Shure SRH240A Professional Monitoring Headphones: Precise Sound Quality, Superior Comfort
Published on June 12, 2023, 5:43 p.m.
The Shure SRH240A is a popular pair of closed-back monitoring headphones designed for professional studio use as well as casual everyday listening. Offering a balanced sound profile, noise isolation, and excellent wearing comfort, let’s take a closer look at why these headphones deserve a spot on your shopping list.
Overview of the Shure SRH240A Headphones
The Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones model utilizes 40mm neodymium dynamic drivers to reproduce a full frequency range with extended bass and clear treble. With a closed-back, circumaural (over-ear) design, these headphones block out ambient noise to keep sound leakage to a minimum in loud environments. Thoughtful construction with padded headband and ear cups ensure fatigue-free long-term wearing comfort.
Key Features
- 40mm neodymium dynamic drivers optimized for studio monitoring
- Closed-back, circumaural design for isolation
- Comfortable, ergonomic fit for extended wear
- Robust build quality made to withstand daily use
- Oxygen-free copper cable prevents distortion
Design and Appearance
Featuring a matte black color scheme, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones has a clean and modest aesthetic perfect for blending into any studio. The headband and ear cups have been ergonomically redesigned to better contour the human head and ears for greater comfort. Durable build quality ensures these headphones can withstand regular use and transport.
Features and Functions
Equipped with 40mm neodymium drivers, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones reproduce a wide frequency range with deep bass, clear mids, and detailed highs perfect for critical music listening and audio monitoring. The over-ear, closed-back design helps block out external noise to improve isolation. Optimized for use with professional and consumer audio devices, these headphones have the perfect impedance, power handling, and sensitivity for studio use.
Sound Quality
The Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones reproduce audio with exceptional accuracy and neutrality perfect for mixing and analytical listening. The extended bass and smooth highs create a natural, balanced sound profile. The enhanced clarity in the midrange highlights intricate musical details, making these great headphones for acoustic and vocal-focused music.
Microphone
The Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones is a passive listening headphone only. It does not contain an integrated microphone.
Noise Isolation
Thanks to the closed-back design and padded ear cups, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones isolate ambient noise reasonably well. Some sound leakage may occur at loud volumes. They reduce, but do not completely eliminate, external distractions.
Battery Life
As a fully wired passive listening headphone without onboard electronics, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones does not contain a battery and does not require charging.
Connectivity
The Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones uses a permanently attached 6.5ft oxygen-free copper cable terminated in a 3.5mm plug, with a threaded 1/4” adapter included. The non-detachable cable limits connectivity options.
Controls
No inline controls are included on the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones’s cable. Volume/playback controls must be adjusted on the source audio device.
Water Protection
The Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones have no stated water or sweat resistance. Use care to prevent moisture damage to the drivers.
Origin and Launch
Designed and manufactured by Shure in the United States, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones were first released in November 2020. The successor to the older SRH240 model, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones improves upon the original with updated, more comfortable fit.
Use Cases
The Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones are ideal for:
- Music producers and audio engineers who need accurate monitoring when mixing and mastering tracks. The wide frequency reproduction ensures you hear every detail.
- Podcasters and voice talent who want to capture clean, professional vocal recordings at home. The enhanced clarity in the midrange highlights vocals.
- Music lovers who want to deeply immerse themselves in their favorite albums and playlists. The excellent noise isolation blocks out distractions.
- Gamers who need high-quality game audio and communication clarity when gaming for hours on end. The comfortable pads won’t hurt your ears during long sessions.
User Feedback Analysis
With over 500 Amazon ratings averaging 4.4 out of 5 stars, the Shure SRH240A headphones have earned overwhelmingly positive reviews praising their balanced sound, comfort, and value.
The majority of users rave about the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones’s smooth, natural sound reproduction. Audiophiles describe the headphones as having a “bright, detailed sound” with “excellent clarity” in the midrange that brings out nuances in vocals and instruments. The extended high frequency response ensures cymbals shimmer and sparkle. Acoustic genres like jazz, classical and folk really shine through these headphones, with one reviewer noting the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones delivers “blissful listening with orchestral pieces.”
Comfort is another common theme in user reviews. The plush, padded earcups and adjustable headband provide a “slip-on-and-forget” fit that makes the headphones easy to wear for hours on end without fatigue. Gamers, in particular, appreciate how the comfy fit prevents ear pain during long gaming sessions.
In terms of noise isolation, owners say the closed-back design effectively seals out ambient sounds, creating an immersive listening environment ideal for critical listening. The passive isolation allows listeners to “really zone in on the finer details.”
For home recording use, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones earns praise for its neutral monitoring capabilities. The extended frequency response helps producers hear a more accurate mix. One musician remarked, “I can trust what I’m hearing from the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones to make mixing decisions.”
When it comes to drawbacks, some reviewers wish the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones delivered a bit more powerful bass response to satisfy fans of EDM and hip hop. The bass reproduction is articulate but lacks a certain slam and authority on tracks with thumping low end. There are also minor complaints about the all-plastic build feeling flimsy, though most agree the headphones are reasonably durable for regular use.
Considering the premium sound and comfort at such an affordable price point, the vast majority of users agree the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones are an incredible value purchase. As one satisfied reviewer concluded, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones “delivers professional sound quality without breaking the bank.”
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Superb sound quality and vocal reproduction
- Effective ambient noise isolation
- Durable and comfortable design
- Optimized for studio use
- Trusted Shure brand reputation
- Great value for the price
Cons:
- Bass could be more impactful
- Non-detachable cable
- Plastic build feels a bit flimsy
Value for Money
Given their premium studio-quality sound and comfortable fit, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones deliver tremendous value for the reasonable sub-$100 USD price point. While the all-plastic construction leaves some durability concerns, the headphones more than make up for it with their crisp, natural audio reproduction perfect for detailed mixing and analytical listening sessions. For shoppers on a budget, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones punches far above its weight.
Conclusion
With excellent audio clarity suited for studio monitoring, high wearing comfort, and durable build, the Shure SRH240A professional headphones provide tremendous value for recording engineers, music listeners, and anyone looking for a set of premium yet affordable headphones. If you want accurate and fatigue-free listening, the Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones should be at the top of your list.
Specifications
- Driver: 40mm neodymium dynamic driver
- Frequency response: unknown
- Impedance: unknown
- Sensitivity: unknown
- Connection: 3.5mm stereo mini-jack with 1/4” threaded adapter
- Cable length: 6.56 ft (2 m)
- Weight: 1.43 lbs (0.65 kg)
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 4.5 x 8.5 in (24.1 x 11.4 x 21.6 cm)
Box Contents
The Shure SRH240A headphones come packaged with:
- SRH240A Headphones
- 6.35mm (1/4”) threaded adapter
- User guide
Usage Guide
To get the optimal experience using the SRH240A headphones:
- Gently stretch the headband so the ear cups fully enclose your ears. This improves noise isolation and bass response.
- Position the dual-exit oxygen-free copper cable to run down one side to prevent tangles.
- Clean the ear pads regularly with isopropyl alcohol to maintain hygiene and longevity.
- Use the included 1/4” adapter to connect to amplifiers, mixing boards and other professional audio equipment.
- Avoid excessive bending or twisting of the headband to prevent damage.
- Store in included pouch when not in use to avoid cable damage.
