Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones

Put on these super-comfortable closed-back cans and be impressed. Built Shure tough with replaceable ear pads, the SRH840s deliver incredibly accurate sound.

Overall User Ratings (based on 12 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(12) (see rating details)
Submitted September 9, 2009 by a customer from gmail.com

"Best closed phones in the $200-$300 price class, maybe even above."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Granted I've only had these two weeks and sound-wise they might still be breaking in (although they were very "wet" out of the box), but already I'm so impressed with the sound and build quality that I can't think of any negatives whatsoever. If they live up to Shure's usual standard of quality, I'll be enjoying them for a long time to come. Shure knew this and included extra ear pads in case yours get worn out.
Sound
I'm going to keep this brief because in the end you have to listen to headphones for yourself to decide. But these sound amazing. Compared to the Sennheiser HD-595s these are way better. Compared to my Mackie monitors these are better. There are plenty of rave reviews for the 840s on the net by more experienced audiophiles than I, so go look for them if you don't believe me when I say these are by far the best closed phones in this class, and maybe also the next class up. Excellent response across the spectrum - commanding bass, supportive mids, and floating highs. Nice and flat just like monitors should be. If you haven't had phones or monitors of this quality before, prepare to be stunned at the difference. I gave them a 9 because there's always room for improvement here, but this is as good as you'll get for the money.
Features
Ok one of my main gripes with most headphones is the cord. It's either too long or too short or it gets tangled or its too heavy or too light. The Shure engineers must have put some thought into this because the cord is great. It's coiled up so it's not too long at the workstation, but easily extends to let me move around the room, to my keyboards or guitar. But somehow the coil never gets tangled, nor does it feel too heavy. The best part is you can remove the cord so if it ever does get frayed/damaged - not likely because its so well made - then you can just replace it (locks in firmly and securely though, no problem there). If you also have trouble with cords then I'd recommend these cans based on that alone. Also of note: the bendy, super-comfortable head rest. I'm not sure what the head rest is made of but you can bend it into almost any shape and it will spring back to its original form. Also has netted padding so you won't get sweaty or uncomfortable during long sessions. Very easy-to-notice color coded left-and-right marks. I gave this a 9 because of the strange design choice to allow the little wires to hang freely between the head rest and cans. In practice these will never get in the way and they aren't inconvenient or anything, but I can't believe Shure couldn't have come up with a better method. They do allow for full 180° flipping of the cans which is nice, but still odd.
Ease of Use
They're just headphones so nothing to really speak of here. Must mention the easy-to-detach (but by no means accidentally detach) and free-moving cord again! Its great.
Quality
Everything from the packaging to build quality to materials used speak to the famous Shure quality most musicians have come to expect from other great items like the SM58 mic. I'm not sure I would expect this guy to take a bullet, but short of that you will not be disappointed. Cord is strong and well made, plastic of the cans and head rest is very dense but light-weight. They just "feel" quality, unlike many headphones I've owned and seen. Very solid. If you can find a video of them online, hopefully the reviewer will show off how easily they bend and twist to whatever shape you want them in. I placed one of the first orders for these guys so even as an early adopter, I can't find any blemish or defect whatsoever.
Value
In this price class, these are the best headphones you can buy.
Manufacturer Support
I can't speak from personal experience to Shure's customer support system, but that's because I've never had a problem with any Shure product.
The Wow Factor
They look really nice and professional. The pictures speak for themselves really, no disappointments there. Any musician or audio technician knows the quality of Shure products so you will look like you know what you're doing if you have them on :D I have been waiting for these ever since Shure announced them.

Musical Background:

DJ, Hobbyist Musician, Audiophile

Musical Style:

Trance, DnB, HipHop, Americana
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Submitted February 21, 2014 by J S in Chicago, IL

"My favorite pair of studio cans! "

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I have used many many different brands of studio headphones, generally the higher end stuff (Sony, Beyer, AKG), and all I can say is these hang with the best of them. Overall it's a great value. They sound great! Very balanced to my ears, not overly bright (Sony) or too much bass. What's important to me is critical listening when doing a take in the studio, especially for vocals. I want to hear the clarity, the details so I can get the perfect take. And these certainly help me achieve that goal. They also block click track bleed when recording delicate passages that my Sony's and AKG's were not good for. My other favorite pair is the Beyer Dynamic DT 70 Pro, but they are about 20 bucks more. For me it's a toss up between the two. The Beyers have nice fury ear cups that are really comfortable, but the Shure's are still comfy, but you can replace ALL the parts on them should they break, and in the studio environment, headphones always break! These are the headphones I give my clients when they come to my studio. I can't say enough good about these; other than I own 2 pairs and plan on getting more!

Musical Background:

Professional musician and engineer.

Musical Style:

Pop/rock, indie, singer/songwriter, alternative, rock n roll.
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Submitted August 15, 2011 by a customer from live.com

"A amazing headphone, that sounds great, is built solid, does not hit the wallet hard esp for it's quality, and is sooo comfortab"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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lifetime. If it where stolen, or lost I'd buy a replacement immediately. What I like most about them is the sound quality. To be able to put on a live performance, close my eyes, and let them take me to center stage. Another highlight is that these are easy to drive.
Sound
The sound is top notch. Comparable to headphones costing hundreds more. Bass:The bass on these is excellent. These are not basshead headphones, and are not designed to be, so they wont add a layer of bass to the song/movie/game that is not there by the studio/artist. When the song/movie/game does call for intense bass, these will deliver. Running a deep bass test for subwoofers on these was very rewarding as my head was being pounded by the 40mm drivers. When the song calls for it(also depending on audio source), these can deliver bass in similar power to my Sony XB-500, except it's better quality bass, more controlled, and less sloppy. Vocals/Midrange: Vocals on these headphones are simply the best I've heard. pristine clarity, and accuracy is the way I describe it. Low voices dont sound hollow or rolled off, and higher pitched voices dont sound screechy, or tinny. One thing these headphones can do that I have not heard in very many headphones is that the midrange in these can have impact. Treble: Like bass, and midrange, the treble is accurate, and pristine. metallic tings, and dings, sound just like they do in real life. There's no harshness, or hollow, and they dont fatigue. These simply sound great. They handle soundstage very well, and are perfect for any song,movie, or game. :)
Features
The accessories are a extra set of earpads(YAAY!), and a 1/4 adaptor. They also include a leatherette bag.
Ease of Use
Easy as walking.
Quality
these are built very well, like 1948 buick well. The driver housings are made of thick, and solid feeling plastic, coupled to a metal core, plastic headband that is insanely padded, and thick. The cables all feel solid, and when moving them, putting them on, or taking them off, there is NO creaking in the housing or any of the parts. None.
Value
When I tried them on, and gave them a listen, I couldnt believe the cost of them for their great sound. I've had $500 headphones that dont come close to these, and I've heard 1k+ headphones before. These are a great deal, and a great headphone, and they are very low priced. Which make these all the sweeter.
Manufacturer Support
So far they've been good, more or less in answering my questions about the SRH840, that is the extent of my experience with their customer service.
The Wow Factor
While the "sex" appeal of these are low due to their conservative exterior design. The true appeal of the SRH840's is their crazy good audio quality, which is geared towards audiophiles. These are serious music equipment, not fashion toys like Beats are.

Musical Background:

Hobbyist, audiophile, headphone collector.

Musical Style:

anything but country
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Submitted March 13, 2016 by Jerry R in Elizabethtown, PA

"Very nice!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
These phones have been getting a lot of use since receiving them. I am hearing more subtle nuances in music than ever before. The high end is crisp without being harsh and the low end is earthshaking without being "muddy". The vocals are also clearer. There were lyrics that I was previously unsure of, but now, easily heard and understood. My listening has now become an all out experience!

Musical Background:

I used to drum, many years ago.

Musical Style:

Oldies, rock, power-pop, prog rock (Yes fan) and even some country.
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Submitted November 7, 2017 by Treymon Williams in Katy, TX

"Very Nice Headphones"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I bought these headphones to mix with and they are great for that. During regular listening they can be harsh in the highs on some songs but these headphones are very balanced. The build quality is great but the only problem that I have with them is the coiled cable. I don't think that it's long enough to be able to use the headphones from different positions.

Musical Background:

I am a music producer, drummer, and audio engineer and I have been involved with music for over 10 years.

Musical Style:

hip-hop, orchestral, trap, blues, jazz
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Submitted February 23, 2015 by Roosevelt Nickelberry in Memphis, TN

"High end Sound...without a high end Price!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Smooth lows, punchy midrange, and highs end transients..these headphones have everything critical listener needs who doesn't want to be fooled by his monitors or room...I know everyone sees those young producers wearing those cosmetic headphones made by a rapper, but they are only fool's gold with too much bass boost to be serious considered as recording headphones. The Shure SRH840 are the real deal.

Musical Style:

PoP, R&B, Urban...
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Submitted October 16, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com

"If you are looking for high quality headphones at a fair price, these are the right headphones for you."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I have never felt remotely ripped off by any Shure product. They provide quality products at lower than fair prices. I have literally no complaints
Sound
Got it within two days of ordering them. They were in perfect condition.
Features
Included the headphones, the cable, the 1/4 inch adapter, and an extra pair of earcups. Not sure what more you could ask lol
Ease of Use
You plug in one end of the cable into the headphones. You plug the other end into your sound source. You press play. I don't see how it could get any easier.
Quality
Great frequency response over the entire spectrum. I carry them back and forth to critical listening twice a week and have yet to have any problems.
Value
Amazing deal. I love these headphones, I've tried several of my classmates headphones, and I personally really enjoy mine. They are comfortable to wear, and they are honest, which is perfect for mixing and recording.
Manufacturer Support
It's Shure. Which means that I don't have to deal with customer support, because they make it work the first time around. I'll update if I ever actually have to deal with support.
The Wow Factor
These things are beastly sexy. They look good, feel good, and sound better. Not sure what more you could want.

Musical Background:

Recording engineer, student, etc

Musical Style:

Rock, Electronic, classical
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Submitted October 14, 2021 by a customer from gmail.com

"Not for me..."

Overall: 2 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
These headphones have what seems to be an artificially-forced, overpowering bass presence.They're very comfortable...but I don't like wearing them due to the inferior sound quality.
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