A magnetic head comprising for reading data from magnetic media includes a first magneto-resistive (MR) reader and a second MR reader. Both of the MR readers are either anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) readers or giant magneto-resistive (GMR) readers. The MR readers are tuned to sense magnetic flux differently such that the magnetic head is capable of reading two different types of magnetic media. The magnetic head may be configured such that the readers share sensor shields in various configurations in order to carry out their reading functions. The magnetic head may further include a writer. In this case, the magnetic head may be configured such that the writer and the readers share sensor shields in various configurations in order to carry out their writing and reading functions.