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Headphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Shure SE425 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£240Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Shure SE425 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Shure SE425
6.5/10

Overall score

Score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

6.0

Technical score

20%

8.3

User score

â–²Better than 62% of headphones
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

6.5

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

â–¼Worse than 51%
6.0

Technical score

Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

52%

6.1

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.9

Design

8%

6.2

Connectivity

6%

6.9

Battery

4%

5.7

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 57%
8.3

User score

User score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.3

User ratings

30%

8.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–²Better than 77%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Shure SE425

Technical score
Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

52%

6.1

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.9

Design

8%

6.2

Connectivity

6%

6.9

Battery

4%

5.7

Calls & Controls

6.0
User score
User score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.3

User ratings

30%

8.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.3
Popularity
Popularity
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Shure SE425 has a popularity score of 8.3 points, which is higher than that of 78.8% of products in this category.
8.3
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

6.5

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

7.3
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
balanced armature
Driver size
?
Number of drivers
2
This pair of headphones uses 2 drivers, more drivers than 96% of headphones and equal to 2.5% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
5
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 5, newer Bluetooth version than 70.9% of headphones and equal to 13.1% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
yes
This pair of headphones supports quick charge. 67% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Shure
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
30 g
This pair of headphones weighs 30 g, lighter than 82.6% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Shure SE425 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 86.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (30 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    30 g vs 218 g
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • AptX HD support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX HD, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.6% of headphones support aptX HD.
  • 7 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (109 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    109 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • 1 more drivers
    This pair of headphones uses more drivers than the average pair of headphones (2 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    2 vs 1
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 86.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (30 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    30 g vs 218 g
  • 0.42 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (1.6 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    1.62 m vs 1.2 m
  • 7 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (109 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    109 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 1 more drivers
    This pair of headphones uses more drivers than the average pair of headphones (2 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    2 vs 1
  • Quick charge support
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AptX HD support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX HD, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.6% of headphones support aptX HD.
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 2.67x more expensive
    Shure SE425 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£240 vs £90).
    £240 vs £90
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
    non-magnetic driver design.
  • 6 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2010 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    August 2010
    2010 vs 2016
  • 2.67x more expensive
    Shure SE425 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£240 vs £90).
    £240 vs £90
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • No neodymium magnet
    This pair of headphones does not use neodymium magnets, the average pair of headphones does. 81.9% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
    non-magnetic driver design.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 6 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2010 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    August 2010
    2010 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
RealAudioReviews
≈ estimated
04/06/2021
Hands-on review · several days of listening tests
Verdict
Shure SE425 suits detailed mids and vocals well, though comfort and bass hold it back.
9.0
Jeremiah Langston
≈ estimated
05/10/2019
Long-term review · six years of use
Verdict
Shure SE425 has held up after six years of use and remains among the best available, despite a few drawbacks.
9.5
Craig Medlin
≈ estimated
17/11/2014
Long-term use · sound, build and comfort review
Verdict
Shure SE425 offers accurate sound and a durable build, making it worth the price despite light bass.
Shop video
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Not graded yet
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Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

whathifi.com
21/03/2013
Expert review · Premium in-ears
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is a detailed, punchy in-ear that suits rock and fine detail, but bass fans may want more thud than it delivers.
uk.pcmag.com
17/05/2014
Lab test · Flat-response in-ears
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is a near-flat, detailed in-ear for budget-minded audiophiles, but bass lovers should look elsewhere.
R
rtings.com
29/06/2017
Summary of the review
toomanyadapters.com
16/08/2019
Long-term review · Travel in-ears
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is a compact travel in-ear with strong noise blocking and great sound from high-quality recordings, though weak sources show their flaws.
uk.pcmag.com
08/10/2010
Review · Flat-response in-ears
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is a flat-response in-ear with a sturdy, replaceable cable, best for audiophiles who want accuracy rather than booming bass.
tapeop.com
01/08/2017
Studio review · Monitoring in-ears
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is an accurate, tightly controlled monitoring in-ear with bass reaching down to 20 Hz, though fit changes can shift the low end.
U
uk.pcmag.com
25/08/2010
Summary of the review
H
head-fi.org
21/07/2010
Summary of the review
au.pcmag.com
30/08/2010
Lab test · Audiophile in-ear
Verdict
The Shure SE425 suits audiophiles who want near-flat sound with a little extra low end, but bass lovers should look elsewhere.
cnet.com
03/10/2010
Expert review · Sound-isolating earphones
Verdict
The Shure SE425 suits listeners who want strong, balanced sound across all genres and a sturdy build, though it takes effort to fit.
kopfhoerer.de
10/10/2016
Hands-on test · Stage monitors
Verdict
The Shure SE425 suits stage monitoring and long listening sessions, but bass fans and those wanting airy highs should look elsewhere.
hifitest.de
12/11/2018
Full review · Bluetooth monitor earphones
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is a neutral, detailed in-ear for serious listeners, but its Bluetooth module gives up a little sound quality compared with the cable.
heise.de
08/03/2017
Hands-on test · Sound isolating earphones
Verdict
The Shure SE425 sounds detailed and well balanced and stays put during sport, but its high price and unusual cable routing may put buyers off.
stadt-bremerhaven.de
12/01/2019
Hands-on test · Wireless cable
Verdict
The Shure SE425 sounds clear and balanced with a wireless cable, but bass is a little light for bass lovers.
M
musiker-board.de
22/03/2015
Summary of the review
delamar.de
01/12/2010
Studio test · Stage in-ears
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is a well-balanced, detailed in-ear for stage monitoring, but its light bass will disappoint anyone who likes heavy low end.
hifitest.de
29/03/2015
Hands-on test · Stage in-ears
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is a neutral, detailed in-ear built for stage musicians, a good fit for listeners who want accurate sound rather than heavy bass.
on-mag.fr
28/12/2010
Listening test · Isolating in-ears
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is a professional-grade in-ear with strong isolation and precise midrange, but it doesn't suit every ear and its bass is light.
guitar.vanlochem.be
26/12/2020
Comparison test · In-ear monitors
Verdict
The Shure SE425 is a clear step up from the SE215 in detail and sense of space, though its stiff cable and fit-dependent bass are drawbacks.
O
oscarzuniga.com
01/08/2020
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Shure SE425

  • Exceptional passive sound isolation (up to 37 dB) that rivals active noise cancellation
  • Highly detailed and accurate mid-range, making them ideal for vocals and acoustic instruments
  • Durable, Kevlar-reinforced detachable cables that are easy to replace if damaged
  • Secure over-the-ear 'wireform' fit provides stability during movement or stage use
  • Comprehensive 'fit kit' included with a wide variety of foam and silicone ear tips
  • Flat, clinical sound signature preferred by 'neutral' listeners and professional monitors

What customers don't like about Shure SE425

  • Lack of 'punchy' or 'boomy' bass, which may disappoint bass-heavy music fans
  • Fitting can be tricky and time-consuming to secure correctly at first
  • High-frequency roll-off means a lack of 'sparkle' or 'air' in the upper treble
  • Standard model lacks an inline microphone or remote controls for mobile use
  • Can feel bulky or uncomfortable during very long listening sessions for some ear shapes
  • Revealing nature means low-quality recordings or low-bitrate files sound poor

Verdict

The Shure SE425 are professional sound-isolating in-ear monitors featuring dual high-definition balanced-armature drivers (dedicated tweeter and woofer) with a 22-ohm impedance, 109 dB SPL/mW sensitivity, and a frequency response of 20Hz–19kHz. They are characterized by a durable, low-profile design with a detachable 64-inch Kevlar-reinforced MMCX cable and provide up to 37 dB of passive noise attenuation. Main pros include exceptional midrange clarity, a neutral and accurate sound signature ideal for reference monitoring, and a highly secure over-the-ear fit with a wide variety of included ear sleeves. Conversely, notable cons include a lack of deep bass impact that may feel thin to some listeners, a cable that can transmit mechanical friction noise (microphonics), and a design that can be somewhat tedious to insert for a perfect seal.

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