Shure SRH1440 Open Back Headphones Review

 

Shure SRH1440 Pros&Cons

Shure SRH1440 Specs

• Impedance: 37Ω
• Driver size: 40mm
• Frequency response: 15Hz~27 kHz
• Sensitivity: 101dB / mW
• Cable length: 210cm (6.9ft)
• Weight (w/o cable): 343g

Packaging 

The SRH1440 comes packaged in one of the largest boxes we’ve ever seen used for a set of headphones. Seriously, it measures 28.5cm (11.2in) x 26.5cm (10.4in) and 16.5cm (6.5in) deep. The majority of the box is all-black in colour (as is much of Shure’s other product packaging), and simply shows a large image of the headphones, as well as the SRH1440 text. The left and right-hand sides showcase the SRH1440’s specifications and included box contents respectively, whereas the rear displays another image of the SRH1440, along with a list of a few features.
The front cover is held closed by magnets, and there is a cloth tab which is used to open this cover up. On the revers-side of the front cover there is a pocket which houses the instruction manual.

What’s in the box?

• Shure SRH1440
• Storage case
• 1x Pair replacement earpads
• 2x Cables
• 1/4” adapter

Read: Shure SRH1540 Closed-back Headphones Review

Accessories 

The SRH1440 includes pretty much everything you’d expect, and more. Firstly, the storage case seems really well-made and will serve as good protection. Second is the inclusion of 2 cables. Although, it does seem odd for Shure to include 2 identical cables (as they did with the SRH1540 too). It would have been better to include a longer coiled cable. Last but not least is the biggest surprise of all – extra earpads. The SRH1440’s earpads are great for comfort, so the inclusion of a spare set is a welcomed addition.
A screw-on 1/4” adapter is also thrown into the deal.

Design

Generally, Shure tends to create well-crafted products. However, in the case of the SRH1440, it seems like there was a just a bit too much cost-cutting involved.
Granted, an all-plastic design does usually make for a relatively lightweight pair of headphones (as the SRH1440 is), but it can make a product seem a little skimpy too.

The finish of the plastic is great, but as with most plastic designs, the yokes and earcups tend to squeak a bit. This squeaking seems even more invasive on open-back headphones than it would on closed-backs.

Thankfully, the SRH1440 does redeem itself to some extent due to its soft, comfortable headband padding and earpads. This is the level of comfort one should expect from a $300 set of headphones

The detachable cables also feature MMCX connections, rather than the usual 2-pin or 2.5mm connectors.

 

Sound

Test Setup
Source: Hidizs AP60
DAC/Amp: IFI Micro iDSD Black Label

For the most part, Shure’s house-sound generally leans towards a warmer and fuller sound. The SRH1440, on the other hand, is a total misfit. The redheaded stepchild of the family. The one who yells….a lot.
The SRH1440 has quite a bright sound signature. Whilst the box does say “Professional Open Back Headphones”, we can’t help but wonder what is meant by “professional” in this case. The SRH1440 certainly does not have enough bass presence to put it into the reference category. Of course, open-back headphones tend to have less low frequency presence and impact compared to their closed-back counterparts, but the SRH1440 offers especially little bass.
If you want a ton of details, the SRH1440 will happily offer that to you in spades, on the condition that your accustomed to a bright sound signature. Perhaps if you were to pair it with a warmer source/amp, the highs would get tamed a bit. But pairing it with something as neutral as the IFI-Audio Micro iDSD Black Label, for example, is certainly bearable, but really isn’t a particularly enjoyable experience. It’s only really when you engage the iDSD’s XBass+ function that the bass sounds more in balance with the rest of the sounds.
As such, the SRH1440 won’t appeal to a great number of people.

Playing something like Daft Punk‘s Get Lucky perfectly reveals the bright signature of the SRH1440. Starting at about the 2:46 mark, the sound of hands clapping comes a cross a bit too peaky. It’s to the point that you really do need to lower the volume, which then sacrifices the rest of the sound spectrum too.

Being of an open-back design, the SRH1440 does exhibit a nice wide sound stage. As such, binaural-recorded tracks are quite a treat. Playing This Little Light of Mine from Dr. Chesky’s Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc offers a genuinely surreal experience. It is as though the SRH1440 isn’t even there.

Read: IFI-Audio Micro iDSD Black Label Review

Value 

Evaluating the value of the SRH1440 proved to be a difficult task, as it’s unclear who they are aimed at (given the bright sound signature).
We’re big fans of open-back headphones, as they generally offer just that added realism to the sound in terms of sound stage and instrument placement. But the SRH1440 seems to suffer severely from the same “problem” that faces most open-back designs – a lack of bass. Of course, a person’s bass-preference is entirely subjective, and we tend to shy away from overly bassy headphones. However, the SRH1440 just lacks too much in the bass department, so much so that it makes music sound unnatural; or rather pedantically detailed leaning towards artificial. Such a bright signature might sound very revealing at first, but it does become fatiguing rather quickly.  As such, we’re not sure if spending around $300 on a set of headphones that don’t seem to offer any clear advantages is a wise decision.

 

Rating

The TECH MERIT rating system is designed to take as many aspects of the device into account as possible. As such, we have a basic rating, as well as a final rating. The basic rating rates the product purely as a high quality portable audio device, and is generally a good indicator of how it stacks up to its rivals in terms of standard features and specs. The final rating, however, grants bonus points for any extra features and specs that aren’t quite as common, and is a great way to judge the product as a complete package.

Packaging
Look and feel: 8 / 10

Included Accessories
Protective case: YES

Build
Quality control: 9 / 10
Seems durable: YES
Microphonics: 7 / 10
Comfort: 9 / 10

Sound
Relatively balanced signature: –
Soundstage: 9 / 10
Detail retrieval: 9 / 10
Sibilance: 9 / 10
Instrument separation: 7 / 10
Isolation: 5 / 10
Hiss: 9 / 10

Portability
Small size: 6 / 10
Relatively low power required: 7 / 10
Weight: 9 / 10

Value
Competitive price-point: –
Relative value: 6 / 10

Basic Rating: 7.7

 

Bonus points
Removable cables: YES
Number of cables included: 2
Premium cables: –
How premium the case looks and feels: 8 / 10
Battery life above 8 hours: –
Bluetooth: –
Apt-X: –
Volume/remote controls: –
Metal body: –
Premium look and feel: –
Use of exotic materials: –
Bluetooth connection quality: –
1/4” adapter included: YES
Cable management: –
Aircraft adapter: –
Extra earpads: YES

Final Rating: 8.3 

 

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