Shure SE425-CL

I tried a friend's SE215s before I bought these and they were literally the best headphones I'd tried, especially for just how much noise they cancelled out. I opted for the SE425s as they were within my price range and I wasn't and remain not disappointed. Despite not having 'noise-cancelling' built in, the fit is incredibly snug and they come with a range of various tips so you can choose whichever option you feel most comfortable with.

They do get a bit of getting used to in terms of comfort, purely because most other 'normal' headphones don't go into the ear as much as these do, without buying a set of mouldies, however the SE425s also have a really useful tightening slider which means they remain firmly in place, exactly how you want them to be.

A really great set of headphones soundwise as well, the dual drivers provide well enough pump for the bass, you don't need to turn up the volume very much at all. And let's face it, who really needs more than two drivers?

I'd recommend them for anyone looking to buy a pair of £200 in-ear monitors or even general headphones. I tried some Atomic Floyd headphones the other day (also around £200) and they were shocking for the price - great packaging, but a poor sound quality, they didn't stay in the ear and a shoddy cable. The SE425s have a really durable cable as well which doesn't look set to break anytime soon.

Great headphones basically! Just make sure you turn your phone to silent when walking around or there's absolutely no chance you'll hear it…!

Having come from bassy phones like the SE215 and Beyer's DT770, I never though I'd love a pair of headphones with such a neutral signature so much.

Though not quite as comfortable as the SE215s (you may have some fit issues with small ears) they still fit snugly and aren't irritating after any period of time.

Having become accustomed to their neutral signature, I find myself now unable to listen to bassier phones since the whole frequency mix seems unbalanced.

They do however fall off slightly at the high end which costs them a bit of detail up there but also makes them less fatiguing to listen to.

The level of detail on instruments they provide is superb and accurate, the build quality is good, they're comfortable, the soundstage is pretty good for in-ears...
If you're looking for a pair of neutral in ears for reference listening or just portable use, this is exactly what you're looking for.

Firstly, I'd like to say the sound isolation is very good. It feels like putting on a pair of earplugs! The Shure ear buds expand in your ear and almost enlarge them. You get that amazing noise isolation, but it's sometimes weird to feel my ear canal getting noticeably larger.

Secondly, the build quality is solid. The cables are detachable and feel strong though a little bulky. Some may find the over-the-ear style quite weird, but I think the cables are 'less in the way' and I like the hearing-aid look. One thing I don't like is the cable length of 1.65m long - it's almost as tall as me.

Finally, I feel that the SE425s has a distinct sound signature. It's a different character to headphones I've used in the past which have had more powerful bass. That's not to say the SE425s lack bass, but it is less prominent, more 'tight' and does not over power the mids and highs. As a result, there is a lot more clarity and differentiation can heard between various instruments, voices etc. Lossless tracks sound sublime.

Overall, a quality pair of earphones with a distinct sound. They will last a long time.

These are great in ears monitors and definitely hit the requirements for the price. However, I can't help but feel they lack a small amount of that premium feel. They are great for treble, bass isn't on the same level but is sufficient enough to be substantial.

The tips that came with these are in varying sizes and shapes but like all tips like these, not always a fit for everyone. I personally struggle with these and I have resulted in finding an alternative solution.

I have used these in ears for a year now, I am glad I bought them. They do the job I require them to do and are a good product. But if you are looking for top premium sound, these do fall just short, but for a semi professional musician like me, these definitely are a must buy.