News
Buyer's Guide: The Best Monitors 
Shure SRH 840
| MARCHANDS | € |
|
|
| Thomann | 111.42 | ||
| Thomann | 115.57 | ||
| Amazon.co.uk | 149.92 | ||
| Compare prices | |||
|
|||
| Caractéristiques | |||
| Headphone Type | Circum-aural | ||
| Frequency Response | 5 Hz - 25KHz | ||
| Speaker | Dynamic transductor / closed | ||
| Impedance | 44 | ||
| Sensitivity | 102 dB SPL | ||
 Show all specifications
|
|||
| Cable Length | 3m |
| Weight | 318 |
 Hide specifications | |
Tristan François
Test date: December 28, 2009
Test date: December 28, 2009
Why are there hi-fi headphones and monitoring headphones?
Why do headphone manufacturers offer different hi-fi, professional, and DJ lines? After all, all headphones reproduce music, don't they?
Yes, but it's not quite that simple. The function is the same, but the use a pair of headphones is put to and the conditions in which they're used vary. For example, a DJ has to be able to hear the sound in his/her headphones without being disturbed by the music coming out of the sound system, which is generally fairly loud. And to be able to synchronize the song being played with the next one, he has to be able to flip up one of the headsets.
With studio headphones, on the other hand, what's needed above all is realistic, clean, neutral reproduction. You're not looking so much for musical enjoyment as for effectiveness - so that you can create a balanced mix, for example.
Finally, there are home hi-fi headphones. Here it's no longer a question of being ultra-accurate or providing insulation. The ultimate goal is enjoyable musical reproduction. Without going so far as to create a totally unbalanced reproduction - which would falsify what the artist and the sound engineer have worked to achieve -, it is possible to avoid an overly aggressive sound, for example, that wouldn't be pleasing to music lovers' ears.
Yes, but it's not quite that simple. The function is the same, but the use a pair of headphones is put to and the conditions in which they're used vary. For example, a DJ has to be able to hear the sound in his/her headphones without being disturbed by the music coming out of the sound system, which is generally fairly loud. And to be able to synchronize the song being played with the next one, he has to be able to flip up one of the headsets.
With studio headphones, on the other hand, what's needed above all is realistic, clean, neutral reproduction. You're not looking so much for musical enjoyment as for effectiveness - so that you can create a balanced mix, for example.
Finally, there are home hi-fi headphones. Here it's no longer a question of being ultra-accurate or providing insulation. The ultimate goal is enjoyable musical reproduction. Without going so far as to create a totally unbalanced reproduction - which would falsify what the artist and the sound engineer have worked to achieve -, it is possible to avoid an overly aggressive sound, for example, that wouldn't be pleasing to music lovers' ears.
Shure has a corner on the market for "almost-consumer" in-ear phones thanks to a very thorough distribution network. Now the manufacturer is aiming at the market for "almost-monitoring" headphones.
Design: Just like studio phones
Shure has based its design and look on the most popular products in the genre. Visually the headphones are very restrained, all in black. The SRH 840 isn't aiming at looks that attract attention. Though entirely plastic, the 840s don't give the impression of being poorly finished or fragile. Like their competitors, Shure has chosen to use a detachable cable on their phones. We like the locking system, which is unobtrusive and the cable doesn't pull out at the wrong time.Once on, it becomes clear that the Shure 840s are not really for on-the-go listeners. They're fairly imposing and not very light. But it's hard to find anything to criticize them for. The only problem we noted is with the ear cups, which are fairly tight. Users with larger ears are likely to find them uncomfortable rather quickly. A second set of pads is supplied, along with a mini-jack / 6.35mm (1/4") adaptor.
Audio: Excellent separation of tones
Once you start listening, the first thing that stands out is the separation between instruments. The 840s aren't necessarily up there with the best as far as soundstage goes, but they do a great job of dissociating the different tones of instruments and voices, with no particular difficulties noted. As for balance, the sound is typical of Shure products, and quite identifiable: midrange very much in evidence, leaving the high end of the audible spectrum a little less present. The bass is clean, though we have heard more precise bass.The SRH 840s are hard to find fault with, regardless of the type of music, and so should allow you to work under fairly good conditions on a wide range of projects.
To sum up, the Shure SRH 840s are a well designed, fairly well-balanced set of phones, in spite of a certain tendency to favour the midrange. Users who are looking for headphones that are accurate above all else will look elsewhere, thought the sound on these phones is a pleasure to listen to. At the end of the day, the SRH 840s may be as much an audiophile's headphones as a set of monitoring phones.
Pluses
-
Well-distinguished tones
-
Relatively neutral reproduction, despite an emphasis on the midrange
Minuses
-
Ear cups are a little small
-
We've heard better soundstage
The SRH 840 bears the mark of a Shure product, as its midrange-centered reproduction shows. But this is a very good set of headphones and could be used for home listening in addition to use as monitoring phones.
| MARCHANDS | € |
|
|
| Thomann | 111.42 | ||
| Thomann | 115.57 | ||
| Amazon.co.uk | 149.92 | ||
| Compare prices | |||
|
|
|||
