Although inexpensive wired in-ear headphones are becoming increasingly rare, established brands who have made a name for themselves in this space aren’t ready to let go of their premium offerings just yet.

As an example, consider Shure. It has been around for a while, so it must know what it’s doing when it comes to in-ear monitors. Plus, its audiophile headphones have had a lot of five-star reviews, so you know they know what they’re doing. Take, for example, Shure SRH-440. But what do we know about SRH-440?

Well then, let’s take a look at its qualities. 

Sound Quality

Even though it doesn’t have any elation, the SRH-440 makes a sound that is calm and well-balanced. Keep in mind that the SRH-440’s main purpose is as a monitor headphone. These features are highly valued in the music production world because they keep one sound range from dominating the others.

The bass is good and doesn’t slow down like many of its competitors, but it might not hit as hard as on more fashion-focused phones. Fans of pure sound will still be happy with its levels.

The SRH-440 also separates very well, and because the tips are so good, you almost always get a good seal. They’re not as good as most headphones, but they can still work. While a deep insertion would make it stronger, a short insertion is better for getting the most out of them.

Mids, Lows, and Highs

The bass isn’t as big as the Big Brothers with the balanced armature, but we were hoping for a lot more bass from the reviews we’ve read. While commanding attention, it never drags its feet or gets confusing. The response is flat, with a few decibel jumps, but we think that’s how it should be.

You’d expect something great from Shure’s mids – and you wouldn’t be disappointed. Beautifully warm and realistic, particularly on piano and guitar, the mids are spot on. They never fail to impress in this area. The vocals are riveting and incredibly distinct.

Furthermore, the treble isn’t front and center, but it’s executed beautifully. You won’t hear any noise in this.

Build Quality

For its looks, the Shure SRH 440 and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x share several similarities in appearance. They also have a somewhat boring studio design, although some people will like the practical style. They have broad, well-padded headbands and thick, oval ear cups that give the headphones a sturdy appearance. They are available in a single color scheme only—a matte black finish that is subtle, won’t draw attention and feels polished.

The material has a lot of give, and although the overall design is fine for most things, these headphones are very bulky. But then again, for $100, what else would you expect? The question of longevity may arise. Durability wasn’t Shure’s first concern when designing these inexpensive headphones.

In terms of fit, they fit snugly in the ears thanks to an over-ear design and ear guidance technology. Gym rats and musicians on a tighter budget who aren’t ready to commit to full custom yet would love these.

Accessories

Nothing out of the ordinary here, but it comes with all the essentials—a sturdy casing, instructions for making a tight seal, and all the tools you could possibly need. No major deal; this one comes with an additional compartment that can accommodate a tiny MP3 player like a Clip or Fuze, but we would have loved it if Shure still included the old hard shell for a bit more protection like they used to with the e2c.

Portability

When it comes to headphones, the SRH 440 isn’t exactly lightweight. They collapse into a smaller form that is more manageable for storage in a bag or backpack, but they are still too heavy to carry around as it is. 

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Frequency and Power

Shure SRH440 specifications list a frequency response of 10 Hz to 22 kHz. Its actual performance, nevertheless, calls for a more nuanced evaluation.

To begin with, at about 60 Hz, there is a sharp decline. Going forward, the response is somewhat neutral until it abruptly drops off again at 15 kHz.

You can claim that these headphones aren’t made for everyday use after reading this. They aren’t going to provide you with any dazzling high-end information or deep sub-bass.

Having said that, the middle is just as neutral and precise. The attention to detail is superb, almost to an unhealthy degree. Testing revealed that even music that had been expertly mixed and mastered could have minor flaws.

When it comes to professional monitoring, these are your best bets.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Shure SRH 440 are long-lasting headphones that produce decent sound, despite their plasticky appearance. These headphones are not the most multipurpose, but they are cozy and provide a balanced sound for serious listening. Not only are they too big and unsteady for the gym, but they are also a pain to wear and do not filter out much noise. But when contrasted with the SRH 240, they constitute a huge improvement.

Shure SRH-440 is a tool that is mostly used for making music, not for listening to music. We believe that these phones would make anyone very happy if they bought them for the right reasons. Indeed, there are certainly better headphones on the market, but the SRH440 wins for their somewhat accurate sound at the surprisingly low price of $100.

Why You Should Read Reviews Before Buying

While finding a perfect set of studio monitors (or any other devices for that matter) can be a bit of a headache, you need to explore more on your options rather than settling down on the first thing that you see. As smart buyers, we know how important it is to do research on a product and think about its pros and cons before we buy it. With that, it’s great that the internet gives us access to so much information that we can learn everything we need to know about a piece of equipment before we decide to buy it. So, there should be no excuses on your part as a smart buyer.