KZs sound like shit comparatively and aren’t nearly as comfortable.

Yes, i loved the foamies on my 215’s. Just wish the snap connection was sturdier.

I didn't have the same exact headphones but I used my Shure SE215 under my helmet for ages. By far the most comfortable to wear and decent sound isolation. I think it help that they are quite flush with your ear so helps with preventing wind noise from a draught under your helmet. They have a Bluetooth adapter thing that also last surprisingly long, about 6-8 hours. It's also switchable so you can always charge one on the side