These middle-of-the-road earphones perform well in certain situations, but pack too much bass for their own good.

Solid sound isolationClear; powerful driversLow cable handling noise

Bass overwhelmsAwkward fitLarge physical size

Marketing, public relations pros, and, yes, even journalists, tend to neglect the middle-priced products in most manufacturers' lines. It's easy to understand why. Budget-priced products can be praised for their value, and top-of-the-line items can be lauded for performance, but what do you say...

Available in a traditional black (model SE215-K) and in a modern clear/transparent (model SE215-CL), the SE215 model by sound powerhouse Shure, is not only an attractive ear bud set, but has some excellent features that make this popular and reliable and favored by consumers.

I would like to thank Hifiheadphones for lending me the SE215, and Shure Asia for lending me the SE215 SPE.

Shure is not a mainstream brand name, because the manufacturer is more associated with audio gear that isn't quite wallet-friendly. On the other hand, it is a favorite among the audiophile community because the company knows how to bring some kickin' sound that is equally engaging as it is high...

Ok, my budding audiophiles. It's time to spend money on headphones. You're looking in the $100 range. The Shure SE215 may be the ideal entry level headphone for the serious listener. What genres is the SE215 perfect for, and is it a good bang for your buck