Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
88Outstanding
$1,700
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000se vs Shure Srh1840: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000se comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000se - Outstanding overall at around $1699.
Over-Ear
Shure Srh1840
72Good
$620
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Shure Srh1840
Sound7.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN HE 1000se | Shure Srh1840 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1,700 | $620 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2018 | 2012 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 1 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 10Hz-30kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 65 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB/mW | 96 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 440 g | 268 g |
| Foldable | - | No |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
The HiFiMAN HE1000se is a high-end planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail retrieval and a spacious, airy soundstage. Its bright-neutral tuning offers strong bass and treble extension, though the prominent treble can become harsh with lower-quality recordings. While its 35-ohm impedance and 96 dB sensitivity make it moderately easy to drive, it still benefits from quality amplification to perform at its best.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail clarity
- Pro:Wide, airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation
- Pro:Strong extension at both frequency extremes
- Con:Bright, peaky treble can fatigue on poorly mastered tracks
- Con:Requires a decent amp despite moderate sensitivity
- Con:Midrange lacks warmth and body for some tastes
Shure Srh1840
The Shure SRH1840 is a lightweight, open-back dynamic headphone aimed at studio professionals, offering a notably flat and detailed sound signature with a wide soundstage. Its build is solid and drivers are well-matched, but it demands quality amplification due to its moderate impedance and lower sensitivity, and some measurements point to distortion issues that may affect critical listening. Overall, it's a capable tool for mixing and monitoring when paired with the right gear, though not ideal for portable use.
- Pro:Very flat, neutral frequency response
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Expansive soundstage with clear treble
- Con:Higher harmonic distortion at certain frequencies
- Con:Less efficient, needs a good amp
- Con:Not suitable for portable devices
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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