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Some first impressions regarding sound quality would be highly appreciated. I'm deciding between these ones and m50s... I would also like to know whether they sound good without amplifier as well..
I'll write something rough on the spot for you then--
To me, the sound signature of these Shures is definitely oriented in the upper registers. The treble extension is impressive to say the least, and the detail in the upper mid to high frequencies is also above average. This emphasis in the highs is achieved without making these headphones feel bright, which in my opinion is the best part (sonically) of the SRH-940 so far. The lower midranges have a warm touch to them, and this carries up until the upper mids, where the warmness seems to turn over into a colder presence (which might have something to do with the detail they have to offer up here). I warn bass-lovers to know what they're getting into with this headphone, as I am leaning toward categorizing these headphones as "bass light", and this is coming from the guy that thinks my SP-1 flirts with the edge of "bass light" and not (some qualified ears do indeed render the SP-1 bass light and I find it hard to be surprised). That being said, the bass in the 940 is quite nice... more snap (think speed, not tone) and less thump and the Shure does a great job at layering low end in my opinion, just not with much force.
The attack and speed of the driver seems to be somewhere in the middle to me, being neither extreme of athletic or relaxed. The notes are definitely faster, more detailed, and seem to carry less weight than my HD 448 - which seem to favor the more relaxed/rich type speed. At the same time, the Shures can't match the nimble SP-1 in the detail department and in comparison seem a little more "windows rolled down on a Sunday afternoon" and less "Autobahn" speedwise. The Shures also lack the fat vocal ranges the SP-1 has to offer, but with that being said the Shure extends much further in the higher frequencies while remaining controlled (this is QUITE nice for high hats... which in my opinion can get way out of control in many rock songs). Soundstaging in the Shures isn't bad, but the SP-1 leaves it in the dust in this department... especially in separation and less so with imaging... probably most likely due to the seal the SRH-940 makes around the ear in comparison to the SP-1 which has just about zero clamping force. Yes, the Shures isolate substantially better than the SP-1 even with the velour pads. Overall they definitely land in the middle of the two headphones in terms of sonic character, which is kind of nice.
The bottom line is that the Shure will offer you a pretty different presentation than the M50 you're thinking about. My limited experience with the ATH-M50 remembers a headphone which emphasized the low mids, dips a little (although not a lot) in the midranges and then gives a small bump to the higher frequencies. In comparison to the Shures, I would expect the M50 to present the music as heavier - more emphasis on the percussion/low notes and a slightly recessed vocal range and potentially emphasized high hats. The Shures will be more likely to bring the vocals up front and sit the lower frequencies to the back... leaving the midranges to tie them together straight from point A to point B. I do think if you're looking for a studio monitor there are better options (even my Sp-1 [GMP 450 PRO cousin]) but there is a character to the Shures that is hard not to like with the treble extension, yet remaining shy of bright.
Also important to note: The M50 will be quite a bit easier to drive out of a portable device than the Shure, although I can get it to decent levels right out of my DAP. Right out of my portable device, it seems to lose almost all of the already lightweight low end. Portable amplifier recommend if applicable.
I could say so much more but I'll save it for the review
We'll stay in touch and see what happens!
