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Author Topic: Shure SE846 impressions  (Read 9125 times)

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lowdown69

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2014, 02:00:33 PM »
Anaxilus, You bought the 846 and this is your opinion on them? Besides comparing it to custom earphones how would you compare them to universal earphones? Bass and especially sub bass is warm maybe bass is not your cup of tea. What styles of music did you listen to? Have you ever been to a live concert did a live show sound warm to you?
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Kunlun

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #11 on: March 24, 2014, 02:30:11 PM »
Hmm, the 846 must have something to commend it or there wouldn't be such strong supporters!
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Anaxilus

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #12 on: March 24, 2014, 02:43:38 PM »
Quote from: lowdown69 on March 24, 2014, 01:55:55 PM
The 846 can do anything you want them to do period.

No they can't, period.  I think my impressions spell out what I heard pretty clearly.

Are you serious?  Yes I've been to many live concerts acoustic and electronic both well and poorly mastered. Have you?  I've also played violin and piano.  I listen to all styles of music, see our DAC review spreadsheet to get an idea of tracks I use and my musical tastes.  The problem with the 846 bass is it simply unresolving and lacking proper texture that is being lost from the original master/recording when compared to the UERM. 

You're idea that all live performances sound the same, as in 'warm'  however you mean that personally, is problematic.  If I can go to a concert these days where the sound engineer hasn't tweaked Scott Weiland into sounding like Axel Rose I'll be over the moon.  It seems you might like electronically compressed and overblown bass that blows out phone mics.  I can tell you that my own ES5 can hit harder, faster and cleaner than anything from Shure.

As for universal versus custom, I'm not getting into that debate again...yet.  I don't listen to universals much anymore except when I need something disposable I don't mind losing too much.

The Shure sound signature is not really my cup of tea for a variety of reasons.  When I was new and not a hobbyist, Shure was my main IEM for many years all the way from the E1 to the 500.

These were loaners from CeeTee whom I know in real life personally, I did not buy them.  I don't seem to know you as you haven't introduced yourself yet per forum policy.
« Last Edit: March 24, 2014, 03:06:06 PM by Anaxilus »
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Greed

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #13 on: March 24, 2014, 02:57:02 PM »
Quote from: Kunlun on March 24, 2014, 02:30:11 PM
Hmm, the 846 must have something to commend it or there wouldn't be such strong supporters!

It sounds like they just have a "pleasing" sound to them. Nothing jumps out at you and makes you walk away. Compared to some of the other high end universals, I think these just take you away from analytical listening in general. Technical proficiencies has never been a Shure staple, but a smooth, laid-back sound that is easy to listen to is what they do best.
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Kunlun

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2014, 03:03:29 PM »
That's what I'm getting from this thread, too.

Some people like plankton, some people like...giant squid (or whatever sea metaphor you like for a sub-bass feel).
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Anaxilus

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #15 on: March 24, 2014, 03:04:23 PM »
Quote from: Greed on March 24, 2014, 02:57:02 PM
Technical proficiencies has never been a Shure staple, but a smooth, laid-back sound that is easy to listen to is what they do best.

I pretty much agree with this and that's my problem with some gear.  Real live music is in your face with a clear and clean sound unless you like to sit further back in a concert hall and let the diffuse away throughout the room and that's your preferred 'sound'.  So if you know how close the original recording is to the real thing, if the gear just crushes it or manipulates it, then that's not my thing.  If I know the quality of my live recording, I'm not going to tolerate it sounding like radio, especially if doing so ends up costing me a lot of money.
_________

Anyway, there's a lot more to breaking down a music's rendering than just plankton or squid.  But yes, preferences matter.
« Last Edit: March 24, 2014, 03:11:39 PM by Anaxilus »
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lowdown69

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #16 on: March 24, 2014, 04:37:23 PM »
Well I have been to various live concerts in my years. I can say well over 200 live concerts since 1976. Yes not all will be anywhere to perfect but they are live and not controlled in a studio where it can sound any way they want it to sound. Also no I have never been to a live show with one person playing one instrument so I am not familiar with that style of music. In this hobby it can be easy to search for what is not right and then point that out but I like to search for what I like and enjoy those areas that I like. Ofcourse no earphone can be perfect and the ones one likes will have limitations depending on different styles of music out there. One earphone can make that piano sound marvelous but it doesnt mean it will please everybody who might enjoy other kinds of music. Stone Temple Pilots live has a lot of sub bass when Eric pounds his bass drum. I understand you do not like the Shure sound but that does not mean it can please others. What I am trying to make clear is a review can lead others who do not have that special taste or ear for finding what faults can easily be steered to a wrong earphone. If I am in seach of and earphone that can pound the bass while keeping the meds and highs clear and I go with the old Ultimate Ears Vocal Reference Monitors or the JH 13 thinking they are going to provide the bass I will not be pleased. But if I want to listen to a piano or say james taylor live then those two earphones might do the job.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #17 on: March 24, 2014, 04:58:31 PM »
I'll just vehemently disagree with your assertion that a studio master recording is doing more to manipulate sound than most live amplified concerts and nightclubs and leave it there.  If people are after coloration to manipulate their music to give off that effect, that's fine, personal preference.  However, when reviewing gear, fidelity is often the preferences frame of reference and usually assumed if not caveated up front. 

Regardless of musical/personal preference, I don't see anyone taking anything I said about the 846 out of context.  It's pretty clear for all to see.  If you like bass quality, quantity is no substitute.  Nothing about the 846 bass rendition struck me as close to any live concert I've heard, amplified or not.  Still sounds rather grey, fake and unnatural to me whether it's Neil Peart, Flea, Massive Attack or Buddy Rich.  I'd likely prefer the bass of my old Monster Miles Davis Tributes or a Radius DDM over the 846 tbh.
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The Alchemist

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #18 on: March 24, 2014, 05:03:23 PM »
Wow I would love to check those out and hear what they sound like!!
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lowdown69

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Re: Shure SE846 impressions
« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2014, 05:10:01 PM »
I also prefer the bass from a dynamic driver. To be clear in the studio they also amplify? In the studio they can redo it over and over until its done right? Do they place the drum set in the same room or do they isolate the drummer? In my experience many singers do not sound the same live as they did on their record or cd. Thanks for helping me understand better.
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