Shure SE535 Sound Isolating In-Ear Earphones, Clear

• Three balanced armature drivers per earpiece, for spacious sound and rich bass
• Up to 37 dB of isolation with the supplied fit kit
• Detachable cable with gold-plated MMCX connectors that rotate 360°
• Over-the-ear wireform cable that keeps the earphones in place
• Zippered carrying case and 6.35 mm adapter included

Each earpiece houses three balanced armature drivers. Shure describes the result as spacious sound with rich bass, in a compact, discreet housing. Shure makes earphones in the same family with two drivers (SE425) and four (SE846); the SE535 sits between them.

Shure specifies a sensitivity of 119 dB SPL/mW and an impedance of 36 ohms at 1 kHz, for a response of 18 Hz to 19 kHz.

The 37 dB of isolation Shure quotes depends on the seal between the sleeve and the ear canal. Shure's guide is clear: if bass seems to be missing, the sleeve is not sealing; push the earphone in a little further or change sleeves. The SE535-CL comes with four kinds of sleeves: black foam in three sizes, soft flex sleeves in three sizes, yellow foam and triple-flange sleeves.

Foam sleeves are compressed between the fingers, inserted, then expand for about ten seconds. The stem of the triple-flange sleeves can be trimmed with scissors.

The 64 in. clear cable, about 1.6 m, detaches from the earphones through gold-plated snap-fit MMCX connectors that rotate 360°. It runs over the ear and is secured behind the head, which keeps the earphones in place while moving; a cable cinch takes up the slack. On clear models, coloured dots mark the sides: red for right, blue for left.

To detach it, Shure recommends grasping the connector and the earphone as close as possible to where they join and pulling straight apart, without twisting and without tools. A damaged cable can be replaced, for example with Shure's EAC64 cable, without changing earphones.

The SE535 plug into any 3.5 mm stereo output, and the supplied threaded 6.35 mm adapter connects them to a full-size headphone output. Shure offers them as optional earphones for its in-ear monitor bodypacks, such as the P9HW, a wired bodypack worn on the belt.

• In-ear monitoring on stage, with a wired bodypack or a wireless system
• Studio monitoring when room noise needs to stay out
• Drummer who needs to hear the click and the mix over the kit
• Critical music listening on the go

Other stage in-ear monitors from other manufacturers. Data published by each manufacturer.

How many drivers does the SE535 have?

Three per earpiece, all balanced armature. At Shure, the neighbouring two-driver model is the SE425, and the four-driver model the SE846.

How do you clean SE535 earphones?

Shure advises removing the sleeve and checking the nozzle: if it is blocked, clear it with the wire loop of a cleaning tool, without ever forcing an object through the nozzle. Sleeves are rinsed in warm water and air dried; the earphones are wiped with a mild antiseptic, not alcohol-based.

Can the SE535 cable be replaced?

Yes. The cable is detachable, with MMCX connectors, and Shure sells replacement cables such as the EAC64. When reattaching, match the L and R markings, or the coloured dots on clear models, and listen for the click.

Why do my SE535 lack bass?

According to Shure, missing bass means the sleeve is not forming a tight seal in the ear canal. Push the earphone in a little further or try another size or type of sleeve.