Shure SRH1540 Review

[frost15]

I just got a surf cables 4’ balanced cable this week. So far the sound is a bit more... well, it’s clearer. The bass seems to be a tiny bit tighter in the upper as well. Otherwise the sound is super clear and I can hear the individual instruments a bit better. I can recommend that if you don’t spend $100s on cables, the cost of this one was my limit. I spent the $100 and I have to say it was worth the investment. Not only because it is built with higher quality connectors, but because it’s balanced, and also because it seems to have a bit more protection on the connectors, on the actual insulation that covers the insulation, and of course the bit of extra sound quality when listening back to back with the stock 3.5mm shure cable. This is the most expensive set of headphones I own, and it is the most expensive cable I’ve purchased. But I can say that I am a very satisfied customer.

To all the naysayers, do yourself a favor and pick up a cable from surf. They have a good warranty, they are willing to do whatever lengths and also have a couple different cable qualities to choose from if you have gold ears.

That said, I’ve got about 40 hrs on the new cable and it’s only gotten a bit better with time. Also, the cans are now running about 200hrs and they’re just awesome. I feel like I’ve spoiled myself because I only like listening to balanced sound now. This is gonna get expensive.

Exactly my thoughts! I think I've spoiled myself with the balanced sound aswell haha. For those here whe own a WM1Z and/or a WM1A, DSD plays natively only through the balanced circuit, and it definitely makes a diference. DSD through balanced is bliss!

 

[zloxious]

I have a problem with the sound.. the mids are kinda distant.. I like more forward vocals. And the bass..it have too much punch.. i like the rumble but not the punch..my ears starts to hurt after half hour and Im really listening on low volume levels. Tried to make some custom equalizers..but Im not really good with that and so far didnt make anything good. Im using cowon plenue d. Do anyone tested them with any cowons and have any experience with that ?

 

[waveSounds]

Have you tried delicately wrapping your ears in several layers of bubble wrap? If the bass hurts your ears after 30 mins at low volume, I'm afraid that is the only solution for you.

 

[zazex]

I have a problem with the sound.. the mids are kinda distant.. I like more forward vocals. And the bass..it have too much punch.. i like the rumble but not the punch..my ears starts to hurt after half hour and Im really listening on low volume levels. Tried to make some custom equalizers..but Im not really good with that and so far didnt make anything good. Im using cowon plenue d. Do anyone tested them with any cowons and have any experience with that ?

Although I've not heard the Cowon you're using, I tend to associate "punch" with amplification
rather than equalization. Must say though that I'm not entirely clear on what precisely the issue is
that you're describing with the bass.
Perhaps an equaiizer can help with the midrange issues, but IME it's not
going to do much with dynamics.

 

[393699]

Hey zloxious,

I briefly owned the SRH1540, and ended up returning it. When I had the headphone, I posted my EQ for it in the thread. You should give my EQ set a try. You will notice a huge improvement in how it makes the SRH1540 sound.

Pre-Amplifying: - 2

40Hz: - 1
50Hz: - 1
63Hz: - 1
80Hz: - 1.5
100Hz: - 1.5
125Hz: - 1.5
160Hz: - 1.5
200Hz: - 1.5
250Hz: - 1.5
315Hz: - 1.5
400Hz: - 1.5
500Hz: - 0.5
1.6kHz: + 0.5
2.5kHz: + 0.5
3.15kHz: + 1
4kHz: + 1
5kHz: + 0.5
6.3kHz: + 0.5
10kHz: + 1
16kHz: + 1.5

 

[zloxious]

I was a little disappointed at the start.. but in the end I made a proper custom equalizer.. and it sounds really nice now.

 

[waveSounds]

1540 are the underrated hero's of the closed back world.

 

[harry501501]

I wonder if anyone is able to compare the sound of 1540 with Soundmagic HP100? The 1540 are such a weird set for me to make my mind up over lol. I'm not willing to pay over £300 new. and even though the sets on eBay are going anywhere between £200-£260 from past sales, the 'no returns' is a factor for me.

 

[393699]

If you want an awesome alternative to the SRH1540, take a look at the Audioquest Nightowl Carbon. I was an owner of the 1540 for a couple weeks. I ended up returning it, and got the Nightowl instead. It is a great headphone.

https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-N...01M3VIMV9/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

 

[waveSounds]

If you want an awesome alternative to the SRH1540, take a look at the Audioquest Nightowl Carbon. I was an owner of the 1540 for a couple weeks. I ended up returning it, and got the Nightowl instead. It is a great headphone.

https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-N...01M3VIMV9/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Blasphemer!!!

On another note; I noticed the NightOwls are down from £600 to £350 in the UK...

...so I ordered one

It won't replace the 1540 (well, it will for home use), but now I can relocated them to the office.

 

[geordieman]

@waveSounds
Hi
Seen you on the Shure SE846 Impressions Thread, I have the Shure SE846 and they are my favourite IEM's after about a year of searching (went the Westone route first and they did not suit me sound EQ wise)
I also have the SRH1540's, not stalking you and love to swap between the two as it gives me a different feel to my music BUT I was looking at the NightOwls as well. Could you give a quick comparison of the two and is it worth the upgrade / change?

Thank you.

 

[waveSounds]

@waveSounds
Hi
Seen you on the Shure SE846 Impressions Thread, I have the Shure SE846 and they are my favourite IEM's after about a year of searching (went the Westone route first and they did not suit me sound EQ wise)
I also have the SRH1540's, not stalking you and love to swap between the two as it gives me a different feel to my music BUT I was looking at the NightOwls as well. Could you give a quick comparison of the two and is it worth the upgrade / change?

Thank you.

Should I file the restraining order now or... xD

II' hitting the hay now but the Owls are currently my favourite cans, above even my Elear. For their current price they are ridiculous value.

I can give you a more in-depth comparison tomorrow, but as much as I love(d) the 1540, the Owls are better.

 

[393699]

The Nightowl is a great headphone. It has amazing imaging and soundstaging for a closed back. It also has a completely non-fatiguing treble response. I don't think it can be beat when compared to other closed back headphones at its current price point. I totally agree regarding the SRH1540. The Nightowl is just a better sounding headphone.

 

[geordieman]

Hi,
No restraining order necessary I have not seen you on the Fiio X7II thread and that is the only portable source I have. So don't worry.....yet!!

Thanks for the reply and when you have time a more in-depth comparison would be great.
Do you know if they do a 2.5mm TRRS balanced cable for the Owls, I think it only comes with a 3.5mm TRRS ?

(Should this move to the Owl thread as I don't want to highjack this thread for what is a great set of headphones, the 1540's)

Thanks again.

 

[waveSounds]

The Owl comes with a single cable; if you've read the thread or reviews you'll have seen it's a polarising affair. Personally, I like it! It's not the most pliable, but there's zero microphonics and I like the inclusion of the mic and button. It's not the longest, though.

I leave my 1540 on office duty since the arrival of the NO, and worked from home today so didn't get the chance to run a comparison. I'm back in tomorrow and will see what I can do there. It might be useful to keep the conversation in this thread for the comparison, as it could prove helpful to others weighing up an Owl vs 1540 purchase. On another note I was swapping between the Owl and Elear earlier and the Elear is easily the more transparent and resolving of the two, but it lacks the Owl's organic, weighty, romantic presentation, making the Elear sound almost unnatural when going between them. The NO is my endgame closed-back. It's lack of transparency (relative to the Elear) is a positive rather than a negative for me.