Shure SRH 940 impression and support thread

[extrabigmehdi]

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Having said that, they can say these headphones sound like a dozen screaming banshees with fingernails scraping blackboards in the background. 

Yeah, they are inconsistencies on what people are reporting with the srh940. I  was complaining too of the treble emphasis for the srh940, until I  noticed that there are sensitivity in the ear cup positioning (with the right position you can tame the pain inducing treble) . This might be one of the  reasons why people are reporting different thing on the srh940.  . Now I've modded the srh940 (increasing depth of ear cups basically) , because it leads to a huge improvement.

But   with my first experience with the srh940 (not playing with mods, nor trying different position) I  admit the treble emphasis made me cringe.
So now you pay 700$ for the same OOTB  experience, I  guess it's a big no. I  wouldn't try to increase depth or ear cup, or play with position of ear cup this time

 

[skyline315]

Quote:

Yeah, they are inconsistencies on what people are reporting with the srh940. I  was complaining too of the treble emphasis for the srh940, until I  noticed that there are sensitivity in the ear cup positioning (with the right position you can tame the pain inducing treble) . This might be one of the  reasons why people are reporting different thing on the srh940.  . Now I've modded the srh940 (increasing depth of ear cups basically) , because it leads to a huge improvement.

But   with my first experience with the srh940 (not playing with mods, nor trying different position) I  admit the treble emphasis made me cringe.
So now you pay 700$ for the same OOTB  experience, I  guess it's a big no. I  wouldn't try to increase depth or ear cup, or play with position of ear cup this time

I had no problem with the treble at all.  Granted, I'm coming from a pair of Grado SR80s that I loved...
 
I simply wanted something a little more refined with better instrument separation in a closed can form.  These fit the bill perfectly.
 
 

 

[extrabigmehdi]

I  guess I  would hate the grado. I  came from the hd595 , which are great in smoothness , so going to the the srh940 was shocking. I  don't now what are the thoughts of Jude or Tyll regarding the treble heavy grados models. And at least they offer more bass, what every one seem craving for.

 

[skyline315]

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I  guess I  would hate the grado. I  came from the hd595 , which are great in smoothness , so going to the the srh940 was shocking. I  don't now what are the thoughts of Jude or Tyll regarding the treble heavy grados models. And at least they offer more bass, what every one seem craving for.

I am definitely not craving more bass.  I can always hear the bassline and follow it clearly (not something that was always possible on my Grados).  On songs where the bass isn't emphasized, these headphones don't emphasize them.  On music where the bass is out front (Jack Johnson comes to mind), then the bass is out front. 
 
If I want bass that's going to rattle my bones, I'll either use my home theatre setup or better yet...go to a concert.
 

 

[extrabigmehdi]

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If I want bass that's going to rattle my bones, I'll either use my home theatre setup or better yet...go to a concert.
 

You know there was even people complaining for lack of bass of srh940 with classical music.
And I'm often listening to buddah bar compilations, do you think they require a ton of bass to be enjoyable

? But I  was ok , with the bass , it was the brightness that made me suffer, in particular the treble peak near 9.5khz, and the unpleasing way how transients were too prominent (more than it would naturally). But probably you are not experiencing what I describe, because it might depends of some factors : source, position of ear cup....
 
And regarding the "refined with better instrument separation" argument, I'd  say just try my mod, and you'd never want to revert it.

 

[skyline315]

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And regarding the "refined with better instrument separation" argument, I'd  say just try my mod, and you'd never want to revert it.

Well, keep in mind, I'm saying "more refined with better instrument separation" when compared to my Grados.  These headphones achieve that for me, and I haven't really felt the need to alter them in any significant way.  I'm definitely not a "modder" at heart. 
 
From reading this thread, I'm sure people would reply with something along the lines of, "Pfffffffffffft!  The HD800 has FAR better refinement AND instrument separation!  SRH940 sucks in comparison!".
 
This my be perfectly true, but also completely irrelevant to me.
 
Sorry to repeat myself, but I'm still looking for DAC/amp recommendations.  I replied to a post earlier regarding the HiFi suggestion, but I'm afraid that'll be buried so that nobody sees it.
 
Do any of the Fiio line models work well with the 940s?  How about the seemingly controversial Digizoid models?  I get the impression they would darken these headphones a bit, though, which is really not something that I'm after.
 

 

[LithoJazoSphere]

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Well after Tyll, we have now the official confirmation from Jude that he didn't like the srh940 either.

From Jude:
 
And comparing with the new srh1840, these open headphone are bright, and lacking bass . However, according to Jude:

More here:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/583950/shure-srh1840-and-srh1440-unveiled/915#post_8114359


 

In reading Tyll's reviews in the past I've noticed that he definitely prefers less-treble happy cans than I do.  But for me that's one of the biggest selling points of the 940, as I like the extra brightness.  I agree about the bass, it would have been nice for it to have a little more.  But while I listen to the opinions of others, especially those that are far more experienced than I, I don't let them make the final decision for me.  I'm very satisfied overall with the SRH-940, and that's all that matters in the end.
 
Quote:

Well, keep in mind, I'm saying "more refined with better instrument separation" when compared to my Grados.  These headphones achieve that for me, and I haven't really felt the need to alter them in any significant way.  I'm definitely not a "modder" at heart. 
 
From reading this thread, I'm sure people would reply with something along the lines of, "Pfffffffffffft!  The HD800 has FAR better refinement AND instrument separation!  SRH940 sucks in comparison!".
 
This my be perfectly true, but also completely irrelevant to me.
 
Sorry to repeat myself, but I'm still looking for DAC/amp recommendations.  I replied to a post earlier regarding the HiFi suggestion, but I'm afraid that'll be buried so that nobody sees it.
 
Do any of the Fiio line models work well with the 940s?  How about the seemingly controversial Digizoid models?  I get the impression they would darken these headphones a bit, though, which is really not something that I'm after.

I've tried it with the E7 and E11.  It doesn't really need amplification, but the bass boost helps some.  I don't have a Zo, but I do have a Cowon X7, which has powerful EQing and bass boosting abilities.  That way you can boost both the bass and counteract any added darkness with extra treble or mids.  I'm shocked at how well they can even handle bass-heavy electronic music this way.  The bass still won't be to the level and quality of various Ultrasones, Denons, Beyers, etc., but the vocals sound better.

 

[extrabigmehdi]

 
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Originally Posted by skyline315 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I'm definitely not a "modder" at heart. 

I  wasn't either before listening the srh940. Hey, that's too easy. I tried first with cotton balls to get an idea of the change.

Quote:

From reading this thread, I'm sure people would reply with something along the lines of, "Pfffffffffffft!  The HD800 has FAR better refinement AND instrument separation!  SRH940 sucks in comparison!".

The problem is that some people claiming that they sound as good as the hd800, so there are counter-reactions. Otherwise I  don't think srh940 buyers care of the hd800. If you disregard the comparison with the hd800, some people  just don't like the frequency balance of the srh940.
They sounded to me OOTB, just like a "high pass filter" . Or what I  hear from my hd595, when I  don't put them on my head, at a 1 m distance, and without the  same volume off course

(you mostly hear the highs).

Quote:

Sorry to repeat myself, but I'm still looking for DAC/amp recommendations.  I replied to a post earlier regarding the HiFi suggestion, but I'm afraid that'll be buried so that nobody sees it.
 
[...]  How about the seemingly controversial Digizoid models?

I've seen lot of review claiming that the Musiland 02US sounded better than the xonar stx, and for cheaper. And I liked the detailed sound from my xonar stx.
Otherwise ac500 seems to like the Audio-gd NFB-12 with the srh940, and this amp has great value according to reviews.
There's no point in getting  the digizoid , if you are not looking for more bass. They give the illusion of more bass, by exploiting some kind of psycho-acoustic phenomenon.
 
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 But while I listen to the opinions of others, especially those that are far more experienced than I, I don't let them make the final decision for me.

That's wise, but that's not easy when you can't test before you buy. Also words can be misleading . With the title "detail monster" from headfonia, you wouldn't think that the word "monster" could be pejorative.
 
 

 

[ac500]

I think the NFB12 is naturally suited to bright headphones because it gives excellent results with my SRH940 and my HD800.
 
And yes my comments disputing the HD800 comparison is meant to hopefully put to rest the ridiculous claims by others here about the SRH940 being similar in quality. I do this FOR the benefit of the SRH940 reviews/knowledge/buyers, but I don't want people buying an SRH940 and thinking that they're getting something they're not.
 
I still think it's an amazing headphone particularly with treble. My main problem with it is that similarly priced headphones (Senn HD600) have a more natural sound (instruments sound more real), and better bass and mids. The SRH940 compromises naturality, bass, and mids, at the expense of being ridiculously detailed for the price.

 

[skyline315]

Cool, thanks.  The NFB12 is probably a little more than I want to spend at first, but I'll keep it in mind.
 
How about the E7 or CMoyBB?  I know the latter is meant to boost the bass a bit, which I'm not particularly interested in.  But, being so popular, I'm curious all the same.

 

[extrabigmehdi]

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But, being so popular, I'm curious all the same.

Because bass is popular.
 
 

 

[skyline315]

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Because bass is popular.
 
 

Obviously, but would it be a dramatic boost on the 940s, or are we talking about something subtle?  Also, how about the E7?
 
Guttenberg on CNET mentioned that these sound fantastic via the DACport, but I really don't feel like shelling out an additional $300...

 

[extrabigmehdi]

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Obviously, but would it be a dramatic boost on the 940s, or are we talking about something subtle?  Also, how about the E7?
 

You can adjust amount of effect to your taste.
 
This video might help to get an idea of the effect. I think that's nice.
 

 
This make me think a bit to the bass exciter dsp, you  can get for free with foobar.

 

[John In Cali]

The HM101 wouldn't help your phone at all, but there is nothing you can do to help your phone quality besides replacing it with another portable music player, try the clip+ from Sansa. That will get you settled for portable use and get the HM101 for laptop use. Do not buy an amp unless you specifically want the music louder, head-fiers overrate amps. You just need a good DAC to get the most out of your Shures, and the Clip+ is a good DAC and a HM-101 is a good DAC, even spending $1000 on a DAC will net you only small improvements over your Clip or HM101, spending more is overrated.

 

[extrabigmehdi]

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and the Clip+ is a good DAC

The clip+ are overrated. Hey between my xonar stx and the clip+, there's no contest when trying my srh940.
I don't know if it's because of the DAC , or if they do not deliver enough power.
I prefer my cowon s9, to the sansa clip+ too.