Shure SRH1840 Review

When it comes to high-end headphones, Shure is a name that commands respect. Known primarily for their legendary microphones, the company has steadily expanded into the headphone market over the past two decades, delivering products that blend precision engineering with audio excellence. Among their offerings, the Shure SRH1840 stands out as the flagship open-back model, designed for audiophiles, studio professionals, and critical listeners who demand uncolored sound and exceptional build quality. Priced at a premium—typically around $500 USD—the SRH1840 promises a lot, but does it deliver? In this review, we’ll explore every facet of these headphones, from their design and comfort to their sonic performance and real-world applications, to determine if they’re worth the investment.

Design and Build Quality

Shure has a reputation for durability, and the SRH1840 upholds that legacy. The headphones feature an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy yoke and stainless-steel grilles, materials that not only enhance longevity but also contribute to the airy, open-back aesthetic. The headband is lightly padded with pleather, offering a minimalist approach that prioritizes weight reduction over plush cushioning. This design choice might raise concerns about long-term comfort, but we’ll address that later.

The earcups are where the SRH1840 shines in terms of practicality. Covered with replaceable velour pads, they’re soft and breathable, a boon for open-back headphones that inherently allow air to circulate. The pads attach via a simple clip system, making swaps straightforward when the included spares are needed. The drivers are housed in open-back enclosures, a design that sacrifices sound isolation for a more natural, speaker-like soundstage—ideal for studio monitoring or home listening but less suited for noisy environments.

The cables—two 6.9-foot Kevlar-reinforced, oxygen-free copper units with gold-plated MMCX connectors—are another highlight. They plug securely into each earcup, offering a satisfying click that ensures they won’t detach accidentally, yet they’re easy to remove for storage. The generous length is perfect for studio or home use, though it’s overkill for portable scenarios (not that these headphones are designed for that). Shure’s inclusion of a second cable underscores their commitment to longevity—if one fails, you’re not left scrambling for a replacement.

Overall, the build quality is top-notch, with no creaks, rattles, or weak points. The SRH1840 feels like a product built to last years, backed by Shure’s two-year warranty, which is double the industry standard. For a premium price, this level of craftsmanship is expected, and Shure delivers.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is a critical factor for headphones intended for long sessions, and the SRH1840 excels here, albeit with minor caveats. At 268 grams, they’re lighter than many competitors, such as the Sennheiser HD 650 (260 grams without cable) or Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro (270 grams). The low weight, combined with a moderate clamping force, ensures they sit securely without pressing too hard on the head or ears. The velour earpads are a standout feature—soft, spacious, and gentle on the skin, they minimize heat buildup and accommodate glasses wearers with ease.

However, the headband padding is sparse compared to some rivals. While this keeps the weight down, it can create a slight pressure point on the top of the head during multi-hour sessions. For most users, this won’t be a dealbreaker, as the even weight distribution and breathable pads offset the minimal cushioning. The adjustable aluminum yokes slide smoothly and lock in place under natural pressure, making it easy to find a personalized fit.

In practice, the SRH1840 disappears on the head after a few minutes—a hallmark of well-designed headphones. Whether you’re mixing a track, mastering an album, or enjoying a vinyl record, these cans won’t fatigue you physically, even if the headband could use a touch more padding for perfection.

Sound Quality

The SRH1840’s raison d’être is its sound, and here, Shure aims for neutrality and transparency—qualities prized by audio professionals and purist listeners. With a frequency response of 10 Hz to 30 kHz, an impedance of 65 ohms, and a sensitivity of 96 dB/mW, these headphones are engineered for accuracy rather than exaggeration. Let’s break down their sonic profile across the frequency spectrum.

Bass

The low end is where the SRH1840 sets itself apart from Shure’s closed-back models like the SRH940, which often emphasize mids over bass. The SRH1840 delivers tight, well-defined bass that extends cleanly down to the sub-bass region. It’s not the punchiest or most impactful—bassheads craving the thump of a Beats Pro will look elsewhere—but it’s remarkably controlled and integrated with the rest of the spectrum. Listening to a track like “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson reveals a crisp kick drum and a subtle, textured bassline that never overwhelms the mids or vocals. For mixing, this restraint ensures low frequencies don’t mask other elements, making it easier to spot issues in a track.

Midrange

The mids are the SRH1840’s sweet spot—rich, detailed, and forward without being pushy. Vocals, guitars, and pianos shine with a natural timbre that avoids the recessed or overly clinical presentation found in some reference headphones. On James Vincent McMorrow’s “Follow You Down to the Red Oak Tree,” the mournful lyrics are laid bare with emotional nuance, while the acoustic instrumentation retains its warmth and clarity. This balance makes the SRH1840 a joy for both analytical listening and musical enjoyment, a rare feat for a headphone designed with neutrality in mind.

Treble

High frequencies are smooth and extended, with excellent transient response that captures the shimmer of cymbals and the pluck of strings without harshness. There’s a slight boost around 8-10 kHz, which adds airiness and detail, but it’s subtle enough to avoid sibilance or fatigue. Compared to the Sennheiser HD 650, which can sound veiled in the treble, the SRH1840 offers a crisper, more refined top end. Listening to Bach’s “Chaconne in D Minor” performed by James Rhodes, the piano notes glide effortlessly, each strike rendered with precision and enthusiasm.

Soundstage and Imaging

As an open-back design, the SRH1840 excels at creating a wide, speaker-like soundstage. The stereo image is expansive, with instruments and vocals positioned accurately across the horizontal plane. Depth is impressive too, giving a sense of space that closed-back headphones struggle to replicate. However, the soundstage isn’t as vast as some competitors, like the Sennheiser HD 800, which commands a higher price. For most users, though, the SRH1840’s imaging is more than sufficient, especially in a studio context where pinpoint accuracy trumps exaggerated width.

Overall Sonic Character

The SRH1840 is neutral but not sterile. It avoids the hyped bass or treble peaks of consumer headphones, instead offering a balanced, transparent sound that reveals the source material as it was intended. This makes it an exceptional tool for mixing and mastering, where coloration can skew decisions, and a delightful companion for audiophile listening, where fidelity is king. It’s not the most “fun” headphone for casual use—its restraint might underwhelm fans of genre-specific tuning—but its clarity and musicality are hard to fault.

Technical Performance

With an impedance of 65 ohms and a sensitivity of 96 dB/mW, the SRH1840 is relatively easy to drive compared to high-impedance models like the Beyerdynamic DT 880 (250 ohms). A decent DAP or laptop can power them adequately, but they truly shine with a dedicated headphone amplifier. Pairing them with a modest amp like the FiiO A3 reveals improved dynamics and headroom, while a higher-end setup (e.g., a Schiit stack) unlocks their full potential.

Distortion is minimal across the spectrum, though some measurements suggest elevated third-harmonic distortion in the low mids—an issue that’s rarely audible in real-world listening. Driver matching is excellent, as Shure individually tests each pair, ensuring consistent performance between the left and right channels. This attention to detail reinforces the SRH1840’s credentials as a reference-grade headphone.

Use Cases and Limitations

Studio Monitoring

The SRH1840 is tailor-made for studio use. Its neutral response and spacious soundstage make it ideal for mixing and mastering, where identifying flaws and ensuring translation across systems are paramount. The open-back design minimizes ear fatigue and provides a natural listening experience akin to studio monitors, though it leaks sound freely—don’t expect to use these in a shared space without disturbing others.

Critical Listening

Audiophiles will appreciate the SRH1840’s transparency and detail retrieval. Whether you’re spinning vinyl or streaming lossless files, these headphones uncover nuances in familiar tracks—like the faint synth textures in David Bowie’s “Heroes”—without editorializing the sound. They’re not as analytical as some planar magnetic designs, but they strike a balance between precision and musicality.

Casual Listening and Portability

Here’s where the SRH1840 falters. The open-back construction offers no isolation, making them impractical for commuting or public use. The long cables and lack of folding mechanism further limit portability. For casual listeners seeking convenience or bass-heavy sound, alternatives like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Shure’s own closed-back SRH1540 are better bets.

Sennheiser HD 650

The HD 650, a perennial favorite, offers a warmer, slightly darker sound with less treble extension. The SRH1840 counters with a more neutral profile, tighter bass, and a crisper top end, making it preferable for studio work. Comfort is comparable, though the Shure’s lighter weight gives it an edge.

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro

The DT 990 Pro (250 ohms) is brighter and more analytical, with a wider soundstage but a sharper treble that can fatigue. The SRH1840 is smoother and more balanced, trading some airiness for a less aggressive presentation—a better fit for long sessions.

Shure SRH1440

Within Shure’s lineup, the SRH1440 is brighter and less refined, with a less even tonal balance. The SRH1840 justifies its higher price with superior clarity, build quality, and neutrality.

Value Proposition

At $500, the SRH1840 isn’t cheap, but its price has softened since launch, making it more competitive in 2025. Compared to the Sennheiser HD 800 ($1,400) or Audeze LCD-2 ($1,000), it’s a relative bargain for its performance. The included accessories, durable construction, and replaceable parts enhance its long-term value, though some might argue that planar magnetic headphones offer more detail at a similar cost. For its target audience—studio pros and audiophiles seeking an open-back dynamic driver design—it’s a solid investment.

Final Thoughts

The Shure SRH1840 is a triumph of engineering and audio design, blending premium build quality, exceptional comfort, and a transparent sound signature into a cohesive package. It’s not perfect—the headband could use more padding, and its open-back nature limits versatility—but it excels at what it’s built for: critical listening and professional audio work. Whether you’re a producer fine-tuning a mix, an audiophile savoring a high-res album, or simply someone who values unadulterated sound, the SRH1840 delivers in spades.

In a market crowded with flashy, bass-heavy cans and ultra-expensive flagships, the SRH1840 stands out for its honesty and refinement. It’s not the headphone for everyone, but for those who prioritize accuracy over hype, it’s a near-ideal choice. After spending time with it, I can see why it’s earned a loyal following since its debut. If your budget allows and your needs align, the Shure SRH1840 is a purchase you won’t regret.