Shure KSE1500 VS Forte Ears Macbeth

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Shure KSE1500 and Forte Ears Macbeth are in-ear monitors. Shure KSE1500 costs $3,000 while Forte Ears Macbeth costs $4,000. Forte Ears Macbeth is $1,000 more expensive. Forte Ears Macbeth holds a decisive 2.6-point edge in reviewer scores (5.9 vs 8.5). Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better bass with a 3.3-point edge, Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better mids with a 4-point edge, Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better treble with a 4.5-point edge, Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better dynamics with a 2-point edge, Shure KSE1500 has significantly better details with a 1.3-point edge and Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better imaging with a 2.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Shure KSE1500 Forte Ears Macbeth
Bass 5 8.3
Mids 4 8
Treble 4 8.5
Details 10 8.8
Soundstage 5.9 9
Imaging 6 8.8
Dynamics 6 8
Tonality 4.3 8.3
Technicalities 7.3 8.7

Shure KSE1500 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision

Average Reviewer Score:

5.9

Mixed


Forte Ears Macbeth Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Shuwa-T Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Excellent


Shure KSE1500 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Forte Ears Macbeth User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Shure KSE1500 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

4.9

Gaming Grade

C

Forte Ears Macbeth Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

Shure KSE1500 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C-
  • Significantly flawed tuning. Noticeable frequency imbalances and unnatural timbre distract from music. Lacks versatility across recordings.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Bass C+
Average bass performance - present but unremarkable. Has reasonable texture but lacks depth and physicality.
Mids C-
Midrange is passable but unrefined. Lacks detail and smoothness, with occasional harshness in upper mids.
Treble C-
Average treble performance - present but lacking refinement. Some graininess or splashiness affects clarity.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Details S+
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging B
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
Gaming C
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Forte Ears Macbeth Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble S-
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics A+
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Shure KSE1500 Reviews

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 5.9 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
A- Tech
Top-tier detail and speed, just be aware that it's very bright.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: C+ Mids: C- Treble: C- Dynamics: B Details: S+ Imaging: B

Forte Ears Macbeth Reviews

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 8.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S Tech
Feels like a remastered VX in terms of clarity and staging The tonality is too off for regular listening, timbre is also off in general

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: S- Mids: A Treble: S Soundstage: S Details: S Imaging: S

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 8.3 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: A+ Mids: S- Treble: A+ Dynamics: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Shure KSE1500 User Reviews

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