[waveSounds]

The Pandora's were one of those few potential closed cans I'd been considering as an upgrade, but after auditioning them in Selfridges the other day I couldn't say I noticed enough of a difference to justify the spend. They sounded excellent, but I think it will have to be planar's that eventually sway me to part with more cash.
 
My setup is a modest one; Meridian Explorer² as my DAC which feeds a Little Dot MKII. I like the tube sound a lot, and think it works damn fine with the 1540s, but would like to a solid state alternative at some point.

 

[FiGuY1017]

Yes the 1540 is one headphone ill keep no matter what its comfort is great as well as the sq. Ive got a cheap bravo v1 it does great with the 1540 not so great with the phvi. The 1540,phvi,x2 are my top phones and i dont feel any need to upgrade anytime soon. Just dac and amps now. Might look into the mojo or meridian

 

[FiGuY1017]

Have to admit though ive been eyeing some planners also..i need a raise to keep up with my hobbies

 

[KC33]

I've bought and sold a lot of headphones but these will be with me a long long time. I've never had a set of cans this comfortable. I just got the AKG K7XX through Massdrop which have very nice sound but it's tough putting them on with the Shure's staring at me.  

 

[nicholars]

I think they are under rated as well, I have not used them much for a few months, listening to my 1540 out of NAD D1050 now and I forgot how good this combo sounds, easily the best headphones I have owned or tried in the 100-400 bracket, and I have tried a lot. Also in the other areas like comfort, materials, build quality, accessories etc.

 

[zazex]

  I think they are under rated as well, I have not used them much for a few months, listening to my 1540 out of NAD D1050 now and I forgot how good this combo sounds, easily the best headphones I have owned or tried in the 100-400 bracket, and I have tried a lot. Also in the other areas like comfort, materials, build quality, accessories etc.

 
I think I agree -
though I also very much like the Grado SR325e and the Beyer DT880
 
They're all so different from each other, though, that it's hard to compare
 
Meantime, I do rate the 1540 as the best closed headphone I've heard
in that range (and where did you get them for only $400.00?

)

 

[waveSounds]

   
I think I agree -
though I also very much like the Grado SR325e and the Beyer DT880
 
They're all so different from each other, though, that it's hard to compare
 
Meantime, I do rate the 1540 as the best closed headphone I've heard
in that range (and where did you get them for only $400.00?

)

 
He's from the UK i.e. £100-£400
 
I know what you mean about the Grados, if I was going for an open back in the same price range it would be them. I keep toying with the idea of the LCD-Xs, but I'm finding it hard to justify £1400. The 2s would probably blow my mind and are a little more reasonable.
 
Good to hear that you find the NAD D1050 a good mix for the 1540s, nicholars, it's one of the DACs I've been thinking about if/when I move the Meridian to a more portable installation. That and the JDS Labs Element.
 
I recommend running Rodrigo Y Gabriela's self titles album through your Shures - it never fails to impress me when I hear how well it handles acoustic albums!

 

[STR-1]

Bought a pair of SRH1540s today after demoing them with a Chord Hugo. How long do these phones need to fully run in? They sound good out of the box but wondering what changes I can expect after, say, 20, 50 and 100 hours. The demo pair had not much more than 10 hours run in Thanks.

 

[waveSounds]

Welcome to the club. Your brain should adapt to their awesomeness over the next 10 or so hours.
 
I'm ambivalent about the effects of burn-in, but I did get more enamoured with them the more I wore them.

 

[Shockiez]

Just got these. They remind me of my Ultrasone DJ1 Pros with the very wide soundstage, but with more sub-bass, slightly better mids and a bit less energetic.
 
Dunno if I like them yet, need to use them a bit more as more sub-bass isn't exactly what I expected.

 

[Delance26]

Someone looking for a good amp/DAC for these headphones should seriously consider the m9XX.  I recently got it on the last drop from Massdrop and it pairs impressively well.  It tames the sharper treble spike and greatly reduces the bass distortion.  The only downside is that you can only get it when there is an active drop, and that is not super common. 

 

[waveSounds]

I'm looking for a solid state amp to compliment my Little Dot so will keep an eye out for the m9XX. Have you got a recommendation for an amp with a hardware bass boost ala the Fiio E10K?
 
I've started bringing my 1540s into the office and my appreciation of these cans has grown even more. I think I'll really notice how much I've been taking their supreme comfort for granted if I pick up a pair of TH900s or XCs down the line.

 

[Delance26]

  I'm looking for a solid state amp to compliment my Little Dot so will keep an eye out for the m9XX. Have you got a recommendation for an amp with a hardware bass boost ala the Fiio E10K?
 
I've started bringing my 1540s into the office and my appreciation of these cans has grown even more. I think I'll really notice how much I've been taking their supreme comfort for granted if I pick up a pair of TH900s or XCs down the line.

The m9XX is now on massdrop in case you were interested!

 

[antz123]

Hello,
 
Wanted to ask if there is someone who tried all the 3 Oppo PM3, Meze 99 and Shure SRH1540. I am not in position to listen n buy, thus thought would check if someone heard all 3 and compare how they sound ?

 

[drbluenewmexico]

1540s are Great at Low medium volumes but break up at higher volumes apogee groove drives them well with clarity
They are very musical I like my PM 3s better for edm and electroica however The pm3 make my head snap with better bass and PRAT