Review: Shure’s SRH440 Headphones Sound Like A Million Bucks, But Only Cost $100.

11:59 pm, September 22nd, 2009, Eli Milchman

srh440 17

I’m going to climb out on a limb here and suggest that most people don’t use their headphones to dig trenches or compute the rotational velocity of Jupiter. No, headphones are for sound reproduction. Shure’s new SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones do nothing more or less than that, do it very well, and at the bargain price of about $100.

Full review after the jump.

Company: Shure

Model: SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones

List Price: $125.00

Compatible: Most models of iPhone and iPod; most Mac computers

Buy Now: The SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones are available from Amazon for $88.60 with free shipping.

Shure has been making headphones for professional musicians for some time, but the SRH line — the 440s being the middle sibling of three, flanked by the 240s and the 840s — marks the first time Shure has marketed over-the-ear headphones to the masses.

Note the color-coded "left" facing indicator, for those too high to read

Note the color-coded facing indicator

What first hit me about the 440s is that they’re built like a Mack truck. Everything, from the hinges to the replaceable cable, is big and meaty; I suppose if really wanted to dig a trench using headphones, this would be the pair to wield (and perhaps this scenario comes to mind so often because the 440s have the aesthetic charm of a shovel).

Shure designed these headphones for heavy use; the standard jack threads securely into the accompanying quarter inch jack adapter

Shure designed these headphones for heavy use, as evidenced by a jack that threads securely into the accompanying quarter-inch jack adapter.

But where these cans really shine is, of course, their sound; the quality of which was easily a match for the QuietPoints I tested earlier. Shure says the SRH440s have the most neutral tonal reproduction of the three in the line; I’d imagine that to be accurate, even without testing the other two. The 440s sound well-balanced and vivid, with a slight, pleasing boost on the bass end.

The only real problem I encountered with this set is that I could only wear them for about a half hour before there was a little too much pressure on my ears for comfort. Luckily, the 440s pads are easily replaceable, and it’s possible to swap them out for the 840s superior memory-foam pads, which should prove more comfortable and better at sound insulation (not that the closed-backed 440s noticeably leak sound, but more is better). Shure says the 840 pads can be had for about $20 a pair.

For $100 — or even $120 with the pad upgrade — delivering sound this good is a coup for Shure.

Arrgghh, there be musical booty in this bag.

Like the headphones that tuck neatly inside it, the accompanying bag is stripped down, utilitarian.

The SRH440s, folded for transport. The headphones are thoughtfully equipped with a massive logo, presumably to identify the headphone's manufacturer to passengers in planes flying overhead.

In the box: headphones; heavy duty, detachable cable; carry bag; threaded quarter-inch jack adapter

Posted by Eli Milchman in Hardware, Music, Reviews, iPod Accessories | Comment on this article

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About the author

When he was eight, Eli Milchman came home from frolicking in the Veld one day and was given an Atari 400. Since then, his fascination with technology has made him an intrepid early adopter of whatever charming new contraption crosses his path. He calls San Francisco home, where he works as a journalist and photographer. Eli has contributed to the pages of Wired.com and BIKE Magazine, among others.

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5 comments

I like the review.. as a keen consumer of Sound Production equipment I found this review to be greatly informative and insightful.

Comment: I find that comfort and sound insulation are most important in the studio environment when recording tracks, particularily with drums, although the headphones must have sound reproduction quality and neutrality in tone, being essential for editing and mastering.

Thomas von B., on September 26th, 2009 at 4:00 am

Sony has been making the MDR-7506 headphones, a similar model at a similar price, bag included, for just about ages. They’re essentially the standard in professional recording studios…

Claude B., on October 4th, 2009 at 8:42 pm

I’ve just bought the Shure SRH440 for 99$ today and I’m already blowned away by the sound quality! (even without the burn-in period). The sound is spacious, smooth and very natural. For 2 years, I used a Sennheiser HD280 Pro (wich is very good and cost 179$ here in Canada) and I found the SRH440 to be even better! The Sennheiser has a more analytical and flat sound that is excellent with an external amp and premium (lossless) quality audio files, but somewhat harsh on an MP3 player. The Shure is wonderful even on an MP3 player, and overall you get amazing quality for the price! To resume, with the Sennheiser HD280 Pro you get clinical accuracy, with the Shure SRH440 you get involving, warm natural sound that is closer to what we really hear in a live event.

Claude Rodrigue, on October 10th, 2009 at 3:53 am

Hi
I am looking to buy SRH440s. I don’t exactly intend to use them in the studio. I just want to listen to great music. I have already had experience with Sennheiser CX300-A and CX300-B and now want to move up to better sound.

Should I buy the SRH440?

Aditya, on October 23rd, 2009 at 7:40 am

Very awesome review two thumbs up!!! Everyone that plan on getting the srh440 or are unsure, i recommend get them! Amazon has them for a good price with free shipping! I have a home studio I own the 240’s( for the vocal booth) and now the 440’s(For mixing)! If you cannot afford the 440’s the 240’s are great alo; for studio and causal listening! They go for around 50-60 Bucks But If you have the extra $25 Get the 440’s

Brandon, on November 9th, 2009 at 9:15 pm