When comparing JVC HA-RX900 vs Shure SRH440, the Slant community recommends Shure SRH440 for most people. In the question“What are the best over-ear headphones under $200?” Shure SRH440 is ranked 15th while JVC HA-RX900 is ranked 17th. The most important reason people chose Shure SRH440 is:
Sound signature is fairly neutral, with slight elevations to the bass, mids and highs. Bass has a nice fullness to it, with some extra depth which gives the sound a lot of body. The mids are neutral but slightly forward, making the vocals sound really clear. Aggressive guitars can sound a bit harsh because of this though. Treble has good extension, and the added peak on the highest frequencies add more sparkle to the sound. Overall, these headphones can be used both for critical listening and for casual music enjoyment as well.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Produces good sound with a nice bass thump
These headphones produce great bass which, while not very powerful, still has some thump and goes deep. This bass quality of these headphones makes them great for listening to hip-hop, EDM, trance, and genres which put a lot of emphasis on the bass. The mids and highs may not be the best, but they do bring some life to the overall sound.
Pro Works well for gaming because these have great sound stage for a closed back pair of heapdhones
These headphones may have a closed back design, but the sound stage is very good. There is a sense of width to the sound, with nice instrument/sound source separation. This quality of sound makes these headphones a nice option for gaming use.
Pro Has great sound isolation thanks to large and closed ear cups
The HA-RX900 is able to keep the sound it produces within the cups, while at the same time effectively blocking ambient noise. This is primarily achieved through the headphone's large and closed ear cup design which cover the ears entirely. Also, the use of pleather material on the ear pads creates a good seal which prevents sound leakage.
Pro Comfortable to wear due to ample cushioning on the ear pads and head band
There is a lot of padding present on the ear pads and headband. This means that the contact points of these headphones to your head is well-cushioned and should minimize pain, even if these are worn for extended periods of time.
Pro Large ear cups comfortable for big ears
The ear cups easily accommodate big ears without pinching or cramping.
Pro Reference quality sound which can be fun to listen to
Sound signature is fairly neutral, with slight elevations to the bass, mids and highs.
Bass has a nice fullness to it, with some extra depth which gives the sound a lot of body.
The mids are neutral but slightly forward, making the vocals sound really clear. Aggressive guitars can sound a bit harsh because of this though.
Treble has good extension, and the added peak on the highest frequencies add more sparkle to the sound.
Overall, these headphones can be used both for critical listening and for casual music enjoyment as well.
Pro Superb sound isolation
The closed back, over the ear design blocks out a significant amount of noise, allowing users to easily focus on the audio. Sound leak is also kept to a minimum.
These are great for tracking and monitoring, and are also great choices for use in quiet environments like a library.
Pro Headphone cable is detachable
You can easily remove the cable when these are not in use, making them easy to store. This also makes the cable easy to replace when needed.
Cons
Con Mids and highs may sound muddy
These headphones may not give you the best detail and clarity in the mids and highs. While they are definitely present, the quality is not great which can make the overall sound come off as a bit muddy for some.
Con Extended use can cause uncomfortable warmth on the ear-area
These headphones can trap heat on the area of the ears, especially when you wear these for long periods. The pleather material may be soft on the skin, but it also does not allow enough airflow to the ears. You may want to consider taking these headphones off periodically to prevent the heat buildup.
Con Difficult to use at times because of the very long and non-detachable cable
You may experience some hassle dealing with the cable used for these headphones. They are quite long which can be a good thing, but this also means that the cable can get in the way if you tend to move while using these headphones. Also, the length of the cable can make it quite difficult to organize. It also does not help that the cable is non-detachable from the headphones.
Con May become tiring to wear as these headphones are quite bulky and heavy
If you decide to wear these headphones for long periods of time, then it is possible that these can tire your neck. The HA-RX900 are quite large and heavy even when compared to other full sized headphones.
Con Build quality is rather poor
The overall build is quite plasticky, with a lot of rattles. While it is not fragile by any means, the build quality certainly does not inspire confidence.
Con Ear pads are not the most comfortable
Pleather is used on the surface of the ear pads which traps heat and can make the area around the ears warm up fast. Also, while the ear pads are large and soft, they are also quite thin. People with larger ears may experience their ears rubbing against the driver housing, which can get quite uncomfortable.
Con Thin headband padding
There is minimal cushioning on the headband, so the plastic may dig into your head when using the headphones for long periods.
