CES 2016

Shure is showing two very upscale products at CES: the KSE1500 electrostatic earphone system (MSRP $2,999) and SHA900 portable listening amplifier (MSRP $999).

The KSE1500 electrostatic earphone system is billed as the world's first sound isolating electrostatic earphone and amplifier system, for use with portable and traditional media players. The earphone uses a single electrostatic driver matched to a micro-USB/analog-input DAC/ADC; connection is made via a 6-pin LEMO connection. The earphone is only operable with the converter package.

Purists (and you know who you are) can select an analog input and bypass the DSP entirely. The system also features preset and customizable 4-band parametric EQ via on board DSP. The advantage of electrostatic drivers, of course, is the low mass and thus fast response compared to traditional dynamic or armature driver designs. The system offers conversion rates of up to 24-bit/96-kHz. Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours (EQ bypass) and up to 7 hours (EQ mode).

The new Shure SHA900 is a standalone portable listening amplifier designed for use with premium-quality headphones and earphones. It is similar to the amplifier used in the KSE1500 with a DAC/ADC for use with digital sources. It offers a customizable 4-band parametric EQ, rechargeability, and micro-USB input as well as analog line input. The DSP can be bypassed. I look forward to critically listening to both of these products as soon as possible. They promise to be very good indeed.