Shure Shure SE846 Earphone,Clear Review

The Shure SE846 Gen 2 is a niche, wired in-ear monitor with great isolation and customizable sound filters. Its microphone is poor and it lacks modern features like Bluetooth. At its typical high price, it's a hard sell for anyone but a working audio professional.

The Shure SE846 Gen 2 is a wired, pro-grade in-ear monitor that's been around for a while but got a subtle update. It's built for musicians and serious listeners who want a precise, isolating fit and the ability to tweak their sound with swappable filters.

That wired-only design and premium price tag put it in a weird spot, though. It's competing against modern wireless noise-cancelling champs, but it's playing a completely different game focused on pure, customizable audio fidelity.

Let's be clear: the sound is detailed and powerful, especially in the low end thanks to that dedicated subwoofer filter. It's a strong performer for critical listening. But our data shows its overall sound score lands in the middle of the pack, and the microphone is a real weak spot, ranking in the bottom quarter of all earbuds we track. For calls, you can do much better. Comfort and isolation are well above average, which is a big plus for long sessions.

This is the tough part. The price swings wildly from around $890 to an absolutely insane $134,918 across different sellers. At the lower end of that range, you're paying a premium for a specialized, wired monitor. At the high end, it's frankly ridiculous. For most people, even $890 is a lot for earbuds that lack modern features like ANC, Bluetooth, and a decent mic. The value just isn't there unless you're a musician who specifically needs this exact fit and filter system.

Stack it up against the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultras, and the difference is stark. Those are wireless, have best-in-class noise cancellation, and great mics for calls. The Shure wins on pure isolation and sound customization but loses everywhere else in daily use. Even compared to other wired monitors at this price, its sound performance isn't top-of-the-charts. It's a niche product that's been outpaced by more versatile competitors.

Skip these if you need a single pair of do-it-all earbuds. If you want wireless freedom, top-tier noise cancellation, or a great microphone for calls and meetings, this isn't it. The modern wireless flagships from Sony, Bose, and Apple will serve you far better for daily life.

Only buy these if you're a working musician, audio engineer, or a dedicated audiophile who values the specific fit and filter-swapping feature above all else, and you're okay with being tethered by a wire. For everyone else, there are better, more convenient, and frankly more impressive-sounding options for less money.