Shure
SRH1840
Best open-back headphones for professional mastering and critical listening.
The Shure SRH1840 Professional Open-Back Stereo Headphones offer a precise and satisfying audio experience, featuring a deep, detailed low end, clear midrange, and smooth highs. Designed for mastering and critical listening, these headphones provide excellent bass control. Built with premium materials like aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and stainless steel grilles, they are both lightweight and durable, ensuring comfort for extended use.
$558.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
74
/ 5783
#74 in Headphones
Price vs Category Average
-5%
Below average
Type
Open-back, circumaural
/ Open-back, circumaural
Who it's for
- Long-term owners prioritizing repairability and lasting hardware durability
- Audio engineers requiring precise, transparent sound for critical mixing tasks
- Studio professionals working through extended, multi-hour recording or editing sessions
Who should skip it
- Vocalists recording in open environments needing to prevent microphone bleed
- Budget-conscious hobbyists looking for an affordable entry into high-fidelity audio
- Bass enthusiasts seeking a visceral, punchy low-end listening experience
Performance breakdown
Soundstage Accuracy
Open-back design delivers a remarkably natural and wide stereo image.
Build Durability
Aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel ensure professional-grade longevity.
Long-term Comfort
Lightweight frame and plush velour pads prevent fatigue during marathon sessions.
Frequency Precision
Individually matched drivers provide exceptional clarity across the entire spectrum.
Cable Reliability
Kevlar-reinforced jacket and gold-plated connectors offer robust, tangle-free performance.
Mastering Utility
Neutral tuning makes these a reliable reference tool for critical listening.
Key Specs
Type
Open-back, circumaural
Sensitivity
96 dB SPL/mW
Maximum Input Power
1000 mW
Frequency Range
10 Hz – 30 kHz
Weight
0.59 lbs (268 g)
Cable Length
6.9 ft (2.1 m)
Impedance
65 ohms
Driver Size
40 mm
Features
- Individually matched 40 mm neodymium drivers
- Open-back, circumaural design for natural sound and wide stereo image
- Lightweight construction with aircraft-grade aluminum alloy yoke and stainless steel grilles
- Steel driver frame with vented center pole piece
- Ergonomic dual-frame, padded headband
- Oxygen-free copper cable with Kevlar reinforced jacket
- Dual-exit cables with gold-plated MMCX connectors
- Replaceable velour ear pads
What customers say
These headphones earn high praise for their superior comfort and reference grade audio quality. Listeners consistently highlight the neutral, transparent sound signature which reveals remarkable detail across an expansive soundstage. Audio reproduction is balanced, offering clear lows, articulate mids, and crisp highs, perfect for critical listening sessions. The design strongly supports extended use. A lightweight build, plush earpads, and adjustable fit ensure long term wearability without fatigue. This combination of uncolored sound and exceptional comfort delivers excellent value for audio enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Know before you buy
The open-back design allows air to pass through the earcups, which prevents pressure buildup and creates a more natural, spacious soundstage. Because they are open, sound will leak out, and you will hear ambient noise from your surroundings, making them best suited for quiet environments like a studio or home office.
Yes, they are designed specifically for extended use. The lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum construction and ergonomic, padded headband reduce fatigue, while the breathable velour ear pads help keep your ears cool during long sessions.
With an impedance of 65 ohms, these headphones can be driven by many standard audio interfaces and high-quality portable players. However, using a dedicated headphone amplifier will ensure you get the most out of their frequency range and dynamic detail.
Yes, the SRH1840s are built for longevity. They feature detachable dual-exit cables with gold-plated MMCX connectors and easily replaceable velour ear pads, so you can maintain the headphones over many years of professional use.
These headphones offer a highly accurate, neutral sound profile. You can expect a deep, controlled low end, a clear midrange, and smooth, non-fatiguing highs, making them an excellent tool for critical listening and mastering where precision is required.
Individually matching the 40 mm neodymium drivers ensures that the left and right channels perform with consistent frequency response and sensitivity. This provides a precise, balanced stereo image, which is essential for accurate mixing and spatial imaging.
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