Our Verdict
Mediocre-at-best for mixed usage. They have a good enough sound for critical listening but they're not very versatile headphones. They leak at high volumes, they don't block much noise and have a cheap and creaky build quality. They won't be ideal for commuting and they're too bulky and unstable for sports.
- Lightweight and decently comfortable.
- Above-average sound quality.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Cheap and plasticky build quality.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
Above-average for neutral listening. These headphones have a decent Bass and Treble but an overly emphasized mid-range. This makes instruments and vocals sound too forward and bit harsh on some tracks. That and the slight spikes in the treble range makes their sound slightly sharp overall. They also have a limited Soundstage due to their closed design but should sound good enough for most listeners.
Subpar for commuting. They don't block a lot of noise, they have no control scheme and they're kind of bulky and cumbersome to carry around on your person.
Poor for sports. They're a bit too bulky and unstable to use while running. They're also not particularly breathable headphones, so your ears will get quite hot when exercising with these headphones on.
Average for office use. They won't block the chatter of a busy office and leak a bit at higher volumes but shouldn't be too distracting to your colleagues at average volume levels.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Sep 05, 2017: Review published.
Check Price
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
The SHR 240 look considerably cheaper than the SRH 440. They have the same headband and studio form factor that works for some but might be a bit too bland for others. However, the ear cups are made of a low-grade plastic that looks cheaper and creaks a lot more under stress than the higher priced model. The ear cups also have a glossy coating as opposed to the matte finish of the SRH 440, so they stand out a bit more but also lose some of the professional studio appeal, which some may prefer.
The SHR 240 are decently comfortable but a bit squeaky. They have relatively large yet lightweight ear cups that should fit most users and they're about as well padded as the SRH 440. Unfortunately, the ear cups do not swivel like in the superior model which poorly distributes the pressure of the fit. It also makes the plastic of the headband and ear cup creak a lot as you move.
These headphones, unlike the higher-end SHR 440 do not fold. This makes them even less portable and a hassle to carry on your person if you don't have a bag. They also do not come with a case or pouch which is slightly disappointing.
The Build quality for the SRH 240 is mediocre-at-best and not as durable as the SRH 440. The materials used in this build feel a lot cheaper than that of the superior model. The headband is still pretty flexible and should be able to handle a good amount of stress but the ear cups are not as dense. They feel more likely to break than the SRH 440 and do not have a detachable cable so they're more likely to succumb to regular wear and tear.
The SHR 240A are about as stable as most over-ear headphones not meant for sports. They're a bit tight which means they won't easily fall off your ears during casual listening sessions. However, they do not have a detachable cable, so they will get yanked off your head if the cable gets hooked by something. They're also not stable enough to maintain a comfortable fit during physical activities. These headphones won't be ideal for running or working out.
Mediocre consistency performance. In the Bass Range, there is a considerable amount of variation across our human subjects. This is most likely do due to sub-par ergonomics of these headphones that won't allow any swivel for different head shapes. This results in a poor seal on most people. The maximum amount of deviation we measured in the Bass Range is +/-6dB. In the Treble Range, these headphones perform noticeably more consistently.
Good Bass Range performance. Low-frequency extension is at 51Hz, which is decent. Low-bass, which is responsible for low-end rumble and thump is lacking by 6dB. Bass and high-bass are within 0.7dB of our target and virtually flat. Also, their bass delivery varies noticeably across users, and is sensitive to the quality of fit, seal, and whether you wear glasses. The response here represents the average bass response and your experience may vary.
Average Mid Range performance. The constant overemphasis from 500Hz to 2KHz, brings the Mid Range to the front and gives the sound a bit of a boxy and honky quality.
Very good Treble Range performance. Low-treble is within 1dB of our target, but carries a bit of the overemphasis from high-mid. Treble is slightly recessed, negatively affecting the presence and brightness of the sound. However, the peak at 10KHz makes the S and T sounds on these headphones slightly piercing and sibilant.
These headphones isolate passively using their ear cups. They don't achieve any isolation in the Bass Range, and only 4dB in the Mid Range. In the Treble Range, they isolate the outside noise by about 23dB which is decent, but below average compared to most other closed-back over-ear headphones. The decrease in isolation above 5KHz is due to the poor seal caused by the poor ergonomics of the SRH 240.
Average Leakage performance. The significant portion of the leakage is spread between 500Hz and 3KHz, which is a relatively broad range. However, the overall level of the leakage is low.
No compatible app.
Wired headphones, negligible latency.
