Sennheiser HD25-1-II vs. Bose On-Ear Headphones - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

beg2differ · 07-08-2008, 06:48 AM

Both of these cans are going at $199 and $179 respectively. (so pretty much in the same price range)

I've been looking around and the biggest complaint I've heard from either was that for the HD25, some people complain that the bass is weak for the price. (however, i have also heard the contrary, so I'm a lil bit confused)

The Bose OE on the other hand(not to be confused with the cheaper triport AE version that some people make) is said to be a little bit too "punchy" on the bass.

Overall, I do consider the HD25's to be "sonically better," but if the bass is a little bit too weak as some people have said, the Bose OE seems a bit more appealing to me personally, being a basshead.

This question is really geared towards people who have tried both, but if anyone can give me a good opinion by all means please help me out. lol

Can anyone please clear the differences in bass between these two cans?

Leto Atreides II · 07-08-2008, 07:02 AM

I really don't think the HD25-1-IIs are lacking any bass. Really, they do not have weak bass. I think the build quality of the senns is great as well, but I've never really used the OE so I can't offer an opinion on that. <bias> I am skeptical of $200 headphones from Bose though </bias>

aaron313 · 07-08-2008, 07:07 AM

I wish you luck in your search for good sound. Therefore I "beg2differ" with your inclusion of the Bose OE (sorry, I just had to do it!

). Basshead, for that price? Research the Ultrasone HFI-780, and let me know if it appears to be suitable.

Oya? · 07-08-2008, 07:11 AM

Can't comment too much on a direct comparison either as I've only had very brief experiences with the Bose OE. But I'd be pretty confident in saying the HD25-1 is superior in all but comfort compared to the OE.

Regarding the bass, personally I found it a bit overpowering initially, not light. I really don't think you'd be disappointed with them.

aaron313 · 07-08-2008, 07:17 AM

I can say two things I love about Bose: fantastic customer service, and great comfort.

moonboy403 · 07-08-2008, 07:50 AM

If you want bass, try the Denon D2000 from provantage for around $200?

There's plenty of bass to go around and will be better than both of the cans you mentioned(even though i haven't heard either one).

For the D2000

Comfort wise, I don't think the Denon can lose to anyone. Comfort level is just top notch.

Isolation wise, none whatsoever even though it's a closed can.

Need an amp to sound the best and pull out the midrange and the D2000 needs at least 200 hours of burn in to sound good.

adswiftuk · 07-08-2008, 11:10 AM

The Bose phones are so comfortable. It's like strapping marshmallows to your head.

So much so, I'm seriously considering ditching my ES7s and buying some.

lordmozilla · 07-08-2008, 11:20 AM

hd25-1 II are actually very nice when it comes to bass, they are quite heavy, esepcially for their size, but it's their overal SQ that make them awesome as well as the build quality which is just top notch.

TheDeliveryMan · 07-08-2008, 12:12 PM

the HD25 are only 4.94 oz ...thats actually pretty light...even lighter than the HD 201 and about half the weight of the HD 650. you won't find a more secure or stable headphone due to the split headband. and holy crap can they go LOUD (not that you need 120 dB)...but it simply implies that at lower gain stages they have a consistent reproduction.

BruteFM · 07-08-2008, 02:46 PM

I've only used the HD25-1, and I don't find it to lack bass. The sound is darker than my other cans, but that's not a bad thing, and as TheDeliveryMan said, they can get very loud without an amp.

Take care, though, if you wear glasses or have a large head. The fit is very tight and can border on painful unless you stretch them out with a stack of books or something.