Hello headfi, I'm considering these headphones, but I'm confused regarding treble - listening mostly to electronic music, I found almost all headphones I've tried sound harsh to my ears if talking about treble response (For example I tried HD650, AKG K712, headphones described as warm sounding and rolled of treble, but it sounds harsh to me at almost every trance/house/edm track. DT880/990 - not possible to wear at all). Now I use V-mode m100, - high treble is a bit to much there, but this is one of headphones i'm able to listed without EQ "Less treble". Could You please tell, how electronic music sounds in treble region of Shure 1540? Should I consider them? Thanks in advance.
I think that's a fair assessment. I haven't listened to the SRH1540 in a while, but your comment will have me plugging them in today. It's still my favorite Shure over-ear.
I've been looking for closed headphones for around 500 but I haven't really found much.... Until now! Thanks for this review, I can't wait to get my hands on these :)
This is a pleasant find. I've had the SRH940s for about two years, and they've broken and had to be replaced SIX times under warranty. They're FINALLY sending me an upgrade, and this is the one they said would be coming my way. Happiness.
+E Lancelot I feel your pain. My Shure 940's are broken too. I thought i did something wrong until i read the massive amounts of people complaining about cheap plastic. Getting the 1540's soon, in all likelyhood.
Just a thought, but wouldn't a slight bass emphasis be "south of neutral?" I mean we do say highs and lows(treble/bass)...I was just thinking opposite would be south.
Jude, do you notice a big difference using the MoonAudio cable over the stock? I have the JHA16s and was looking at getting the silver dragon for them. Cheers!
I have some Beats Pro which i've had for a few years now. I listen to a lot of 80's music so appreciate the beefed up bass but am increasingly interested in these headphones. Do they compare to the Beats Pro?
michaelmyers75 I have the Beats Pro, too. The Shure SRH1540, to my ears, is a far better headphone--a FAR better headphone. Audition it if you can, to hear for yourself.
They are said to be very isolating. Most say even low levels of sound would cancel most noise. However, they are not actively noise canceling. That means that they won't be as effective when traveling (depending on how low noise levels are desired) but for most people it should be enough.
+1 to what schuhderschmuh said: the bass is more true on the SRH840, even if it's boosted slightly. It presents bass guitars cleaner and is more controlled, less muddy than on the ATH-M50. I also liked the mids better on the Shures. More even, less colored. The treble is equally good on both. I found the SRH840 the best sounding closed headphones under 200 bucks.
The bass response will never be good enough mate... If you think about the acoustics of sound and take in to account how large bass frequencies are.. a headphone will never be able to recreate 'true' bass.
I disliked the 840, loved the 750DJ. Go figure. Despite the poor build quality, it was a very good headphone. Thanks for the intro to the new model, looks really nice and can't wait to give it a listen.
The more I read about these, the more I find myself wanting to own a pair. However, a good part of my listening happens on my LG G3 smartphone, often without even carrying my amp with me. I am just wondering if the upgrade would make sense in my situation, if there is any noticeable difference coming from the Sennheiser HD25-1 II or not. I listen mostly to techno. Thanks :)
I own them and they are excellent, even without an amp. You will diffiently hear the difference from your sennheiser's. I also own a lg g2 and it can drive it well.
+halp Get an iPhone and you'll be alright, far superior to any other phone in terms of sound quality, it actually rivals many standalone dac's and amp's at the price of the phone, not as much power obviously, but more than enough for majority of headphones.
I wouldn't call them better, but they are different. Depends on what you're looking for a headphone. You should head to the head-fi forums and read up on both.
i dont like plastic and some of those phones you showed were all plastic , but their more expensive over ear phones are great . their in ear headphones a brill as they make cartridges for turntables so sure sure know how to make small things they have been making small things for decades now .
Still liking the Shure 1540s after several years. Great headphones, reliable, light, comfortable.
Hello headfi,
I'm considering these headphones, but I'm confused regarding treble - listening mostly to electronic music, I found almost all headphones I've tried sound harsh to my ears if talking about treble response (For example I tried HD650, AKG K712, headphones described as warm sounding and rolled of treble, but it sounds harsh to me at almost every trance/house/edm track. DT880/990 - not possible to wear at all). Now I use V-mode m100, - high treble is a bit to much there, but this is one of headphones i'm able to listed without EQ "Less treble". Could You please tell, how electronic music sounds in treble region of Shure 1540? Should I consider them? Thanks in advance.
I really like these headphones. Sounds kind of like HD650 but with more bass and a bit different soundstage. And of course closed back.
I think that's a fair assessment. I haven't listened to the SRH1540 in a while, but your comment will have me plugging them in today. It's still my favorite Shure over-ear.
I've been looking for closed headphones for around 500 but I haven't really found much.... Until now! Thanks for this review, I can't wait to get my hands on these :)
This is a pleasant find. I've had the SRH940s for about two years, and they've broken and had to be replaced SIX times under warranty.
They're FINALLY sending me an upgrade, and this is the one they said would be coming my way. Happiness.
+E Lancelot did they come in yet? enjoying them?
They did! They are amazing.
+E Lancelot I feel your pain. My Shure 940's are broken too. I thought i did something wrong until i read the massive amounts of people complaining about cheap plastic. Getting the 1540's soon, in all likelyhood.
The bass is ENOUGH.
Best review I've seen. I'm going to buy these God willing this week ..... Great presentation glad they sent you this product
How these compare to the sennheiser HD 650 in overall sound quality? Thanks :)!
Alcantara, aluminum, carbon fiber... Next thing we know is Shure making sports cars lol
Hi :). i just wanted to know if the 1840 sounds better than the 1540 or not. Thanks!
Any portable amp recommendations for this headphones?
I'm currently using a LG g3
Will using a DAC/amp combo change the listening characteristics of these headphones? Or any headphones for that matter?
Just a thought, but wouldn't a slight bass emphasis be "south of neutral?" I mean we do say highs and lows(treble/bass)...I was just thinking opposite would be south.
Jude, do you notice a big difference using the MoonAudio cable over the stock?
I have the JHA16s and was looking at getting the silver dragon for them.
Cheers!
I have some Beats Pro which i've had for a few years now. I listen to a lot of 80's music so appreciate the beefed up bass but am increasingly interested in these headphones. Do they compare to the Beats Pro?
michaelmyers75 I have the Beats Pro, too. The Shure SRH1540, to my ears, is a far better headphone--a FAR better headphone. Audition it if you can, to hear for yourself.
headfi Thanks. Definitely gonna give these a listen somewhere .
The Beats Pro sucks! Too expensive! Break apart too easily and it's more like a $150 headphone. Made with cheap material! Yes! I got one!
michaelmyers75 Agreed, beats are garbage. Get this you'll enjoy these.
+Anthony Leong sounds like one too lol
I ORDERED my first premium headphones and its the 440s did i made mistake?
These against the Focal Elex ? Same bass ? same mids and high ?
Aside from sounding less open, how does the SRH1540 compare to the Alpha Dogs?
If I'm traveling, will I hear the outside sound? or these are noise isolating headphones?
They are said to be very isolating. Most say even low levels of sound would cancel most noise. However, they are not actively noise canceling. That means that they won't be as effective when traveling (depending on how low noise levels are desired) but for most people it should be enough.
Will this headphone benefit from an upgraded cable?
bro i love alter bridge and slip to the void is one of my favorites
+1 to what schuhderschmuh said: the bass is more true on the SRH840, even if it's boosted slightly. It presents bass guitars cleaner and is more controlled, less muddy than on the ATH-M50. I also liked the mids better on the Shures. More even, less colored. The treble is equally good on both. I found the SRH840 the best sounding closed headphones under 200 bucks.
Jude, is the Shure SRH840 better than ATH-M50? They're in a near range price I found.
are these headphones would you say good enough for Mastering or monitoring or even for mixing?
No headphones will ever be good enough to master with.
Why do you say that?
The bass response will never be good enough mate... If you think about the acoustics of sound and take in to account how large bass frequencies are.. a headphone will never be able to recreate 'true' bass.
You are right friend but you can also get close with using them for reference.
You advice this for gaming?
I disliked the 840, loved the 750DJ. Go figure. Despite the poor build quality, it was a very good headphone. Thanks for the intro to the new model, looks really nice and can't wait to give it a listen.
Hey guys could you give me your top 5 closed backs for sq? Bright on top warm on the bottom and detailed (:
own the 840s for a long time, the treble is really cozy. the fostex th900 is very happy treble wise too but fatiguing. i need to get a pair of IEM's.
is that a new shure pads?
The more I read about these, the more I find myself wanting to own a pair. However, a good part of my listening happens on my LG G3 smartphone, often without even carrying my amp with me. I am just wondering if the upgrade would make sense in my situation, if there is any noticeable difference coming from the Sennheiser HD25-1 II or not. I listen mostly to techno. Thanks :)
I own them and they are excellent, even without an amp. You will diffiently hear the difference from your sennheiser's. I also own a lg g2 and it can drive it well.
+halp Get an iPhone and you'll be alright, far superior to any other phone in terms of sound quality, it actually rivals many standalone dac's and amp's at the price of the phone, not as much power obviously, but more than enough for majority of headphones.
Can you do some knowledge base video from audio format to headphone?
I cant find it online.
thank you
Kudos for listening to Alter Bridge! Their newest album is a killer.
What about the ADL Furutech H118?
I wouldn't call them better, but they are different. Depends on what you're looking for a headphone. You should head to the head-fi forums and read up on both.
i dont like plastic and some of those phones you showed were all plastic , but their more expensive over ear phones are great . their in ear headphones a brill as they make cartridges for turntables so sure sure know how to make small things they have been making small things for decades now .
Wow nice!
Sennheiser HD650 is not a closed headphone like the SRH1540.
benchmark HGC!
im not a fan of the overly plastic-y headphones...
Alpha Dog or Shure SRH-1540???I don't know what to choose xD
Some Help??