Oppo PM-3 vs Shure SRH1540

Treble is quite detailed, but lacks a bit of sparkle on the highest frequencies as they are rolled off. The mids are just right, not too forward and not too rich. The bass has good presence and punch, but is not very powerful.

Its closed back design along with the fairly thick, leather-surfaced earpads are very effective at keeping the music in and the ambient noise out. This is very useful in tracking situations, and will also help you focus on the audio even when in a busy, noisy place.

The headband and ear cups have fairly thick padding to ease the pressure on the head. These are covered with leather material so they feel smooth.

A headphone amp is not required in order for these to pump up good volume and sound details, so these can work well off of portable devices. There is a noticeable improvement in sound quality and volume when used with a proper amp though.

A combination of high quality plastics and metal are used for these so there is minimal flex and rattles. The headphone joints and yoke also have smooth movement, which make these feel premium when held.

The cables can easily be detached, with 3.5mm jacks as ear cup connectors. This makes looking for new/replacement cables very easy.

Stock cable has an in-line microphone. Not only is this convenient for taking calls while listening to music, but the mic's sound quality is good, with voices sounding clear, full and with good volume.

The SRH1540 gives the sound accuracy and noise isolation necessary for studio monitoring use. They are also lighter and more comfortable than other studio headphones.

Despite the perforated ear pad surfaces, the sound is effectively isolated inside the ear cups. The thick memory foam is quite effective at preventing the sound from leaking out and noise mix in.

The sound signature favors accuracy more over boosted frequencies. The highs are detailed yet are not too bright or harsh. The mids have good presence and never gets in your face and the bass delivers good punch while staying controlled.

The interior materials of the ear cups are of thick, quality memory foam which are soft with just the right level of firmness. On the surface is a perforated fabric material which is smooth on the skin and helps in breathability, so heat build-up around the ears should not be an issue.

These headphones may look bulky, but are actually pretty light at around 280g. Aircraft grade aluminum is used on the yokes, while the ear cups have carbon fiber inlays, both of which are light yet sturdy materials. The low weight makes these relatively easy to wear.

The cable attaches to the ear cups via an MMCX connection, with magnets surrounding the connectors. The connection is quite secure, yet can be disconnected with some force. This reduces the chances of damaging the cable or the headphones should the cable be accidentally yanked.

The cable is fairly thick, Kevlar reinforced, and has a lot of strain relief on the termination points. This robust construction should allow the cable to withstand regular use and abuse for a long time.

The accessories that are included are not abundant, but really add a lot of value. There is an extra pair of the high quality ear pads which is a rare inclusion for high end headphones, along with an extra cable. Also, there is a case with a hard plastic shell; a step up from the usual soft case that is included with most headphones within the price bracket.