The 1540 and DT 1770 are really two very different headphones. I have the DT880s and had the T70s. I find the Beyerdynamic headphones too bright in the treble for relaxed listening. I sold the T70s which were really bright for me. I found the 880s smoother and use them for monitoring when I record. For Classical music both Beyerdynamics are too bright. Also had AKGs and they were very open but light in the bass and also a little too bright as well The Shure 1540 is just perfect with a neutral midrange and a natural string tone. But it also has a solid natural deep low end. Best headphone I’ve ever had.
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I’m probably 2 years late to the party but this specific thread drove me in creating an account and joining this conversation.
That was a very accurate description of this can. Thanks. I’m currently in this crusade of hearing something with a wider soundstage (mostly because I’m still not trained – started very recently in this hobby) and I had it right here all the time. I’m sure many will say it has a narrow presentation, but anyway. It surely differs from my HD6XX (HD650 to the masses) w.r.t that.
We’re probably wearing the same shoes here. But it also happens with my 6XX and Beyers DT 770 PRO, with the latter beginning to annoy in the first hour. I’m still hoping the pain will go away after a while – with all cans after repeated use. Note, all of them are comfortable to me. It’s just that I haven’t reached the “wear for hours” level as I’m used to with IEMs.
When Tyll from Inner Fidelity reviewed this can he actually showed a trick for the headband. Initially I was reluctant in bending it myself but I just did it this week to adjust it to my head. That metal is pretty sturdy and this thing is designed to last. The comfort did improve. My only discomfort is on the right ear. This is to confirm I’m not symmetric. 
My SRH1540 is on my desk being powered by a Magni 3+ (with Modi 3 as DAC). Office is really quiet (like software development quiet) and it is actually good that I can still hear some of the surroundings (e.g.: someone walking into my cubicle). That’s a plus in such scenario.
However, the absolutely best feature for me, besides its comfort due being very light, is that I can decrease volume over time without losing the quality 
. What typically happens is that when I start hearing, music is louder and I gradually decrease volume. Somehow the brain adjusts itself and you don’t need that much volume anymore. I’d guess it is due the attenuation effect of the cups, even though it’s known they’re not isolate too much.
As far as for a con goes, I’d rant over the cable. I find it a little too bulky. You can hear it on the earcups (like a microphonic effect) when you move your head around. Nothing that triggers my OCD though. At least today. 
I’d definitely buy it again. Specially on Black Fridays. Shure had $100 off in most of their stuff in 2019 and I’m already having an eye for their open version, i.e., 1840.
Cheers.
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Good point about 1540. You can definitely listen at lower volume without any decrease in the sound quality. It’s another feature I love about this headphone. Same is true for the 1840 I which purchased recently for monitoring.
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And another point I forgot to mention. This phone is not forgiving on poorly recorded/mixed/mastered tracks. At all. You probably noticed that already. 
Another small con. Installing new pads can be tricky.
Mine are still new but I wanted to take a look inside. It took me nearly 10 minutes (and a reasonable portion of my patience) to put it back in. 
This is something I’ll not be touching for a while.
Personally I like the SRH1540 stock tuning but some people say it can be boring sometimes.
I was playing with Equalizer APO today with Peace interface. I’m sharing two peace files which may suite specific applications:
Bass heads:
This just turns SRH1540 brighter. Here’s the EQ profile:
Peace file contents:
[General]
Description=A little brighter with a slight boost in lower bass.Calibrated based on inner fidelity requency response
Web Page=https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/ShureSRH1540.pdf
Configuration Icon=3
PreAmp=-0.5
[Speakers]
SpeakerId0=0
SpeakerTargets0=all
SpeakerName0=All
SpeakerId1=1
SpeakerTargets1=L
SpeakerName1=Left
SpeakerId2=2
SpeakerTargets2=R
SpeakerName2=Right
SpeakerId3=3
SpeakerTargets3=C
SpeakerName3=Center
SpeakerId4=4
SpeakerTargets4=SUB
SpeakerName4=Subwoofer
SpeakerId5=5
SpeakerTargets5=RL
SpeakerName5=Left rear
SpeakerId6=6
SpeakerTargets6=RR
SpeakerName6=Right rear
SpeakerId7=7
SpeakerTargets7=SL
SpeakerName7=Left side
SpeakerId8=8
SpeakerTargets8=SR
SpeakerName8=Right side
[Frequencies]
Frequency1=10
Frequency2=10
Frequency3=10
Frequency4=10
Frequency5=500
Frequency6=5000
Frequency7=20000
[Qualities]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=2
Quality3=1.41
Quality4=6
Quality5=4
Quality6=6
Quality7=12
[Disabled]
Disabled1=1
Disabled2=1
Disabled3=1
[Gains]
Gain4=3
Gain5=1
Gain6=1
Gain7=6
[Filters]
Filter4=8
Filter5=9
Filter6=9
Filter7=9
[Frequencies1]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities1]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies2]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities2]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies3]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities3]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies4]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities4]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies5]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities5]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies6]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities6]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies7]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities7]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies8]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities8]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Configuration]
HotKey=
Less Boomy:
This will remove excess of bass while making the cans brighter. Here’s the EQ profile:
Peace file contents:
[General]
Description=Rolled off bass while slight boosting highs.Calibrated based on inner fidelity requency response
Web Page=https://www.innerfidelity.com/images/ShureSRH1540.pdf
Configuration Icon=6
[Speakers]
SpeakerId0=0
SpeakerTargets0=all
SpeakerName0=All
SpeakerId1=1
SpeakerTargets1=L
SpeakerName1=Left
SpeakerId2=2
SpeakerTargets2=R
SpeakerName2=Right
SpeakerId3=3
SpeakerTargets3=C
SpeakerName3=Center
SpeakerId4=4
SpeakerTargets4=SUB
SpeakerName4=Subwoofer
SpeakerId5=5
SpeakerTargets5=RL
SpeakerName5=Left rear
SpeakerId6=6
SpeakerTargets6=RR
SpeakerName6=Right rear
SpeakerId7=7
SpeakerTargets7=SL
SpeakerName7=Left side
SpeakerId8=8
SpeakerTargets8=SR
SpeakerName8=Right side
[Frequencies]
Frequency1=10
Frequency2=10
Frequency3=10
Frequency4=300
Frequency5=8000
Frequency6=10000
Frequency7=20000
[Qualities]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=2
Quality3=12
Quality4=6
Quality5=4
Quality6=6
Quality7=12
[Disabled]
Disabled1=1
Disabled2=1
Disabled3=1
[Gains]
Gain3=4
Gain4=-3
Gain6=1
Gain7=4
[Filters]
Filter3=8
Filter4=8
Filter5=9
Filter6=9
Filter7=9
[Frequencies1]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities1]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies2]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities2]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies3]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities3]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies4]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities4]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies5]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities5]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies6]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities6]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies7]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities7]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Frequencies8]
Frequency1=20
Frequency2=156
Frequency3=78
Frequency5=39
Frequency6=313
Frequency7=625
[Qualities8]
Quality1=1.41
Quality2=1.41
Quality3=1.41
Quality5=1.41
Quality6=1.41
Quality7=1.41
[Configuration]
HotKey=
I don’t have a Schiit Loki but the above should be achievable quite easily with it.
Cheers.
1 Like
Just received the Grace M900. Only listened for a short time but it is an upgrade to the Dragonfly Cobalt. With the Shure 1540 I do not need to use the high power mode. No difference to me in sound via High Power (AC powered) vs USB powered. I don’t need to exceed 60 on the volume setting. 56 sounds right. A nice match for the 1540 with plenty of reserve power. M900 has a nice warm musical presentation with a wide soundstage, powerful low end and clear clean treble. Really does well with complicated musical passages so really nice for large orchestral classical.
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Sorry for asking non 1540 related question but I have 1840 but the headband pads are really worn of, is this the stock headband since you bought? did you have any experience in having it serviced for wear and tear?
Thank you so much
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By no means. Very good question actually. And quite intriguing as I couldn’t find this particular part from them. Except ebay stuff.
I shot an e-mail to support. I’ll report back here when I have something.
Finally got your answer:
Let us know if you end up ordering one headband. Mine is still in a very good shape.
Cheers.
thank you on this frkasper.
This will be very assuring to know that they have replacement. if you don’t mind can you kindly share with me the email of your contact so that I can communicate with him directly?
Usually there’s no direct contact in big companies. They’ve told me this:
Good luck.
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I was reading some of Crinacle’s measurements and found this can in his database.
Pretty much the Harman target with added bass. This is probably why it is my go-to phone for low volume listening. If one cranks the volume up, it will distort.
Cheers.
2 Likes
Folks, just posted a pad rolling exercise in the HD 650 thread using the spare pads set that came with my SRH1540:
Glossary
| Short name | Description |
|---|---|
| Senn | HD 650 with stock pads |
| SennMod | HD 6XX with SRH1540 pads |
| Shure | SRH1540 stock |
Fun facts. When direct A/B’ing those cans:
- Senn vs SennMod: Senn was generally better, except for EDM tracks;
-
SennMod vs Shure:
- overall tonal balance of the Shure is hugely influenced by its pads. It is like the Shure and the SennMod sounded (almost) the same. Crazy, right?
- Shure was a better listen in a direct A/B comparison. SennMod was not tuned for these alcantara pads.
- After the above, I became a believer of pad rolling.
Nonetheless, it was a fun exercise.
Anyone else tried pad rolling with the SRH1540? I may try the Dekoni offering sometime later this year.
EDIT: just posted a tear down and port mod for these cans here:
Cheers. 
1 Like
3 Likes
I bought a Shure 1540 many many years ago and was my favorite until I opted into my first Focal. I used it most in an office environment. As others have noted, it is not as isolating as one would expect from a closed back headphone but that worked to my advantage. I startle easily and with a strong physical reaction (I once literally jumped and fell to the ground), so the less isolating nature of the 1540 helped with that.
The sound quality is very pleasant, good separation although the soundstage is a bit tight (but within expectations for a closed back). I was quite happy with it until I got a Focal Elex from Drop; I just found the characteristics of the Focal signature much more exciting and suited to my taste.
That said, I have never found a headphone as comfortable (for me at least) as the Shure. They are incredibly lightweight and, once you get the head band bent to conform to your particular noggin, just disappears on your head. The microfiber ear pads are particularly good to my taste and I can literally wear these the entire day without my ears becoming too warm. Although I have to admit that perhaps the fabric pads are one of the reasons the isolation is not as good as others.
So while I’m a huge fan of Focal’s headphones (the Stellia is my absolute favorite), the Shure 1540 still gets regular use.
P.S. I recently got some balanced XLR cables for the 1540’s (when I finally added a balanced amp to my desktop) and the lowered noise floor really helped improve the sound signature to my ear. It’s been awhile since I gave it a really critical listen, but it seemed to improve the clarity in the mid-range.
3 Likes
I’m far from being a metal head but found these “Vikings” to be pretty good.
Too bad I can’t use the SRH1540 with metal. Too much energy in the presence region (pinna gain) and I don’t like the idea of turning the volume down. 
On a separate note, adapting an IEM cable to this can had an undesired but predictable effect. Hope the image below is self explanatory:
Yes, my OCD-meter was skyrocketing every time I saw that. Luckily, I watched one of Super Review’s lives in the other day and he mentioned about the local warm-up trick. Picked my wife’s hair drier up, applied some heat to the the curvey area and let the gravity do the rest.
Now we’re talking. 
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