Shure KSE1200 is the same as KSE1500 except without the built in DAC. It’s cheaper than the KSE1500 and retails for $2000 USD instead of $3000 and comes with the same EST driver and same configuration. The amp is slightly different than the KSE1500 one as it contains no DAC, just a line in input, volume control and a ‘padding’ switch that I usually have to set to -10db otherwise it will sound distorted. I use Astell Kern SP3000M in line out mode as my source and AudioQuest Golden Gate 3.5mm interconnect.
The IEMs themselves look like Shure’s typical shell casing which is an older IEM style that Ultimate Ears and Westone both used as well, they don’t fit the same way as modern IEMs and also use their own propietary cable as well. Tips won’t work with most modern tips as these have a much smaller nozzle. I used the stock olive green tips.
Bass:
On stock tuning, the bass is very lean and barely noticeable. It lacks presence and refinement and so in the stock tuning I would say the bass is not very good.
Mids:
The mids are actually recessed in the upper mids which is contrary to how alot of modern IEMs are tuned nowadays. The stock tuning is strange in that aspect so vocals might sound a bit off to people. The lower mids are relatively more forward than the upper mids, kind of a strange imbalance.
Treble:
The treble is quite harsh and peaky in the stock configuration and nearly unlistenable for me as I feel fatigued easily if an IEM has peaky treble.
Technicalities:
Here’s the thing – the KSE1200/1500 has absolutely endgame technicalities as I can experience the smooth, velvelty rich texture of a true EST driver, and incredible enveloping holographic soundstage. It’s just let down by the tuning.
So what to do? Many people online recommend EQ’ing it to make the most of the technicalities.
So I EQ’d it with the SP3000M.
I have the following settings for EQ on my SP3000M:
30hz 2db
45hz 1db
60hz 1db
90hz 1db
120hz 2db
180hz -5db
250hz -2db
380khz 0db
500hz 1db
750hz 1db
1khz -1db
1.5khz -1db
2khz -4db
3khz 2db
4khz 4db
6khz 0db
8khz -5db
12khz -3db
14khz -1db
And wow.. let me tell you that this IEM after EQ is absolutely endgame material. Now the subbass is there, the bass is more balanced, the mids are more smoothed out and balanced, the treble spike is gone… now it’s just pure bliss. Now you have endgame technicalities with very good tuning too thanks to EQ.
So how do I rate this IEM? Well stock tuning I would have given it 2 out of 5 because the stock tuning is nearly unlistenable but it still had endgame technicalities. If you EQ it then it’s a different story.. then it becomes a near perfect IEM because now you have those great technicalities but the tuning isn’t off anymore. So I went with a compromise and gave this 3.5 / 5.
Basically.. stock tuning I do not recommend it, but if you have the patience to EQ it, it is hands down one of the best IEMs I’ve ever heard with that rich silky smooth EST texture and enveloping soundstage to it.
The IEMs themselves look like Shure’s typical shell casing which is an older IEM style that Ultimate Ears and Westone both used as well, they don’t fit the same way as modern IEMs and also use their own propietary cable as well. Tips won’t work with most modern tips as these have a much smaller nozzle. I used the stock olive green tips.
Bass:
On stock tuning, the bass is very lean and barely noticeable. It lacks presence and refinement and so in the stock tuning I would say the bass is not very good.
Mids:
The mids are actually recessed in the upper mids which is contrary to how alot of modern IEMs are tuned nowadays. The stock tuning is strange in that aspect so vocals might sound a bit off to people. The lower mids are relatively more forward than the upper mids, kind of a strange imbalance.
Treble:
The treble is quite harsh and peaky in the stock configuration and nearly unlistenable for me as I feel fatigued easily if an IEM has peaky treble.
Technicalities:
Here’s the thing – the KSE1200/1500 has absolutely endgame technicalities as I can experience the smooth, velvelty rich texture of a true EST driver, and incredible enveloping holographic soundstage. It’s just let down by the tuning.
So what to do? Many people online recommend EQ’ing it to make the most of the technicalities.
So I EQ’d it with the SP3000M.
I have the following settings for EQ on my SP3000M:
30hz 2db
45hz 1db
60hz 1db
90hz 1db
120hz 2db
180hz -5db
250hz -2db
380khz 0db
500hz 1db
750hz 1db
1khz -1db
1.5khz -1db
2khz -4db
3khz 2db
4khz 4db
6khz 0db
8khz -5db
12khz -3db
14khz -1db
And wow.. let me tell you that this IEM after EQ is absolutely endgame material. Now the subbass is there, the bass is more balanced, the mids are more smoothed out and balanced, the treble spike is gone… now it’s just pure bliss. Now you have endgame technicalities with very good tuning too thanks to EQ.
So how do I rate this IEM? Well stock tuning I would have given it 2 out of 5 because the stock tuning is nearly unlistenable but it still had endgame technicalities. If you EQ it then it’s a different story.. then it becomes a near perfect IEM because now you have those great technicalities but the tuning isn’t off anymore. So I went with a compromise and gave this 3.5 / 5.
Basically.. stock tuning I do not recommend it, but if you have the patience to EQ it, it is hands down one of the best IEMs I’ve ever heard with that rich silky smooth EST texture and enveloping soundstage to it.
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