I wanted a pair of earphones that would look good with my clear iPod Classic.
That was simply why I bought the SHURE SE215.
The iPod Classic I introduced before has been customized with a transparent body that lets you see the components inside.
So I thought, why not match it with a pair of clear earphones?
Something transparent, slightly mechanical-looking, with the components visible inside.
That was what I started looking for.
At first, I considered headphones.
There are some great-looking transparent headphones that let you see what’s inside.
But they felt a little too much for wearing around town.
They’re also heavier and less convenient to carry.
For the way I use them, earphones made more sense.
That said, I didn’t want to choose something based on looks alone.
If I was going to listen to music with them, I still wanted decent sound quality.
And ideally, I wanted something from an established audio brand.
That search led me to the SHURE SE215.
What Is the SHURE SE215?
The SE215 is a pair of wired earphones originally released by SHURE in 2011.
It uses a single dynamic driver and features a detachable cable with MMCX connectors.
What’s impressive is that, more than a decade after its release, the SE215 is still being sold today.
It has become a genuine long-running model.
I chose the clear version, which lets you see the components inside.
And it looks seriously cool.
Next to my transparent iPod Classic, it was exactly the combination I had been looking for.
I considered buying a new pair.
However, prices have gone up over the years, so I decided to look for a used one instead.
I found mine on Mercari.
I paid JPY 5,000.
For JPY 5,000, being able to try a pair of earphones that has remained popular for more than a decade seemed like a pretty good deal.
What Surprised Me Most Compared With EarPods
Before buying the SE215, I mainly used Apple EarPods.
The difference in sound was immediately noticeable.
But my first reaction wasn’t:
The bass is amazing.
Or:
The sound is so much more powerful.
That wasn’t really the difference.
What surprised me most was how clearly I could hear each individual sound.
Vocals became clearer too.
But the biggest difference for me was the instruments.
I can listen to a song I’ve heard countless times and suddenly notice:
I never realized that instrument was playing there.
And that’s fun.
It feels like sounds that I previously heard as one combined layer have started to separate from one another.
Since switching to the SE215, I’ve found myself going back and listening to familiar songs again.
I Also Love How It Pairs With My iPod Classic
I use a fifth-generation iPod Classic.
This generation uses a Wolfson DAC, and there are still fans who particularly enjoy its sound.
That said, I didn’t put this setup together in pursuit of the best possible sound quality.
After all, the main reason I chose the SE215 was its appearance.
But it turned out to be a combination that I genuinely enjoy listening to.
And more than anything, it just looks good.
The transparent iPod.
The cable coming out of it.
And the clear SE215 with its internal components visible.
I even like how they look just sitting together on my desk.
They Felt a Little Tight at First
The fit felt slightly unusual at first.
I had been using EarPods, which have a very open and loose fit.
Because I was used to that, the SE215 initially felt a little tight when it sat firmly inside my ears.
But I got used to it pretty quickly.
Now, I barely notice it.
If anything, I like that they stay securely in place and don’t move around as much as EarPods.
The noise isolation is also very good.
Shure states that, with a proper fit, the SE215 can block up to 37 dB of outside noise.
That matches my experience.
When I wear them, I can barely hear what’s happening around me.
For safety reasons, I generally don’t wear earphones while walking, so this isn’t much of an issue for me.
But it is something to keep in mind if you plan to use them outside.
What to Look Out for When Buying Used
My SE215 was bought used.
Getting it for JPY 5,000 was great, but there is one thing that concerns me.
There is some green corrosion on the earphone cable.
Everything works normally at the moment, but I’m slightly concerned about whether it could affect the sound or connection in the long term.
If you’re looking for a used SE215, I’d recommend checking the condition of the connectors and cable as well as the earphones themselves.
It’s also worth remembering that the SE215 originally came out in 2011.
There are now plenty of options in the affordable IEM market.
If sound quality alone is your priority, there may be newer alternatives that make more sense for the same budget.
So in 2026, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the SE215 to everyone.
Still, I’m Really Glad I Bought Them
Personally, I’m very happy with the SE215.
And the biggest reason is still the way it looks.
A clear SE215 connected to a transparent iPod Classic.
It simply looks really cool.
And when you use something you genuinely like, it puts you in a slightly better mood.
I pick up my iPod, put in the SE215, and start playing some music.
Then I begin working or studying.
That small routine has become a kind of switch that helps me get into work mode.
And the sound is genuinely good too.
I notice instruments in songs that I had never paid attention to before.
I go back and listen carefully to music I already love.
Listening to music itself has become a little more enjoyable.
Compared with wireless earphones, an iPod and a pair of wired earphones might not be the most convenient setup.
But I get to use objects I love and spend some time simply listening to music.
And when I do that, I sometimes think:
This feels like a small luxury.
Not everything has to be measured by convenience.
Maybe the best thing about buying the SE215 is that it has made the simple act of listening to music feel a little more special.
Check Out the SHURE SE215
The SE215 is still available new today.
I bought mine used, but because this is an older model, condition is something you need to check carefully when buying secondhand.
If you plan to use them for a long time, buying a new pair may also be worth considering.
If you’re interested in the clear version, you can check it out on Amazon below.
See It in My Daily Life
Most of the items I write about on this blog are things I actually use every day.
If you’d like to see how they fit into my daily life—not just as reviews, but as part of my routines—I share that on YouTube and Instagram.
You’ll find everything from studying and work to coffee, reading, and everyday life in Japan.
Thanks for reading!
