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  1. Home
  2. Headphones
  3. Compare

Shure SE215 vs Etymotic Research HF5

Which Headphones Are Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      StyleComfortControlsBreathabilityPortabilityCaseBuild QualityStabilityHeadshots 1Headshots 2TopIn The Box
    Sound
      Sound ProfileFrequency Response ConsistencyRaw Frequency ResponseBass AccuracyMid AccuracyTreble AccuracyPeaks/DipsImagingPassive SoundstageVirtual SoundstageWeighted Harmonic DistortionTest Settings
    Isolation
      Noise IsolationLeakage
    Microphone
      Microphone StyleRecording QualityNoise Handling
    Active Features
      BatteryApp Support
    Connectivity
      BluetoothNon-Bluetooth WirelessWiredPC CompatibilityPC / PS4 CompatibilityPlayStation CompatibilityXbox CompatibilityBase/Dock
    Comments

Products

Shure SE215
Etymotic Research HF5

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Nov 18, 2025 02:21 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Apr 10, 2024 06:09 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Shure SE215 Picture

Track

Etymotic Research HF5 Picture

Track

TypeIn-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessNo
TransducerDynamic
Noise CancellingNo
MicNo
TypeIn-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessNo
TransducerBalanced Armature
Noise CancellingNo
MicNo

Our Verdict

Shure SE215

Etymotic Research HF5

The Shure SE215 and Etymotic Research HF5 are both wired in-ears. The Shure have a more comfortable design with angled earbuds that better fit the contour of your ears. The Shure also have a warmer sound with a punchier bass. They also have a thicker, more durable, and detachable audio cable. On the other hand, the Etymotic isolate passively slightly better than the Shure. They also have a more lightweight and straightforward in-ear design that some may prefer over the thicker cables of the Shure.

0 

Variants

  • SE215 (Black)
  • SE215 (Blue)
  • HF5 (Black)
  • HF5 (Blue)

Review

See Shure SE215 Review
See Etymotic Research HF5 Review
0 
0 

Check Price

Black
SE215
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HF5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Blue
SE215
SEE PRICE
B&H
Blue
HF5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Clear
SE215
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 
 

N/A
0.0
JOIN NOW  to see main differences

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Shure SE215 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

Shure SE215 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

Shure SE215 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
N/A

Feedback  

Locked
N/A

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
N/A

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
N/A

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
N/A

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
N/A

Additional Controls  

Locked
N/A
Show Text 

Breathability 
 

N/A
N/A

Breathability After Picture  

Shure SE215 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference  

Lock °C
Lock °C
Show Text 

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

Shure SE215 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock"

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock"

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock"

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³

Transmitter Required  

Locked
N/A
Show Text 

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

Shure SE215 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock"

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock"

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock"

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
N/A
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

Shure SE215 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

Shure SE215 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Shure SE215 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Side Picture  

Shure SE215 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Shure SE215 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture  

Shure SE215 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Top  

Top Picture  

Shure SE215 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Shure SE215 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 
Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Frequency Response  

Shure SE215 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response  

Shure SE215 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Shure SE215 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Consistency R  

Shure SE215 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Shure SE215 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Raw FR L  

Shure SE215 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R  

Shure SE215 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R  

Shure SE215 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass  

Shure SE215 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Bass  

Shure SE215 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Mid Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid  

Shure SE215 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Mid  

Shure SE215 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Treble Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble  

Shure SE215 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Treble  

Shure SE215 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph  

Shure SE215 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Peaks/Dips Graph  

Shure SE215 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Imaging 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

Shure SE215 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Phase Response  

Shure SE215 Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch  

Shure SE215 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Passive Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Shure SE215 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Distance 
 

N/A
N/A

Openness 
 

0.0
0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

0.0
0.0
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage  

Shure SE215 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling 
 

Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

Shure SE215 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90 
 

Lock
Lock

WHD @ 100 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked

Power 
 

Locked

Connection 
 

Locked

Codec 
 

Locked

EQ 
 

Locked

ANC 
 

Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation  

Shure SE215 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Shure SE215 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
N/A

In-Line 
 

Locked
N/A

Boom 
 

Locked
N/A

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
N/A

Mic  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

Shure SE215 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

LFE 
 

N/A
N/A

FR Std. Dev. 
 

N/A
N/A

HFE 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD 
 

N/A
N/A

Gain 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Shure SE215 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SpNR 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Gate 
 

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

N/A

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW
Show Text 
Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

Locked
N/A

Continuous Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Additional Charges 
 

N/A
N/A

Total Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Charge Time 
 

N/A
N/A

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Locked
N/A

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
N/A

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
N/A

Charging Port  

Locked
N/A
Show Text 

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Shure SE215 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

App Name  

Locked
N/A

iOS  

Locked
N/A

Android  

Locked
N/A

macOS  

Locked
N/A

Windows  

Locked
N/A

Equalizer 
 

Locked
N/A

ANC Control 
 

Locked
N/A

Mic Control  

Locked
N/A

Room Effects 
 

Locked
N/A

Playback Control 
 

Locked
N/A

Button Mapping  

Locked
N/A

Surround Sound  

N/A

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
N/A

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
N/A

NFC Pairing 
 

Locked
N/A

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (SBC) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD) 
 

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A
N/A

iOS Latency 
 

N/A

Android Latency 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Non-Bluetooth Wireless 
 

N/A
N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Non-BT Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Wired 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

Shure SE215 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Etymotic Research HF5 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable  

Locked
Locked

Length  

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired Latency 
 

Lock ms

Analog/USB Audio Latency 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Show Text 

PC / PS4 Compatibility 
 

PC / PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PC / PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
N/A

Type 
 

Locked
N/A

USB Input 
 

Locked
N/A

Line In 
 

Locked
N/A

Line Out 
 

Locked
N/A

Optical Input 
 

Locked
N/A

RCA Input 
 

Locked
N/A

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
N/A

Power Supply 
 

Locked
N/A
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
SE215
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HF5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Blue
SE215
SEE PRICE
B&H
Blue
HF5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Clear
SE215
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Back to Top

Shure SE215

Etymotic Research HF5

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Shure SE215 vs Etymotic Research HF5: Main Discussion

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