Audiophiles are quick to poo-poo Bluetooth headphones because of their often crappy sound. But while Bluetooth has yet to match the resolution of a wired connection, it is getting better. Top brands like Shure once only offered wireless buds with Bluetooth version 4.1…Until now. Just how much better does Bluetooth 5.0 sound than the previous version? And does it come anywhere close to the resolution of a wired connection? Let’s find out in this Shure RMCE-BT2 Bluetooth 5.0 Earphone Cable Review.
Shure RMCE-BT2 Bluetooth 5.0 Earphone Cable Review
DESIGN
Anyone who has had Shure earphones will be familiar with the look of this cable. It’s got MMCX connectors and memory wire to mould the cable around your ear.
A little secret you discover when looking at the side of the box is the integrated DAC and headphone Amp. And although the sound quality is excellent, I found it had less amplification than the Bluetooth 4 cable.
The battery life on this cable is 10 hours, which is 2 more than it is on previous one. And it takes 15 minutes to yield about 2 hours of playback. The battery (plus DAC/Amp) on the cable is slightly bulkier than it is on the original, and for this reason, they have added a clip to attach to your shirt. Nerds unite.
The Shure SE215-BT1 already has good call clarity, but when I changed up the cable with the BT2, the resolution slightly improved.
The Bluetooth 5.0 cable supports high resolution formats, including Qualcomm aptX, aptX HD and aptX Low Latency Audio, AAC, SBC
SOUND
Comparing the BT2 cable to the previous version, the improved sound is indeed noticeable. Detail and clarity increases, as does separation between notes. Listening to acoustic guitars, for example, the strums became more precise and crystallized with a greater amount of resolve. In short, you get less moosh and more definition. If you already own the previous, BT1 cable and are thinking about upgrading, just note that the BT2 cable yields slightly lower volume. So, if you’re already frustrated that your wireless buds don’t provide enough loudness, you might want to get lower impedance/higher sensitivity earphones before investing in this cable. Can the BT2 cable compete with a wired connection? No. But it’s getting closer, and unless you own audiophile grade earphones, the difference may be minimal.
SUMMARY
If you want uncompromising sound, buy a wired headphone. But if you own MMCX buds and need optimal sound without the hassle of a wire, your best option (besides buying better earphones) is getting this cable.
You can find this cable for the best price at:
Audio 46: Shure earphones cable BT2
Amazon: Shure Headphones, Black (RMCE-BT2)
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