Having been in the industry for nearly 100 years, Shure has more than earned its reputation as a powerhouse in the realm of audio, so my expectations are rather high here. Let’s see if the SRH1840 headphones warrant such an extravagant price.
Final verdict
Unsurprisingly, the SRH1840 are a fantastic set of studio headphones. They’re the perfect tool for mixing and analytical listening without ever sounding sterile or dull in their reproduction.
While they may be pricier than your average set of cans, they’re definitely worth the expense.
What I like
- Neutral and transparent.
- Lightweight and comfortable.
- High-quality build.
What I don’t like
- Not the most affordable.
Why you should trust this review
I’ve been producing and engineering for over 15 years.
During that time, I’ve had hands-on experience with a wide array of monitoring setups – from high-end monitors and studio headphones to crappy earbuds and repurposed car speakers.
I know how to stretch a budget, and I know when a piece of gear doesn’t perform up to its asking price.
This experience, along with years of problem-solving in a variety of recording environments, has taught me what gear is worth your investment – and what isn’t.
Sound quality 4.7
With an impedance of 65 ohms these are far easier to drive than a great deal of headphones I’ve tested. You don’t really need an amp to use these, which can save you money in the short term.
They have a reported frequency response of 10 Hz – 30 kHz. Having tried several pairs of Shure headphones before, I was expecting these to have a forward midrange presence at the expense of bass. Fortunately, I was wrong in my assumption.
The low end is incredibly well-defined and superbly balanced with the overall tonality of the headphones. This heightened how detailed and full the midrange sounded, as it wasn’t bogged down or having to compete with any mud from the bass. Likewise, the high-frequency extension felt wonderful.
I would say that these are neutral and transparent, but this gives the impression that they sound flat, which they don’t.
The SRH1840 have every quality to make them some of the best headphones for mixing and critical listening, but what’s more impressive is that they don’t sound clinical or sterile.
Build and design 4.8
The Shure SRH1840 headphones are shockingly lightweight, yet still feel hardy and durable.
What’s even better in my book, is that these headphones have detachable cables, vastly improving their longevity in the studio.
Comfort 4.9
The earcups are fairly large, and covered in a plush velour padding which feels incredibly cozy. This along with their light weight make them more than comfortable to endure longer-running sessions.
While these shouldn’t be your headphones of choice for running and exercise (they’re far too expensive for that anyway), the SRH1840 are perfectly stable for their intended purpose.
Isolation 2.0
Seeing that these are open-back headphones, they don’t do anything for noise cancellation, but they’re not supposed to anyway.
However, they are strikingly good when it comes to noise pollution. At moderate listening volumes, they can be a valid choice for working in the office.
Accessories 5.0
The SRH1840 headphones come with a hard carrying case, a 1/8 to 1/4-inch adapter, and two sets of audio cables. I have no complaints here, nor do I have anything to add.
Compared to other headphones
While these Shure headphones are a terrific choice for music production, it’s always worth it to have a few more considerations before pulling out your wallet.
Shure SRH1840 vs Sennheiser HD 600
The SRH1840 are the winner here, hands down. Without getting too bogged down by the details, I’ll just say that you get what you pay for and leave it at that.
Read the full Sennheiser HD 600 review
Shure SRH1840 vs Sennheiser HD 660S
These two headphones are equal in quality, despite their differences in sound.
The SRH1840 are much warmer, and offer a cleaner bass and more striking high end. The HD 660 S are contrastingly clinical-sounding.
For me, I prefer the Shures, but either of these are worthy of your investment.
See Sennheiser HD 660S’ current price
Shure SRH1840 vs Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
Again, I find that the Shures are the better option here.
The Beyerdynamics felt fairly shrill to me, but to each their own. The SRH1840 are notably warmer-sounding, while the DT 1990 Pro are more “hi-fi”.
They’re both good headphones though, so don’t get caught up if your tastes bring you to Beyerdynamic.
See Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro’s current price
Who are the Shure SRH1840 headphones best suited for?
The SRH1840 open-backs are the perfect choice for everyone looking for a quality pair of headphones for mixing and mastering.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon
