Lets start this by saying I am not a noob in headphones audio and I like Sennheiser. Here I have the HD495, HD580 and HD600.
I also have a pair of Sony MDR-7506.
Well, I just got the much acclaimed Sennheiser HD25-1 ii (Addidas edition) and thought I would writing some initial reactions.
First of all, what do I think of the HD-25 when I first saw it?
It's crap, the plastic is like the stuff you get from some cheap kitchen tupperware plastic and not the nice air tight seal kind either. The kind that you know if you bend it a little bit more it will go white before it snaps. It's not like Apple stuff where their plastic somehow feels solid and thick, this feels light air and makes you wonder how on earth they justify selling these for £200 ?!!? Even the non Addidas normal version commands £140 RRP. This is insane!!! [b]Dr Dre[/b] headphones are built better than these ! I am not saying they sound better but they are certainly built better!
The texture of it is also nasty, I am not a fan of the rough texture of the plastic, it reminds me of the disposal bin part in my juicer where all the rubbish goes into, literally.
The ear pads are supposed to be a sort of fake leather? If it is, it failed, big time. They also give me the impression that after a while it will go all flat and squashed.
As a whole, the construction of these are like headphones that cost £20 maximum, not £200. Even at the price of £100 that I paid for them, I have to admit I feel cheated, big time.
Compare to the MDR-7506. The Sony is MUCH MUCH better made. I can even say it is better made than my Sennheiser HD600, which was at one point £300 pair of headphones.
The whole thing is much more sold, the extension is of real stainless steel, the fake leather is so real I am only saying it is fake because these retails at £70 and not £170. The ear pads are nice size and super comfy. The headband also nicely cushioned with more leather like wrap. Even the cable is better than that of the HD25.
In short, if there is a price against built quality proportionality sliding scale, the MDR-7506 is built like a pair of headphones worth £300 and the HD-25 is like a pair of £20 headphones. It is not even in the same league!
As for sound quality, well, the Sony sounds better I think and noticeably so. It has a better seal because it of the bigger pads and the Sony is also very neutral too. The Sennheiser leaks sound like nothing else, the small ear cups doesn't help it and it is hard to find a comfortable position on the head for these because of the design of 1 side can be tilted off 90 degrees for DJ-ing purposes. So it is quite easy to knock it off centre and then you are wondering what on earth is going on with these on your head.
It is early days as the HD25 isn't fully run in but so far, very disappointing. The Sony being half its price is better sounding and 10 times better built. The Sony can also be folded inwards to make it "smaller" too and comes with a MUCH nicer bag. Leather like vs Nylon of the HD25.
Oh yes, the HD-25 also comes with spare white cotton pads....who would use these? it will get dirty after a day and will stain really easily.
Conclusion, if you want a pair of Closed Headphones and were thinking of buying the HD25-1 ii. Think HARD, REALLY HARD, and unless you really really want that twist one side off centre ear cup feature for DJ-ing, don't bother, get the Sony MDR-7506, save yourself £70 and spend that on an Amp.
Do people really think these sound that good? Actually better than the Sony? I really don't see it. The sony sounds more open, better clarity and it is like a open phone in a closed form. Where the HD25 is a closed phone but leaks like nothing else!
p.s. sorry for the bad pics (seriously!), in a rush to get this typed as I need to head to bed now.
Edited by raymondlin - 12/29/11 at 4:56pm
