The Shure SHA900 is a compact, portable headphone amplifier that is compatible with both analog and digital audio sources. Audiophile-quality conversion delivers an exceptionally detailed audio signal over a micro-B USB connection, while premium analog components provide a clean, uncolored signal path for analog audio sources. A full set of furnished accessories includes a Lightning® cable, micro-B USB cable, two 3.5 mm cables, and an AC power adapter.
① Hold Switch |
Locks the power button and control knob to prevent accidental adjustment |
② Power / Back Button |
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③ Control Knob |
Rotate to adjust volume and press to navigate through the menu |
④ Power LED Indicator |
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⑤ Line In Audio Input |
3.5 mm stereo input for connecting to analog audio sources |
⑥ Earphone Output |
3.5 mm stereo output for connecting headphones |
⑦ OLED Display |
Displays system information |
⑧ Input Source Selector |
Selects line (analog) or micro-B USB (digital) audio input |
⑨ Micro-B USB port |
Connects to a computer or portable audio device to receive audio or to the micro-B USB power adapter to charge the rechargeable battery. |
Powering on / off: Long press the power button ②
Adjusting volume: Turn the control knob ①
Accessing the menu: Double-click the control knob ①
Scroll through the menu: Turn the control knob ①
Select an item: Press the control knob button ①
Return to previous screen: Press the power button ②
Lock / unlock the controls: Slide the hold switch ③ to lock and unlock the power button and control knob. When switch displays red background, hold is enabled.
① Audio Input Source |
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② Audio Input Meter |
Indicates the input level of the audio signal |
③ Audio Settings |
Displays settings for the input pad and equalizer |
④ Battery Meter |
Displays remaining battery life |
⑤ Volume |
Indicates the output level |
Plug into the amplifier with the amplifier powered off.
Set the INPUT switch to LINE for analog 3.5 mm sources or USB for digital sources.
3.5 mm input (analog audio) |
Plug the audio device into the LINE IN input and set the INPUT switch to LINE. To charge the battery while using an analog source, connect the amplifier to a computer or external battery.
Connecting to an Analog Source |
USB (digital audio and power) |
Use the USB cable when listening to music from a computer or other USB-equipped device and set the INPUT switch to USB. When connected to a computer, USB simultaneously streams digital audio and charges the amplifier battery. Note: You have the option to disable automatic charging in the Utilities menu.
Connecting to a USB Source |
The driver automatically installs when the amplifier is first plugged into a device. The SHA900 should take over as the default audio device.
Note: Volume controls are disabled on Windows, Mac, and iOS. Volume should be adjusted only by using the amp volume knob for best performance. Ensure that volume is maximized in iTunes or the Windows Media Player.
Displays equalizer settings. Use the control wheel to adjust values
FLAT/BYPASS: |
The equalizer is bypassed |
PRESET 1 - 4: |
Four adjustable 4-band equalizer presets: low boost, vocal boost, loudness, and de-ess |
USER DEFINED 1 - 4: |
Four adjustable 4-band parametric equalizer that you can customize to your listening preferences |
OUTPUT GAIN: |
Choice of low or high output gain |
LIMITER: |
Turn limiter on for ear protection from unexpected volume spikes |
INPUT PAD: |
Choice of 0, -10 dB or -20 dB pads (available in line input mode.) |
SAMPLE RATE: |
Available in USB input mode. |
Control the device parameters
DISPLAY: |
Adjust screen brightness, timeout length, and flip screen |
BATTERY INFO: |
Displays battery status |
FACTORY RESET: |
Restores all settings to the factory default |
FIRMWARE: |
Displays software version information and allows for updates |
HARDWARE: |
Contains device information for reference and service |
DISABLE CHARGING: |
Turn automatic charging on or off |
The 4-band parametric equalizer is used to adjust the volume of independent, adjustable frequency ranges, to precisely shape the frequency response. Four user-defined presets can be saved in addition to four factory defined presets. The equalizer can be bypassed for a flat frequency response.
To view or edit an equalizer setting, select:
The equalizer consists of two filter types:
Equalizer Filter Properties
The following parameters are adjustable when creating an equalizer setting:
① Frequency Point or Range |
Four independent frequency points used to select specific frequency ranges. |
② Frequency (Hz) |
The numeric value of the selected frequency. |
③ Gain / Cut |
Adjusts the volume (±6 dB) of the selected frequency band. |
④ Bandwidth / Q |
Adjusts the width of the frequency band affected by gain settings
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In this mode the equalizer is bypassed for an unchanged frequency response. When using an analog input source, bypassing the equalizer maintains a 100% analog signal path. For digital audio sources, the equalization section of the digital signal processor is simply disabled.
Select a high or low level output gain based on your listening device.
The limiter protects your ears from unexpected volume spikes at the earphone output.
The input pad feature is available when the amplifier is receiving analog audio in line input mode. The pad attenuates the analog input signal to prevent clipping from high output audio sources. Enable the pad when the audio meter indicates clipping.
Sample rate information is displayed here.
Display |
Adjust screen brightness and timeout length. Flip the display up or down for visibility in either direction |
Battery Info |
Provides battery status: percentage charge, cycle count, temperature |
Factory Reset |
Restores all settings to the factory default |
Firmware |
Displays software version information and allows for updates |
Hardware |
Contains device data for reference and service |
Enable / Disable Charging |
When connected to a USB source, the amplifier automatically recharges the battery. Utilize the disable charging feature when you don't want to drain your laptop or USB source. The next time you turn on the amplifier, it will default to enable charging. |
To avoid degrading battery health, keep the storage temperature range between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F).
Lithium-ion batteries have no “memory effect”, and instead experience a more linear reduction in capacity. Contact Shure Service and Repair to replace the batteries when the capacity is no longer acceptable.
Firmware is embedded software in each component that controls functionality. Periodically, new versions of firmware are developed to incorporate additional features and enhancements. To take advantage of design improvements, new versions of the firmware can be downloaded and installed using the Shure Update Utility tool. Software is available for download from http://www.shure.com/americas/products/software/utilities/shure-update-utility.
CAUTION! Ensure that amplifier power remains on during a firmware update. Do not turn off the amplifier until the update is complete.
The Shure Update Utility will find the latest versions of firmware. You can download the updates to your computer. Once the download is complete, the amplifier automatically begins the firmware update, which overwrites the existing firmware.
Note: ENABLE FW UPDATE must be enabled in order for the firmware update to work.
Note: The battery should be charged before updating firmware. Do not attempt to update firmware if battery percentage is less than 10%.
Issue | Solution |
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The device appears to be working but no sound is audible |
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Audio is distorted |
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Amplifier does not power on |
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Battery no longer holds charge |
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In the event that the amplifier malfunctions, reboot it by pressing the control knob button and the power button simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds until the device powers down.
Windows | Windows XP and higher |
Macintosh | Mac OS X 10.4 and higher |
16-bit / 24-bit
44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 kHz
10 Hz to 50 kHz
up to 107 dB A-weighted
-60 dB to +17 dB
0.05% (1 kHz)
Maximum, 1% THD
16 Ω | 135 mW + 135 mW |
42 Ω | 95 mW + 95 mW |
0.35 Ω
6 Ω to 600 Ω
Selectable Analog RMS Limiter
4-band Parametric
USB Micro-B Receptacle
3.5 mm (1/8")
3.5 mm (1/8")
USB-powered: 5 V, 0.5 A to 1 A
Chrome Plated Aluminum
182.0 g (6.42 oz.)
111 x 59 x 21 mm H x W x D
-18 to 57 °C (0 to 135 °F)
Rechargeable Li-Ion
3.6V DC
Analog in (BYPASS EQ mode) | up to 20 hours |
USB Input (EQ mode) | up to 10 hours |
0 to 45 °C (32 to 113 °F)
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This symbol indicates that dangerous voltage constituting a risk of electric shock is present within this unit. |
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This symbol indicates that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit. |
WARNING: Voltages in this equipment are hazardous to life. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. The safety certifications do not apply when the operating voltage is changed from the factory setting.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Shure Incorporated could void your authority to operate this equipment.
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
LISTENING TO AUDIO AT EXCESSIVE VOLUMES CAN CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE. USE AS LOW A VOLUME AS POSSIBLE. Over exposure to excessive sound levels can damage your ears resulting in permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Please use the following guidelines established by the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) on maximum time exposure to sound pressure levels before hearing damage occurs.
90 dB SPL
at 8 hours |
95 dB SPL
at 4 hours |
100 dB SPL
at 2 hours |
105 dB SPL
at 1 hour |
110 dB SPL
at ½ hour |
115 dB SPL
at 15 minutes |
120 dB SPL
Avoid or damage may occur |
Note: Use only with the included power supply or a Shure-approved equivalent.
Note: Battery replacement to be performed only by Shure authorized service personnel.
Please follow your regional recycling scheme for batteries, packaging, and electronic waste.
Industry Canada ICES-003 Compliance Label: CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)
Note: Testing is based on the use of supplied and recommended cable types. The use of other than shielded (screened) cable types may degrade EMC performance.
This product meets the Essential Requirements of all relevant European directives and is eligible for CE marking.
The CE Declaration of Conformity can be obtained from: www.shure.com/europe/compliance
Authorized European representative:
Shure Europe GmbH
Headquarters Europe, Middle East & Africa
Department: EMEA Approval
Jakob-Dieffenbacher-Str. 12
75031 Eppingen, Germany
Phone: +49-7262-92 49 0
Fax: +49-7262-92 49 11 4
Email: info@shure.de
The Portable Listening Amplifier is compatible with Android devices that support USB Audio Class 2.0 and Micro-B OTG (On-The-Go) connectivity. Not all Android devices are compatible. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
"Made for iPod," "Made for iPhone," and "Made for iPad" mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod, iPhone, or iPad, respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod, iPhone, or iPad may affect wireless performance.
iPad, iPhone, iPod, iPod classic, iPod nano, iPod touch, and Retina are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPad Air and iPad mini are trademarks of Apple Inc. The trademark "iPhone" is used with a license from Aiphone K.K.
Mac® and Lightning are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.