PLAYBACK 23: Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones
High-End Ear Openers, Extraordinaire
Home Theater/Multichannel Audio
- PLAYBACK 23: Onkyo TX-SR607 A/V Receiver
- PLAYBACK 23: Parasound P7 Multichannel Preamp & Marantz AV8003 A/V Pre-Tuner
Portable/PC Audio
- PLAYBACK 23: Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones
- PLAYBACK 23: Ultrasone Edition 8 Headphones
TV / Displays
- PLAYBACK 23: LG 55LH90 LCD HDTV with LED Backlighting
- PLAYBACK 23: Samsung SP-A900B 1080p DLP projector
Two-Channel Audio
Source: Playback
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Many Playback readers associate the name Shure with high performance microphones and in-ear headphones, but the Niles, IL-based company has recently entered the market for high-performance over-the-ear headphones with a lineup consisting of three models. Playback was fortunate enough to obtain a sample of the flagship model of the group: the SRH840, which sells for $200.
The basic specifications for the SRH840 seem straightforward enough. It is a mid-weight (318 gram), closed-back, circumaural (over-the-ear) headphone with 40mm dynamic drivers that feature neodymium magnets. Shure says of these drivers that they are designed to deliver “reference-quality frequency response” and are “optimized for studio recording and critical listening.” Earcups are carried on collapsible “arms” that allow the headphones to fold up to fit neatly within their included drawstring carry bag.
Although many consumers would consider $200 headphones “expensive,” the fact is that among very high-performance models the price of SRH840s falls near the lower end of the scale. Knowing this, we were curious to see how the SRH840 would fare in direct comparison not only with like-priced competitors but also when evaluated against the standards set by headphones in the $400+ range (or even beyond). The short answer, we soon discovered, is that Shure’s new top model not only holds its own versus higher priced competitors but also surpasses them in many respects. In short, Shure’s SRH840s offer terrific value for money and are high-end ear-openers, extraordinaire.
Overview
Consider this headphone if: you crave the sound of $400+ headphones, but have only about half that amount to spend. For $200, these Shures sound fully competitive with ‘phones in the $400+ class—better than some, not quite as good as others, but always in the hunt. The SRH840 is sensitive, offers a rich and vivid yet well-balanced sound (with perhaps a touch—but only a light and tasteful touch—of mid-bass emphasis), explosive dynamics, and an uncanny ability to sound at once highly detailed, yet smooth.
Look elsewhere if: you want to reach for the absolute heights of sonic openness, transparency, and neutrality. While the SRH840 comes surprisingly close to true top-tier performance, the fact is that, if you are willing to push the envelope (and your wallet) far enough, there are even higher levels of headphone performance to be had at the top end of the scale. But at the $200 level, the SRH840 is a steal, pure and simple. It’s all the headphone many listeners will ever need or want.
Ratings (compared to similarly-priced headphones)
- Tonal Balance: 9
- Clarity: 9.5
- Dynamics: 10
- Comfort/Fit: 9
- Sensitivity: 10
- Value: 10
Sonic Character
One of the most striking qualities of the Shure SRH840 is that it sounds more sonically refined, revealing, and involving than its price might lead you to expect. Three areas where this is readily apparent involve overall resolution and definition, bass performance, and dynamics. Let’s briefly examine each of these points in turn.
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Comments
I don't understand why you refrain from mentioning other headphones in the review. The Grado line and the Sennheisers are widely known, and provide reference points. Not using those reference points lessens the value of the review.
I'm not asking for a "shootout", or even a "better than" comment. But if the Shure does a great job on low-level details how does it compare, in that regard, to those other two lines? That would meke the review much more useful to us, as readers and consumers.
The thing with Grado and Sennheiser is that they are open ear headphones, sure they give unbelievable sound quality as well but the fact that air can come in, it makes them apart of a completely different category.
Chris,
You have recently reviewed the top of the line Sennheiser and Ultrasone headphones. How does the Shure measure up?
Chris,
You have recently reviewed the top of the line Sennheiser and Ultrasone headphones. How does the Shure measure up?
As has already been said in the first comment, it would be much more informative if you could compare or contrast your impressions against some very well known and comparably priced headphones... In my case I own a Sennheiser HD-280 PRO "Studio" circumaural headphones at $200 but that are available at close to a hundred dollars at "street" prices, and have been quite happy with their preformance/price ratio; but after four years of listening to them, I am considering . The comparable Grado's are also well known. Even when the sensitivity of the Shure's seems quite high, having only 44 ohm could require a headphone outlet with enough current capability, so please tell us with which equipment did you perform your tests. Finally, a side note comparing this model to the "closest but slightly better" models (which I suppose will go over twice the price, could reveal a lot to a prospective buyer. It is very clear from your review that this model offers a great value, but we also would be happy to know how far (or close) are they from the next better models at up to 400-500 usd. When you are seriously considering to buy ANOTHER set of headphones (and having no less than 15 models accumulated over the years), every consideration is deserved.
And finally (and sometimes necessary information): How well does it isolate external noise, and also how much reproduced sound does it leak (as when one wants to go to bed listening without bothering your better half).
Thanks in advance.
I've had a Sennheiser HD280 Pro for 2 years, and I was satisfied with them until recently. Indeed, two weeks ago, I bought the Shure SRH440 and SRH840 in order to compare both, and also to compare them with the Sennheiser HD280.
Report #1 : Both Shures are definitely better than the Sennheiser HD280 Pro. So forget the HD280 for the rest of this evaluation.
Report #2 : Both Shures are very different, but each one has its intrinsic qualities.
Report #3 : It is very hard to make a choice between them because they are both so good, but indeed different!
I am not fixed yet as for my choice between the SRH440 and SRH840, even after 2 weeks of comparisons. The problem is that I really like both, but I have to choose one.
When I'm comparing, each time I put one of them on my head, I fell that it's the best of both. But when I put the other, it's again the best of both!
Here's what I've noted about each one :
SRH440
- Alive, involving, energetic although smooth sound
- Fun to listen, very dynamic, well suited to popular music
- Does very well with classical and jazz too!
- Overall clarity seem better than SRH840
- Voices are more natural, livelier than SRH840
- Snappy deep bass with lots of impact but well balanced
- Midrange is accurate and natural, very live sounding
- Treble is acute, detailed and never agressive
- Sensitivity is fantastic, can play very loud with MP3 players
- No need for amplification
- Comfort is surprisingly better than SRH840
- At 99$ value is outstanding!
SRH840
- Darker, more distant, laid-back sound than SRH440
- Sensation of plenitude, sound texture is dense
- Does very well with acoutic instruments
- A bit soft and lazy with pop and rock
- Voices have a felted quality
- Bass is very deep, but less impactful than SRH440
- Midrange is smooth, consistent and intimate
- Treble is almost perfect, better than SRH440
- Sensitivity is good, can play loud enough with MP3 players
- Would be better with amplification
- Comfort is good, but heavier and hotter than SRH440
- At 199$ value is great
Again, both models are very good and really impressive for the price. The SRH440 is a winner for listening with an MP3 player or a PC soundcard. Since I don't have a headphone amp, I probably can't evaluate the SRH840 at its best.
I echo all the above very gentle comments and would add, more assertively, that to the extent that a review presents no useful information, it is useless.
This review appears to be informative, but closer analysis reveals little useful data. In this case, as mentioned, comparisons to obvious headphone alternatives would have meant something, but providing a list of subjective impressions of replay without direct comparisons to the headphone competition is a waste of everyone's time. This is, emphatically, not serving our interests.
Honestly, you write like a salesman who is subtly trying to up-sell the customer while being careful not to trash the product in hand in case he/she decides to buy it.
In my experience, at this price point sonic variability doesn't have all that much to do with cost. The real variable at this price is construction quality which includes the quality of the plastics used. In my observation, the best plastics come from Germany and the USA. I have seen a lot of Sony's with rotted earpads, but almost no AKGs, Beyers and Sennheisers. Shure might well be good in this regard, too, but who knows?
Do Ipods and other mp3 players have enough power to drive these headphones to a decent volume level or are these headphones strictly designed to be used with other audio equipment.
I just got a pair of srh440 headphones today. On my way home from buying them, I listened to my 1st generation Ipod shuffle with them. I must say YES they are great with an Ipod but I don't recommend driving and listening to your Ipod because it's not safe. I'm listening to tunes right now and loving it. SHURE sure it it right with the Shure srh440 headphones.
Shure (pun intended) I expect to pay a pointless premium living in the Uk, but the pricing of these phones here is beyond a joke. $149 and theyre yours from Amazon.com. Here in the Uk prices START at £170!!! Much as I want these headphones, Im not prepared to have such an exhorbitant amount stolen from my wallet.
honestly mate, where do u buy your gear? the SRH440 is 84 quid at DV....
Erm we are talking about the SRH840, which are priced at £170 from DV.... BIG difference!
Check out eBay, there's a seller from the US, selling SRH840's for 90 quid + postage.
"For $200, these Shures sound fully competitive with ‘phones in the $400+ class"
Big statement. I did a direct comparison with the $199 Ultrasone HFI-580 which sounded better in every way. At $349, the Denon AH-D2000 completely trounces them. I would be extremely curious to know which $400 headphones "don't" sound better than these Shures!!! And to describe them as smooth sounding...please.
The cable is clumsy, hanging from the left driver and heavy. That makes these very uncomfortable to wear. As the sound is concerned they are good for 200$ but since I have Grado 325i as well (1.5x the price) Grado definitely blows them away in terms of the sound quality - and to my taste even comfort.
However the fact that I am keeping both tells you that I am not completely unhappy with Shures.
I use MacMini as a digital source, Quad 99 CDP2 as the DAC, Creek OBH 21SE (pure class A) headphone amp