Shure SRH 940 impression and support thread

[extrabigmehdi]

Xonar stx provide a great improvement over onboard, but accentuate the bright nature of srh940.

 

[NearMiss]

Quote:

Xonar stx provide a great improvement over onboard, but accentuate the bright nature of srh940.

Trying to stay away from something internal for the moment.   More just wondering if getting just an amp to use with my ipod would be the best route in terms of SQ, or getting something like the E17 that could do both.  I don't necessarily need the DAC, and would be fine using my ipod as a permanent source for now, if there are any decent suggestions in the $100 or less range that would offer better SQ than the E17 or similar combo. 

 

[skyline315]

Quote:

Trying to stay away from something internal for the moment.   More just wondering if getting just an amp to use with my ipod would be the best route in terms of SQ, or getting something like the E17 that could do both.  I don't necessarily need the DAC, and would be fine using my ipod as a permanent source for now, if there are any decent suggestions in the $100 or less range that would offer better SQ than the E17 or similar combo. 

Honestly, I don't think an AMP is going to do amazing things on its own.  Upgrading the source would give the most noticeable improvement.
 
Just my opinion, of course...
 

 

[NearMiss]

Quote:

Honestly, I don't think an AMP is going to do amazing things on its own.  Upgrading the source would give the most noticeable improvement.
 
Just my opinion, of course...
 

Fair enough, thanks.  Perhaps I'll just hold off for now, see how things go, and perhaps save up a bit more for a proper upgrade. 

 

[DrR0Ck]

Last week I got a 20-30 minute demo of the Shure SRH940. I really liked what I heard. I ran them straight from my Droid 3 and found them better in nearly every way than the 840s, which I currently own. The velour ear pads were comfortable but seemed to trap heat a bit. Definitely easier on my ears then the pleathers of the 840. The sound was really nice. Soundstage was a significant improvement over the 840 and music generally had a more lush sound to it, which I appreciated. Many have called the sound from the 940 thin or bass light, but I found the bass to be very present; the bass extension was much better than the 840 and the deep bass was very noticeable. I played a variety of music and enjoyed the sound with everything I played.
 
The only thing that concerned me was the headband. Why can't Shure make a comfortable headband? It may be less comfortable than the one on the 840.  I suspect that adjusting the size so the weight is supported mainly by the ear pads would make the headband tolerable.

After a day or two to think about it, I ordered a pair - I couldn't help myself.  Hoping to receive it today.  I will report back with impressions after I have had some time with them.
 
Question: Has anyone used the 940s with something like the FIIO E6 or the Digizoid ZO 2 in order to provide some additional bass?
 
Thanks

 

[skyline315]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrR0Ck 

 
Last week I got a 20-30 minute demo of the Shure SRH940. I really liked what I heard. I ran them straight from my Droid 3 and found them better in nearly every way than the 840s, which I currently own. The velour ear pads were comfortable but seemed to trap heat a bit. Definitely easier on my ears then the pleathers of the 840. The sound was really nice. Soundstage was a significant improvement over the 840 and music generally had a more lush sound to it, which I appreciated. Many have called the sound from the 940 thin or bass light, but I found the bass to be very present; the bass extension was much better than the 840 and the deep bass was very noticeable. I played a variety of music and enjoyed the sound with everything I played.
 
The only thing that concerned me was the headband. Why can't Shure make a comfortable headband? It may be less comfortable than the one on the 840.  I suspect that adjusting the size so the weight is supported mainly by the ear pads would make the headband tolerable.

After a day or two to think about it, I ordered a pair - I couldn't help myself.  Hoping to receive it today.  I will report back with impressions after I have had some time with them.
 
Question: Has anyone use them with something like the FIIO E6 or the Digizoid ZO 2 in order to provide some additional bass?
 
Thanks

Glad you like them!  The headband is a bit uncomfortable, but I find that once it starts hurting, I can make a minor adjustment to where it sits on my head and be good.  It typically takes an adjustment every 30 minutes or so to stay comfortable. 
 
I haven't tried those two particular amps you mentioned, but the Audinst HUD-mx1 helped a good deal for me.  I wouldn't say that the bass is necessarily more present, but the sound in general has a little more authority and weight to it and the instrument separation improved, which helps.  Others have mentioned that they enjoy a very slight bump in the bass EQ on the 940s.  I don't like messing with the EQ much, but you may find it helpds the sound for your ears.
 

 

[DrR0Ck]

Thanks for the reply.  Regarding the amps, I would like to stay in the ultraportable realm (especially since the 940 sounds good to me without amplification) and the E6 has two bass boost settings, while the ZO 2 is largely all about adding bass to the sound, so rather than EQ on the device, I could get a bit of bass EQ while adding some extra power via the amps.

 

[dweaver]

I wear mine with the headband more forward as suggested by other members and find it comfortable in that configuration.

I have to say I am getting ready to do a review of the SRH-1840 I have on loan and I actually prefer the 940 more. This is partially because of my application needs which are better served by a closed headphone. But I also prefer the more forward midrange and minor differences of the treble of the 940 over the 1840. I really wish I could hear the 1440 to see it more closely matches to the 940 or not.

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

I wear mine with the headband more forward as suggested by other members and find it comfortable in that configuration.
I have to say I am getting ready to do a review of the SRH-1840 I have on loan and I actually prefer the 940 more. This is partially because of my application needs which are better served by a closed headphone. But I also prefer the more forward midrange and minor differences of the treble of the 940 over the 1840. I really wish I could hear the 1440 to see it more closely matches to the 940 or not.

The 1440 is more like an open 940...a very good set of cans. There are some things that the 940 does better (speed, top-end detail retrieval) than the 1840. However, I prefer the latter by a slight margin overall.

 

[extrabigmehdi]

Quote:

 There are some things that the 940 does better (speed, top-end detail retrieval) than the 1840. However, I prefer the latter by a slight margin overall.

Speed is  the attribute I  like the best on the srh940, especially after coming from the hd595.
Your comment seems to suggest that the price difference of srh1840, makes it a less good value.
I  guess the  quality/price ratio could be worse with hd800, though.

 

[dweaver]

I think the 1840 is a better option for those listening at louder volumes because they are bit more balanced. But at the volume level I listen at I think the 940 is better as I get all of the mids and treble detail I love. I also think the open nature of the SRH-1840 make it less ideal for detail unless used in a very quiet environment or louder volumes. I also think there is a small spike in the treble, not sure exactly where but I find myself fatigued after used the SRH-1840 even at lower volume levels. I think the spike is in the upper mids or lower treble area as cymbals seem ever so slightly hotter on the initial crash.
 
I am really wanting to hear the 1440 as I do think they may be the open equivalent to the 940 and if they have more bass presence or quantity than the 940 then might be close to perfect.
 
One other thing I have been noticing with the 1840 is a slight discomfort in the earpads as compared to the 940. According to the Shure site the pads are not the same as they list them as seperate items. From what I can see visibly the 1840 pads are not quite as deep and they are slightly thinner (so would be better for bigger ears) but this thinner design makes them less comfortable to me as this means more pressure at point of contact.
 
As for these having a less price/performance ratio I think this is the case with any flagship headphone as the percentage of improvement versus the cost starts to come into effect, this is made even more severe if someone (like myself) actually prefers the slight differences in sonic signature of the lower cost headphone (when I had a pair of Sennheiser HD600 I prefered them to the more expensive but darker sounding HD650 for example).
 
I think I suggest if someone likes the 940 they should try if possible to hear the 1440 before buying the 1840, unless they want a slightly different signature that is more neutral.
 
Having said all this I don't think the SRH-1840 is over priced. It has a lighter frame that is nicer than a plastic body and is probably the most balanced of the Shure headphone line and I think it will compare well to much more expensive headphones (will know for sure this weekend at the head-fi meet I attend) plus not require nearly as much power in an amp further lowering the cost of ownership.
 
I will be posting a review of the SRH-1840 later this week though prior to the head-fi meet so at to not have the review skewed by my findings at the meet. I will then use that review as my benchmark against the other headphones. I will also do the same thing with the SRH-940 since I have already posted that review.

 

[2000impreza]

 
Quote:

I think the 1840 is a better option for those listening at louder volumes because they are bit more balanced. But at the volume level I listen at I think the 940 is better as I get all of the mids and treble detail I love. I also think the open nature of the SRH-1840 make it less ideal for detail unless used in a very quiet environment or louder volumes. I also think there is a small spike in the treble, not sure exactly where but I find myself fatigued after used the SRH-1840 even at lower volume levels. I think the spike is in the upper mids or lower treble area as cymbals seem ever so slightly hotter on the initial crash.
 
I am really wanting to hear the 1440 as I do think they may be the open equivalent to the 940 and if they have more bass presence or quantity than the 940 then might be close to perfect.
 
One other thing I have been noticing with the 1840 is a slight discomfort in the earpads as compared to the 940. According to the Shure site the pads are not the same as they list them as seperate items. From what I can see visibly the 1840 pads are not quite as deep and they are slightly thinner (so would be better for bigger ears) but this thinner design makes them less comfortable to me as this means more pressure at point of contact.
 
As for these having a less price/performance ratio I think this is the case with any flagship headphone as the percentage of improvement versus the cost starts to come into effect, this is made even more severe if someone (like myself) actually prefers the slight differences in sonic signature of the lower cost headphone (when I had a pair of Sennheiser HD600 I prefered them to the more expensive but darker sounding HD650 for example).
 
I think I suggest if someone likes the 940 they should try if possible to hear the 1440 before buying the 1840, unless they want a slightly different signature that is more neutral.
 
Having said all this I don't think the SRH-1840 is over priced. It has a lighter frame that is nicer than a plastic body and is probably the most balanced of the Shure headphone line and I think it will compare well to much more expensive headphones (will know for sure this weekend at the head-fi meet I attend) plus not require nearly as much power in an amp further lowering the cost of ownership.
 
I will be posting a review of the SRH-1840 later this week though prior to the head-fi meet so at to not have the review skewed by my findings at the meet. I will then use that review as my benchmark against the other headphones. I will also do the same thing with the SRH-940 since I have already posted that review.

 

Interesting preview. Looking forward to your review on the SRH-1840 and listing to them in person at the upcoming Calgary Head-fi meet. I heard the SRH-940 on a few different occasions and have been fairly impressed with the mids and treble. The 940 is one of the few headphones I am considering purchasing at the moment.

 

[dweaver]

Awesome, I look forward to seeing you at the meet

 

[marts30]

I too prefer the 940 to the 1840 for its more energetic presentation, 1840 is nice, but too relaxed for my taste, doesn't suit my music.

 

[kiteki]

      Quote:

Last week I got a 20-30 minute demo of the Shure SRH940. I really liked what I heard. I ran them straight from my Droid 3 and found them better in nearly every way than the 840s, which I currently own.
 
Question: Has anyone used the 940s with something like the FIIO E6 or the Digizoid ZO 2 in order to provide some additional bass?
 

 
Yep I felt too they're pretty much significantly better than the 840's on a sheer sound quality level.
 
After all it's the 940 which is being compared to SRH-1840 and HD800 several times, on and off head-fi, not the 840.
 
I don't think your E6 will cut it.
 
Edit:  If you're looking for a cheap amp for the SRH-940, don't get the Fiio E6, it's overrated, you may as well spend the money on a Clip+, rockbox it, and equalize the bass to your liking.
 
If you really want an amp maybe a cMoy, or if you can afford it a b-stock Leckerton UHA-4, I think the AD8610 op-amp would pair really well with SRH-940 for it's bass quality, transparency and sterile vivacity.
 
 
 
      Quote:

The 1440 is more like an open 940...a very good set of cans. There are some things that the 940 does better (speed, top-end detail retrieval) than the 1840. However, I prefer the latter by a slight margin overall.

 
Do tell in more detail plz.