Yes, the 940's definitely are. If anything, very underrated where compared with likes of Sennheiser's pricing and what they are known for. I'm very impressed with Shure, definitely making their name in the HiFi headphone market, both mainstream and Hifi realms. And yes, Shure, all SRH models (well maybe not so much for the 550's) excel in the Mids and His department. No so much in the mid and upper midrange bass. So you don't get the very punchy Boomy bass, but it's definitely pronounced.
Yeah, I wouldn't imagine anyone justifying HD800's pricetag despite their high fidelity performance. I think they're definitely worth $900.00 but half of that is with consideration to the design. It really does look years ahead of its time and it sure feels that way when you hold and wear them. And they have a really really wide sound stage. As for the guy who was walking with them on the street... Man, I have no clue how he could've managed to get any decent sound of them, that is if he was running them straight from a portable device.. There is no way it could do it justice. Those things need some serious juice. And they leak Sky-High.. That said, if I were to do some serious monitoring or production, and money is of no issue, I'd buy them in a second. As for casual around the home use, or casually listening to my iphone tunes, I'd buy the Grados Ps500, the fiio e5 amp and be happy go lucky. Because those PS500's are worth every penny, that I can guarantee you. And by the way, every headphone was tested with a Bellari HA540 amp.. So you know it was enough juice in there to power a rocket ship. And I wasn't impressed with the AKGQ701.. way way overrated. Very comfortable... but way way overrated. In my opinion the Shure SRH840's do a better job.. but hey, that could be just me.
I haven't auditioned the LCD-2s, but they look insane. Well, for $900.00 they better sound good.
However, these are not for the Portable front as I still continue my search for Closed back over the ear portable headphones with Shure's High crisp mids and His and Solid low Bass impact. No amping. I'd prefer not to EQ the phones since it goes against my philosophy that it destroys the intent of the designed sound of the headphones.. But, I could deal with that.
So far, all I am getting is the XB700's as an answer, and to lesser extent, the 500's but... with heavy EQing.. and I mean, HEAVY.