Shure SRH-440 mini review - Great Starter Cans

Note: I wrote this almost 2 years ago! ;-)

 

 

Introduction

 

Last year, after using open Sony cans that served me well for

what seemed to be a lifetime, I decided that it was time to look

for new cans, ones that would let me get lost in my world while I

was at work and to use for recording ideas that sometimes hit my

head. The search was long and hard. I read hundreds of reviews

from different sites, different types of headsets (i.e. in-ear,

closed, open, etc.) and in the end I still did not know what I

wanted. Enter Shure:

 

 

Now, this company is no stranger to the audio business. Anyone
that has seen ANY concert knows their presence since the SM57
is one of the most-used microphones ever. It seems they are
gathering a strong presence also in the earphone business,

something I did NOT know of. When I looked at the SRH series, I

felt in love. Then I read some of the reviews and it was a given, I

NEEDED TO OWN ONE OF THESE.

 

SRH-440

 

 

Now, remember on that first paragraph when I said I wanted new

headphones to use at work/home? Well, I bring back that note

because these cans are BIG. Really big! Also, these cans are

HEAVY and these cans make use of a 10 foot long COILED cable!!!

Trust me, you wouldn't want to use these while walking in the mall

or wherever... get some cheap in-ears for that.

 

 

Stats:

 

* Transducer type: Dynamic neodymium magnet

* Driver size: 40 mm

* Sensitivity (1kHz): 105 dB

* Impedance (1kHz): 44 Ω

* Max. input power (1kHz): 500 mW

* Frequency range: 10 Hz - 22 kHz

* Net weight (without cable): 181 g

* Length of cable: 3 meters

* Type of cable: Detachable coiled oxygen-free copper

* Plug: Gold-plated 1/8" (3.5 mm) stereo mini jack

 

Package Contents

 

* Shure SRH440 Professional Closed Back Headphones

* Replacement ear cushions

* Threaded 6.35mm gold-plated adapter

 

* Detachable Coiled cable

* Travel pouch

 

 

 

 

Even though these are intended for musicians, and they even

mention the word "MONITOR" when describing these, they do not

have a flat response, meaning there is some "coloring" when

listening to music and that does not a good pair of monitors

make... but that doesn't mean they don't sound AWESOME!!!!!!!!

And that's the best thing, you get immersed with the sound they

produce.

 

 

Sound

 

 

Let me start by saying that I'm no expert. I'm no musician (at least not good! ;-)) nor an

enthusiast! I'm just an end user with very distinct tastes. I can

listen everything from Chopin to freaking Dillinger Escape Plan but I

want them to sound good :-p and believe me, these pair sounds

great. Pop in the "****** Buttons" and you'll hear every effect,

every beat perfectly! Put on some Underoath, Killswitch Engage,

etc. and you'll hear every bass line more clearly, every lick sounds

tasty and that's what's important. Definitely the sound is

what puts this headset on the map! The only negatives with the

sound... vocals and bass!! I mean, the whole mid-range is kind of weak, but

other than that the balance is quite good.

 

*UPDATE* After a few more hours, mids settled in quite Ok. Maybe it wasme

getting used to the cans.

 

*UPDATE_2* Replaced earpads with Shure 840 ones and sound changed for the

better. I can actually enjoy them EVEN more now as it sounds fuller, even the low-end

enjoyed a bit of a boost.. so I recommend getting a pair of 840 pads (they are more

comfortable too!)

 

 

 

Sure, the headphones do have its cons, but overall, these are the

best pair my ears have had the pleasure of hearing (and I've had

some Seinheisers, Grados, etc... they are all good, but they also

have their differences and if you give me some SR60s, I'll pick the

Shures!)

 

Conclusion

 

Shure did enter the headphone arena with a bang! Love

the sound produced by the SRH-440 and the design is good (I don't like the

exposed driver cables though). Being closed earphones, you can indeed use

them for recording on a studio but be aware of the slight coloration.

The best part about all of this, that I had not mentioned, these cans only cost $100

bucks. Heck, if you go to amazon.com, you'll probably find them

cheaper now!! (they were a hundred when I bought them like 6

months ago!!)

 

So if you are looking for great closed headphones and are on a budget,

my vote is for the Shure SRH-440 and no other. If you are looking

for great headphones, are on a budget, but you don't record, or don't care for

tonal balance, then get the Grados SR60s. If you don't like open/close and are

looking for in-ear ones... then do whatever, I don't really care for

those! hehehehe :-p