What Is It?
Shure’s SRH-940 headphones are the company’s (roughly $250 Australian) flagship, closed-back, over-the-ear headphones.
Who’s it For?
In addition to those who make and/or produce music, these are cans for audiophiles, Especially those just getting into the world of high-end gear. Beats by Dre enthusiasts in search of bass will want to look elsewhere.
Design
You won’t be buying these for the looks. The SRH-940′s aren’t terrible looking, but they’re nothing special either. Aside from the smoky silver colour on the outside, these just look like a typical pair of circumaural headphones.
Using It
The SRH-940s aren’t featherweight, but given their size, they’re pretty light and comfortable, even after multiple hours of listening (thanks in no small part to the velvet-esque earcups and padded headband).
The Best Part
Imaging and soundstage. Sounds are wonderfully accurate and crisp, zooming back and forth across the far ends of your head. And the horns on Mingus’ Black Saint and the Sinner Lady sound amaaaaaaaaaaazing.
Tragic Flaw
While durable, these don’t feel built for everyday use outside the house.
This Is Weird…
The cord is detachable from the cans, but on that end uses a smaller 2.5mm connector, which means you can’t use any old audio cable.
Test Notes
Tested with an iPhone 4S on its own, and with the NuForce Icon iDo DAC/headphone amp using 320kbps MP3 rips. Listened to artists spanning a variety of genres, including Jazz (Charles Mingus), Electronic (Zomby), R&B (The-Dream) and ’60s Rock (The Zombies).
Should You Buy It?
Yes. Especially if the roughly $500 price tag on a pair like the Sennheiser HD-650 is scaring you off. For those starting to get serious about audio and who want a pair of headphones that deliver sound whose quality probably exceeds its price, these are a good pair to start with.
Ben
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 2:57 PMI’ve got a pair of SRH440′s I’ve had for a couple of years now for studio work. Big fan of them and if these are anything like their older outdated cousins they should be pretty good.
Ozoneocean
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 4:12 PMWow, I check headphones using songs by the Zombies too! Haha!
The stereo and mixing on their tracks is beautiful, perfect for this sort of thing.
Brisben
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 2:17 PMJust one point why are you testing audiophile cans with 320kbps MP3. Thats a complet waste of time. If you want good sound you should be using WAV or Flac. I have a pair of these and the diffrence between FLAC and MP3 on a song like Private Investigations by Dire Straits is unreal !!!!!