iBasso IT01S vs Shure SE215

Short answer: the iBasso IT01S. It ranks #362 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $89.95; the Shure SE215 ranks #384, rated 3.1/5, and costs $109, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.

What the iBasso IT01S does well: A Harman score of 66 in Crinacle’s measurement shows the tuning lands reasonably close to what most listeners prefer. Watch for: Deviation from the target averages 2.84 dB, so the response is not especially smooth.

What the Shure SE215 does well: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is lifted by about 4.2 dB with low mids up 2.2 dB, giving a warm, full sound that suits rock, pop and hip hop. The catch: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3 dB low with a 5.9 dB dip near 6.7 kHz, and the top octave is down 2.7 dB, so cymbals and air sound dull.

Buy the iBasso IT01S. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Shure SE215 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.

Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

More top alternatives to iBasso IT01S:

• KZ PR1 vs iBasso IT01S
• Sennheiser IE 40 Pro vs iBasso IT01S
• iBasso IT01S vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
• iBasso IT01S vs FiiO FH3
• iBasso IT01S vs BGVP DN3

Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Headphones In Full

iBasso IT01S: $89.95 Amazon eBay

Pros: A Harman score of 66 in Crinacle’s measurement shows the tuning lands reasonably close to what most listeners prefer. The 16 ohm impedance and 109 dB/mW sensitivity mean a phone can drive it to loud levels. At 8 g per earbud with a 10mm dynamic driver, it is a light, simple wired set.

Cons: Deviation from the target averages 2.84 dB, so the response is not especially smooth. Without an inline microphone it cannot be used for calls, and the KZ PR1 has a higher rating.

Full iBasso IT01S review and specifications →

Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.84 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 10mm dynamic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	10Hz - 43kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	16 ohms
Sensitivity	109 dB/mW
Tonal Tilt	-0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0 lbs (8 g) per earbud

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -3.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+3.1 dB	0.70
Peak	169 Hz	-4.1 dB	0.49
Peak	918 Hz	+3.6 dB	1.10
Peak	9,169 Hz	+3.5 dB	2.61
Peak	3,523 Hz	+2.8 dB	4.61
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+0.4 dB	0.70
Peak	5,075 Hz	-6.1 dB	5.81
Peak	6,349 Hz	+3.1 dB	5.89
Peak	4,021 Hz	+2.0 dB	5.78
Peak	2,467 Hz	-0.5 dB	5.37

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the iBasso IT01S (crinacle measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • iBasso IT01S vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
  • iBasso IT01S vs FiiO FH3
  • iBasso IT01S vs Sennheiser IE 40 Pro
  • iBasso IT01S vs KZ PR1
  • iBasso IT01S vs BGVP DN3

Shure SE215: $109.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is lifted by about 4.2 dB with low mids up 2.2 dB, giving a warm, full sound that suits rock, pop and hip hop. A 17 ohm impedance and 107 dB SPL/mW sensitivity make it easy to drive from a phone, and the single dynamic driver keeps the design simple. Upper mids sit right on target, so vocals are not pushed back.

Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3 dB low with a 5.9 dB dip near 6.7 kHz, and the top octave is down 2.7 dB, so cymbals and air sound dull. The warm balance can make the mix feel thick. The iBasso IT01S and the FiiO FH3 both have higher ratings.

Full Shure SE215 review and specifications →

Released	Jan 2011 (15 years ago)
Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.78 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x dynamic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	22Hz - 17.5kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	17 ohms
Sensitivity	107 dB SPL/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.0 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.78 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -5.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+0.3 dB	0.70
Peak	174 Hz	-4.6 dB	0.68
Peak	811 Hz	+3.1 dB	1.42
Peak	3,430 Hz	+3.8 dB	4.37
Peak	6,943 Hz	+5.4 dB	2.76
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+3.8 dB	0.70
Peak	5,725 Hz	+8.1 dB	1.13
Peak	5,056 Hz	-10.9 dB	2.93
Peak	7,269 Hz	-6.3 dB	3.47
Peak	2,278 Hz	-2.1 dB	2.94

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Shure SE215 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Shure SE215 vs BGVP DN3
  • Shure SE215 vs FiiO FH3
  • Shure SE215 vs Etymotic ER3XR
  • Shure SE215 vs Jabra Elite Active 65t
  • Shure SE215 vs Sennheiser IE 40 Pro