Over-Ear
Shure Srh1540
82Great
$549
Full review dataShure Srh1540 vs Shure Srh1840: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Shure Srh1540 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Shure Srh1540 - Great overall at around $549.
Over-Ear
Shure Srh1840
72Good
$624
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Shure Srh1540
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Shure Srh1840
Sound7.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Shure Srh1540 | Shure Srh1840 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $549 | $624 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2014 | 2012 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-25kHz | 10Hz-30kHz |
| Impedance | 46 Ω | 65 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW | 96 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 286 g | 268 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | - | No |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
Shure Srh1540
The Shure SRH1540 is a premium closed-back over-ear headphone praised for its balanced, detailed sound and exceptional comfort. It delivers deep, controlled bass and crisp highs without excessive coloration, making it a top choice for critical listening. While its soundstage and build quality are excellent, its average noise isolation means it's best suited for quiet environments.
- Pro:Accurate, balanced sound with deep lows and clear highs
- Pro:Extremely comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Lightweight and well-built with premium materials
- Con:Average noise isolation
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Requires calibration for optimal performance in some setups
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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