Which Shure SRH Headphones Do I Need?

Whether you’re a DJ, home studio producer or you simply need a new set of headphones that sound good, choosing a set of headphones can be a little daunting – this is why we love the Shure SRH headphones as they make all the hard decisions for you and make it easy to choose the right pair for your needs.

When choosing a set of Shure SRH headphones you need to consider what you’ll want to use them for – are you going to want to use them for recording guitars AND DJing? Do you want a set of headphones that you can mix with AND use on the train commute home? These are all things you want to consider so we’ve put these headphones into three main categories; DJ, Mixing and finally, Monitoring/Everyday use. Bear in mind that some of these will overlap too, which is extremely handy!

There are a lot of DJ headphones out there, but the Shure SRH550DJ Professional DJ Headphones as well as their bigger brothers the SRH750DJ headphones make it time and time again into the best DJ headphones lists thanks to the fact they deliver a full range audio performance and are extremely hard wearing. The Shure SRH550DJ headphones are powered by 50mm neodymium drivers and have been optimised specifically for DJ applications – oh and they’re under £60 too. So they're perfect whether you're just starting out in the world of DJ or you need a pair of high quality headphones that won't break the bank. The collapsible design and swivel cups make them great travel companions and perfect options for single ear monitoring whilst the Frequency Range of 5 Hz – 22 kHz makes them ideal when you need to hear everything in the mix accurately. 

Best For:

• DJ
• Everyday use

If you’re on a budget, but you don’t want a budget sound, the Shure SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones are an ideal option that won’t break the bank and won’t send you the wrong direction when mixing thanks to the highly accurate sound and extended range. These have been designed with optimised impedance and power handling for seamless performance with professional audio devices – basically they’re designed to work with hi-fi and home audio as well as your audio interfaces perfectly. We think they're some of the best headphones for monitoring thanks to the closed back design and comfortable ear pads which ensure both superb audio isolation and a comfortable listening experience whether you’re monitoring at home or listening to your mixes on your 5 hour journey across the country. 

Best for:

• Recording at home
• Broadcast
• Everyday use

The clue's in the name with these... When you’re recording a musical instrument, you need your headphones to provide an accurate representation of what you’re putting down on a track. You need them to provide great isolation and they need to be comfortable as you’re likely going to be wearing them for hours on end. Fortunately, the Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones tick all those boxes and more. We love the Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Headphones as they have been designed to provide a precisely tailored frequency response of 5 Hz to 25 kHz bringing you rich bass tones, clear mid-range and extended highs so you can hear everything you need when you’re laying down a track. A closed back design with comfortable over ear pads ensure you’re not disturbed by outside noise and any outside interference is heavily reduced. This is also really useful when you’re on your commute home or just chilling out with your favourite tracks at home as it really provides an immersive experience.

Best for:

• Recording at home
• Recording in the studio
• Everyday use

We’re going in price ascending order with the next batch, but don’t let the price tag scare you, there’s a reason why these headphones are a little pricier – they’re totally worth the extra investment. The Shure SRH940 Studio Reference Headphones have been crafted specifically for studio environments and are easily contenders for the crown of best studio monitoring headphones on the market. You have a 40mm driver which provides you with an accurate frequency response and a tighter bass overall. Essentially, you get a superior transient response for minimal distortion at higher volumes which is ideal when you’re mixing heavy metal music, dance and anything that needs to listened to loud! You have detachable coiled and straight cables included so you can use them in a variety of situations, a closed back, collapsible design and super comfortable velour ear pads that keep it comfy and snug whilst you’re working away on your next number 1 track or your award winning podcast.

Best for:

• Mixing
• Monitoring
• Mastering
• Studio monitoring

The Shure SRH1440 Professional Open Back Headphones are easily some of the best headphones for mixing and critical listening, making them a perfect option for sound engineers, home studio enthusiasts and even serious audiophiles who want to get the best listening experience possible at home. The key benefit that makes these some of the best headphones for mixing is the open back design. This design feature allows the air and soundwaves to pass through the outer shell uninterrupted so you can enjoy a stereo soundscape with an increased breadth. This, combined with the 40mm neodymium drivers and wide frequency range of 15 Hz – 27 kHz makes for an impressive listening experience that allows you to make the big decisions when a set of studio monitors isn’t an option. The fact that Shure have also included a set of replacement velour earpads, premium zippered hardcase and Kevlar reinforced cable makes it an enticing option for those who don’t want to have to worry about replacing their headphones for many, many years. If you’re after a set of mixing headphones that’ll provide studio quality audio, the Shure SRH 1440 are your best option. However, the open back design means they’re better suited for applications in a studio setting rather than in public as everyone will be able to hear what you’re hearing – which may or may not be something you want!

Best for:

• Mixing
• Mastering
• Studio use

If you still want a studio quality audio experience through your headphones and the ability to mix your tracks wherever you like, then the Shure SRH1540 Premium Closed-Back Headphones are ideal. We love these Shure SRH headphones as they are a closed back option allowing you to mix in a portable studio environment, on a plane, in the tour bus or on a plane without anyone hearing what you’re doing. These headphones are so good, they actually won the What Hi-Fi awards 2015 for best On-Ear Headphones in the £300+ range – which says a lot about the superb quality. Under the hood you get 40 mm neodymium drivers which deliver superior acoustic performance so you can enjoy clear, extend highs and warm, accurate bass – you’ll hear everything you need to. You have superb isolation thanks to the Alacantara (a suede like material) ear cups filled with viscoelastic foam. These not only act as comfortable buffer but really help with reducing outside noise. Finally, the driver frame has been constructed with a vented centre pole piece to improve linearity and eliminate internal resonance which means you can crank the headphones without worrying about distortion creeping in. You also get replacement cables, earpads and a zippered travel case to keep you listening for years on end.

Best for:

• Mixing
• Studio Use
• Critical Listening

  Shop a full range of Shure Headphones & Shure Earphones over at PMT Online today or call in to your local PMT store to speak to our experts about your bespoke needs. We'll help you get the best headphones for your studio, DJ setup or just something that'll help you enjoy your music so much more!