ATH M50 vs SHR440/840

As far as I can tell, the SRH-840 does fine without an amp.

It improves a bit with an amp, but I don't think it's required.

I'm actually surprised how well it keeps up with other higher end headphones, considering its price.

I don't know about being more neutral.

It's been far too long since I last heard the 440, but when I auditioned both of them, I found the 440 to be a bit more shrilly to my ears, so I settled for the 840.

I've been fairly happy with the 840 as I feel it's similar to my HD600, but without the HD600's laid back mids. I use it as my all-purpose and traveling headphone.

 

As I'm currently doing my own mini shootout with my HD600 and SRH-840 with the DT-880/600, K701 and ATH-W1000X, I'd say my Shures feel like a more congested Beyer. Or the Beyers sound like a more open Shure.

That said, there are technical differences and their sound signatures are different from one another, but I don't feel the Shures to lean too far in any direction. I was afraid of the bass at first, but it's quite well controlled. (I hate boomy bass; it gives me headaches.)

The SRH-840's do fine without an amp. I use them on my Sony PCM-D50, and they are excellent--way more than enough volume at 50%. They are even better on my home Hi-Fi amped by my Rotel. They do open up more with a good amp. 

 

But, you may find the 840's slightly warm for serious production/monitoring. I don't know what's out there for $100-150 that is not slightly colored. See what some other forum members have to offer.

 

When I want to really to listen to vocals or details, I use my RS-2's.

Edited by Clicker7 - 11/25/10 at 6:35pm

I like my 840's, serious while keeping a fun factor.

They don't need an amp, I use it with my ipod and computer and it's fine. There ok comfort wise and sound-blocking wise.

Theres also the sony v6's to look into which are cheaper at around 80 new.

+1 SRH840... Amazing out of my S9 at CanJam. Typically, those who do feel the need for an amp, do not have Cowon DAPs it seems.

 

The difference between the Shure and M50's is the bass...the M50's have better bass than the shures, but yet detailed. 

An aspect i love about the shures is the removable cable. 

 

Going to try them is a good idea...keep us posted. 

More bass, not really better. from what I hear/can tell

I auditioned the M50 and the SRH440 on the same day. I thought they had a similar midrange through treble tonal balance, but the M50 had more bass. It also had a much larger soundstage, where the SRH440 had one of the tinier soundstages I've yet heard. It made Grados sound like you're standing in the middle of the Astrodome. The SRH440 also lacked some transparency in the midrange as compared to the M50. I walked out with the latter, though the upper bass/lower mids and the R-L linear nature of the soundstage ultimately drove me to return them.

 

Keep in mind this was all from about an hour of auditioning. I also tried the Sony MDR-7506, which was clearly inferior to both in nearly every respect except for bass extension, where it beat out the Shure.

I use the 440 at work for editing and recording and I am amazed you thought it had a small soundstage , it's pretty much the best I have heard on a closed phone.
Also if you want to do audio work the m50s are not very accurate for a 'studio' monitor, ok for music listening though.
I rate the 440s higher.