Some impressions about the srh1540 on Taurus. In and of itself it sounds great. The heavy bass can make the mids feel recessed at times, but not massively. For me it really sings with hard rock and spacier prog rock. Blues and blues rock also holds up really well. It suffers a little when there’s a wall of sound (ie choruses, or too many guitar tracks) – in those moments the bass can feel like a constant hum beneath the music. The Taurus does tame that compared to other amps I’ve tried the 1540s with, but its still there to some extent. That’s a limitation of the shures rather than the Taurus. That said, clear punchy bass notes (bass guitar solos, kick drums) are all very clear and have great extension and impact, good physical sensation.
Up against the Senn 650s, they don’t compare well…the 650s are night and day better. This may be the inherent open/closed difference, so take my comments with a pinch of salt. I don’t have much experience with closed cans. The Senns are crystal clear, still warm and punchy, but so much more refined. The soundstage on the Senns is much better on the front-back and up-down planes. To my ears the 1540 has a narrow ellipsoid soundstage that extends deep to left and right, but centrally is definitely ‘in’ the head.
That all said, I’ve now had the shures on for half an hour and enjoying it thoroughly (also the wife approves heartily compared to my Audezes…) but when a more complex track comes on I hanker for open cans.
All in all, the Taurus makes them a lot more refined, which is to be expected i guess. No doubt as they clock more hours it will improve. If you’re on the edge about the Taurus I’d say go for it. Unless it sprouts legs and murders me in my sleep, I won’t be regretting taking the plunge any time soon.
