What is the primary purpose of the Shure SRH840A?

The SRH840A is designed for professional studio applications, including mixing, monitoring, and mastering. It aims to provide an accurate, reference-grade sound for critical listening tasks.

What type of drivers are used in the SRH840A?

These headphones utilise 40mm dynamic neodymium drivers. These are custom-engineered to deliver a balanced frequency response across the entire range.

Are these headphones open-back or closed-back?

The SRH840A is a closed-back, circumaural (over-ear) design. This construction helps to minimise background noise and prevent sound leakage.

How does the SRH840A improve comfort for long sessions?

Shure has equipped the SRH840A with a padded headband and high-quality earpads. These ergonomic features are intended to reduce fatigue during extended periods of use.

Can these headphones be used for recording vocals?

Yes, their closed-back design provides excellent isolation. This prevents the headphone monitor mix from leaking into the microphone while the artist is performing.

What is the typical price range for the SRH840A?

The SRH840A is generally available at a price point of approximately GBP 142. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current promotions.

How does the SRH840A differ from the SRH440A?

While both share a similar design language, the SRH840A is tuned for a more precise and detailed frequency response. It is positioned as the higher-tier professional model compared to the SRH440A.

Are the SRH840A headphones suitable for mobile use?

While primarily designed for the studio, their sleek design and efficient drivers allow them to be used with a variety of sources. However, they do not feature active noise cancellation or wireless connectivity.

What makes the SRH840A 'camera-ready'?

Shure updated the design to be sleeker and more visually appealing. This makes them a popular choice for creators who appear on screen, such as podcasters or YouTubers.

Do these headphones provide a 'hyped' bass response?

No, the SRH840A is designed for a balanced and accurate frequency response. They are intended to provide a neutral reference rather than artificially boosting the low end.

How does the isolation compare to open-back headphones like the Sony MDR-MV1?

The SRH840A provides significantly more isolation than open-back models. While open-back headphones like the MDR-MV1 offer a wider soundstage, they leak sound outward and let environmental noise in, unlike the closed SRH840A.

Are the earpads on the SRH840A replaceable?

Yes, like most Shure professional headphones, the earpads are designed to be user-replaceable. This extends the lifespan of the product as the pads naturally wear down over time.

Gear article

Shure SRH840A Professional Monitoring Headphones

The Shure SRH840A is a professional-grade closed-back headphone designed for critical listening, mixing, and studio production. It features 40mm dynamic neodymium drivers and a refined design intended to provide a balanced frequency response for musicians and audio engineers.

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Overview

The Shure SRH840A represents an evolution of Shure's professional studio monitoring line. Engineered to meet the demands of modern audio production, these headphones are tailored for accuracy and detail. The 'A' revision introduces a updated aesthetic and structural refinements while maintaining the reference-grade performance associated with the series. They are typically positioned as a versatile tool for recording artists, producers, and engineers working in both home and professional studio environments.

Technical Features and Design

At the core of the SRH840A are custom-engineered 40mm dynamic neodymium drivers. These drivers are designed to produce a balanced frequency response, ensuring that no specific frequency band is artificially hyped. The circumaural, closed-back design serves two primary functions: it provides high levels of passive noise isolation to prevent bleed into microphones during recording, and it minimises external distractions for the wearer.

Structural improvements in the SRH840A include a padded headband and ergonomic earpads. These features are specifically implemented to allow for extended monitoring sessions by reducing physical pressure and preventing listening fatigue. The aesthetic design is streamlined and 'camera-ready', making them suitable for video creators and content producers.

Sound Character

The sonic signature of the SRH840A is defined by precision and clarity. Shure has tuned these headphones to deliver accurate audio across the full frequency spectrum, capturing subtle details that might be lost on consumer-grade equipment. This transparency makes them a reliable reference for making critical decisions during the mixing and mastering stages of production, where an honest representation of the source material is required.

Target Audience

The SRH840A is designed for a broad spectrum of audio professionals. This includes:

Mixing and Mastering Engineers: Who require a flat response to ensure their work translates well to other systems.
Musicians and Vocalists: Who need high isolation during tracking to prevent click track or backing track bleed.
Producers: Who require a comfortable, reliable pair of headphones for long creative sessions.
Content Creators: Who value both audio fidelity and a professional visual appearance on camera.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to open-back alternatives like the AKG K712 PRO, Focal Lensys Pro, or Sony MDR-MV1, the SRH840A offers superior isolation, making it better suited for tracking in the same room as a live microphone. Within the closed-back category, it competes with the beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X and the Audio Technica ATH-M40x. While the DT 770 series is known for its durability and specific comfort profile, the SRH840A is often chosen for its specific Shure house sound and balanced frequency response. For users requiring maximum isolation specifically for drummers, models like the beyerdynamic DT 770 M may offer higher passive attenuation, whereas the SRH840A balances isolation with a more neutral reference tuning.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary purpose of the Shure SRH840A?: The SRH840A is designed for professional studio applications, including mixing, monitoring, and mastering. It aims to provide an accurate, reference-grade sound for critical listening tasks.
What type of drivers are used in the SRH840A?: These headphones utilise 40mm dynamic neodymium drivers. These are custom-engineered to deliver a balanced frequency response across the entire range.
Are these headphones open-back or closed-back?: The SRH840A is a closed-back, circumaural (over-ear) design. This construction helps to minimise background noise and prevent sound leakage.
How does the SRH840A improve comfort for long sessions?: Shure has equipped the SRH840A with a padded headband and high-quality earpads. These ergonomic features are intended to reduce fatigue during extended periods of use.
Can these headphones be used for recording vocals?: Yes, their closed-back design provides excellent isolation. This prevents the headphone monitor mix from leaking into the microphone while the artist is performing.
What is the typical price range for the SRH840A?: The SRH840A is generally available at a price point of approximately GBP 142. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current promotions.
How does the SRH840A differ from the SRH440A?: While both share a similar design language, the SRH840A is tuned for a more precise and detailed frequency response. It is positioned as the higher-tier professional model compared to the SRH440A.
Are the SRH840A headphones suitable for mobile use?: While primarily designed for the studio, their sleek design and efficient drivers allow them to be used with a variety of sources. However, they do not feature active noise cancellation or wireless connectivity.
What makes the SRH840A 'camera-ready'?: Shure updated the design to be sleeker and more visually appealing. This makes them a popular choice for creators who appear on screen, such as podcasters or YouTubers.
Do these headphones provide a 'hyped' bass response?: No, the SRH840A is designed for a balanced and accurate frequency response. They are intended to provide a neutral reference rather than artificially boosting the low end.
How does the isolation compare to open-back headphones like the Sony MDR-MV1?: The SRH840A provides significantly more isolation than open-back models. While open-back headphones like the MDR-MV1 offer a wider soundstage, they leak sound outward and let environmental noise in, unlike the closed SRH840A.
Are the earpads on the SRH840A replaceable?: Yes, like most Shure professional headphones, the earpads are designed to be user-replaceable. This extends the lifespan of the product as the pads naturally wear down over time.