Shure SRH1440 Professional Open Back Headphones hands-on

Hey guys I'm Justin -- from CNET and this is your first look at he sure SRH 1440s. The first thing you're gonna notice about these headphones is their giant. Price tag. I had 400 bucks there's really no doubt that this is a pricey accessory but is it worth it will be answer isn't really as simple as you think. There open back design and high sensitivity rating means that they're really meant for listening to music at home through a procedure or a headphone amplifier. Nothing's really stopping you from using them with a portable music player however. But the lack of remote control on the headphone cable here and their bulky frame probably limits their appeal outside the house. So from an aesthetic point of view these headphones are just as good as any reference monitor over your -- that you'll find. Every pain point you'd find on standard headphones like -- plug. The -- hardware and cable attachments are all pretty heavily reinforced to give -- strength over the long term. In short actually includes two identical sets of seven foot cables just in case. The also come with an extra set of ear pads. Which are -- Steve Guttenberg found really comfortable and -- to Wear especially combined with the padding on the under side of the head. Finally you also get a soft travel case that houses the head phones and accessories. So what is an open back design had found. -- that basically means the ear pads it lightly over your here with -- that led an ambient noise sort of the opposite of noise canceling headphones. The benefit is that opened back style headphones generally allow more space shall listening giving your music more debt and direction. In terms of the SRH 1440s. Steve enjoys the bright tonal balance between two speakers but somewhat at a cost of peace and justice. Still these are a whole different class of headphones in the beats by doctor -- for example. And again you're gonna get much better performance at home with -- powered amplifier as opposed to an airplane or a busy subway car. -- back to their overall about structurally the -- -- -- age 1440s are among the more comfortable full size headphones we've tested. -- unlikely there in the bright and clear school but not so great if you really want that head shaking -- -- -- generous two year warranties certainly bounces out that cost however. And if you're an audio file shopping for one pair of headphones to last a lifetime and don't mind spending the money on the investment in short -- -- age 1440. -- definitely recommended. Check out cnet.com for more compared to reviews and photos but that's gonna do it for now. I'm Justin -- these are the short SRH 1440 headphones and that sounds.