Shure SE846 PRO Gen 2 Wired Sound Isolating

The Shure SE846 Pro Gen 2 is a $900 wired IEM with four drivers, interchangeable filters, and some of the best passive isolation we've tested. The bass and detail retrieval are phenomenal, but our lab benchmarks strangely lag behind user reviews, and the integrated mic is terrible. You'll want an external amp to unlock its full potential, so budget accordingly. If you're a wired purist or gamer who values isolation and customization over convenience, this is a top pick, otherwise look elsewhere.

The Shure SE846 Pro Gen 2 is the kind of wired in-ear monitor that makes you remember why some of us refuse to cut the cord. It packs four balanced-armature drivers into a compact, over-ear design that's been a staple on stage and in studios for years. Shure updated the original SE846 by adding a new 'extended' filter, giving you four distinct sound signatures to play with right out of the box. This thing isn't trying to compete with your AirPods. It's built for listeners who want a deeply customizable, isolating, and detailed experience, whether they're mixing a track, gaming on a GoXLR, or just sitting down to really hear their favorite album for the first time.

We ran the SE846 through our usual gamut of tests, and the numbers are a little confusing at first. Our database puts its sound rating all the way down at the 28th percentile, which would make you think it sounds mediocre at best. But here's the thing: those benchmarks don't capture the sheer depth and texture that owners keep raving about. The low-pass filter design gives the bass a physicality that feels more like a subwoofer than a tiny driver in your ear, and the high-end clarity cuts through without ever getting harsh. Where the SE846 really struggles in our lab is with calls and the integrated mic, scoring a pretty pathetic 10 out of 100 in the calls category. If you're planning to use the cable's inline mic for anything serious, don't. It's a weak spot you'll work around.

Let's talk money. The SE846 Gen 2 rarely strays far from the $873 mark at the low end, but we've seen prices bounce as high as $1,351 depending on the seller, which is a pretty wild spread. For a wired IEM in 2024, that's a serious investment. When you compare it to wireless flagships from Sony, Bose, or Sennheiser that hover around $300, the Shure looks almost reckless. But if you're already used to high-end wired audio, the value equation shifts. You're getting professional-grade sound isolation and a driver layout that scales beautifully with good amplification. It's not a great deal for casual listeners, but for someone who shells out for DACs and headphone amps anyway, the cost makes more sense. Just be aware that you'll need to factor in that extra gear to really make it sing.

Stacked against the wireless competition listed in our system, the SE846 is a weird beast. The Sony WF-1000XM5 and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 both give you excellent active noise cancellation and a ton of convenience for a third of the price, but they can't touch the Shure's raw passive isolation and sub-bass extension. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers a more comfortable and app-friendly experience, but if you're chasing detail retrieval and a fully customized frequency response, the Shure runs circles around them. On the other hand, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ is shockingly good for under $100 and makes the Shure feel almost indulgent. Where the SE846 carves out its niche is for wired purists, gamers with a GoXLR, or anyone who owns a portable DAC/amp and refuses to compromise on isolation. It's not the smartest buy, but it's the one you get when you're done with compromises.

Skip the SE846 Gen 2 if your daily life involves a lot of phone calls or video meetings. The mic is borderline unusable, and there's no Bluetooth option to seamlessly switch between devices. If you're coming from the Aonic 5, don't expect a transformative leap; the changes are modest and you'd be better off saving your cash or investing in a better amp instead. Anyone who simply wants a great pair of everyday earbuds should look at the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, both of which offer ANC, wireless freedom, and a much friendlier price tag. And if you're a basshead chasing sheer thump on a budget, plenty of well-reviewed Chi-Fi IEMs under $200 will get you 80% of the way there for a fraction of the cost.

If you're a wired audio diehard who values isolation above all else and loves the idea of physically customizing your frequency response, the SE846 Pro Gen 2 is a cracking pair of IEMs that still holds up. The bass is absurdly good for an armature-based design, and the filter system means you can adapt the sound to your mood without touching a single software slider. Gamers who need a long-wearing, highly isolating in-ear for their GoXLR or mixing console will also find a lot to like here.

But for everyone else, especially folks whose primary use case involves calls, switching between devices, or just wanting a fuss-free audio experience, this is a tough sell. The mic is bad, the cable might annoy you, and the fact that you'll likely end up buying an amp to get the most out of it means the true cost is closer to $1,100 or more. If that doesn't make you flinch, buy with confidence. If it does, there's a whole world of fantastic wireless buds and cheaper wired IEMs that won't leave you with buyer's remorse.