Shure SRH1840 Professional Open Back Headphones : A Flagship Pair of Open-Back Headphones for Critical Listening

The Shure SRH1840 represents the pinnacle of Shure’s headphone engineering. As the flagship model in the SRH line, these open-back headphones are designed for critical listening applications where accuracy and comfort are paramount.

Overview

With large, matched 40mm neodymium drivers in an open-back design, the Shure SRH1840 Professional Open Back Headphones produce a highly natural and spacious sound. The lightweight yet durable construction featuring aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and stainless steel provides hours of fatigue-free listening. Overall, the Shure SRH1840 Professional Open Back Headphones deliver luxurious aesthetics and fit & finish worthy of a high-end reference headphone.

Features and Design

Crafted from premium materials like aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and stainless steel, the Shure SRH1840 Professional Open Back Headphones are built to last while remaining lightweight for all-day comfort. Additional features include:

• Ergonomic dual-frame padded headband
• Detachable cables with gold-plated MMCX connectors
• Steel driver frame reduces internal resonance
• Optimized for external headphone amplifier connection

Individually Matched 40mm Neodymium Drivers

The Shure SRH1840 headphones utilize individually matched 40mm neodymium drivers. This means that each driver is carefully selected and paired with another driver that has very similar acoustic properties. This meticulous process ensures that both the left and right channels of the headphones produce sound that is as close to identical as possible, resulting in a balanced and accurate stereo image. Neodymium magnets are known for their strong magnetic field, which allows these drivers to deliver a powerful and detailed sound with excellent clarity and accuracy.

Many users have praised the SRH1840 for its detailed and accurate sound reproduction. They particularly appreciate the smooth, extended highs and accurate bass response, which make these headphones suitable for a wide range of music genres. Some users have even noted that they can hear nuances in their music that they had never noticed before.

Open-Back, Circumaural Design

The open-back design of the SRH1840 is a key factor in its ability to deliver a natural and spacious soundstage. Unlike closed-back headphones, which seal the ears from outside noise, open-back headphones allow air to pass through the earcups. This reduces the buildup of pressure and creates a more open and airy sound. The sound waves are also less reflected, which minimizes unwanted resonances and contributes to a more accurate sound reproduction.

The circumaural design of the earcups ensures that they completely enclose the ears, providing a comfortable and secure fit. This design also helps to isolate the listener from external noise, although not to the same extent as closed-back headphones. The combination of the open-back and circumaural design results in a headphone that is both comfortable to wear and capable of producing a spacious and natural soundstage.

Users often comment on the comfort of the SRH1840, with many stating that they can wear these headphones for hours without experiencing any discomfort. The open-back design is also frequently praised for its ability to create a more immersive and realistic listening experience.

Lightweight Construction

Despite their robust build quality, the SRH1840 headphones are surprisingly lightweight. This is achieved through the use of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy in the yoke and stainless steel in the grilles. These materials are not only strong and durable but also lightweight, making the headphones comfortable to wear for extended periods.

The lightweight construction of the SRH1840 is a feature that is frequently mentioned in user reviews. Many people appreciate the fact that these headphones do not feel heavy or cumbersome on their heads, even after hours of use. This makes them ideal for professionals who need to wear headphones for long periods of time, such as musicians, audio engineers, and producers.

Steel Driver Frame with Vented Center Pole Piece

The steel driver frame of the SRH1840 provides a rigid and stable platform for the drivers, which helps to minimize unwanted vibrations and distortions. The vented center pole piece further enhances the performance of the drivers by improving linearity and eliminating internal resonance. This ensures that the headphones deliver a consistent and accurate sound at all listening levels.

This technical feature, while not always apparent to the average listener, contributes significantly to the overall sound quality of the SRH1840. By minimizing distortions and resonances, the vented center pole piece helps to ensure that the headphones deliver a clean and accurate sound that is faithful to the original recording.

Ergonomic Dual-Frame, Padded Headband

The headband of the SRH1840 is designed with ergonomics in mind. The dual-frame construction provides a secure and comfortable fit, while the padded headband ensures that the headphones do not feel uncomfortable even after hours of use. The headband is also fully adjustable, allowing users to customize the fit to their individual preferences.

Users consistently praise the comfort of the SRH1840’s headband. The combination of the dual-frame design and padded construction ensures that the headphones remain comfortable even during long listening sessions. The adjustability of the headband is also a welcome feature, as it allows users to find the perfect fit for their head size and shape.

Optimized for Connection to External Headphone Amplification Systems

The SRH1840 headphones have an impedance of 65 ohms, which makes them suitable for use with a wide range of audio devices. However, they are optimized for use with external headphone amplifiers. A dedicated headphone amplifier can provide the SRH1840 with the power it needs to reach its full potential, resulting in a more dynamic and detailed sound.

While the SRH1840 can be used with smartphones and laptops, users who are serious about sound quality will want to invest in a good quality headphone amplifier. This will allow them to experience the full range of the SRH1840’s capabilities and enjoy their music with greater clarity and detail.

Some users have reported that the SRH1840 can sound a bit “thin” or “lacking in bass” when driven by low-powered devices. However, when paired with a dedicated headphone amplifier, the bass response becomes much fuller and more impactful.

Dual-Exit Cables with Gold-Plated MMCX Connectors

The SRH1840 headphones come with two detachable cables, both featuring gold-plated MMCX connectors. These connectors provide a secure and reliable connection, while the gold plating ensures optimal signal transfer. The dual-exit design allows users to choose which side they prefer to have the cable connected to, which can be helpful for different listening situations.

The detachable cables are a practical feature that is appreciated by many users. It allows for easy replacement in case of damage and also provides the option of upgrading to a higher-quality cable in the future. The gold-plated MMCX connectors are also a sign of quality and ensure a reliable and long-lasting connection.

Replaceable Velour Ear Pads

The SRH1840 headphones come with replaceable velour ear pads. These ear pads are made from high-density, slow-recovery foam that provides exceptional comfort and helps to isolate the listener from external noise. The velour material is soft and breathable, making it ideal for long listening sessions.

The ability to replace the ear pads is a valuable feature that extends the lifespan of the headphones. Over time, ear pads can become worn or damaged, affecting both the comfort and sound quality of the headphones. With the SRH1840, users can simply replace the ear pads to restore the headphones to their original condition.

Included Accessories

The SRH1840 headphones come with a comprehensive set of accessories, including a replacement set of velour ear pads, a replacement cable, a threaded adapter, and a hard carrying case. These accessories add value to the product and ensure that users have everything they need to enjoy their headphones.

The hard carrying case is particularly useful for protecting the headphones during storage and transportation. The inclusion of a replacement set of ear pads and a replacement cable ensures that users can continue to enjoy their headphones for many years to come, even if the original ear pads or cable become worn or damaged.

Value

At around $500, the Shure SRH1840 Professional Open Back Headphones command a premium price, but deliver equivalent performance to competitors costing even twice as much. Given their enduring build quality and rich, accurate sound, the Shure SRH1840 Professional Open Back Headphones provide excellent value for serious critical listening applications.

Conclusion

With stunning attention to detail and materials, the Shure SRH1840 Professional Open Back Headphones represent the pinnacle of open-back headphone design. For professionals and audiophiles seeking accurate, fatigue-free critical listening, the Shure SRH1840 Professional Open Back Headphones deliver a luxurious listening experience on par with headphones costing twice as much.