Shure SRH440 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, if you are buying new. The Shure SRH440 ranks higher than it (#2 vs #57 of 134 over-ear headphones, 4.6/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is still sold new at $158. The Shure SRH440’s replacement, the Shure SRH440A, is rated 3.0/5 at $109.

The Shure SRH440 is the better-sounding choice. Its preference score of 96 is among the best in the class, and the response stays within about 1.3 dB of the Harman target overall. The catch: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 3.4 dB under target, so the deepest synth and organ notes lack rumble.

What the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x does well: This closed back has a very smooth response, with a deviation of 2.0 dB and the largest peak only 1.2 dB near 4.3 kHz, so it avoids harshness. Watch for: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 1.7 dB low and a 3.5 dB dip near 6.8 kHz softens cymbals and sibilance, while the top octave runs about 2 dB hot, a slightly uneven treble.

Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x new; the Shure SRH440 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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• Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Philips SHP9500
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The Two Headphones In Full

Shure SRH440: $109.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Newer model: the Shure SRH440A, ranked lower, rated 3/5. See every Shure SRH440 generation.

Pros: Its preference score of 96 is among the best in the class, and the response stays within about 1.3 dB of the Harman target overall. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz lands within half a dB of target, and the midrange is nearly dead on, so vocals and guitars sound natural. At 44 ohms and 105 dB/mW it runs loudly from a phone, the closed back isolates, and the 311 g weight is modest.

Cons: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 3.4 dB under target, so the deepest synth and organ notes lack rumble. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2.2 dB hot with a 4.7 dB peak near 7.8 kHz, which can add a bit of edge to hi-hats and sibilant vocals. There is no built-in microphone or wireless connection listed. Discontinued.

Full Shure SRH440 review and specifications →

Released	Jul 2009 (17 years ago)
Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	1.31 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 40mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	10Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	96 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	44 ohms
Sensitivity	105 dB/mW
Tonal Tilt	+0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.7 lbs (311 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -5.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+8.6 dB	0.70
Peak	63 Hz	-6.6 dB	0.43
Peak	8,557 Hz	-2.7 dB	2.72
Peak	3,464 Hz	+2.5 dB	1.93
Peak	219 Hz	+3.2 dB	1.93
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-0.9 dB	0.70
Peak	678 Hz	+0.8 dB	1.71
Peak	1,746 Hz	-1.0 dB	2.28
Peak	6,183 Hz	+1.6 dB	6.00
Peak	2,398 Hz	+0.7 dB	4.15

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Shure SRH440 (oratory1990 measurement)

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: $158.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: This closed back has a very smooth response, with a deviation of 2.0 dB and the largest peak only 1.2 dB near 4.3 kHz, so it avoids harshness. Sub-bass is on target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is about 3 dB above, which gives clean, punchy bass, and the preference score is 78. At 38 ohms and 99 dB/mW it is easy to drive from a phone, it weighs 285 g and it isolates from noise.

Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 1.7 dB low and a 3.5 dB dip near 6.8 kHz softens cymbals and sibilance, while the top octave runs about 2 dB hot, a slightly uneven treble. The warm, bass lifted balance is not neutral enough for critical listening. It is a closed back, so bass has less airiness than the open backs in this class.

Full Audio-Technica ATH-M50x review and specifications →

Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.01 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 45mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	38 ohms
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW
Tonal Tilt	-0.75 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.6 lbs (285 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -3.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+0.6 dB	0.70
Peak	156 Hz	-5.2 dB	0.73
Peak	326 Hz	+5.3 dB	1.59
Peak	7,077 Hz	+2.8 dB	2.22
Peak	3,483 Hz	+2.1 dB	5.82
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-4.1 dB	0.70
Peak	45 Hz	-1.1 dB	1.90
Peak	66 Hz	+1.4 dB	3.59
Peak	787 Hz	-0.5 dB	1.79
Peak	1,640 Hz	+0.9 dB	3.41

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
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