Features and Design

Shure, one of the premier players in the canalphone world, has introduced a number of new cans to sooth your ears with sweet, sweet tunes. The revamped drivers are advertised as offering more punchy and accurate sound in a more stylish package, and we have to agree that these headphones live up to the marketing hype.

Across the line, Shure’s new generation of products have been slowly creeping into major retailers, finding a place between the 40 flavors of Sony’s $10 USD junk-grade cans and the over-hyped, overpriced Bose TriPorts. If the average consumer knew of these gems hiding in plain sight, it would be hard to keep them in stock. 

The SE310s come in that plastic bubble-wrap packaging that says, “We hate our customers!” Luckily, after prying your new toys from the case, you are only seconds from blissful, brain-enveloping audio. Accessories included in the “box” are a semi-soft carrying case and earpiece fitting kit. Admittedly, the headphone wire is very short, designed for use with pendant-style players that are worn around the neck rather than MP3 players held in armbands. Nonetheless, Shure also includes an extension cord to bring the length to an acceptable, standard 2.5ft. 

Unlike the Super.fi 5 Pros and Etymotic ER-6i, the cords used by the SE310s are thick and feel substantial. Other manufacturers go with thin cords in order to combat the loud noises that can be caused by the brushing of the cord against clothing or bouncing against the body. (These small collisions are conducted up the cord and amplified by the design of the canalphone.) A thicker cord means more forceful bouncing of the cord in the air with movements, but Shure uses a nice, absorbing insulator, reducing the transmission of micro-vibrations. The result is a pleasant reduction in mechanical noise and a substantially solid-feeling product overall. 

Also worth keeping in mind: There is a significant change in Shure’s sleeve-fitting options, and it has taken top place as our favorite option when it comes to pure ergonomics. The new higher-density, black foam sleeves easily fit deep into the ear, seal quickly, and are extremely comfortable, making them the most pleasing option we’ve encountered from any manufacturer by far. As an added bonus, they’re colored black, so ear gunk doesn’t show too easily, feel great, and after a month of extensive use, they still maintain their malleability. But enough with aesthetics and design… let’s talk about important details like how they sound.

The Shure SE310 canalphones and included accessories