hjf
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2009
- Posts
- 41
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- 10
I just got my 840's and wanted to submit a quick reaction to benefit anyone contemplating a purchase without an audition. I already have a pair of Beyerdynamic DT 911's (250 0hms) which I believe were their top-of-the line cans in 1992 when I bought them for about $300. I made a back and forth comparison with the Shure phones for about 1 hour listening to classical and jazz through my notebook, making slight adjustment for volume as required to equalize the diference in ohm efficiency.
The Shure's have a much more noticeable bass than the Beyers, but the individual notes seem accurate and can be heard on them and sometimes only felt on the Beyers, particularly at lower volume. I think accoustic jazz listeners will really go for these and the "Fender bass" guys will too.
Midrange is very clear and a solo violin with full orchestral accompanyment
is well balanced, airy, and not obscured in any way. The Shure soundstage does not seem as wide as the Beyers on classical but I would choose the former after listening to Diana Krall on "Quiet Nights".
My ears could not tell the difference between the cans on higher frequency content. Cymbals have the necessary quality of brightness and clarity. A few minutes of listening to the Saturday FM Met broadcast on the Shures indicated no syballence (sp?) with female soprano vocals.
This brief commentary is just an opinion piece and may change after further listening through my main system, but IMHO, the 840's can compete favorably with much higher price headphones as others have mentioned. Build quality seems outstanding and my first impression is to recommend them.
The Shure's have a much more noticeable bass than the Beyers, but the individual notes seem accurate and can be heard on them and sometimes only felt on the Beyers, particularly at lower volume. I think accoustic jazz listeners will really go for these and the "Fender bass" guys will too.
Midrange is very clear and a solo violin with full orchestral accompanyment
is well balanced, airy, and not obscured in any way. The Shure soundstage does not seem as wide as the Beyers on classical but I would choose the former after listening to Diana Krall on "Quiet Nights".
My ears could not tell the difference between the cans on higher frequency content. Cymbals have the necessary quality of brightness and clarity. A few minutes of listening to the Saturday FM Met broadcast on the Shures indicated no syballence (sp?) with female soprano vocals.
This brief commentary is just an opinion piece and may change after further listening through my main system, but IMHO, the 840's can compete favorably with much higher price headphones as others have mentioned. Build quality seems outstanding and my first impression is to recommend them.