Shure SRH840 Review | 93 Data compared

The Headfonia review concludes that the Shure SRH840 is a versatile, neutral-sounding closed-back headphone, praised for its massive, airy soundstage and a small treble lift that adds detail without the typical, hollow "closed-back" sound. Designed for monitoring, they offer a flat frequency response that is highly flexible for different amplifiers and lack a fun, colored sound. However, the review notes that the SRH840's flat, studio-oriented profile may lack excitement for some listeners. Additionally, the headphones have a prominent tendency toward sibilance, making them harsh on poorly recorded tracks, which limits their appeal for casual, non-critical listening.

The Shure SRH840 headphones deliver exceptional sound quality and remarkable frequency accuracy, particularly in the lower end, making them a standout choice for mobile producers and home studios. In performance testing, the headphones provided a highly punchy, clear, and well-defined bass response that accurately reproduced kick drums without overpowering the mid and high frequencies. This impressive low-end clarity allowed a traveling reviewer to seamlessly transition tracks from a laptop setup to a physical studio environment with minimal remixing needed. Furthermore, the SRH840 showcased remarkable depth and clarity in the vocals and mids when compared against industry-standard models like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, while remaining comfortable during high-volume, extended listening sessions. However, the physical construction of the SRH840 presents several design flaws and ergonomic inconveniences. The folding mechanism is somewhat unwieldy, and the driver wires are exposed externally right where a user naturally grasps the casing, creating a continuous concern for potential snags or damage. Additionally, adjusting the earcups out of the headband requires an unusual amount of force while on the head, and the included coiled cable may not...

Shure SRH840 Review Summary The Shure SRH840 over-ear, closed-back wired headphones offer an exceptionally clear, crisp, and natural sound profile with an impressive 40mm dynamic driver setup. Designed primarily for studio tracking, reference mixing, and home hi-fi listening, they deliver a highly satisfying audio performance that outperforms many options at double their $199 price point. Key advantages highlighted in the review include their highly well-tuned mid-range, beautiful high-end clarity that makes vocals and guitars shine, and a generous yet tasteful slight bass boost. Additionally, they are highly comfortable due to generous headband padding and a relaxed, gentle clasping force. The package also provides strong practical value by including a 3-meter detachable coiled cable, a 1/4" gold-plated adapter, a leather carry pouch, and a pair of replacement foam ear pads. Despite earning a Gold Medal for value, the review notes several design and functional drawbacks. The headphones are relatively heavy at 365 grams and quite bulky, making them poorly suited for casual street use or commuting. Their physical build is predominantly plastic where more premium metal structures would have been preferred....

The Absolute Sound review identifies the $200 Shure SRH840 headphones as a high-value option, offering a rich, vivid, and detailed sound profile with explosive dynamics and a slight, tasteful mid-bass emphasis. While delivering performance that competes with much higher-priced models, these closed-back headphones are not designed for users seeking ultimate, uncompromised transparency or absolute neutrality, and elite-level openness is understandably limited.

The Shure SRH840 is a professional-grade pair of studio headphones praised for its superb build quality and highly detailed sound reproduction. Designed with longevity in mind, they feature a cushioned, flexible headband, padded pleather ear cups, and a rugged body that easily outperforms equivalently priced consumer models. A major pro of this model is its physical flexibility, which includes a detachable locking cable and the rare addition of a replacement set of ear pads right in the box. Sonically, the headphones excel at deep bass retrieval, clear mid-ranges, and smooth, non-aggressive treble, making them exceptionally versatile for various music genres and movie watching. Despite these strengths, the review notes a few notable drawbacks regarding comfort and value. A significant con is the fit for users with larger ears, as the padding can mash uncomfortably against them over long listening sessions. Additionally, the reviewer notes that competitive pro-audio options on the market offer better overall value for the money. Specifically, the Sony MDR-7506 is highlighted as a preferred alternative, offering a more comfortable fit, greater "sonic sparkle," and a much lower...

The Shure SRH840 is highly regarded by Head-Fi reviewers for offering reference-class, balanced sound with deep, clean bass, a flat midrange, and detailed, airy treble. These closed-back headphones are praised for their wide soundstage, high sensitivity that enables easy driving with mobile devices, and secure locking, detachable cables. Conversely, reviewers commonly cite the headphones' heavy, bulky construction as a source of physical discomfort and fatigue during extended listening. Other noted drawbacks include a plain, conservative aesthetic, exposed wires vulnerable to catching, and a revealing nature that highlights flaws in low-quality audio recordings.