[rpaul]

  Thanks a bunch, guys. I think I'll like these. Interesting to look at that graph again. I had the BW P7s for awhile and found a peculiar peak that seemed to be around 6kHz. It was occasionally piercing and unpleasant. Curiously, few others seemed to hear this, according to the various comments and reviews on-line. Either my ears are sensitive to that frequency, or I had a bum pair. None of my other HPs deliver that strange spike (not even the Beyer 990s). Consequently, that dip in the graph might just be the ticket for me.

 
I experienced pretty much the same thing with the P7. There was a lot to like about it, enjoyable low+mids and felt like very resolving high frequencies, but heard that peak you mentioned often enough to annoy me. Pity, actually tried it out 2 separate times, wanted to love it, very luxurious feel to it (including the packaging).
 
I found the NAD HP50 to sound bigger ("room feel") and more tonally accurate than the P7. If it wasn't for the comfort issues I experienced with the HP50 (earpads too shallow and headband that pinched top of my head), sound-wise I think I would be hard pressed to choose between the HP50 and 1540. (I wasn't able to try both at the same time, had the HP50 first and then the 1540.)
 
Still, happy I ended up with the 1540. They've actually become my preferred cans for watching streamed shows/movies straight out of iDevice.

 

[Allanmarcus]

Anyone know where to get the MMCX connectors so I can make my own DIY cable? Alternatively, anyone know of a shorter cable with an iPhone volume controller for the 1540s?
 
Thanks,
 
Allan

 

[Allanmarcus]

OK, I found these tips:
http://www.norneaudio.com/litzheim/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=48
 
and a few semi-ready made cables:
http://www.lunashops.co.uk/search.php?encode=YToyOntzOjg6ImtleXdvcmRzIjtzOjE3OiJpcGhvbmUgdm9sdW1lIGRpeSI7czoxODoic2VhcmNoX2VuY29kZV90aW1lIjtpOjE0MzUyOTE5NTc7fQ==
 
Looks like with shipping a very basic cable would be about $27. Umm.

 

[dlhen68]

Oh, I'm glad I'm not alone in those observations, rpaul. Yea, I wanted to like 'em too. I also owned and liked the NADS, but they were uncomfortable. It was the shallow ear cups that wrecked it for me. But the sound was sweet. If the Shures are similar sound-wise, that's a good sign. I just read though an entire thread begun in Oct. 2014 about the "best closed HPs" and the Shures weren't even mentioned. The thread ended up focusing on the Audeze and the Senn 650s (yes, the OPEN 650s). Go figure. :/

 

[MwAvGuy]

Has anyone compared the 1540 to Oppo PM-3 or NAD VISO HP50? How do they compare in terms of overall tonality, quality and quantity of bass including impact, unrecessed mids, clean but not sparkly or painful treble, and sound leakage (or lack thereof)?

 

[MwAvGuy]

How bad is the sound leakage on these headphones, really?

 

[Allanmarcus]

  Has anyone compared the 1540 to Oppo PM-3 or NAD VISO HP50? How do they compare in terms of overall tonality, quality and quantity of bass including impact, unrecessed mids, clean but not sparkly or painful treble, and sound leakage (or lack thereof)?

I have the 1540;s and my son has the HP50's, so we compared. The 1540 are way for comfortable. Both isolate well. The 1540's are more detailed with better bass and mid (my a thin margin). Many people listened to both at the recent Denver meet, and most preferred the 1540's.
 
Here's what AudioCats said: 
 

Shure 1540 is very very comfy (maybe more so than the HD800 

 ) and sounds really good. If I were just starting the headphone hobby and in the market for something that can cover many needs (from unamp'ed portable to desktop use, and anything in between), the 1540 would be one of the top contenders. 

 

[kimvictor]

  Has anyone compared the 1540 to Oppo PM-3 or NAD VISO HP50? How do they compare in terms of overall tonality, quality and quantity of bass including impact, unrecessed mids, clean but not sparkly or painful treble, and sound leakage (or lack thereof)?

I prefer the HP50. It feels more natural and monitor like IMO. 1540 is more fun, but not as neutral. HP50 reminds me of nice stereo speakers, while 1540 reminds me of a slightly v shaped headphones(well, they are).

 

[Allanmarcus]

In case anyone cares, I purcahsed everything I need to make a cable with an inline remtoe for volume control. Then I found one already made!
 
http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4986
$25 shipped
 
Or this fancier "silver plated" version:
http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4903
$65
 
An in case you care, other SRH1540 related items they sell are here

 

[7S Cameron]

  In case anyone cares, I purcahsed everything I need to make a cable with an inline remtoe for volume control. Then I found one already made!
 
http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4986
$25 shipped
 
Or this fancier "silver plated" version:
http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4903
$65
 
An in case you care, other SRH1540 related items they sell are here

I bought this one for my FX850, but it definitely works for the 1540 as well:
 
http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4672

 

[Allanmarcus]

  I bought this one for my FX850, but it definitely works for the 1540 as well:
 
http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4672

thanks, but that cble doesn't have an inline remote for volume control.
 
LunaShopc.com sells a couple that do have the inline remtoe for volume control, but I've already odered everything, so I get to have have the fun of soldering those tiny connectors. 

 

[rmoody]

  I bought this one for my FX850, but it definitely works for the 1540 as well:
 
http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4672

Pretty nice.
 
I'd like to find a balanced cable for mine. In case I ever get a wild burr and buy a Mjolnir.

 

[7S Cameron]

Are there any good DAPs that support balanced output for under $500? And how does buying a balanced cable work? Do I have to do any modifying to my headphones? Or is it as simple as plugging the cable in?

 

[rmoody]

Are there any good DAPs that support balanced output for under $500? And how does buying a balanced cable work? Do I have to do any modifying to my headphones? Or is it as simple as plugging the cable in?

http://www.headphone.com/pages/balanced-headphones-guide

 

[doctorjazz]

Are there any good DAPs that support balanced output for under $500? And how does buying a balanced cable work? Do I have to do any modifying to my headphones? Or is it as simple as plugging the cable in?

PONO does, I'm a fan.