840A
Detailed review for Shure SRH840A
Construction and design
The Shure SRH840A headphones are predominantly made of plastic which, although functional, gives a cheap feel. The upper and lower joints are supported by screws, but the material reminds of toy plastic, especially when sliding the band for adjustment. In contrast, the top padding and the artificial leather on the support band seem to be of significantly higher quality, being well made.
Although they don't squeak and don't give the impression of extreme fragility, they don't inspire the confidence of a product you'd take in a backpack for a trip. It's clear that this construction could be improved. The overall dimensions and bulky design may be a downside for those who prefer something more compact.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, the Shure SRH840A excels. The headphones sit very well on the head, and the clamping force is minimal, providing a pleasant feeling even for long periods of use. Compared to Audio-Technica M50x, the comfort is several levels above. However, a slight disadvantage is that the ears touch the inner foam, but this aspect is not bothersome as the material is very soft and skin-friendly.
Sound
Bass
The bass provided by these headphones is linear and compact, without dominating the audio spectrum. Unfortunately, the extension in sub-bass is lacking, with the 20 Hz and 30 Hz frequencies being less pronounced. This allows the mid and high frequencies to stand out more, but in some cases, a richer presence in the low registers would have been desired. With a bit more extension in the bass, the sound image would have had a better balance.
Mids
The mids are the strong point of these headphones. The sound is incredibly detailed, with remarkable clarity and dynamics. Vocals and instruments are rendered in a very balanced and spatial manner. Listening to the album Loom by Imagine Dragons, the feeling is as if you are in a professional studio, and Dan Reynolds' voice is perfectly placed in the mix.
However, this sonic cleanliness can become too "sterile" for some people, especially if the tracks listened to have many high frequencies or pronounced hi-hats. In some cases, the vocals can become a bit piercing, which affects listening comfort during long sessions.
Highs
The highs are clearly highlighted in the frequency response, with a significant peak around 10 kHz. This contributes to a bright sound image, but can become tiring for the ears, especially in the long run. In tests conducted, this peak was annoying enough to force me to lower the volume constantly, and after about 30 minutes of use, ear fatigue set in.
In the song I Love You by Key4050 and Plumb, for example, the dynamics are impressive, but the high frequencies and hi-mids become aggressive. Unfortunately, the bass remains in the background, failing to properly balance the mix.
Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is decent, and the headphones do a good job of placing instruments correctly in space. However, the sound remains more "in your head," typical of monitoring headphones. Comparatively, they can be likened to Sony MDR-V6 or MDR-7506, but with more bass and a wider soundstage. The rendering of complex pieces is excellent, and the transient response is fast and precise, highlighting Shure's experience in producing professional headphones.
Conclusion
Shure SRH840A are solid-sounding headphones, but with a construction that leaves much to be desired. The cheap plastic and bulky design are obvious downsides, especially compared to other models like AKG K371 or Roland RH-300, which offer superior construction.
In terms of comfort and sound, however, these headphones are hard to beat. The mids shine, and the bass, although limited in extension, is well controlled. On the other hand, the highs are too pronounced, making them difficult to use for long listening sessions.
Recommendation: If you are looking for headphones for monitoring or audio production and have a tolerance for high frequencies, Shure SRH840A may be a suitable choice. However, for casual use, the ear fatigue caused by the peak in highs can be a dealbreaker.
