---
product_id: 1214235
title: "SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones, Enhanced Frequency Response and Extended Range for Home and Studio Recording, with Detachable Coiled Cable, Carrying Bag and 1/4\" Adapter (SRH440)"
brand: "shure"
price: "KSh44258"
currency: KES
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Shure"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.ke/products/1214235-srh440-professional-studio-headphones-enhanced-frequency-response-and-extended-range
store_origin: KE
region: Kenya
---

# 44Ω impedance for pro gear Detachable coiled cable, 10ft 10Hz-22kHz enhanced frequency range SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones, Enhanced Frequency Response and Extended Range for Home and Studio Recording, with Detachable Coiled Cable, Carrying Bag and 1/4" Adapter (SRH440)

**Brand:** shure
**Price:** KSh44258
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎧 Elevate your sound game—studio precision that travels with you.

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones, Enhanced Frequency Response and Extended Range for Home and Studio Recording, with Detachable Coiled Cable, Carrying Bag and 1/4" Adapter (SRH440) by shure
- **How much does it cost?** KSh44258 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.ke](https://www.desertcart.co.ke/products/1214235-srh440-professional-studio-headphones-enhanced-frequency-response-and-extended-range)

## Best For

- shure enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted shure brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Comfort Meets Isolation:** Closed-back, circumaural design blocks ambient noise so you can focus on your craft, while foldable earcups and cushioned headband keep you comfortable during marathon sessions.
- • **Precision Audio Clarity:** Experience balanced, studio-grade sound with enhanced frequency response from 10Hz to 22kHz, capturing every detail in your mix.
- • **Portable Studio Essential:** Includes a sleek carrying bag and threaded adapter for effortless transport and quick setup—your on-the-go studio companion that means business.
- • **Durable & Replaceable Design:** Robust build with detachable, coiled cable and gold-plated 1/4" adapter means longevity and easy upgrades—never get caught with a broken wire again.
- • **Professional-Grade Compatibility:** Calibrated 44Ω impedance ensures seamless integration with DJ mixers, headphone amps, and mixing consoles for true-to-source monitoring.

## Overview

The Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones deliver accurate, balanced audio across an extended 10Hz-22kHz range, optimized for home and studio recording. Featuring a durable, closed-back design with a detachable coiled cable and gold-plated 1/4" adapter, these headphones provide excellent noise isolation and compatibility with professional audio equipment. Lightweight yet sturdy, they include a carrying bag for easy transport and are backed by a 2-year warranty, making them a reliable choice for emerging audiophiles and studio pros alike.

## Description

The SRH440 professional studio Headphones from Shure provide exceptional sound reproduction and comfort. Optimized for home and studio recording, SRH440 headphones reproduce accurate audio across an extended range. Impedance, power handling and sensitivity are all calibrated for professional audio devices such as DJ mixers, mixing consoles, and headphone amplifier. Includes carrying bag and threaded 1/4" (6.3mm) Gold plated adapter.

Review: Great Budget Reference Headphones - I needed an upgrade to my old headphones that (admittedly) I got at a garage sale. Nice full size headphones but the cable was getting damaged and had that annoying volume control feature. I think its cool but at the same time stupid because I find it the first thing to go. I fought with them for a while until I finally had it. So I went looking for an upgrade that would cater closely to what I'm doing more nowadays, that is home/studio listening for enjoyment and music production. I live in a rather noisy area where I hear the fire trucks and ambulances coming and going regularly and among other things. So I needed a pair of closed-back headphones for isolation as I find the sound reproduction of noise canceling headphones to not be as accurate and nowhere near this price range. I also wanted a set that offered the replaceable cable and ear cups option as decent headphones can last a long time but these two parts always wear out before decent drivers do. Amazingly enough I discovered the Shure SRH 440's. I got everything I was looking for. These are really nice headphones for what they're designed for (e.g. home/studio listening). These might not appeal to people used to higher end equipment but as a start into the world of detail and sound resolution it's wonderful for the price. There are drawbacks that I feel some people miss about these. These don't have much bass impact (e.g. you don't really feel an explosion so much as hear it.) The sound signature is a rich neutral (e.g. it strives for balance and clarity, middle of the road). They are not really made to be run by Iphones and Ipods. These guys need a little more power to drive them to their full abilities with a headphone amplifier. They sound good unamped but sound their best amped. One other thing is these sound particularly tight and bright out of the box. There's nothing wrong with them because they need to be "broken-in." Some people like the sound from the get go, but for me it took a little getting used to. Over time the drivers have been slowly relaxing and loosening up making it sound even better with time. If your looking for nice pair of headphones that will last and deliver great sound, these are a nice choice at this price bracket. PROS + Marvelous sound that is balanced and clear. - Even at really low volumes (while amped) I can still hear amazing detail. + Great isolation. - I don't hear the traffic anymore with these on and I'm not cranking these. I listen at very moderate levels. + Removable cable for cable replacement. (Or to change to a higher grade audio cable) + Solid build. Can fold up for easy transport and storage. + Gold-plated Plugs (For signal efficiency.) 3.5MM with a screw on 1/4 plug. + Full-size over the ear cups. CONS - Shallow cushions - The rim of my ear rests against the drivers. Depending on position can become uncomfortable. - Shallow Headband cushion - There is some cushioning but mostly to cover up the inside parts. For me it gets a little uncomfortable in certain positions but once I find the spot I'm content. As these aren't powerhouse audiophile headphones, they don't require a serious amplifier to run them. If your a budding audiophile, spend a little more on your headphone amp and you'll be happier for it. My experience (if you wish to know) Putting these on and turning on the music is like being transported. I found myself relishing music even more through these as I began to hear it in a whole new way. I enjoy all kinds of music from Metal, Classical, Folk, World, Electronic and Alternative. When I put on Vivaldi: Four Seasons (FLAC format), I couldn't believe my ears. The clarity and beauty of this music resonated out of drivers with such detail. The descents and ascents of the lows to highs and back were a treat. String instruments sound incredible in these as well (Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Cello). One thing is you'll notice the quality of your music more. You'll hear the effects of the poor sound reproduction in the higher compression formats. However, you'll also notice other parts of the music that cheaper headphones can't reproduce when listening to CD's. Some music will be more appealing in these than others. Mostly music that relies more on its musical detail (Classical, New Age, Flamenco) than impact.
Review: Awesome pair of headphones - PRE ORDER Mission: I bought these looking for a replacement for another pair of headphones for monitoring purposes. Attractions: The first thing that attracted me to the Shures was the claim of flat response obviously intended for the professional studio (as labeled). The second thing that attracted me to these headphones was the low price. Another thing that REALLY attracted me to these was the REMOVABLE locking cable. I've had trouble with previous headphone jacks that ended up with me having to go buy a new jack and stripping the cable to solder it on, so it seemed like a pretty sweet feature to save future trouble. Picking the Right Set of Cans: I was doing some research on good studio oriented headphones below(or at) the $100 price point. I came up finding these(Shure SRH440), the Sennheiser HD280 Pros, and the Sony MDR-v6's and/or 7506's. And obviously I came to choosing these. POST ORDER First Impressions: I had watched a few unboxing and review videos of the Shures just to see what I'd be getting, so nothing out of the box VISUALLY surprised me as I had seen it all already, but when I took them out of the plastic bag and actually held them in my hand myself, I was lovestruck. They are nice and heavy(in a good way) and VERY solidly built. Build: Like I said before, these are quite hefty in weight, but also in size. (Which I like a lot, but for those looking for smaller, lighter cans, I don't think this is where you want to go) The plastics used on the headphones are very solid and of high quality. I guess I had taken the build of the previous set of headphones I was using as fair, so when I just grabbed the earcups and pulled them apart I was blown away with just how well these things were made. The headband is made of some flexible material covered in a synthetic leatherette, and feels sturdy yet moldable. It sits nicely atop the head. From what gathered from the few moments the stock earPADS were one the headphones before I took them off to replace them with some upgraded SRH840 pads I had bought at the same time as these, they were okay in quality. A tad stiff though. The cable is a nice, thick coiled one around 10 feet long that starts up on a SINGLE side of the headphones rather than a Y-cable, and terminates to a 3.5 mm/ 1/8 in gold plated jack. The jack itself has a threaded end to screw on the included 1/4 in (whatever the equivalent is in millimeters) adapter. The rubber/plastic on the end of it has a nice grippy part to it that makes it easy to hold and plug in to whatever you need to. A small detail, but I found it quite nice. Comfort: Like I said a short ways up in the previous paragraph, I bought a set of replacement earpads that normally go on the big brother of this product, the SRH840, on suggestions of other peoples experiences with these headphones. I tried them on with the stock pads before I swapped them and like people said, the pads were fairly stiff and shallow. Immediately thereafter I put on the other pads. They were thicker, softer, and more comfortable. The most noticeably difference I would have to say though is the padding on the INSIDE of the pads that cover the driver. It is much thicker and of better quality. So during long wearing sessions I can see these being much more bearable. I've also heard claims of the pads improving sound quality, but I didn't actually listen to them before I swapped the pads so I can't confirm them. ** I also have pretty prominent(sticky-outy) ears that usually become discomforted quite soon after putting on headphones, but these are (now anyways) deep enough with thick enough inner padding that it's not much of a problem. The headband is quite "cushy" and forms rather nicely to the head. But sometims, when wearing them for a long time, the top of my head begins to get sore where it rests upon my head. These headphones are actually pretty tight gripping on my (seemingly) normal sized head. I like that A LOT, but I'm sure it bothers the hell of some people. I've heard people calling them loose, but they aren't to me. Overall, they feel very nice to me sitting on my head. Now with what was my greatest fear about ordering headphones, Sound/Sound Quality: I have previously listened to studio oriented headphone and they seemed "canny" and fit the closed back headphone STEREOtype(pun), and I hate having to wait unnecessarily for things, so I was afraid of ordering these before actually listening to them under the cause that they would sound crappy. I'll tell you right now, my fears were misplaced. The SRH440's sounded pretty darn good on the first listen. I still haven't burnt them in the full 100 or so hours suggested by many, but they sound great already. The highs are nice and crisp, the mids are warm and smooth, and the bass is lush and extended. I am currently playing pink noise and assorted sounds through them, and after a few of days(with breaks, don't worry) hey, maybe they'll sound even better. As far as isolation of outside noise goes, the Shures do it quite well. I'll give you an example of how well they do it:I've had really loud music been playing through speakers in the other room, and I put these on as earmuffs to block out the sound. Obviously it didn't completely shut out the sound, but made it quiet enough that it wasn't unbearable to hear. The soundstage with these is actually pretty wide and spacey. Things panned hard left or right sound more spread apart than other closed back headphones. Now I haven't heard a lot to compare to them (especially not open backed/open-air headphones which are supposed to have the broadest soundstage), but these headphones give me such an awesome stereo image when listening to music. If I had to describe these headphones in two words, it would be these: SUPERIOR VALUE. Well there's my two cents. Haha, I hope I didn't miss anything. Awesome headphones.

## Features

- Optimized for home and studio recording
- Closed-back, circumaural collapsible design
- Detachable, coiled cable
- Includes SRH440, Threaded 1/4" Gold-plated adapter, carrying bag, and user guide
- Enhanced frequency response delivers accurate audio across an extended range

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B002DP1FTU |
| Additional Features | Dj-Style |
| Age Range Description | Adult |
| Antenna Location | Recording, Music |
| Audio Driver Type | Dynamic Driver |
| Best Sellers Rank | #72,269 in Electronics ( See Top 100 in Electronics ) #1,536 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Brand | Shure |
| Brand Name | Shure |
| Built-In Media | Includes SRH440, threaded 1/4" gold-plated adapter, carrying bag, and user guide |
| Cable Features | Detachable |
| Color | Black |
| Compatible Devices | Laptops, Desktops, Tablets, Cellphones, Smart Speakers, Gaming Consoles |
| Connectivity Technology | Wired |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Control Type | Volume Control |
| Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,689 Reviews |
| Ear Placement | Over Ear |
| Earpiece Shape | around_ear |
| Enclosure Material | Plastic |
| External Testing Certification | Não Aplicável |
| Form Factor | Over Ear |
| Frequency Range | 10 Hz to 22 kHz |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00424061719082, 08859051659642 |
| Headphone Folding Features | Over Ear |
| Headphone Jack | 6.35 mm Jack |
| Headphones Ear Placement | Over Ear |
| Impedance | 44 Ohms |
| Is Autographed | No |
| Item Type Name | Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones, Enhanced Frequency Response and Extended Range for Home and Studio Recording, with Detachable Coiled Cable, Carrying Bag and 1/4" Adapter (SRH440) |
| Item Weight | 1.6 Pounds |
| Manufacturer | Shure |
| Model Name | SRH440 |
| Model Number | SRH440-E |
| Noise Control | Sound Isolation |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Series Number | 440 |
| Specific Uses For Product | DJ, Home, Studio |
| Style Name | Gen 1 (Old Package) |
| Theme | Professional Audio |
| UPC | 042406171908 643462890521 720189181009 887474322841 424061719082 714497644189 033171308422 042406171946 042406171519 042406168601 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Warranty Description | 2-year limited warranty |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Shure
- **Color:** Black
- **Ear Placement:** Over Ear
- **Form Factor:** Over Ear
- **Impedance:** 44 Ohms

## Images

![SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones, Enhanced Frequency Response and Extended Range for Home and Studio Recording, with Detachable Coiled Cable, Carrying Bag and 1/4" Adapter (SRH440) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61KV57HNY6L.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Size, Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Do these cancel out plane engine noise?**
A: They don't have active noise cancellation. They can passively block out noise simply because they cover your ears, but any similar headphones can do that. Active noise cancellation is what you're probably looking for. Active noise cancelling headphones will do more against plane engine noise and other low noises (not so much high noises like talking), but they also cost more and generally have poorer audio quality.

**Q: How comfortable is this headphone? Is it anywhere near Bose AE2?**
A: Very uncomfortable.  The headband hurts because the cushion is too thin.  I can feel the two plastic bars behind the cushioning.  I bought some headband cushions from Sennheiser and attached them to the Shure 440 with some zip ties.   The ear pads are terrible as well due to the lack of cushioning.  I would recommend buying the SRH840 ear pads which fit on the Shure 440 headphones.

**Q: How does the Shure SR440 compare Audio Technica's ATH-M50X model?**
A: Hello Rachel, although I cannot make a comparison to another model, I can tell you that I would never consider buying anything but the Shure SR440 headphones. I have been using them since I purchased a digital piano and it takes me to another world. The Shure SR440 headphones block out all other sounds and the quality is off the chart. Don't look any further.

**Q: Are these good for not just studio but also DJ use? I would like to know cause I'm a first time DJ I was going to go with Solrepublic Master XC.**
A: Yep these will work fine for standing and bouncing behind the decks while you spin bangers for all your friends. In fact I decided on these instead of the "dj" version shure offered because of the reviews. Still be careful with the foam ear pads, they fall off easy and can take some practice to get them back on before you miss that drop in the song.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great Budget Reference Headphones
*by A***X on November 18, 2010*

I needed an upgrade to my old headphones that (admittedly) I got at a garage sale. Nice full size headphones but the cable was getting damaged and had that annoying volume control feature. I think its cool but at the same time stupid because I find it the first thing to go. I fought with them for a while until I finally had it. So I went looking for an upgrade that would cater closely to what I'm doing more nowadays, that is home/studio listening for enjoyment and music production. I live in a rather noisy area where I hear the fire trucks and ambulances coming and going regularly and among other things. So I needed a pair of closed-back headphones for isolation as I find the sound reproduction of noise canceling headphones to not be as accurate and nowhere near this price range. I also wanted a set that offered the replaceable cable and ear cups option as decent headphones can last a long time but these two parts always wear out before decent drivers do. Amazingly enough I discovered the Shure SRH 440's. I got everything I was looking for. These are really nice headphones for what they're designed for (e.g. home/studio listening). These might not appeal to people used to higher end equipment but as a start into the world of detail and sound resolution it's wonderful for the price. There are drawbacks that I feel some people miss about these. These don't have much bass impact (e.g. you don't really feel an explosion so much as hear it.) The sound signature is a rich neutral (e.g. it strives for balance and clarity, middle of the road). They are not really made to be run by Iphones and Ipods. These guys need a little more power to drive them to their full abilities with a headphone amplifier. They sound good unamped but sound their best amped. One other thing is these sound particularly tight and bright out of the box. There's nothing wrong with them because they need to be "broken-in." Some people like the sound from the get go, but for me it took a little getting used to. Over time the drivers have been slowly relaxing and loosening up making it sound even better with time. If your looking for nice pair of headphones that will last and deliver great sound, these are a nice choice at this price bracket. PROS + Marvelous sound that is balanced and clear. - Even at really low volumes (while amped) I can still hear amazing detail. + Great isolation. - I don't hear the traffic anymore with these on and I'm not cranking these. I listen at very moderate levels. + Removable cable for cable replacement. (Or to change to a higher grade audio cable) + Solid build. Can fold up for easy transport and storage. + Gold-plated Plugs (For signal efficiency.) 3.5MM with a screw on 1/4 plug. + Full-size over the ear cups. CONS - Shallow cushions - The rim of my ear rests against the drivers. Depending on position can become uncomfortable. - Shallow Headband cushion - There is some cushioning but mostly to cover up the inside parts. For me it gets a little uncomfortable in certain positions but once I find the spot I'm content. As these aren't powerhouse audiophile headphones, they don't require a serious amplifier to run them. If your a budding audiophile, spend a little more on your headphone amp and you'll be happier for it. My experience (if you wish to know) Putting these on and turning on the music is like being transported. I found myself relishing music even more through these as I began to hear it in a whole new way. I enjoy all kinds of music from Metal, Classical, Folk, World, Electronic and Alternative. When I put on Vivaldi: Four Seasons (FLAC format), I couldn't believe my ears. The clarity and beauty of this music resonated out of drivers with such detail. The descents and ascents of the lows to highs and back were a treat. String instruments sound incredible in these as well (Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Cello). One thing is you'll notice the quality of your music more. You'll hear the effects of the poor sound reproduction in the higher compression formats. However, you'll also notice other parts of the music that cheaper headphones can't reproduce when listening to CD's. Some music will be more appealing in these than others. Mostly music that relies more on its musical detail (Classical, New Age, Flamenco) than impact.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Awesome pair of headphones
*by D***K on December 31, 2010*

PRE ORDER Mission: I bought these looking for a replacement for another pair of headphones for monitoring purposes. Attractions: The first thing that attracted me to the Shures was the claim of flat response obviously intended for the professional studio (as labeled). The second thing that attracted me to these headphones was the low price. Another thing that REALLY attracted me to these was the REMOVABLE locking cable. I've had trouble with previous headphone jacks that ended up with me having to go buy a new jack and stripping the cable to solder it on, so it seemed like a pretty sweet feature to save future trouble. Picking the Right Set of Cans: I was doing some research on good studio oriented headphones below(or at) the $100 price point. I came up finding these(Shure SRH440), the Sennheiser HD280 Pros, and the Sony MDR-v6's and/or 7506's. And obviously I came to choosing these. POST ORDER First Impressions: I had watched a few unboxing and review videos of the Shures just to see what I'd be getting, so nothing out of the box VISUALLY surprised me as I had seen it all already, but when I took them out of the plastic bag and actually held them in my hand myself, I was lovestruck. They are nice and heavy(in a good way) and VERY solidly built. Build: Like I said before, these are quite hefty in weight, but also in size. (Which I like a lot, but for those looking for smaller, lighter cans, I don't think this is where you want to go) The plastics used on the headphones are very solid and of high quality. I guess I had taken the build of the previous set of headphones I was using as fair, so when I just grabbed the earcups and pulled them apart I was blown away with just how well these things were made. The headband is made of some flexible material covered in a synthetic leatherette, and feels sturdy yet moldable. It sits nicely atop the head. From what gathered from the few moments the stock earPADS were one the headphones before I took them off to replace them with some upgraded SRH840 pads I had bought at the same time as these, they were okay in quality. A tad stiff though. The cable is a nice, thick coiled one around 10 feet long that starts up on a SINGLE side of the headphones rather than a Y-cable, and terminates to a 3.5 mm/ 1/8 in gold plated jack. The jack itself has a threaded end to screw on the included 1/4 in (whatever the equivalent is in millimeters) adapter. The rubber/plastic on the end of it has a nice grippy part to it that makes it easy to hold and plug in to whatever you need to. A small detail, but I found it quite nice. Comfort: Like I said a short ways up in the previous paragraph, I bought a set of replacement earpads that normally go on the big brother of this product, the SRH840, on suggestions of other peoples experiences with these headphones. I tried them on with the stock pads before I swapped them and like people said, the pads were fairly stiff and shallow. Immediately thereafter I put on the other pads. They were thicker, softer, and more comfortable. The most noticeably difference I would have to say though is the padding on the INSIDE of the pads that cover the driver. It is much thicker and of better quality. So during long wearing sessions I can see these being much more bearable. I've also heard claims of the pads improving sound quality, but I didn't actually listen to them before I swapped the pads so I can't confirm them. ** I also have pretty prominent(sticky-outy) ears that usually become discomforted quite soon after putting on headphones, but these are (now anyways) deep enough with thick enough inner padding that it's not much of a problem. The headband is quite "cushy" and forms rather nicely to the head. But sometims, when wearing them for a long time, the top of my head begins to get sore where it rests upon my head. These headphones are actually pretty tight gripping on my (seemingly) normal sized head. I like that A LOT, but I'm sure it bothers the hell of some people. I've heard people calling them loose, but they aren't to me. Overall, they feel very nice to me sitting on my head. Now with what was my greatest fear about ordering headphones, Sound/Sound Quality: I have previously listened to studio oriented headphone and they seemed "canny" and fit the closed back headphone STEREOtype(pun), and I hate having to wait unnecessarily for things, so I was afraid of ordering these before actually listening to them under the cause that they would sound crappy. I'll tell you right now, my fears were misplaced. The SRH440's sounded pretty darn good on the first listen. I still haven't burnt them in the full 100 or so hours suggested by many, but they sound great already. The highs are nice and crisp, the mids are warm and smooth, and the bass is lush and extended. I am currently playing pink noise and assorted sounds through them, and after a few of days(with breaks, don't worry) hey, maybe they'll sound even better. As far as isolation of outside noise goes, the Shures do it quite well. I'll give you an example of how well they do it:I've had really loud music been playing through speakers in the other room, and I put these on as earmuffs to block out the sound. Obviously it didn't completely shut out the sound, but made it quiet enough that it wasn't unbearable to hear. The soundstage with these is actually pretty wide and spacey. Things panned hard left or right sound more spread apart than other closed back headphones. Now I haven't heard a lot to compare to them (especially not open backed/open-air headphones which are supposed to have the broadest soundstage), but these headphones give me such an awesome stereo image when listening to music. If I had to describe these headphones in two words, it would be these: SUPERIOR VALUE. Well there's my two cents. Haha, I hope I didn't miss anything. Awesome headphones.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Looking for closed, full-size cans? This Shure sounds most accurate and neutral under $100.
*by J***. on September 10, 2013*

I was recently in need of closed headphones with a $100 budget and curious about what the market offers. I thought I might share my findings with someone in a similar situation. The Shure SRH440 turns out to be the most accurate, neutral sounding closed cans among the eight headphone models that I have compared. Below is my review of these headphones. I am a speaker builder with measurement equipment, so I know what is neutral and undistorted sound. Unlike speaker systems, most headphones have no crossover or frequency response correction circuit. So, it is critical to be able to know how much such uneven responses affect perception of their sound with respect to accuracy and neutrality. I have good sense of it since I have been measuring sound. But I do not have proper equipment for headphone measurement, mostly importantly a dummy torso/head, nor am I willing to invest time in making a DIY setup. This is the reason why my search and audition have been limited to headphones for which measurement data exist, with some exceptions (see below). I made use of three different sources for the data: InnerFidelity.com, Headphone.com, and en.GoldenEars.net. While there is consistency within each site's measurements, there is also inconsistency between them, due to different measurement conditions and compensation methods. So, I researched and took those into account. One may say we can use EQ to remedy irregular frequency responses. But EQ has its own limitations. Some minor EQ'ing can help, but headphones that need too extensive correction should be avoided. The foremost reason is the loss of dynamic range. Theoretically, with EQ you can only limit, not increase, dynamic range in a certain frequency band. On the source side, you lose digital bit depth, and on the headphone side, you suppress the driver's efficient response range. Below is the list of headphones that I have auditioned (in the order of their street prices): - Tascam TH-02 ($30; no data available) - Panasonic RP-HTF600-S ($32; semi-open headphones) - Brainwavz HM3 / Incipio F38 ($35; no data available) - Tascam TH-2000 ($50; no data available) - AKG K518LE ($50) - Sennheiser HD 429 ($65) - Creative Aurvana Live! ($70) - KRK KNS 6400 ($85) - Shure SRH440 ($90) My DIY speaker system (it measures very flat) served as a reference with respect to tonal balance. I also own some open headphones like Sony MDR-MA900 and Sennheiser PX100, which also provided a baseline when I evaluated tonal balance of the headphones under comparison. I used a desktop headphone amp that has flat FR and reasonably low output impedance. I will give short, summarized impressions for each pair. Tascam TH-02 (no measurement data available) This is a really nice surprise. There is a little hump in the bass and midbass regions, and some wide, shallow dip in upper mids and lower treble (i.e., slightly polite presentation). Otherwise, these are relatively accurate headphones at a fraction ($30) of cost of headphones of comparable quality. Construction is good for the price. The pad size is between over-ear and on-ear, but comfortable enough. Panasonic RP-HTF600-S (semi-open headphones) Warm tone, deep bass. Treble is there, but upper mids and lower treble are lacking. Comfortable to wear. A good value, but not great for those looking for reasonably accurate sound. Brainwavz HM3 / Incipio F38 (no data available) Mid/upper bass ruins the sound which has otherwise good midrange-treble balance. Very uncomfortable to wear due to non-swivel cups. Tascam TH-2000 (no data available) Simply inferior to its younger brother TH02. Very dull and muddy presentation. The model uses the same ear cups as TH02 but contains different drive units. The driver may have better components but execution must be bad. Not worth the asking price. AKG K518LE You need to remove the thick foam pad at the driver's front (easily removable) to have better bass-to-mids balance. Even the pad removed, the phones still have bass-oriented sound, but not bad. Mids to treble balance is good. Somewhat similar sound signature to Tascam TH-02's. But the TH-02 sounds a little more natural. The headband can be too small for some people. The clamping force is a bit above a comfortable level. Sennheiser HD 429 Anothter pair of headphones with bass emphasis. Not overly bassy, though. But a bigger problem is treble, which is a little too polite to be neutral. I would not consider these headphones a good value. Creative Aurvana Live! Smooth and warm tone. Bass is somewhat loose at times. Treble has sparkles and at the same time sounds smooth. But relative to bass and treble, upper mids and lower treble are somewhat recessed, making the headphones' sound colored. Some people may feel them musical and full, but I prefer the Tascam TH02 at a lower price. The appearance is very good, though, with some feel of high quality. Very comfortable to wear with memory foam pads. KRK KNS 6400 It has much more neutral sound than the headphones described above. Mid- and upper bass is somewhat lacking, and treble is a little overly presented. Good monitor-type sound. But there is one problem with these headphones. They are not very efficient, which means their usability is limited---you need a desktop headphone amp or a high-current capable portable amp to make them sound good. A little too bright treble is a weakness, too. Shure SRH440 Without doubt, these are the best of the bunch. Perceived dynamic range is unbelievably wide. These are in a different league in terms of clarity as well---perhaps, the KNS 6400 is close but also with weaknesses (see above). Treble is sometimes a little on the bright side, but not as bright as the KNS6400's. Some people may find them bright with bright recordings, but the headphones should not be blamed for that. These produce very neutral and accurate sound. Bass is sufficient and often pleasantly strong in the mid- and upper bass regions, but deeper bass is not covered by these cans. Most music recordings do not contain this deep bass, anyway. I summarize my findings with the following top two picks: 1. Shure SRH440: These are the headphones you can safely choose under $100 if what you are looking for is accurate, neutral sound. 2. Tascam TH-02: This is a secret gem. At $30, you get really good closed cans. Its overall presentation is not as clear as the SRH440's, but with their price factored in, you cannot complain. They are definitely in the same league as the AKG K518LE (foam pads removed) and the Creative Aurvana Live. It may depend on personal preference, but among the three, my pick is the Tascam. The Creative has a better look and feel, but I'd choose the Tascam for its sound. Another headphone model I wanted to include in my search was the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro ($90-$100), but after I listened to the Shure SRH440, I decided not to. According to HeadRoom's measurements and many people's common impressions, the HD 280 Pro has a little subdued treble compared to the SRH440 which has great mids to treble balance when compared to my reference speakers. The Sennheiser covers the lowest octave much better than the Shure, but that is not my priority. I also considered the Koss ProDJ100 because of good reviews, but ruled them out because of their measurements. Their response might be flat in fundamental tones from most instruments but not with harmonics due to a large dip around 5-6kHz. Some people may think they sound good, but there is no way for them to sound accurate and natural by my standard.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones, Enhanced Frequency Response and Extended Range for Home and Studio Recording, with Detachable Coiled Cable, Carrying Bag and 1/4" Adapter (SRH440)
- Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium Short XLR to XLR Cables - 3ft, Male to Female Microphone Cable, Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) Mic Cord, Black
- Shure SM7B Microphone - Vocal Dynamic Studio Mic for Broadcast, Podcast, Recording, Gaming & Streaming, XLR, Rugged Construction, Detachable Windscreen, Smooth Sound, Warm Vocals, Wide-Range Frequency

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*Last updated: 2026-03-04*