I bought my Sennheiser 212 Pro headphones (pic attached) after reading their review at headphone.com and they have served me very well.
It is now 4 years and three cable replacements later and I finally need new headphones. The following are the key features I am looking for:
1. Bass and SQ - I like the bass of the 212s
2. Isolation - I work in a noisy office. As little sound in and out as possible.
3. No Amp
4. No Mods - I live in Kenya, Africa. So... shipping cans for modification or getting parts from other sources... would be hard
5. Not too expensive. Aiming for less than 200 USD
6. Full-Size. I am not keen on putting things into my ears.
7. Durability.
8. Used On - PC/Laptop, no preference for portability or looks.
So far I have the following list, from reading lots of posts and recommendations... I zeroed down to the following list.
HD 212 Pro - I am tempted to get this again.
HD25-1
AKG K27i
AKG K 26 P
beyerdynamic DT231
AKG K-81DJ
EH 150
beyerdynamic 250-80
Beyerdynamic DT770
Sennheiser HD 25
Equation audio RP-21
Sony MDRV6/7506
Sennheiser HD215
Ultrasone HFI-780
I am willing to spend more if I can get a big quality improvement.
Basically the headphone has to be better than the HD 212 Pro. Please feel free to suggest something that's not in the list.
I avoided the Audio-Technica because of the lack of powerful bass and the Denon's because they do not isolate so well.
I've had my HD212's about as long as you, and I've had Zero cable replacements. The outer layer of the earpads is starting to flake off though. I hope they don't end up looking like yours. I was thinking about buying them again also. I don't have the complaints most people here have. They just seem to do everything adequately.
The only cans I've heard on your list are the K81DJ's, which I haven't had for long. In stock form they actually have MORE BASS than the 212's, but in a bad way. The lows are boomy and bloated, the lower midrange sounds extremely boomy and fake on some songs, to the point of annoyance. There seems to be a hole between the extreme low bass, and the upper mids. After I removed the 1/4" thick foam piece in the center of the earpads (very easy to do), they improved greatly. The bass is more controlled and articulate, but still goes just as low. The mids are no longer boomy, but the highs are now sibilant. Everything just sounds much more balanced, open, and less closed-in. If I could find something to put in place of the stock inserts that would leave the bass alone, and tame the highs a bit, they would be the perfect cans.
I heard the 212s briefly at Guitar Center, they had TONS of bass. The Beyer 770 pro 80s fit all your criteria and can be had for about $150 if you search. They benefit from an amp, but you could get by without one. If you want as much bass you have pretty limited choices.
they are 32 ohm hence perfect for mp3 players & laptops.
marketed as DJ & Studio monitoring...they are excellent for Casual listening.
but they do (did in my case 'cause i gave mine away) clamp quite hard. But like the HD25-1's and HD650's the ear cushioning kinda counters this. It's like having your head crushed by two fluffy cushions.
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Metro.fi2's have restored my faith in Ultimate
Ears
I have some 212pros that I use for my computer, and with all due respect they are bassy, and not bad for the coin, but they are not really that good. I haven't heard the 205's however I don't know that they would be much of a step up on the 212pro. I have a Ultrasone Pro 550 and if you want bass (tight and punchy not muddy HD212), much better all round sound than your pro, efficient (can get loud from an MP3/DAP headphone out), they are closed and I find them comfortable, put them on your list.
Unknown phone here, but great bang for your buck and in fact great phone full stop. In comparrison to the 212pro, well quite frankly there is no comparrison, night and day.
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"Best" is a subjective not objective word.
Headphones
MS2i, Proline 550, Shure E2, PX100, HD 212pro (For computer use-they are bassy, but a little doof doof)
Gone: MS1 (but not forgotten) PX200 (forgotten), CX300 (sound similar to, almost as good as PX100 ), Koss the plug (Hey got to start somewhere)
DAPs
Creative Muvo, Zen Nano, Samsung Z5,
Sony NWZA816BLK
I have some 212pros that I use for my computer, and with all due respect they are bassy, and not bad for the coin, but they are not really that good. I haven't heard the 205's however I don't know that they would be much of a step up on the 212pro. I have a Ultrasone Pro 550 and if you want bass (tight and punchy not muddy HD212), much better all round sound than your pro, efficient (can get loud from an MP3/DAP headphone out), they are closed and I find them comfortable, put them on your list.
Unknown phone here, but great bang for your buck and in fact great phone full stop. In comparrison to the 212pro, well quite frankly there is no comparrison, night and day.
Hi Kernmac,
I would not find getting the Ultrasones but... they are 189 Dollars , quite pricey, wouln't I, be better of with the Beyerdynamics 770 Pros? Guys?
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