Search the headphone forums and read the gadget blogs. You'll find many fans of the Shure SE215 earbuds. The praise is deserved - they do sound really good - but they aren't for everyone. The fit can be problematic.

Great sound; Cables detach and are replaceable if they wear out; Lots of tip options in the box

They aren't the most comfortable buds in the bin; Finding the correct seal and fit takes a lot of patience; No remote or microphone, so you'll be de-pocketing your mobile more often

Since they're the second most expensive earphones we looked at, we've got to begin our review of the Shures with some negatives. There is, however, plenty of good stuff to follow.

The most impressive sound quality of all the earphones tested here

Expensive; inverted design meant that the SE125s kept popping out; difficult to swap earbuds

Shure isn't a company that needs to update its products often. Among the audio nut crowd, they're held aloft as one of - if not the - most reliable manufacturer of earphones around. The SE215 takes over from the classic SE210, adding a detachable cable and a new earpiece design.

Powerful; thud-tastic bass; Wide soundstage; Class-leading cable quality

Not the most detailed treble

The Shure SE215 headphones are the entry-level offerings in the award winning SE Series. These in-ear isolation headphones come with a single dynamic driver and a frequency range between 17 – 22,000Hz.

The Shure SE215 headphones are built to last; The housing that connects the 3.5mm audio jack to the cable is nicely reinforced and as the cable comes out at a 90-degree angle accidental damage is kept to a minimum, Shure specialises in making kit for professionals so it's the little details that...

We like the heavy-duty appeal of the cable and plastic houses but we're aware they're not as sleek as other makes out there; The biggest problem with the Shure SE215 headphones is the rather large and bulbous driver housings, which make you look a bit like a TV broadcaster and will certainly prove a...

Perfect with top brand portable music devices

Comfortable; Compact; Durable; Good Bass; Good Value; Great Sound; Lightweight; Stylish

Shure's latest pair of earphones , the SE215, manages to walk the line between bass-boosted beasts and strictly flat response pairs. While audiophiles seeking the latter might want to stop reading now, those who prefer more low-end than you get from a pair like the Etymotic ER-4PT ($299, 4.5 stars)...

Excellent audio performance-solid clarity and bass without over-boosting; Replaceable cable; Includes six different sizes of ear tips

Fit becomes loose if over-ear wire isn't strongly secured