My New Go-To IEMs? A 50-Gig Review of the Soundbrenner Wave vs. the Shure SE215

If you’re a gigging musician, you know the drill. You find a piece of gear that’s reliable, does the job, and it becomes part of your setup for years. For me, and for countless other musicians, the Shure SE215 in-ear monitors have been that old reliable friend. They’ve been in my gig bag for as long as I can remember.

But over the last four months, I decided to try something new. I got my hands on the Soundbrenner Wave IEMs and put them through the ultimate test: 50 gigs. I wanted to see if they could really compete with the industry standard.

The short answer? They didn't just compete. They blew the 215 out of the water.

Here’s my full video review where I break it all down. You can watch it here, or keep scrolling for a written summary of my thoughts.

First Impressions & Build Quality

Right out of the box, you can feel a difference. The Waves come with a solid hard case, which is a huge step up from the soft pouch you get with the Shures. We’ve all had that moment of panic when something heavy lands on our gig bag, and that extra protection is genuinely comforting.

The cable on the Waves also feels more durable and substantial. But the best part is the design of the ear loops. If you’ve used the Shures, you know you sometimes have to fiddle with the memory wire to get it to sit right. The Waves just… fit. They loop over the ear perfectly every single time without any hassle. It's a small thing, but when you're setting up on a dark stage, those little things make a huge difference.

Speaking of dark stages, one of my favourite simple features is the labelling. The Waves have a clear 'R' and 'L' printed on them. The Shures use a tiny red and blue dot that’s nearly impossible to see when the lights are low. Again, it’s a small detail that shows Soundbrenner is really thinking about gigging musicians.

The Most Important Part: How Do They Sound?

This is where the biggest difference lies. I always felt the Shure 215 did the job, but I didn't know what I was missing.

With the Soundbrenner Wave, the sound is just so much more balanced and full. As a drummer, the first thing I noticed was the low end. When I hit the kick drum, I could actually hear and feel the full "thump" and the resonant tone of the drum. With the 215, I mostly just got the "thud" of the beater hitting the head—all attack and not much body.

To make sure I wasn't imagining it, I did a test a few weeks ago. I wore the Waves for the first set and swapped back to my old 215 for the second. The difference was night and day. With the Shures back in, my overheads sounded thin, my toms lost their depth, and the whole mix felt like it was missing its foundation.

The Waves provide a rich, clear, and bass-present sound without being muddy. It’s the kind of sound that makes playing live more enjoyable because you can actually hear a proper mix in your ears.

The Verdict: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

Absolutely.

The Shure SE215 are a great starting point, but the Soundbrenner Wave IEMs are a clear step up in every single category: sound quality, build, comfort, and practical design.

They often retail for a bit more than the 215s, but Soundbrenner frequently runs deals that bring the price down to a very competitive level. Honestly, for the massive improvement in sound and build, I think they offer incredible value. You're getting a professional-grade experience that will genuinely improve your performance on stage.

If you’re thinking of picking up a pair for yourself, the team at Soundbrenner was cool enough to give me a link and a discount code to share with you all. It’s the best way to get a deal on their gear.

Get your Soundbrenner Wave IEMs here: https://www.soundbrenner.com/shop-products?sca_ref=8428580.ibkwcWnxyw

Use this code at checkout for a discount: BRENDRUM-DEAL

Let me know in the comments what in-ears you’re using or if you have any questions about the Waves.

Cheers, Brendan