Shure SRH1840 Review | 93 Data compared

The Shure SRH1840 is an open-back, circumaural audiophile headphone priced at around $499 that delivers a highly detailed, well-rounded sound signature. On the positive side, these headphones boast a superb, sturdy build quality utilizing thick aluminum extenders, coupled with immense comfort from pleather headband padding and velour ear pads during long listening sessions. In terms of audio performance, they offer deep, full, and tightly controlled lows without bleeding, an exceptionally accurate midrange with fantastic vocal presentation, and smooth, highly detailed highs that avoid becoming piercing or sharp. Additionally, they come bundled with a generous accessory package, including a carrying case, two pairs of detachable oxygen-free copper cables, replacement earpads, and a 1/4” stereo adapter. Conversely, the SRH1840 has a few drawbacks, most notably a soundstage that feels somewhat compressed or closed in despite having good depth and okay instrument placement. The high frequencies can also lean slightly bright, which closely approaches the limits of comfort for some listeners. While the headphones feature a relatively low nominal impedance of 65 Ω, they still benefit significantly from external amplification—such as the FiiO...

The Shure SRH1840 flagship open-back headphones deliver an exceptionally natural, balanced, and unhyped frequency response that balances technical accuracy with an engagingly musical presentation. Shure utilizes closely matched drivers to generate outstanding stereo imaging, crisp transient presentation, and a rich, highly detailed midrange that avoids artificial forwardness. The low-end response is distinctively fast, solid, and integrated, contrasting favorably against competitors like the Sennheiser HD650, which sound bloated and woolly by comparison. Furthermore, despite their open-back construction, they are remarkably efficient at containing sound leakage, making them surprisingly quiet in shared office spaces. Boasting a specified impedance of 65Ω, they are noticeably easier to drive than typical open-back models and feature a highly durable, lightweight frame that ensures hours of comfortable wear. The primary pros highlighted in the review focus on the headphones' beautiful, accurate sound quality and an ergonomic design that is comfortable for long mixing sessions. Additionally, the premium packaging brings exceptional value by providing luxurious, robust accessories, including a padded semi-hard carrying case, a spare cable, and a replacement set of earcups. The snap-in, detachable cables also act...

The Shure SRH1840 Professional headphones are premium, over-ear, open-back headphones engineered specifically for studio tracking or critical home listening. Reviewer Steve Guttenberg highlights their incredibly lightweight design, steel headbands, and aircraft-grade aluminum yokes, which combine rugged durability with long-lasting comfort. The headphones offer exceptionally balanced audio performance across all frequencies, showcasing accurate bass response, wide-open stereo imaging, and premium factory-matched 40mm drivers. They also come bundled with generous accessories, including replacement velour earpads and two identical 6.9-foot detachable audio cables. Key Pros and Cons Pros: Exceptional wearability for long sessions, precise tonal balance, wide soundstage, and dual detachable cables. Cons: The steep $699 price tag, zero acoustic privacy due to the open-back structure, and low sensitivity that prevents proper use with standard phones or portable devices.

The Shure SRH1840 open-back headphones offer an exceptionally natural, accurate frequency response with an immersive soundstage, making them ideal for critical listening and studio production. Designed for comfort during extended use, they feature a lightweight, sturdy build with replaceable earpads and cables. However, the $499–$549 price point is high, and the flat, uncolored sound may feel dry for casual listening. Furthermore, some users may desire tighter bass and more treble sparkle compared to cheaper, more engaging alternatives.

The Shure SRH1840 is a highly capable pair of open-backed headphones that delivers exceptional detail and a natural, insightful sound. Priced at £600, these cans are described as the 'Goldilocks' of headphones because they hit a sweet spot between rivals like Grado and Sennheiser, perfectly combining comfort, refinement, and engaging agility. They effortlessly handle complex recordings like Radiohead's 15 Step and provide realistic treble shimmer alongside taut, agile basslines. The structural design is robust yet flexible, featuring plush velour ear pads and an adjustable padded headband that make them comfortable enough to wear for hours. Additionally, they surprise by leaking less sound than typical open-backed competitors, allowing for limited public use while maintaining an incredibly wide and spacious soundstage. The product's main pros include its outstanding ability to reveal subtle vocal nuances, an insightful and confident sonic character, a highly flexible build, and top-tier physical comfort. Shure also adds longevity value by packaging the headphones with a sturdy storage case, extra cables, and replacement ear pads. On the downside, the primary con is that these demanding headphones really ought to...

The Shure SRH1840 is an open-back dynamic headphone that has remained unchanged since 2012, offering a lightweight design with a durable aluminum yoke and stainless steel grilles. In its stock configuration, the headphone features a midrange-centric sound signature with highly articulate vocals, clear instrument textures, and a light, airy treble. However, the stock velour pads severely hold it back by letting air escape, resulting in poor bass control, a noticeable low-end roll-off, and heavy distortion on tracks with deep electronic bass lines. Additionally, the default soundstage feels flat and diffuse, while the physical headband padding is prone to flaking over time. A simple swap to denser, third-party pads—specifically the Brainwavz Oval Hybrid Pads—completely corrects these flaws and transforms the driver's performance. By forcing airflow through the internal mesh as originally designed, the alternative pads deliver a massive upgrade in bass quantity, depth, and control while eliminating most low-end distortion. This modification creates an excellent, well-balanced tonal signature where the treble gains precision, the midrange grows smoother and more nuanced, and the imaging becomes razor-sharp. Ultimately, the reviewer cannot recommend the...

The Shure SRH1840 is an open-back, over-the-ear studio headphone praised for its flat, exceptionally smooth, and transparent frequency response that lacks any artificial frequency hype. It provides exemplary, professional-grade construction with easily adjustable metal yokes, high comfort, and a generous accessory package that includes two swap-ready straight cables, two pairs of velour earpads, and a protective semi-rigid carrying case. For mixing applications, the reviewer notes that it delivers the truest, most undeviating representation of a recording, making it an excellent ruler for estimating how a mix will translate across different systems. Despite its strengths, the headphone exhibits a fast low-frequency roll-off below 50 Hz, resulting in a significantly reduced signal and audible harmonic distortion by the time it drops to 30 Hz. It falls short in the deep sub-bass regions when compared directly to closed-back models like the Shure SRH940 and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50. Additionally, the headphone lacks a folding mechanism for compact storage, and the included semi-rigid carrying case is noted for being inconveniently large.

The Absolute Sound review highlights the Shure SRH1840 open-back headphones as an exceptional, comfortable, and well-built choice for critical listening. They offer outstanding clarity, midrange purity, and treble detail that rivals much more expensive models, making them excellent for capturing subtle acoustic textures. While praised for tight, accurate, and low-distortion bass, the SRH1840 is criticized for a light, underpowered low-end, lacking the punch required for some listeners. Ultimately, they excel in transparency but may disappoint those seeking significant bass impact. The Absolute Sound

The Shure SRH-1840 ($875 USD) is highly praised by the reviewer for its remarkably lightweight, high-class build quality and world-class comfort, making it a standout open-back flagship headphone. Pros include its exceptionally light and feather-weight design, plush velour pads that provide excellent cushion without excessive clamping force, and a durable, flexible, interchangeable cable system. Sound-wise, it offers a beautifully balanced, warm sound signature paired with a spacious, 3-dimensional open soundstage that excels in height and depth. The midrange retains classic Shure goodness, and the bass response is deep, tight, and highly detailed, while the laid-back treble ensures an organic, non-tiring musical experience ideal for long hours of listening. On the other hand, the headphone lacks an immediate "wow factor," meaning its neutral presentation may not immediately excite listeners during brief listening sessions. Specific cons noted include a soundstage that lacks width, a slightly grainy texture across the overall sound profile, and a laid-back treble response that misses some top-end sparkle. Additionally, it lacks heavy, impactful bass slam, which might disappoint electronic music fans. It is also highly source-dependent, requiring a...

The Headfonia review of the Shure SRH1440 and SRH1840 highlights the SRH1440 as an energetic, budget-friendly option, praising its engaging sound and comfortable, user-replaceable cables. However, the SRH1440 suffers from a less extended bass, noticeable grain, and a flattened, less accurate soundstage compared to its sibling. The flagship SRH1840 is highlighted for superior audiophile-grade performance, offering a fully extended low-end, excellent imaging, and unmatched, smooth clarity. Despite its high price and slight speed limitations, the SRH1840 is favored for its refined, neutral sound and premium comfort, representing a significant step up in quality from the SRH1440.

In the Stereophile review, the Shure SRH-1840 headphonesGo to product viewer dialog for this item. are praised for their exceptionally smooth, neutral sound, outstanding detail, and high-end construction. Key pros include a flawless midrange, detailed treble, and comfortable, lightweight design, making them excellent for critical listening. Conversely, the review identifies a, "lean" bass profile that lacks significant impact, making the unit unsuitable for those seeking strong low-end punch. While the open-back design offers a natural soundstage, the SRH-1840 is characterized by a strictly neutral, lean-bass response compared to other models.