Shure SE112-GR

The Shure SE112 is a durable wired IEM with excellent passive noise isolation and a build quality that punches above its price. Sound is decent but needs burn-in, with a harsh high end that settles over time. The mic is weak and calls score poorly, so skip these if you're on the phone all day. At €75-106 depending on your market, they're a solid value for anyone who wants a reliable wired pair that'll last.

The SE112 uses a single dynamic MicroDriver tuned for bass, and the frequency response runs from 25Hz to 17kHz. That low end extension is solid on paper, but real-world feedback is mixed. Several owners mention a muddy low end initially, with the high end sounding harsh until the driver settles in. Burn-in is a real thing with dynamic drivers, and multiple reviews note the sound improves noticeably after some hours of use. It's not a night-and-day transformation, but it's enough that you shouldn't judge these in the first ten minutes.

The 16Ω impedance means these are easy to drive from a phone or laptop, no amp required. That's the point, really. Shure optimized these for mobile devices, and they deliver a clear upgrade over the bundled earbuds that come with most phones. The sound score lands at the 60th percentile, which is about average for our database. If you're coming from cheap pack-in buds, this is a big step up. If you're comparing against pricier Shure models or dedicated audiophile IEMs, you'll hear the ceiling. The bass is present but not particularly deep or textured, and the treble can get fatiguing before burn-in.

Stacked against the Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation, the SE112 is a completely different animal. The AirPods offer ANC, wireless convenience, spatial audio, and a far better mic, but they cost significantly more and have a battery that will degrade over time. The Shure wins on durability and passive isolation, and it never needs charging. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and take lots of calls, the AirPods are the obvious choice. If you want a wired backup that'll still work in five years, the Shure makes more sense.

The Sony WF-C700N is another interesting comparison. Sony's budget ANC buds bring active noise cancellation and wireless freedom at a similar price point to the Shure in some markets. But Sony's build quality doesn't match Shure's, and the passive isolation on the SE112 is arguably better for blocking voices and high-frequency noise. The Nothing Buds 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are both more feature-rich, with better mics and app support, but they're also more expensive and have batteries that will eventually die. The Soundcore P31i undercuts everyone on price, but you're trading away the Shure's build quality and isolation for a budget wireless experience.

Pricing is all over the map depending on where you live. US buyers see a single listing at $106, while European shoppers can find them between €74 and €81 across four listings. Brazilian and Indian buyers face much steeper prices, with BRL 1,109 and INR 20,456 respectively. That's a huge spread, and it changes the value equation dramatically. At €75, these are an easy recommendation for a durable wired IEM. At $106, they're still reasonable but face stiffer competition from wireless options that include more features.

The value story here is about longevity. A 4.2-star average across 800 reviews suggests most buyers feel they got their money's worth, and the recurring theme of durable build quality backs that up. You're paying for a cable that won't fray in a year and a housing that can take a beating. If you're the type who goes through earbuds like coffee filters, the SE112 might actually save you money in the long run, even if the upfront cost is higher than a cheap wireless pair.

The Shure SE112 is the wired earbud you buy when you're tired of replacing flimsy buds every six months. It's a single dynamic driver in-ear monitor that leans hard into Shure's stage heritage, with a fixed cable and a focus on isolation over flashy features. There's no app, no Bluetooth, no ANC toggle. Just a cable, a driver, and a promise that it'll survive your commute longer than most true wireless options. That's refreshing in a market obsessed with touch controls and firmware updates.

Who's this for? Someone who wants a reliable wired pair for practice sessions, podcast monitoring, or just blocking out the world on a plane without spending hundreds. The SE112 sits at the budget end of Shure's lineup, and our database puts its build quality in the 79th percentile, which is genuinely impressive for the price. The sound isolation is the headline feature here, with Shure claiming up to 90% of ambient noise blocked. That's passive isolation, not active noise cancellation, and it works surprisingly well with a good seal.

But let's be honest about the trade-offs. The sound signature is a mixed bag, with a 60th percentile sound score that reflects the harsh high end some users report out of the box. The mic is mediocre, calls score a dismal 23.8 out of 100, and the connectivity ranking is near the bottom at the 13th percentile. That last one is mostly because it's a wired product competing against wireless earbuds in our database, but it's worth knowing if you're comparing across categories. The SE112 is a specialist, not an all-rounder.

Skip the SE112 if you take a lot of phone calls. The mic scores just 23.8 out of 100 in our database, which is one of the weakest areas of this product. You'll sound muffled to the person on the other end, and that's a dealbreaker if calls are a regular part of your day. Look at the Sony WF-C700N or Apple AirPods Pro instead, both of which have far better mic performance.

Audiophiles should also look elsewhere. The sound is decent for the price, but the muddy low end and harsh treble before burn-in will frustrate anyone used to higher-end IEMs. If you want Shure's sound signature with better detail, step up to the SE215 or SE425. And if you're committed to wireless, the SE112 simply isn't for you. The fixed cable and lack of Bluetooth put it at the 13th percentile for connectivity in our database, which is fine for a wired specialist but a non-starter if you want to leave the cable at home.

If you need a reliable wired IEM for practice, monitoring, or travel, the SE112 is a solid pick. The build quality is the star here, with a cable that feels like it'll outlast your phone, and the passive isolation is genuinely impressive once you get a proper seal. The sound improves with burn-in, so give it a few hours before making up your mind. At European pricing around €75, this is an easy recommendation for anyone who values durability over features.

But if you take a lot of calls or want the convenience of wireless, look elsewhere. The mic is a genuine weak spot, and the fixed cable means you're committed to wired life. Audiophiles chasing deep bass or sparkling highs will also find the SE112 lacking compared to pricier IEMs. This is a workhorse, not a show pony. For the right buyer, that's exactly the point.