Shure SE420 review

They're not the easiest headphones to fit, but once you've got them in your ears there's much to admire about these Shures Tested at £170.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

They're not the easiest headphones to fit, but once you've got them in your ears there's much to admire about these Shures

Pros

  • +

    Much detail

  • +

    excellent dynamics

Cons

  • -

    Not the most comfortable

  • -

    Klipsch rival does it even better

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

The foam in-ear buds prove to be the best option of Shure's abundant bud offering – although we find them a bit of a pain to fit in the ear. Put it like this: you're not going to want to be putting them in and taking them out very frequently.

Play Cornflake Girl by Tori Amos and the SE420s produce an open soundstage with impressive detail, poise and rhythm. Dynamics are excellent, treble is sparkly and sweet, and the vocals are organic and involving.

The problem for Shure – not for the first time – is that there's a pair of Klipsch 'phones, the X10s, that offer the same and more.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test

Latest in Wired Earbuds
SoundMagic E80D wired in-ear headphones
SoundMagic E80D
Campfire Audio Clara
Campfire Audio and Nine Inch Nails' high-end IEMs want to bring you closer to sonic joy
Activo Q1 on a blue background
Activo's premium IEMs have been designed "to please audiophiles on the move"
A pair of earbuds from the Zeitgeist Trees collection plugged into a music player.
Zeitgeist branches out with a range of headphones made from trees
Zeitgeist Germany Artisan IEMs
Want headphones inspired by Fabergé or made from whisky barrels? These IEMs are for you
Meze Audio Alba in-ear wired headphones with A&K player
Meze Audio's Alba are affordable wired earbuds for the 21st century
Latest in Reviews
iFi Zen Phono 3 phono stage
iFi Zen Phono 3
Google TV Streamer video streamer
Google TV Streamer
Samsung QN990F on a white media unit with a grey curtain in the behind it and soundbar in front
Samsung QN990F 8K TV
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53 standmount speakers
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53
 iFi Zen DAC 3 digital-to-analogue converter
iFi Zen DAC 3
Sennheiser HD 505 open-back headphones
Sennheiser HD 505