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For something on the go but no IEMs please

post #1 of 14
10/17/09 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
I've been looking at the HD238 lately. Any thought on these. BTW I also have the BEATs by Dre. but having to always turn them on just to get them going get to me sometimes. Also I would like the headphone a bit smaller. I did try clip-on for some time. Had the Koss KSC75 for awhile and a pair of sony clip-on way back. They were good but the cilp part was so-so at best. I read that the koss can be modified with a head-band. But if the HD 238s can offer better SQ I'll go for them. Just to note I work at a Best-Buy so my employ discounts on headphone are crazy. If anyone knows a better headphone for portability in the Best-Buy line-up let me know but if not recommend something far better as the BEATs don't get much head time as opposed to my Sony MDR-XB700.(at home)
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post #2 of 14
10/17/09 at 6:49pm
ESW9? I think this beat all the phone you have atm.

Also you have a price limit?

I would recommend ESW10 and ES10 if you got a lot.
Maybe a odd MS-1s too. xD
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post #3 of 14
10/17/09 at 7:07pm
Thread Starter 
A lot is something I don't have.lol The BEATs only cost me about 120$ and the HD 238 can be had at 40$ with my employ discounts. IF I was going all out I will go for broke on a hi-fi system for home use. Your recommendations where nice but over the 150$ with my employ discounts can get me headphones for 350 to 400$ only if it is sold at Best-Buy. unfortunately Best-Buy line-up on hi-fi headphone are rather limited. The HD 650 are as high as they go for now.
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post #4 of 14
10/17/09 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 
helping can help unsuspecting customers from buying really over hyped, price headphones.(bose) now Best-Buy line-up of headphones seems to be getting better as the holidays are coming around.
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post #5 of 14
10/17/09 at 9:06pm
HD 238 is a good phone, as is the AKG K81DJ, ATH-ES7, and even the Grado SR60. All of these are relatively equal in price, but sound signatures are different.
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post #6 of 14
10/17/09 at 9:08pm
Do yourself a favour and buy ATH-ES7, then do the headband mod and live happy
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post #7 of 14
10/17/09 at 9:26pm
Thread Starter 
Are the ATH-ES7 that much better than the HD 238.
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post #8 of 14
10/17/09 at 9:32pm
The 238 is a superb deal at 40 bucks
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post #9 of 14
10/17/09 at 9:41pm
Thread Starter 
that's why I'm debating on these and the ATH-ES7. I might be able to get them at 5% above distributors price so about 60$, 70$ if they get to be sold in store. Might be possible with the holidays coming around.
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post #10 of 14
10/18/09 at 6:43am
Never heard 238's, but from my experience with low-end portable Senns - SQ-wise they are way below the ES7.
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post #11 of 14
10/18/09 at 6:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morph View Post
Never heard 238's, but from my experience with low-end portable Senns - SQ-wise they are way below the ES7.
Prepare to be surprised. The Sennheiser HD 238's are by far one of the best portables out there - I have the AKG K518 DJ, and even if it has better bass extension, the clarity and soundstage are miles away from the 238. To me, it is more forward-sounding and more fun to use than my neutral HD 555's.

The ES7, reviewed by some Head-Fi members here, is really good, but nowhere as good as its more expensive brothers the ESW9 and ESW10.

By the way, check out my review:

Sennheiser HD 238 Precision Review - Portable Epicness
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post #12 of 14
10/18/09 at 6:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjsoviet View Post
Prepare to be surprised. The Sennheiser HD 238's are by fare one of the best portables out there - I have the AKG K518 DJ, and even if it has better bass extension, the clarity and soundstage are miles away from the 238. To me, it is more forward-sounding and more fun to use than my neutral HD 555's.
I'll probably check them out some day, but they are pretty useless to me (open back portables are probably the last phones I need).

Quote:
The ES7, reviewed by some Head-Fi members here, is really good, but nowhere as good as its more expensive brothers the ESW9 and ESW10.
Don't know about ESW10, but ESW9 are hardly portable. They clearly need more power than is available from a PMP.
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post #13 of 14
10/18/09 at 7:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morph View Post
I'll probably check them out some day, but they are pretty useless to me (open back portables are probably the last phones I need).

Yeah, but the closest one to the HD 238's in sound is the HD 228, the closed version. It has slightly less detail and sparkle, but it does its job pretty well in isolating sound.

By the way, if you stumble across an HD 238, you may want to find out if putting the pleather earpads of the 228 into it might help.
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post #14 of 14
10/19/09 at 12:56am
Both the ATH-ES7 and the HD238 are great headphones for around $80 street. The HD238 are way more comfortable and open, while the ATH-ES7 are not as comfortable, more dorky-looking and closed. Take your pick. The sound signatures are surprisingly similar to me, although the ATH-ES7 is more forward and slightly more bright (compared to the foam-removed HD238). $40 for the HD238 is a ridiculous steal and a no-brainer IMO.
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