Is the HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled worth the upgrade from the Shure Srh840a?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled scores 9.6 points above the Shure Srh840a. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. The gains are concentrated in value (7.5 to 8.7) and sound (8.0 to 8.6). On paper: driver size 40 mm to 80 mm. Worth checking: active noise cancelling goes No to No and weight goes 273 g to 449 g. That costs $230 more, or about $24 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. Worth doing if you're replacing anyway; harder to justify as a pure upgrade if what you have still works.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.08.6
- Value7.58.7
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Srh840a | Ananda Unveiled | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | No | No | |
| Weight | 273 g | 449 g | |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 80 mm | |
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic | 80 mm planar magnetic | |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz - 25 kHz | 5 Hz - 55 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Srh840a to Ananda Unveiled". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.