In my very brief experience with the originals they were both surprisingly listenable. They were a slight letdown on build and comfort so alas I never owned either pair myself. Bass extension isnt as deep as on the 371, but still very good and ofc by far better than on my 271. Bass is measured and punchy. It’s far more reserved than the consumer standard, which may take a while to bed into if you’re accustomed to the mainstream tuning of, say, a Sony or Bose pair. However, depth is solid. Sub-bass isn’t particularly strong, with the real action starting around 55Hz. Shure’s ultra-wide 5-25000Hz frequency coverage claim was always going to turn out optimistic, given it goes well beyond the upper and lower bounds of human hearing.

The big earcups and wider soundstage also leads to a more "distant" sound. Vocals didnt seem so close and intimate.In addition to the Shure SRH840A, an interchangeable cable, a 6.35 mm screw adapter and a carrying pouch are also included in the box. Compared to the SRH840, the SRH840A has a much more contemporary appearance. Even though the trim here is no longer silver-coloured but gold. The new colours reflect the quality that is continued in the headband. As with the previous model, the underside of the headband is made of fabric and the top of imitation leather. On the SRH840A, however, the imitation leather has gold-coloured stitching. In addition, all of the headphones’ visible screws are gold. Technology and values of the Shure SRH840A

But are they as comfortable? The Shure SRH840A have large oval-shaped pads that offer enough room to fit my moderately sized ears without any pinching. I’ve worn these headphones for up to six hours at a time without any obvious fatigue. The sound quality is perfect for my amateur purposes. I use it as a monitor set for playing bass guitar, midi instruments and vocals.Considering how close the 440 was to the Harman Target, it will be interesting to see how this new model performs and whether it fixes the high-treble peak. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAWS AND, TO THE EXTENT NOT PERMITTED, ARE HEREBY LIMITED TO THE DURATION AND TERMS OF THIS WARRANTY. SHURE ALSO HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. The long cable is useful in the studio as you move around your gear, but would be annoying when you're on the move. If you want to use these headphones for commuting, you'll probably want to invest in a shorter one as well. My only real design/hardware complaint is that they come with only one long 3m cable. I’d happily use the Shure SRH840A as general-use headphones, but they’re not made for that job.

Looks like they have an entirely redesigned build and comfort, which is great news for those familiar with the old pairs (especially the 440). Also, no more coiled cable! In general, this is the sound of the 840, perhaps it differs in some way, but there is definitely no way to compare. The cord is of high quality and it’s good that it’s straight. But it is oak and has a microphonic effect, transmitting rustles, touches and blows well.

Shure has made significant changes to the SRH840 series’s design, but the sound is largely familiar. The old and new headphones share the same claimed 5-25000Hz frequency response and have similarly low impedance for use with non-specialist hardware. While some other specs, such as sensitivity, are a little different, you wouldn’t expect a new pair of headphones to have internal hardware identical to that of a pair more than a decade old. I bought these as an entry level studio headphones. I was hoping for Shure's legendary SM58 type of quality and here's what my impression is.

Alongside the cable, you get a 6.3mm adapter and a no-frills shiny synthetic leather carry case in the box. The old SRH840 even included a spare set of pads, but you don’t get those this time. I tried 840 and 1540. But I decided that the original ear pads are much better quality and sound better. What's my biggest concern about these headphones is the build quality. The body is made of cheap plastic. Only time will tell how long the pivoting joints will last. Unfortunatelly that's the most vulnerable point of all headphones and having broken three already I'm a bit dissapointed to see Shure's product this flimsy.The new SRH840A Professional Studio Headphones are ideal for recording, content creation and monitoring. A precisely tailored frequency response and 40mm neodymium dynamic drivers deliver rich bass, clear mid-range and extended highs. A lightweight, padded headband combined with Shure durability provide the ultimate listening experience.