The name Shure has been linked with microphones and headphones for years and is the first brand that comes to mind in this area. Their products are of premier quality and have been tried, tested and trusted by professional musicians and vocalists for decades. The 440s rank between the 240s and the 840s, of which we will write more at the end of this review.

Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones

One of the first and most impressive features of the Shure SRH440s are their strength and sturdiness – these headphones are built to last and will stand a lot of knocking about. Everything about them, from the hinges to the replaceable cable, says durability and quality. They are designed for heavy use as is evidenced by the jack plug that fits neatly and securely into the accompanying quarter inch jack adapter.

In the final analysis however, people buy these headphones with confidence, not because of their aesthetic charm or their sturdiness, but primarily, for their sound quality which is top-line. Shure advertise the fact that the SRH440s have the most neutral tonal reproduction of the three models in the line and I’d agree that this is an accurate statement. They sound well-balanced with crystal-clear tonal reproduction, with a slight, pleasing boost on the bass end.

Because of the strength of these headphones I found that after half an hour I wanted to pull the ear-pads away from my ears and after some weeks actually replaced the detachable pads with the superior memory-foam pads of the 840 version, which I found to be extremely comfortable, even after 2 hours of continuous listening. The 840 pads cost about $20 a pair. Apart from that minor objection, I unhesitatingly recommend the Shure SRH440s for their unrivalled quality and sound.

Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Earphones

I mentioned the SRH240s and the SRH840s earlier and will briefly introduce these versions. The 240s look reasonable but feel cheaper and lack the sound quality of the other two. They produce a clear sound but are not as refined as class-leading brands at this price. The ear-pads and headband feel comfortable even after prolonged listening. The 840s have the desired crystal-clear tonal reproduction we have come to expect of Shure and their build quality is faultless. They are also good value for money but are bulky and feel heavy. The cord is too short but the ear-pads are supremely comfortable.

I have only briefly described the 240s and 840s and insist that the 440s are a much better investment and will meet all your expectations for headphones of uncompromising quality.