Table of Contents
Prologue
In years past, when joining the audio “playing” community, the name “Shure” could not help but be mentioned at times when interested in devices such as earbuds for musicians performing on stage, sound processing systems, and recording equipment. Before entering the earphone market, Shure already had a great reputation for its success in the recording industry with a symbol that has left Shure’s mark on this industry to this day – the Unidyne Model. 55; SM57, SM58, SM5B, SM7B… lines, many of which are loved and used by users around the world. What’s special is not only the sound quality of Shure’s receivers but also the durability and quality testing of the company’s products, proven over time with the SM58 model.
Having great influence, Shure “set foot” in the headphone manufacturing industry in May 2009 and gradually expanded the market with big hits such as SE215 (2011), and SE425 (2013) – two of These headphone models are loved by musicians who play drums and singers performing on stage thanks to their compact, durable design, lying flat in the ear, providing noise isolation of up to 35dB but comfortable wearing feeling. More comfortable than Etymotic’s ER4P/ ER4S and has a very powerful and tense sound; SE846 (2013) – is a headphone model that shook the headphone market thanks to the number of BA speakers supported on each ear up to 4. With Shure’s foresight, the company launched the KSE1500 in 2015 – one of the world’s first electrostatic earphones come with an integrated electrostatic amplifier DAC – KSA1500, setting a milestone for Shure’s 8-year research, product development, editing, and refinement process. Before the company looks for reasons and sources of demand for this product.
Technical specifications:
Driver type: 1 electrostatic
Plug type: LEMO 6-pin
Frequency response range: 10 Hz – 50 kHz
Highest sensitivity: 113 dB SPL (1kHz at 3% THD)
KSA1200 electrostatic amplifier:
SNR: up to 107 dB (A-weighted)
Adjustable volume level range: -40 dB – +60 dB
Charging port: USB Micro-B (only for charging, does not support audio signal reception function)
LINE-IN port: 3.5mm
Rechargeable battery in KSA1200:
Battery type: Li-Ion
Nominal voltage: 3.6 V DC
Battery life (as advertised by Shure for the product): 12 hours
Minimum required charging source: 5 V/ 0.5 A to 1 A.
Charging time: up to 3 hours with 1 A charger.
Accessories included with the product:
EASQRZIPCASE brand headphone case;
Types of earplugs:
3 pairs of EASFX1 silicone earplugs, size S/M/L;
3 pairs of EABKF1 black foam earplugs, size S/M/L;
1 pair of EAYLF1 gold foam earplugs;
1 pair of 3-domed earplugs brand EATFL1-6;
2 EA2AMPBANDS elastic bands;
1 clothes clip to hold the headphone cord;
1 3.5mm to 3.5mm adapter cable brand EA3.5MM36, 92 cm long;
1 3.5mm to 3.5mm adapter cable brand EA3.5MM6, 15.2 cm long;
1 foot converts 3.5mm to 6.3mm;
1 USB-A to USB Micro-B cable;
1 KSA1200 electrostatic amplifier (main);
Headset KSE1500 (main).
Answer questions about the product:
Differences between KSE1500 and KSE1200:
In 2018, Shure launched the KSE1200 – a set of compact electrostatic earbuds from the KSE1500. With the KSE1500, the product model comes with the KSA1500 – an electrostatic amplifier with integrated DAC decoding up to 24-bit – 96kHz. Users get an onboard display that helps check battery capacity, input source, and left-right volume, and thanks to the built-in DAC, 4-band EQ is also supported, giving users direction. Customize sound quality according to your needs.
For the KSE1200, the product set still comes with the KSE1500 headphone model, but the amplifier is changed to the KSA1200 model. This version may be based on user comments for Shure about removing the DAC part and keeping the electrostatic amplifier part for the headphones. This change is so that users can connect the product set to any type of DAC as desired, instead of being limited by Shure’s proprietary audio decoding circuit.
In short, Shure does not have the KSE1200 headphone model, only the KSE1500 model. The company has 2 amplifiers, model KSA1200 for the KSE1200 product set (or as KSE1200SYS) and model KSA1500 for the KSE1500 product set (or as KSE1500SYS).
However, later in the article, the way to call the headphone model that comes with the KSE1200SYS product set is “KSE1200”, but in essence, they are still KSE1500.
Design and level of soundproofing
The typical design shape on most of Shure’s headphone models such as SE215, SE425, SE535, and SE846… has become an advantage associated with the company’s name thanks to singers performing on stage, traveling, Musicians who specialize in playing drums, love and use it. With a simple appearance and smooth curves at the edges, the company’s products can be easily worn comfortably for hours without feeling tight, tired, or sore anywhere on the ear, while also providing a high level of comfort. Sound insulation is up to 37 dB, partly due to the headphone body covering the ear cup and depending on the type of earplugs used. For some users, the company’s headphones have the potential to be used while sleeping. Even in a horizontal position, they do not cause much strain on the ears because their body does not protrude too much from the ears.
The KSE1200 is no exception: inheriting the same appearance as other Shure headphone models, providing a typical comfortable experience for the majority of users with excellent sound isolation. However, the KSE1200 does not have, or cannot have, the once “glorious” feature of the SE215 or other models in the SE or Aonic series, which is detachable cord support. An understandable reason for Shure’s direction is that this is an electrostatic headphone model, designed to require a high voltage source, especially from the company’s proprietary amplifier to have enough thrust audio signal to a normal volume level, so other types of cables on the market will not be compatible with the whole system. The wire connected to the headphone is relatively stiff and often self-winds or tangles, but the company had to choose this insulating material for the headphone wire to protect users from being shocked by high voltage sources while in the field wire. Looking at the positive side, the wire connection points and wire split points are designed to be very large and thick to help the wire have longer-lasting durability and not easily bend or break.
The level of perfection of the KSE1200 in particular and almost all Shure headphone models in general is nothing special compared to competitors located close to the same segment such as 64Audio’s U12t, Sony IER-Z1R, or even in the low price segment such as products from Moondrop, Dunu, etc. This is quite disappointing for a set of products with a luxury price that is finished from plastic on both the headphone body and the electrostatic amplifier, but with the company’s reputation associated with durability and it is almost impossible If the SM58 mic is damaged, the KSE1200 can have a long life and no damage during use, it’s just that this product set does not create confidence for users when experiencing it; does not radiate the luxury and high-end of a headset worth nearly $2200.
As previously stated, the KSE1200SYS (another name for the KSE1200 electrostatic earphone system) cannot be separated into two separate products KSE1500 and KSA1200, and used for other purposes. Headphones need to be connected through the included amplifier, and from the amplifier connected to the music source of the user’s choice such as a music player, computer, or phone… with the requirement to provide enough power for the amplifier and must use the 3.5mm to 3.5mm port.
How to connect the amplifier to another device:
The volume up/down knob on the amplifier is integrated with the power button. Gently turn clockwise to power on the device. The power light will turn yellow when the power is turned on.
Using the 3.5mm to 3.5mm adapter included in the kit, plug it into the “LINE IN” port on the amplifier, then plug it into the output device
Adjust the volume on the source device so that the audio signal transmitted to the amplifier is sufficient:
The signal light does not show color: the amplifier has not received a signal or the signal is too weak.
The signal light turns green: the amplifier is receiving just enough – enough audio signal.
The signal light turns red: the audio signal exceeds the requirement. At this time, the sound will be distorted even when the volume on the amplifier is turned down.
If the output power of the output source device connected to the amplifier is relatively high, making it difficult to adjust the volume as required, Shure has integrated a 10dB or no reduction switch (0dB) at the rear of the amplifier.
Note: Do not disassemble the KSA1200 electrostatic amplifier to avoid being shocked by the very high voltage.
Sound quality
This product’s sound quality assessment article is based on:
Earplug type: EASFX1 size M earplugs (regular use); EABKF1 earplugs size M.
String: no change.
Separate DAC/AMP: JCally JM06, cable from the type-C port to Apple’s 3.5mm port, xDuoo through).
Source: Hiby R3 Pro Saber (regular use), Samsung Note 10+; audio file types MP3, FLAC (frequently used), WAV, DSF (DSD64, DSD128)…
The sound quality of the Shure KSE1200 is V – bass and treble are emphasized; The midrange is pushed down in volume.
Bass range:
For over-the-ear headphone models that use electrostatic drivers like Stax, one of the outstanding features of this type of driver when reproducing the bass range is the ability to retrieve sound details very well, although there is not much bass. ; Very fast response speed and high accuracy. The KSE1200 also has those advantages, but because this is an in-ear headphone and does not have a large sound-emitting membrane like the Stax headphones, the amount of bass is significantly increased, helping the KSE1200 reproduce the power of the earphones. Drum tension is clearer, and suitable for many music genres from classical, acoustic, instrumental, and ballad to hip-hop, electronic music, and rock. The bass range does not encroach on the mid-range, causing frequency masking; Easy to listen to, and not lacking in excitement but also does not tire the ears when listening to the product for a long time. But for some users who love the bass-heavy sound, having an extra amount of mid-bass to add more power to the bass drum and electric bass guitar is something the KSE1200 does not have. Competitors located near the same price segment that support dynamic drivers are still slightly better than the KSE1200 in terms of reproducing strong tension and neutrality of the bass range. Overall, this way of customizing the sound range easily satisfies the majority of users, while also pushing the limits of bass reproduction on an earphone in some areas.
Mid-range:
The way the KSE1200 reproduces the midrange when compared to emotions can be called “a mixed of emotions”.
On the positive side, this headphone model does a relatively good job of retrieving sound details, especially in some small details of the piano such as when the keys are pressed, or the sound of fingers sliding on the piano strings on nylon string guitars. The accuracy and “real-life” reproduction of musical instruments are excellent, partly due to the type of driver used and the simplicity of the driver configuration. Thanks to these factors, the midrange is expressed seamlessly and at a fast speed, without interruptions like on headphone models that use 2 or more types of drivers. In addition, the voices of both men and women when listening to this headphone model do not change much in tone; quite high accuracy, neutral, while eliminating fricative consonants in the voice in the mid-high range.
Mentioning that the volume range in the mid-high range is removed (to avoid fricative consonants in vocals, as has been mentioned), the KSE1200’s disadvantages in this range begin with the problem of some music. High-midrange instruments lose a lot of energy, and a typical example of this drawback is when the KSE1200 reproduces the sound of an electric guitar. In some rock songs such as “Bury The Light” by artists Casey Edwards and Victor Borba, “Luden” by the band Bring Me The Horizon, or most simply “Ex-Mørtis” by the group Ice Nine Kills, the electric guitar and synthesizers are not reproduced, although the sound detail that the KSE1200s retrieves is relatively good, so these tracks are presented in a “too gentle” way, reducing much of their quality vibrant and feels like the bass range is overwhelming the remaining ranges.
Treble range:
Normally, for Shure headphone models, reproducing the treble range is not an advantage, partly because the ear canal is tapered, small in radius, and relatively long, so the frequency range is not open. is wide and makes the sound sound dark and partly due to the limitations of the Shure driver used for these headphone models; Treble instruments such as tambourines, cymbals, triangles, bells… are not performed, the most typical example is the SE215, or the company’s more advanced product – SE846…
… KSE1200 is no exception, it kind of is, but this product has completely different disadvantages compared to its predecessors. This can depend on each user’s listening style and different music tracks, but this product often emphasizes the frequency range of 8kHz, making treble instruments bright, quite hot, and harsh. For some music that is not well recorded, or bright music genres such as K-pop, pop, and electronic music…, this will be even more evident. Fortunately, with the combination of the deep mid-high range and the way to customize the treble range, this problem is sort of overcome but at the cost of the overall sound quality sounding strange and lacking balance in all three strips. When compared with the SE846 in terms of reproducing the frequency range from 10kHz and above, the KSE1200 improves the disadvantage of the SE846’s unexpanded frequency range, but compared to competitors on the market, the product is not in the leading position in this segment.
On the positive side, for an electrostatic driver, the KSE1200 retrieves sound detail very well, revealing the smallest details in a recording, for example in both recorded and live versions of “ September” by the group Earth, Wind & Fire, when the hi-hats on the right side of the stage were presented clearly. The response speed in the treble range of this product is quite fast and flexible – something that some headphone models that support dynamic drivers or BA drivers do not have.
Soundstage, sound imaging, timbre:
Like other earbuds, the KSE1200’s soundstage is average in length and depth. However, the information in the audio is layered; The positions of each sound are spread evenly across the length of the soundstage, and there is no awkward position in the music, especially in recordings like “Bubbles” or “Letter” by artist Yoshi. Horikawa, when the sound of pencil on paper at the beginning of “Letter” stretches from left to right seamlessly, or the sound position of falling marbles in “Bubbles” is recreated very well and exactly.
As for the timbre of the KSE1200, although the vocals and bass instruments such as the bass drum and bass guitar are represented faithfully, most of the rest of the frequency range such as the high midrange and treble are not accurate. Accurate in tone, so the sound quality of the KSE1200 is reproduced quite strangely: although bright, it lacks energy in the high-mid range, and is soft in the bass range.
Summary
Advantage
Inheriting Shure’s signature design – comfortable wearing feeling, suitable for many users; Provides very good sound insulation.
Comes with a variety of accessories for many different purposes.
The bass range is reproduced cleanly; Fast response speed, high accuracy, deep frequency range; has very good audio detail retrieval; The amount of bass does not overwhelm the mid-range.
The vocals do not change much in tone; they Express clearly and seamlessly.
The treble range retrieves good sound details; which is a significant improvement compared to its predecessor – SE846.
The instrument position is layered, taking advantage of the key factors that build the reputation of an electrostatic driver.
Defect
The whole set of products is not convenient for an earphone model.
The main product is made from plastic; The level of perfection does not create luxury or luxury in the price range.
Not for users who love the bass-heavy sound quality.
The high mid-range is deeply recessed, leading to musical instruments such as electric guitars losing a lot of excitement and lacking energy.
Emphasis on the oscillation frequency range at 8kHz causes heat and harshness in the ears; The frequency range from 10kHz and above is not impressive.
Average soundstage, not wide in length or depth; “strange” timbre, partly due to the overall sound quality of the product.
Shure KSE1200 Analog Electrostatic Earphone and Amplifier System for Use In‐Line with Portable Media Players, an Astounding Level of Clarity and Detail for the Most Discerning Audio Aficionados: Buy it now