Shure - SE425

I second these as a long time professional live/broadcast sound engineer and life long percussionist. My Shure SE425s split after a decade of sweating with them in. Someone along the way recommended the KZ ZSN Pros as a cheap but great throw away pair of IEMs. Ive had them for years now and they just keep sounding better and better as they break in. Its takes a little time for the high end to mellow out but I’ve never felt the need to have my SE425s repaired because these sound plenty decent enough. You absolutely have to get the foam isolation tips though if you wanna use them while playing drums.

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'd try the cheaper Amazon ones (KZ ZS10 Pro for example). I use those regularly, but I've also used Shure 215 and 425. Frankly, I love the fit and feel of the Shures but don't love the sound. My KZ are WAY better than either, especially once I switched to foam tips on them. The Shure's just aren't worth the money.

I'm a drummer and have used the 215s (whole band had them to start with) and feel there was a world of difference switching to the 425s... Others in band (bass, electric, and acoustic /lead vocal) swear by the KZ ZS10 pros. At $45 on Amazon those they might be worth the shot just to test.

Significantly more clarity/articulation, and sound isolation... And yes, the result is less volume. I used to turn up trying thinking I needed more bass and click, but what I really needed was a tighter bass generally articulate sound with less bleed over from the acoustic kit. Oh one more thing... The foam tips are good, but you should change them out regularly. I'm noticing additional bleed as I smile or move my jaw around, with foams that are now 7 month old. Have read they should be changed 3 or 4 months, I believe it.

I did the same switch a while ago and can say I had the same experience. I was so used to the 215s that the more articulate highs of the the 425s irritated me at first. But in the end you just hear the band/backing track much clearer and can turn the volume a bit lower.

id go one step up and get Shure 425's, but eh 215's have worked well for probably millions of drummers for YEARS

Yes. I went from Shire 215s to 425s, and the difference is ridiculously large.

I have those as well, the 425s are more natural/neutral, closer to the source. The ZS10s definitely add a lot of bass which sounds great and helps especially for us drummers. 

I practice with my 425s with earmuffs over them so I don’t really notice the lacking bass honestly. If I ever start playing live again I’ll probably buy a new pair of KZs

It’s weird isn’t it. I got the EW300s a few weeks ago and I immediately wanted to upgrade and read through a ton of posts here.  I think it’s because years and years ago I had the original wired apple earbuds, then I got M-Audio IE10s and was blown away by the clarity. Then I got shure se215s, then I got into KZ buds like a decade ago, then shure 425s and finally AirPods Pro. I’ve had those for like 6 years or whatever and when I got the simgots recently I remembered just how much detail music could have. And the fact that they are less than a third of what my shures cost made me think well if $80 gets me this good of sound, what does $300 get me??  I love the imaging and separation of the EW300s and I really want even more

I have Alclairs and they were a huge step up from any non-molded ears I had used prior (I’ve only gone up to SE425s admittedly) but I don’t have any UE experience. Just wanted to rep a company with a quality product and good support. I kept my 215s as my road backups and every time I have to use them, it’s painfully bad. So the Alclairs are at least better than 215s enough that they’ve completely ruined the 215s for me and I’d rather use plugs and wedges as often as 215s.

I’ve been using mostly my IEMs lately for the best isolation. Just Shure 425 generics, they sound like ass but I know them really well. When I’m using cans I have a pair of Sony MDR7506s

Until I upgraded to my first dual driver Shure SE-425, I was never happy.

Just the sound quality difference between the 215's and the 425's was worth the extra cash. All frequencies were better articulated - especially the 6K range. PLUS it is my opinion that with 2 drivers talking to you - instead of ONE driver yelling at you...it's easier on the inner ear. Even though the triple flange screw-in attachment is more isolating, I believe that it is extra destructive to the inner ear because the source is deep and right on top of the eardrum and the vaccum seal beats up the eardrum harder. I believe that the foam attachment backs up the source from your eardrum and allows the sound to bounce a little before it gets to your eardrum. A good compromise would be to use safer Over-the-ear cans for rehearsals and in-ear monitors for performances. It may be only correlation - and not causation....but my tinnitus didn't start at age 52 until using the 425 with triple flanges for six months.