me109k6
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2011
- Posts
- 12
- Likes
- 0
Greetings:
Every 5-7 years I get the urge to buy a new set of headphones, and right now I am in the market for a set of closed, over the ear cans with decent sound and less than 50 Ohm's of impedence. My budget is $300. Because of the long intervals between purchases, I pretty much have to start my research from scratch each time.
After the initial cuts made from online reviews and printed specs, I auditioned a set of SRH840's at a local music store. They sounded quite nice, but I noticed that they don't fold flat (I travel a lot) and the small wire loops from the cups to headband worried me. It was looking like I would buy the Denon AH-D1100's by default -- until I accidentally stumbled on the SRH940 previews.
Not being satisfied after endless searches and only finding the box spec photo and info released at NAMM, I decided to call Shure and speak directly to the SRH940 Product Manager! He couldn't have been more polite and helpful.
Based on the limited information available, I told him my biggest concern was that the SRH940 was going to be a SRH840 with just a new exterior -- but luckily, that's not the case. I was relieved to hear that the 40mm drivers for the '940 are new. When I asked about the sound of the '940 compared to the '840, the '940 Product Manager said the headphone is intended to have a wider stereo image with better depth, improved accuracy and minimal distortion. The headphones were designed for critical listening and mastering applications, where balance and accuracy is key.
That's what I needed to hear!
At this point, the small things are going to make me pull the trigger on the '940's over the '1100's: detachable single wire cords, velour ear pads with spares and a hard carrying case. Since I probably will not be able to audition them before purchase, any improvement in sound quality over the '840 will be the icing on the cake.
Hope this helps...
Every 5-7 years I get the urge to buy a new set of headphones, and right now I am in the market for a set of closed, over the ear cans with decent sound and less than 50 Ohm's of impedence. My budget is $300. Because of the long intervals between purchases, I pretty much have to start my research from scratch each time.
After the initial cuts made from online reviews and printed specs, I auditioned a set of SRH840's at a local music store. They sounded quite nice, but I noticed that they don't fold flat (I travel a lot) and the small wire loops from the cups to headband worried me. It was looking like I would buy the Denon AH-D1100's by default -- until I accidentally stumbled on the SRH940 previews.
Not being satisfied after endless searches and only finding the box spec photo and info released at NAMM, I decided to call Shure and speak directly to the SRH940 Product Manager! He couldn't have been more polite and helpful.
Based on the limited information available, I told him my biggest concern was that the SRH940 was going to be a SRH840 with just a new exterior -- but luckily, that's not the case. I was relieved to hear that the 40mm drivers for the '940 are new. When I asked about the sound of the '940 compared to the '840, the '940 Product Manager said the headphone is intended to have a wider stereo image with better depth, improved accuracy and minimal distortion. The headphones were designed for critical listening and mastering applications, where balance and accuracy is key.
That's what I needed to hear!
At this point, the small things are going to make me pull the trigger on the '940's over the '1100's: detachable single wire cords, velour ear pads with spares and a hard carrying case. Since I probably will not be able to audition them before purchase, any improvement in sound quality over the '840 will be the icing on the cake.
Hope this helps...
