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  1. Home
  2. Headphones
  3. Compare

Shure SE215 vs Sennheiser IE 40 PRO

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
Sennheiser IE 40 PRO

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Nov 18, 2025 02:21 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated May 17, 2024 03:01 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Shure SE215 Picture

Track

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Picture

Track

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

Our Verdict

Shure SE215

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO

The Shure SE215 and Sennheiser IE 40 PRO are pretty similar in-ear headphones, but each are slightly better in different categories. The Shure are better built as their detachable cable isn't as loose as the Sennheiser, and the buds feel a bit better-made. Also, they fit better inside the ears, making them more comfortable and creating a better seal for excellent isolation. On the other hand, the Sennheiser have a better treble range reproduction, as the Shure have a broad dip that affects the detail and brightness of those frequencies. However, the Sennheiser have a significant lack of low bass.

0 

Variants

  • SE215 (Black)
  • SE215 (Blue)
  • IE 40 PRO (Black)
  • IE 40 PRO (Clear)

Review

See Shure SE215 Review
See Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Review
0 
2 

Check Price

Black
SE215
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
IE 40 PRO
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Clear
SE215
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Clear
IE 40 PRO
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Blue
SE215
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
Locked

Feedback  

Locked
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Breathability 
 

N/A
N/A

Breathability After Picture  

Shure SE215 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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
Locked
Show Text 

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

Shure SE215 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Side Picture  

Shure SE215 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture  

Shure SE215 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Consistency R  

Shure SE215 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Phase Response  

Shure SE215 Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

Shure SE215 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation  

Shure SE215 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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
Locked

In-Line 
 

Locked
Locked

Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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
Locked

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
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Shure SE215 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Windows  

Locked
Locked

Equalizer 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic Control  

Locked
Locked

Room Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

NFC Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

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
N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A
N/A

iOS Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Android Latency 
 

N/A
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

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 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

Analog/USB Audio Latency 
 

Lock ms
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
Locked

USB Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Line In 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Out 
 

Locked
Locked

Optical Input 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Power Supply 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
SE215
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
IE 40 PRO
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Clear
SE215
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Clear
IE 40 PRO
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Blue
SE215
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
Back to Top

Shure SE215

Sennheiser IE 40 PRO

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Shure SE215 vs Sennheiser IE 40 PRO: Main Discussion

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