Shure SRH 940 impression and support thread

[DivineCurrent]

  I hadn't used my SHR940 for a couple of weeks, they'd been stored inside a velvet drawstring pouch. When I pulled them out plugging them in this evening this awful noise resembling that found on a dusty volume pot came through the right side every time I moved. I tracked the problem down to the connection going into the headphone. I tried blowing on it with some air trying to clear any dust build up though the problem persisted. Only after I dipped the connection in some alcohol (methylated spirits) and inserted in/out a few times did the problem go away...

Considering the connection is never unplugged from the headphone and inside a drawstring pouch lined with dust free material, how on earth did this occur......

Sounds like there was something up with a loose connection. I went to Sam Ash a few months ago to replace my 940s on which the headband broke (a common problem with these...) and they replaced it but I had to use cables from the previous purchase. I was surprised that both the straight and coiled cables seemed to fit looser than I remember. Although I didn't have sound problems, I can see why did, and it's a shame that the build quality on these is abysmal when the sound quality is amazing.

 

[H20Fidelity]

Sounds like there was something up with a loose connection. I went to Sam Ash a few months ago to replace my 940s on which the headband broke (a common problem with these...) and they replaced it but I had to use cables from the previous purchase. I was surprised that both the straight and coiled cables seemed to fit looser than I remember. Although I didn't have sound problems, I can see why did, and it's a shame that the build quality on these is abysmal when the sound quality is amazing.

I dread the cracked headband issues occurring, I think cold weather might not help the situation, as when I took my 940 out tonight they were very cold and stiff when stretching. I mentioned a few pages back I always remove mine by sliding them backwards off my head so I don't need to lift them away from my ears, and when placing them on I kind of slide the Velour pads over my cheeks just enough to fit. I never really stretch them further than required. So yeah, pretty paranoid.

About the cables, I don't mind using the old ones if I do an exchange because I carefully took to the strain reliefs with a box cutter and shortened them. I couldn't stand how long they were especially the source jack end,

I'll post a picture tomorrow.

 

[yellowbirdfly]

The Schiit Vali is just as good, if not better with the SRH940 than the Magni. Tames the treble spike and fills up the lows for a warm, engaging and very full bass, making for a much more balanced presentation. The Vali and Magni are probably the best affordable amps for the SRH940 without having to spend much more for a better one.

The only downside of the Vali? Well, a little hiss when nothing is playing or on very silent passages, but it's soft enough not to be distracting.

 

[zanox]

I aleady own the HD 598. I love them for ambient and acoustic music but however they are open back headphones that leaks sound.
I am looking for a closed can with somewhat similar characteristics. I have a few questions
 
1)  Do the srh 940's have more airy treble than the 598?read the treble on the 940's are comparable to the HD 800's treble.
 
2) Are the Shure SRH 940's any good for ambient and acoustic music(guitar solos)?
 
3)  I think the 598 would have a bigger soundstage as they are open. but would the 940's atleast come close to them in soundstage?
 
4) Are they better sounding than the HD 598's?(an upgrade?)

 

[gelocks]

  I aleady own the HD 598. I love them for ambient and acoustic music but however they are open back headphones that leaks sound.
I am looking for a closed can with somewhat similar characteristics. I have a few questions
 
1)  Do the srh 940's have more airy treble than the 598?read the treble on the 940's are comparable to the HD 800's treble.
 
2) Are the Shure SRH 940's any good for ambient and acoustic music(guitar solos)?
 
3)  I think the 598 would have a bigger soundstage as they are open. but would the 940's atleast come close to them in soundstage?
 
4) Are they better sounding than the HD 598's?(an upgrade?)

 
1) From memory, Shure treble not necesary "airier", but people might mistake their bumped highs for the illusion of clarity/air... I do have to say that the Shure might be peakier and some music/tracks might sound a bit harsh! I don't remember that being the case with the HD598s.
 
2) Best for acoustic and female vocals definitely! (yeah I liked the 940s a lot)
 
3) Not the widest I've heard (closed headphones). Imaging is good.
 
4) I don't see them as an upgrade really... the 598s sounded very good to me and so did the 940s. A bit different flavor but not by much,
 
Good luck.

 

[zanox]

   
1) From memory, Shure treble not necesary "airier", but people might mistake their bumped highs for the illusion of clarity/air... I do have to say that the Shure might be peakier and some music/tracks might sound a bit harsh! I don't remember that being the case with the HD598s.
 
2) Best for acoustic and female vocals definitely! (yeah I liked the 940s a lot)
 
3) Not the widest I've heard (closed headphones). Imaging is good.
 
4) I don't see them as an upgrade really... the 598s sounded very good to me and so did the 940s. A bit different flavor but not by much,
 
Good luck.

So they don't have the air surrounding the instruments? If that's the case, I don't think they would sound as good as the HD 598 for ambient and acoustic music. What I think is - the air is necessary to create an ambiance and a realistic sound.
The instruments sound much more realistic with great imaging and the air communicating between the instruments.

 

[Erqury]

I aleady own the HD 598. I love them for ambient and acoustic music but however they are open back headphones that leaks sound.
I am looking for a closed can with somewhat similar characteristics. I have a few questions

1)  Do the srh 940's have more airy treble than the 598?read the treble on the 940's are comparable to the HD 800's treble.

2) Are the Shure SRH 940's any good for ambient and acoustic music(guitar solos)?

3)  I think the 598 would have a bigger soundstage as they are open. but would the 940's atleast come close to them in soundstage?

4) Are they better sounding than the HD 598's?(an upgrade?)

I own the srh940 and was looking for a possible open back headphone and the closest one I could find is the 598. I'd give them a listen before you purchase but I don't think you will be disappointed. For a closed back headphone it will be hard to beat these for that air sound.

 

[extrabigmehdi]

  I aleady own the HD 598. I love them for ambient and acoustic music but however they are open back headphones that leaks sound.
I am looking for a closed can with somewhat similar characteristics. I have a few questions
 
1)  Do the srh 940's have more airy treble than the 598?read the treble on the 940's are comparable to the HD 800's treble.
 
2) Are the Shure SRH 940's any good for ambient and acoustic music(guitar solos)?
 
3)  I think the 598 would have a bigger soundstage as they are open. but would the 940's atleast come close to them in soundstage?
 
4) Are they better sounding than the HD 598's?(an upgrade?)

 
1) I find the hd800 treble smoother. I  like it when it's not completely smooth.
2) good for accoustic I'd think
3) srh940 has an enjoyable soundstage, although I  guess the one from hd598 is bigger
4) I  found the srh940 was a clear upgrade to the hd595 (didn't try 598).
Although if you like a "relaxed" signature, it still makes sense to have both the hd595 & srh940.

 

[smcc44]

I tried the Alpha pads from my Mad-dogs on the SRH940s also. It was certainly interesting and entertaining but overall I felt the velvet pads preserved the sound signature better. In fact I think the 940 original pads are a considerable part of the design and sound signature.

 

[roguegeek]

Giving mine up because I just haven't had any need for closed cans in a while. Everyone knows how I've felt about these things, so it's kinda sad to see them go. It's funny. I thought I was going to have a kinda more collector's mentality with this hobby, but I'm now starting to pair down to just the essentials. I think if I ever need to get another closed can, I'd probably look at the SRH1540 which has such a contrast signature to the SRH940. Oh well.

 

[DivineCurrent]

So, I've had the 940s for a while, and every time I listen to them, I get more and more impressed with the sound. I wanted to ask anyone here who owns the Shure 940s have listened to any open back headphones that have a similar mids and treble. Not so concerned about bass, since I can always use a different amp or simply EQ. Has anyone tried the Shure srh 1840? Is that similar in any way? I've heard people say the Sennheiser HD 800 is similar sound sig, but that's too expensive for me at the moment. 

 

[sofastreamer]

akg k70X sound pretty similar. i have used both a long time to compliment each other.

 

[marts30]

  So, I've had the 940s for a while, and every time I listen to them, I get more and more impressed with the sound. I wanted to ask anyone here who owns the Shure 940s have listened to any open back headphones that have a similar mids and treble. Not so concerned about bass, since I can always use a different amp or simply EQ. Has anyone tried the Shure srh 1840? Is that similar in any way? I've heard people say the Sennheiser HD 800 is similar sound sig, but that's too expensive for me at the moment. 

 
1840 is not really like the 940, much more laid back and neutral (boring to me)
 
HD800 is just too bright for me, I liked the 940 more.

 

[streetdragon]

1840 is not really like the 940, much more laid back and neutral (boring to me)

HD800 is just too bright for me, I liked the 940 more.

1440 is more aggresive than the the 1840 though

 

[DivineCurrent]

  akg k70X sound pretty similar. i have used both a long time to compliment each other.

I have the K712, I can see why you'd say its similar sounding.
 
 

   
1840 is not really like the 940, much more laid back and neutral (boring to me)
 
HD800 is just too bright for me, I liked the 940 more.

Really? Then the 1840 might be perfect for me, I like somewhat laid back sound without too much harshness in the treble, and while I love the 940s, they can be quite harsh sometimes.