Shure SE530 review

What a performance, but what a price!

These things are without a shadow of a doubt the finest pieces of audio technology ever to rattle my tympanic membrane

TechRadar Verdict

They may cost a small fortune but for the money you get some superb sound quality

Pros

  • +

    Stunning sound quality

Cons

  • -

    Crazy price

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

I can't quite believe that I'm sitting here using a set of earphones that have an RRP of £330. Fortunately, most retailers are selling them lower than that - £269 seems to be the best price we found. And how good can earphones get, anyway?

Actually, very very good. These things are without a shadow of a doubt the finest pieces of audio technology ever to rattle my tympanic membrane.

And well they should be, as each earphone contains three microspeakers - a dedicated tweeter and a pair of diminutive subs - to drive the sound directly into your brain-strings.

The audio quality is simply stunning, and even at the top of an MP3 player's volume knob, they don't distort. I can't even knock the things for being as expensive as they are; you want the best, you pays the most.

And if these aren't the best, they're pretty bloody close to it.

Tech.co.uk was the former name of TechRadar.com. Its staff were at the forefront of the digital publishing revolution, and spearheaded the move to bring consumer technology journalism to its natural home – online. Many of the current TechRadar staff started life a Tech.co.uk staff writer, covering everything from the emerging smartphone market to the evolving market of personal computers. Think of it as the building blocks of the TechRadar you love today. 

Latest in Earbuds & Airpods
A screen shot from a promotional video showing the HealthBuds fitness tracking earphones from Synseer
These mysterious wireless earbuds claim to monitor your heart and hearing health simultaneously, but there’s a catch
The Apple AirPods 4 on a blue background with text saying Lowest Price.
Quick! The Apple AirPods 4 are back down to under $100 at Amazon
AirPods Pro Review
Apple has quietly updated its guidance on how to clean your AirPods, and suggests you buy a kit… from Belkin
Samsung Galaxy Buds in white
Samsung may be working on new cheap wireless earbuds – will the Galaxy Buds FE 2 beat Sony's next value earbuds to the punch?
Viaim RecDot AI true wireless earbuds
These AI-powered earbuds can also act as a dictaphone with transcription when left in their case
Activo Volcano IEMs
These more affordable audiophile wired earbuds from a brand I love could knock Sennheiser off its perch
Latest in Reviews
Apple iPad Air 11-inch M3 (2025) Review
I tested the 11-inch iPad Air with M3 for five days, and it stretches the value even further with more power for the same price
Cricut Maker 4 cutting machine making projects with basswood and cardstock
After a month with Cricut Maker 4 I’ve pushed my crafting past its limit, and past the limit of the machine
HP Series 7 Pro 727pm during our review
I tested the HP Series 7 Pro 727pm business monitor and it may not be cheap, but it's still an extraordinary 4K productivity panel
openSUSE Tumbleweed main image
openSUSE Tumbleweed review
Nitrux OS main image
Nitrux OS review
Philips sonicare 7100
The Philips Sonicare 7100 is a powerful, stylish, but overpriced electric toothbrush