Sennheiser Amperior On-Ear Headphones

Hi headfiers!

Well, this is my first review about any audio gear that I've ever done. Sorry for my bad english in advance (I'm from Argentina)
First and foremost, I don't consider myself an audiophile by anymeans (and probably I don't have the right words to describe technical stuff about HP), but I do appreciate good quality sound.

I've been like a year and half ago trying to find a good pair of IEMS and/or headphones to suit my musical taste and needs. My first pair of "good quality" iems were the Shure SE215 after one day that I tried these in my friends house, and I found a new world in SQ above any other crap that I tested before (I use these for workout mostly now) Till this days I used (and still do) a pair of Sennheiser "Game Zero" for gaming and music (paired with a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro) and I found these quite good in that time. After some time using the SE215's I knew that I wanted some closed Over-ear HP with this kind of SQ. I did one of the worst mistakes... I started looking on amazon for good bluetooth HP with "good" bass (I liked the idea of bluetooth, mics, controls, etc.) and I stumbled upon the Sony MDR-XB950BT, so I saw a lot of good reviews and then I bought these. At first I was like "wow amazing bass, so cool! I have controls, nfc, bluetooth, mic... My EDM and DnB music sound so good! These are amazing!"... but then after a couple of days I started to listen to other kind of music and I was like "voices are muffled, hihats and zimbals sound so far, bass is bloated... so weird", so after that I went back to my SE215's (wich I stopped using when I got the Sony's) and I was like "What did I miss! these little mother ****ers sound way better than my big ass Sony's". So I kept the Shure's and sold the Sony's.
All this was the ticket to join to headfi and start looking for a good portable On-ear HP (I wanted some low profile HP after the "so big" Sony's that I had). My budget was like u$s200, so digging on the forum I found the Beyers T51p... and seeing a lot of good reviews I was going after these. The problem was that living in Argentina and trying to get these, the cost was too high (like u$s330 with shipping). Saddly, I stopped my quest. And then a couple of days after this, I found an offer on the Sennheiser store in my country with the Amperior's at u$s168. I knew, at that time, a little about how good the HD25's were. So after some research and with the help of a headfier (thanks analog'd!!!) I decided to go with the Amperior's. I'm glad I did it!

So... after that long and boring intro I'll try to be more precise

Quality 4.5/5:
At first these didn't impress me really. The plastic headband and adjustment mechanism didn't seemed to last, but after using these like 3hs a day for almost 3 months prove that these can last for ever, and even if something breaks it can be replaced. With time I realized that the quality of the plastic parts are great. The aluminium on the cups looks good and it is very sturddy. Literally I throw them in my backpack without a case and I forget about them (these are always like prestine conditions). Padding on the cups and the headband are good, with some kind of breathtable texture wich I find comfy. The headband can split wich is good if you need more area of support. The left cup can rotate to use these as a monitoring HP (I don't really use this feature but it is good to have it) These HP have detachable cable wich is a must, BUT the detachable part use a fat 20cm long cable wich goes into the drivers and then goes to a male 3,5mm jack wich then you can use with the cables that Sennheiser provides, this is really odd and sometimes bothers me (most HP have one or two female jacks on the cups, wich is more comfortable). Anyway, both cables that comes with the HP are good, one of them has mic and iphone controls... saddly I use android, but for "pause" and "volume adjustment" it works just good and that is all I need.

Comfort 3.5/5:
The Amperiors have a tight fit but are light, so these are comfy for me for my daily use. At first I had some trouble getting a good fit but after some days I found the best way to use them. Maybe some people with small heads (I'm not one) may find these more comfy and easy to use than I do. The padding on the earpads are good, but it would be much better with even more padding (these have small earpads) One thing that bothers me the most is the fat cable (like I mentioned in the "quality" section) wich I feel when I walk due to the movement. It's not a deal breaker by any means, but I'm trying to be as picky as I can be in my review. I find these HP comfy enough to use for 2hs or 3hs like I do, but I won't recommend it using these for extended periods of time (the clamping force may be too much), since I use these mostly for my commute I don't care that much about comfort for extended periods of time. The Sony's that I had (MDR-XB950BT) were more comfortable, but it is not a good comparision since one is on-ear and the other an ovear-ear HP.

Sound 4.5/5:
First and foremost I use the Amperior with my Xduoo X2 mostly and sometimes with my cellphone. I usually prefer my DAP since it has better built in dac/amp than my phone, and these are very easy to drive (only 16ohms impedance and also quite sensitives too) Actually the Amperior + Xduoo X2 are an amazing portable duo. Taking into account that these are on ear actually it has great noise isolation. Also I can't compare these against my se215 or my ex XB950BT because I think that the senns are in another league (way better) in terms of sound quality, and I know that when these were realesed it cost u$s350, so it is not a fair comparision.

Lows: The first things that comes to my mind to describe the bass is precise and fast (punchy). It won't have that rumble bass I got used before (the HP are not suitable for bass heads) but I came into the conclusion that I prefer a pricise representation instead of a "headshacking" bloated bass. The bass start/attack and finish fast (tight), it has more mid-bass than sub-bass. You can actually feel the "kick". I will describe these with accentuated mid-bass. Also the lows don't interfere into the mids, you can pin point where it beggins and where it ends.

Mids: The holy grail of mids! These have foward and lively mids. Voices (male and females) and guitars are well represented. Since these have forwad mids, I wouldn't recommend them for someone who looks for a relaxed or veiled sound. It may be fatiguing for some, but for me are great since I prefer a "fun" HP. If someone looks for portable headphone with amazing mids I will recommend these without a question. The funny thing for me is that with this headphone I learned that I "enjoy" mids more than bass, and I thought that I was a "basshead" (I was wrong), now I can't bear a muddy/bloated headphone.

Highs: The highs are a little bit sibilant to my ears (this got better after geting used to), but it has lot of detail wich I love, there is subtle details wich I never heard on some songs (micro details). It is precise and detailed, but I think that it's rolled off in some part. I can't describe it with FR beacuase I don't know that much, but I think that the treble is accentuated in some point but at the end of the FR it is rolled off. Don't get me wrong, these have great highs, and actually it is better than any other HP that I tried, but I think that the highs are the weakest points regarded to SQ.

Soundstage: Like I said before, It won't be fair to compare it agaisnt the XB950BT, but if I must, the Amperior is like day and night. For a closed back headphone, actually it has great soundstage, it won't blow your mind and actually it is a narrow soundstage, but in some form you can pin point instruments (separation), it has more sense of width than up and down, but you can pick details in the distance. Quite remarkable for closed HP.

Conclusion:
I will buy these again in a heartbeat since it covers quite nicely my needs, it's portable, quite durable, not that expensive nowadays, amazing sound, easy to drive, and I don't have to be worried to break something since I can change almost any part easily. So if someone looks for a portable closed headphone with punchy bass, amazing mids (forward) and detailed highs I would recommend these for sure.
Now I understand why after 30 years of it release date, the HD25 and their variants still rock till this days. The Ampeior follow this tradition perfectly.

PD: I know that these are discontinued but you can still find them in some places...

Sennheiser Amperior Review
Please Click here for Video Review:

 
The Sennheiser Amperior headphone is a headphone that comes fully loaded with a bunch of features and are very practical if you just need one headphone that will last you a long time, block out noise, while sounding lively and exciting.
A brief history
The Amperiors is essentially a portable version of the much acclaimed Sennheiser HD-25, a legendary 25 year old, headphone especially amongst the DJ community. The Sennheiser HD-25 was known for its remarkable build quality, superb noise isolation, amazing stability on the head and its impeccably tight bass response, all of which are criterias DJ’s look for as a companion when performing and moving between events.
The Amperiors is unfortunately now discontinued, but is still sold at a rock bottom price at the time of this review. Its been replaced by the Sennheiser HD 25 Aluminum Edition, which have the same drivers as the old HD25 but with aluminum earcups and different earpad materials.
The following review is based on my used Sennheiser Amperior headphones, so your experiences may vary.
 
Accessories/ Features
In terms of accessories the Amperiors really do not come with much accessories other than the two detachable cables.  There is a 1 m IOS cable with a 3 button remote (+/- volume, and a centre button (for play, pause, rewind, fast forward) and a mic for phone calls. This cable ends with a straight jack (I prefer a L shape jack just so it doesn’t stick out of my pocket when plugged into my Ipod touch). The second cable is a 1.2 m audio-only cable that ends with a L shape jack. Both cables are rather thin and supple, and do not tangle. However, I would have wished for a thicker cable, I can see these cables fail over time, however you can easily source an aftermarket cable in the event that happens. I do wish it came with a hard shell carrying case or at least a pouch though, just to better protect these headphones, just for more assurance.
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 
In terms of features, the Amperiors have plenty!
1) The first feature is that every single part of the headphone is replaceable, from the earpads, to the drivers, the headband, headband padding to cable). Replacement parts can be easily purchased from the Sennheiser website (here is the link). Also replacing the parts, is fairly easy to do (here are some links on how to replace various parts of the headphone).
I think this is huge plus because normally when a part of headphone breaks, this would require servicing from the manufacture where there is a waiting period where you have no headphones. With the Amperiors, you avoid this hassle and you can easily buy extra parts and swap them out easily with little trouble at all.
I had purchased a pair of HD25 pleather earpads and installed them here is the link on my impressions on them (and how they changed the sound on the Amperiors) and how to change the earpads)
 
2) The second feature is the split headband. There is endless possibilities how much or how little you can split the headband. The rationale for splitting this headband is to allow the headband to evenly distribute the clamping pressure while increasing stability on the head. Essentially improving comfort and stability!

 

 
 
3) The third feature is that the left earcup can swivel up to 180 degrees (see pictures below) allowing for one ear listening and monitoring. Surprisingly enough, the stability of these headphones is still great when utilizing the headphone like this.

 
Overall: 9/10
 
Design and build quality
The design of the Amperiors is just a practical minimalistic yet professional design. I quite like the silver earcups (these also come in a blue version as well). Some parts of the plastic edges used are a bit sharp and less refined (for example on the headband), so it does detract it from feeling like a premium product.
            In terms of the build quality, despite the large amount of plastic used on Amperiors, the build quality is superb. The plastic used despite not being the most refined looking, it is very rugged and I was never worried about these headphones. I can definitely see why DJs use the Amperiors and HD25, just for this reason alone.  Also the earcups on the Amperiors are made of an anodized aluminum, and it appears to be scratch proof as well. Also, stated before the each part of the headphone is replaceable, a welcome feature for those hard on their headphones. Something to note is that, the earcups are rather loose and at times it can extend and retract more easily than i'd like.
(To remedy this issue,  I added a layer of tape inside the adjustment area to prevent it from sliding out of place. Now, the headphones will never slide out of place unless intended and the tape remains out of site) 

 

 

 
Design Overall: 7/10
Build quality Overall: 9/10 (which a bit more metal was used, but the plastic is super rugged)
 
Comfort and weight
            The earcups swivel to fit anyone’s head and ear shape and the Amperiors was meant to have superb stability and isolation when moving around outside or in the DJ booth. So comfort does suffer, along with the fact that these are on ear headphones (which traditionally are not the most comfortable headphones to begin with, having to rest and press against your ear to maintain seal).
            Using the stock velour earpads, I was able to use these for about 1.5 hours before I had to take them off, due to my ears hurting and starting to sweat at about the 40-50 min mark
    

 

Comfort Velour: 7/10 
 
 With the HD25 pleather earpads, I was able to wear them for about 1 hour before I had to take them off, my ears hurting and began sweating quite a bit starting at the 20 minute mark. 
Both earpads are about the same in terms of padding but the velour earpads are much more breathable and overall more comfortable than the pleather. The material used on the pleather earpad seems kind of papery as cited in my impressions video below.
 

 
Comfort Pleather: 6/10
 

 
In terms of weight, the entire headphone weighs in at about 160grams, very lightweight on the head and around the neck, and I did not feel the weight of headphones on my neck even after extended listening periods.
Weight: 9/10
 
Isolation and Portability
            Whether your using the velour or the pleather earpads, the isolation on is superb! It is easily class leading in the category of on ear headphones. You can definitely use these in your morning bus and subway commute. Its actually quite scary how good the isolation is, it rivals many IEMs/ earphones.
            I did find the pleather earpads isolating more on my subway commute than the velours. 
 
Isolation Velours: 8/10 Isolation Pleather: 9/10
 
In terms of the portability, the Amperiors are small when on the head and when around the neck, there is no restrictions in head movement. But I did notice that when putting these around my neck, the split headband joins together and for me anyway I would have to take off the headphones re-split the headband before putting it back on my head (see video for a clear explanation). This is a mild annoyance but I’ve grown use to it now.
 
Portability: 8/10 (which it folded up or flat)
 
Sound quality: The Amperiors have a mild V shaped sound signature, that never sounds bloated in anyway while being a very lively and exciting. Its quite remarkable how fun it is while being so clear and articulate.
The following is based on my opinion of the Amperiors with the stock velour earpads unless otherwise stated.
 
Bass: The bass is where this headphone absolutely shines! The bass is warm and north of neutral. That said the Amperiors have absolutely the tightest, quickest bass response of any headphone or earphone I have ever tried before. If I had to make an analogy, you can think of the Amperior’s bass being a while (like a lion tamer) its quick, its precise, it’s powerful, yet it never overstays its welcome.  The midbass of the Amperiors is chesty and slams with authority without sounding bloated.  You can throw the most complex bass lines on the Amperiors and they will reproduce it so cleanly and effortlessly. An aspect that DJs need when beat matching.
I did however have two complaints with the Amperiors in terms of the bass.
 
1) The first was that I would like the bass to be a bit more north of neutral, nothing drastic maybe 1-2 db more. Then it would be basically perfect for me as a portable on ear headphone.
 
2) It doesn’t have the greatest extension all the way down there in the subbass, and it does roll off a bit there. So you won’t get the rumbling enveloping bass.
With the pleather earpads, I did feel the bass was slightly boomier, and less controlled. It did lose some of that lightning quickness. It was nothing extreme and but was evident immediately. However, the differences is less noticeable when outside with ambient noise present
 
Midrange:  the Mids are a bit recessed but nowhere near the same extent as the Sennheiser Momentum On Ears. Vocals especially female vocals are more forward. The vocals have a thinness to it, which definitely helps in terms of clarity. While remaining perfectly clear of bass, while being full intergrated in the mix, something I felt wasn’t executed a well on the Momentum On Ear. Female vocals in particular sound great while retaining a lot of their character and “naturalness”. However I did feel that some vocalists sounded a bit overbearing from time to time because of how forward the vocals are in the mix. So take heed if you’re sensitive to this.
 
Treble: Again the treble similar to the rest of the sound signature of the Amperiors is forward and aggressive. Some users have noted that they seem harsh and I can see that for some people that are sensitive to high frequencies, the Amperiors are just not the headphones for them. I did find them a too bright at first, it has probably the brightest treble of anything I’ve used before so it did take some getting use to.
Even now I do find the treble a bit bright for my taste so it doesn’t lend well for long term listening as your ears do fatigue over time (in addition to the physical fatigue from the clamping force).
The treble though is very well extended and articulate and very fast sounding, perfect for rock, and more electronic music. That makes everything lively and engaging.
With the pleather earpads I did find the treble edgier and “more raw-sounding” and even more exciting compared the velour’s (which sounded smoother in comparison).
 
Soundstage: This is one area that I’m a bit disappointed with. The soundstage is quite closed and in your head. Though the Amperiors do a good job placing instruments in this space, I would like it if it was a bit bigger, at least similar to the V-moda XS in this category, which sounds like a small room.
 
Overall: 9/10 ( the treble might be a bit hot for some folks)
 
In conclusion, I think Sennheiser has absolutely hit a HOME RUN with the Amperiors. Its spectacular in terms of build, isolation and sound for a portable on ear headphone. I do wish the design is a bit more modern looking, and the comfort can be a bit of an annoyance for extended listening but all in all I can easily recommend this to anyone, especially for those that go through earphones/headphones every few times a year, good luck trying to break the Amperiors!

Just a point form review... really just notes for myself comparing vs the HD25-1-ii. If you want something with more sonic impressions, read any other Amperior or HD25 review below or the excellent one over at InnerFidelity.
 
pads: Amperior has this supple pleathery material which is way nicer than the HD25 pads and more comfortable
isolation: but somehow the HD25 pleather pads isolate better
clamp: really the same
build quality: Amperior clearly better in every way with nicer cups and cable assembly (and changeable cables with iDevice capability)
sensitivity: the Amperiors are a bit easier to drive
impedance: much lower than the HD25, which may be an issue with amps that have a high output impedance if you're the sort that worries about damping factor
amping: not really needed, nor much of a difference noted
bass: midbass still humped like the HD25 but to a slightly lesser degree
midrange: same 'ol
treble: again a tiny bit cleaner than the H25
overall sound: it's really just a slightly cleaner sound overall
upgrade from HD25? eh... if you already have the HD25 I don't really see the point unless you want the colours
 
 
Extra comparison of HD25-13 vs HD25-1-ii...
pads/isolation/clamp/build: all exactly the same as HD25
impedance: boom we're at 600ohms
sensitivity: not surprisingly lower than the HD25, but actually not by much; you can still get plenty of volume from a portable dap
amping: makes a difference, but don't go breaking the bank for it; it's a mild improvement and more useful here for the headroom
bass: take the HD25 midbass hump and stretch it out lower
midrange: same 'ol
treble: less wobbly than the HD25, more "hifi" but less useful for DJ use where you want that extra sharpness
overall sound: more even response across the frequency range
upgrade from HD25? only if you already have an amp, otherwise stick with the regular one

I got these second hand to use when traveling. I have owned a bunch of other headphones like the Grado RS225 D2000, DT880 and still own a HD650 (just so you know my point of reference).
 
THE GOOD:
- I think they look good in a geeky sense, they are not stylish at all.
- The construction seems very solid as one would expect form Sennheiser at this price level.
- The headphones sound pretty good straight out of the headphone jack of my macbook pro (equalized) as they are quite efficient (this is one area in which they improve upon the HD25).
- They are designed in a way so that you can fix them if they break!
- Velvet ear pads that feel way better than plastic types.
- They are punchy, good for base driven music (electronic, rock, reggae).
- The sound is very clean.
- Overall well tonally balanced i.e. not dark or bright.
- Decent isolation.
- Not too analytical while still retaining a good level of detail.
 
THE BAD:
- These are definitely not the most conferrable headphones you can buy due to excessive headband clamping force.
- I am not too much of a fan of the split headband although some (drummers) might find it useful.
- Complete lack of soundstage, the music is in my head not happening in front of me.
- They are not as portable as they could be, you cannot fold them up.
- They lack musicality, this is not a Grado.
- They sound a bit congested but they are small and closed so this is not really a criticism.
 
Conclusion:
It it is good at what it does well. Buy it if you are not satisfied with the level of fidelity provided by a HD25 and want a portable headphone that is good at bass driven music. I would not buy it if you listen to a lot of classical music.

Bought this as a factory second for £100 recent for a bit of portable fun. I have been looking at the Amperior for quite a while but I ended up with the DT-770 32ohm, which I did not regret at all. The initial pricing of the Amperior was the major thing that stopped me from buying it. But now that it has been discontinued by Sennheiser, the price has dropped quite dramatically as they are introducing the aluminium version of the original HD-25, essentially the Amperior with 70ohm drivers. Anyway, I am happy with the purchase.


 


I guess for the design and comfort, I really do not need to say much about it, the HD-25 design has been around ages, this one just goes along with the DNA really. Some people find it a bit too tight, but do not have big head, or my ears are located a bit higher on the skull, the tension is just right for me. I guess wear it in a hot hot summer day may not be a good idea though, I can feel that heat can build up quite easily with the velour caps. 


 


The sound is also pretty much what I expected from a closed can from Sennheiser. Honestly, I expect a bit more bass from them but it is not really bassy after all, probably because the aluminium casing actually helps tighten the low end a bit. The sound is straight forward, no colouration, sound stage is a bit narrow, overall it is the typical Sennheiser type of warmth, unlike some brands which has a huge emphasis in the highs (what they call clarity). I would say the frequency response is pretty flat compared to some of the cans that I have tried. I also compared side by side the the Momentum, the Momentum just sounds muddy where as the Amperior has got the right amount of clarity. When compared to my DT-770 32ohm, the Amperior can be driven much easier with smartphones or earphone jacks right out from my laptops. The Beyer apparently can give a much lower punch where as the Amperior has more mid-bass. One thing I find on the Amperior is that, the two channels are pretty 'separated' as there is not much "stereo soundstaging" at all, I just don't know how to explain this (not like they are out of phase....). This may possibly be due to the fact that as a studio monitor, the sound is just a bit too analytical and upfront, very good for mixing, but a bit odd for normal listening. I have not got the HD-25 II to compare with at the moment, but some might suggest that the 70ohm drivers may be better, but the idea for Amperior is for low power devices anyway. I have also briefly tried the DT-1350 on a separated occasion, but I feel that the sound is a bit thin to me, not my cup of tea. 


 


All in all, I think for the price that I have paid for the Amperior, I really have no complain afterall, and unlike some other headphones at similar price range, this one is still made in Ireland/Europe, unlike the Philips L1 or M50, which are made in China or some SE Asian countries, and even the new Momentums are made in China now?!?! ***. I think it it certainly a good buy.

this is my first review, though these aren't my first good headphones.
 
 
Build quality:  they are made of mostly plastic, besides the aluminium cups and hinges, but they are still built very well.  i like that i am able to replace every part.  previous experience with headphones has proved to me that wires usually are the weak point of headphones, and being able to replace all of the wiring, including the wiring that runs through the headband is a very sexy.  though, i have noticed that the wiring occasionally gets loose from the right ear, taking the sound out of one ear.  this is annoying, though not terrible, since wiggling usually gets the signal back.
 
Portability: these don't collapse or fold flat, but the great build quality means that i feel more comfortable stuffing them anywhere i can.  so while they may not actually get that small, they will fit in any backpack or any bag, no matter how full.  
 
Comfort: the velour is very soft, and feels nice.  after an hour or two, my ears will start to hurt, though this is more the fact that they super-aural than an actual critique of the headphones.  
 
Sound: the signature is decidedly V shaped, with very good bass impact, and very good bass definition.  the treble is forward, and the mids are recessed.  the treble can make the headphones fatiguing after a while, but since they are used as portables, not for long sessions, a more engaging and bright sound is fine.  i would have preferred a more neutral signature, but the V shape is great for rock and pop, and the great bass is good for rap, electronica and Dubstep.  
the soundstage is lacking.  
 
 
in conclusion, for 200 dollars, they are absolutely worth it.  as portables.  if you want headphones for home use, buy some open and over ear cans.  if you like the V shape signature (listen to rock and pop) or if you want really durable cans, get them.

Coming Soon.

Oh, the Amperior - the street-wise sequel to the famed Sennheiser HD 25. They have a very similar sound signature, but the Amperior sports a fuller, more well defined bass and has toned down the sibilant, often unwieldy trebles of its predecessor. The build quality has increased. The style has been bumped up a notch. iDevice controls and mic are now present. And considering you can easily find them for $200 or less on various online venues (as opposed to the steep $349 MSRP), it's tough to justify the purchase of the HD 25s - no matter how classic they may be.
 
The sound is punchy and cohesive - really in your face. It's accurate, bold, and totally energetic throughout the entire spectrum. The bass is really tight and creates a percussive counterpoint to your most familiar music. It's well integrated and clean; no sloppy grumbliness here. The mids are accurate and forward - so forward that most music sounds like it's firmly resting on your nose. You can expect a clarity and detail that no other on-ear alternatives will provide. Very nice. The highs are crystal clear with a slight emphasis on the crystal. The detail is to be loved, but when listening at louder volumes, female vocals and high hats can become piercing and jangly. The sibilance of the Amperior's older sibling hasn't completely vanished from the family lineage. As for the sound stage - the on-ear style, mixed with the neutral and aggressive sound signature leave little room to hear your music in a 3D space. The music has the air of a studio or a live performance. You won't be surrounded by a hall of sound, but instead be confronted by a wall of it. A wide, thick, and beautiful wall of sound, but still condensed. Does that make sense?
 
If you prefer a warmer, spacious, and laid-back listening experience, I'd look elsewhere (Momentums, perhaps?).
 
The V-Moda M80's rumbly upper-bass/mids and treble roll-off are not present, but the M-80s have a broader, more engrossing soundstage. The classy warmth and eager-to-please well-roundedness of the Sennheiser Momentums aren't here either. That said, the Amperior's bass and overall presence beat the Momentums handily. Anyone calling the Momentum a bassier headphone than the Amperior is...well...incorrect. I hate to sound so authoritative on a subjective subject, but as a owner of both headphones, the Momentums have never created a bassier oomph than the Amperiors on any track I've listened to. That said, bassheads should probably look elsewhere. These have great lows, but they're not emphasized over any other part of the spectrum.
 
I've found the Amperiors to have a polarizing effect on listeners. The narrow soundstage and bossy, uncompromising presentation are offputting to laid-back listeners looking to unwind.
 
But if you want it punchy and clear. If you want it accurate - no frills - just a fun, hearty, detailed, portable on-ear listening experience, then the Sennheiser Amperior has no equal.
 
They're the best on-ear headphones I've ever heard.

I've owned the Sennheiser Amperior for about a month and a half. I got these headphones for 175 dollars used, and I don't feel they're worth the money for me.Before I begin, I'd like to start off by saying some positive things so I don't come off as just bashing these things. I think they're very pretty headphones and they feel well made. They're fun to hold in your hands and appreciate the aluminium cups. They do have a rather quick and sharp sound. That's where I think the good ends. 
 
Wearing them becomes very uncomfortable after around 30 - 60 minutes of use. My ears get very hot/sore wearing these. I find that they are too aggressive for the metal music I listen to. I think there's too much bass and they don't have enough detail, especially for metal music which has walls of sound and there's not enough separation. For any music I think they sound too congested. I prefer a bit more soundstage. They may sound 'fun' at first, but I think these headphones, aside from the fact that they're uncomfortable, aren't easy to enjoy music with, they're just too bright and congested. 
 
- Minor Gripes:
 
-The swivel function for the ear piece is useless.
-The detachable cable is a bit bulky and thumps against my chest when I wear them for running. I supposed that these would be good for running because they're supposed to stay on your head very well, but my other headphones, the Bose AE2 actually stay on my head better when running, which I have used for running in for years (which are also vastly more comfortable headphones).
-You can't lay down with these headphones, even facing up on a pillow, because the ear cups fall off your ear breaking the seal. They don't actually stay on your head as well as you might think.
-When it's windy or when I'm riding my bike outside I can hear wind blowing against the ear cups, which actually makes it hard to hear the music. That is really annoying.
 
Thanks for reading.

I wasn't really in the market for another set of headphones, but i happened to be in the Apple Store buying a cable and was just having a general look around when I saw the Amperiors. I decided to have a listen and was seriously impressed.

I'm now writing this review after having listened to them for about 12 hours in total. Firstly the cups are made from Aluminium and not some cheap plastic and look / feel very classy and the foam pads are clothed in a really nice velour type material. Comfort wise they are good for me with a fairly big head although they do 'clamp' quite tight until they've loosened off a tad with use, however I've listened to them for an hour and a half at a time with no issues.

There is also an in line control with a mic built in and I've received a couple of calls on it - sound quality is distortion free and my callers could hear me with no problems. Normal iPhone controls are there to pause / play and adjust volume. The controller also has a clip to attach to your shirt / jacket to save it flapping around, which is a nice touch.

The headband is a quirky design and is a two piece affair that can be used like a normal headphone or it splits in two and can be adjusted to give extra grip on two points on your head. I've tried both, but prefer to leave it in the 'closed' position and use it as a one piece headband.

The left earcup also swivels up 'DJ Style' so that you can listen with one earcup, not my thing, but it's there if you need / want it.

Now moving onto the main reason I was compelled to buy these...the sound is absolutely amazing! Bass is tight & deep without muddying the mid range or highs.

The soundstage is absolutely amazing for such small headphones and whether you want to listen at home or commuting these are just excellent!

Highly recommended for sound & style.
 

 

These are not the final word in isolation, but coupled with their ability to play loud and to entertain, they might result in you forgetting that roads are dangerous and normally noisy.
 
The sound quality itself is great, like its older brother, but the bass can be a little like it's only one note. If you use these outdoors, you'll be shocked at how good they are for a portable, and they may make you reconsider whether IEMs are the best choice. They also look pretty funky in a WW2 headset sort of way.

A great set of portable closed cans for the go.  With a lower impedance than their predecessors these headphones can be run of nearly any source.  Although the sound stage is limited the overall sound quality is quite pleasing.  
 
For full review:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/617578/sennheiser-amperior-review#post_8516525

Intro
 
Long before I heard of Head-fi.org, one of the first headphones I ever bought was the Sennheiser HD 25-1. In 2004 I was on tour as the drummer for the internationally renowned singer Fish (ex-Marillion) and wanted an excellent headphone to enhance my music-listening experience both on and off the stage. When browsing in a European department store, I found and bought a discounted HD 25-1 for around £150 and used it for the rest of my touring time with Fish, much preferring its sound instead of the budget in-ear monitors I was issued at the start of the tour. After the tour I stored the HD 25 in one of my boxes where it lay dormant for a few years.
 
Fast forward to around 2010 and it was a time that I wasn't listening to much music nor was I interested in headphones. I then began to feel inspired to find a great headphone to enjoy music with, and that search led me to head-fi.org, other headphone sites, and many beautiful human beings. Along the way I resurrected my HD 25 and began to appreciate just how great a headphone it still is in my humble (and obviously subjective) opinion.
 
For those of you reading this who don’t know about the Sennheiser HD 25, for many years it has been an industry standard headphone for professional audio applications and is still frequently used by cameramen, DJs, and other music professionals. In addition to its prowess in those areas, the HD 25 is a popular choice of headphone for many non-professional music-lovers and headphone enthusiasts (it's currently #5 of all headphones on head-fi's official headphone ranking page) and has recently gained popularity and press with the release of an Adidas themed version that only differs cosmetically from the HD 25-II. 
 
I think the HD 25 is an excellent headphone for personal use that is particularly suited to music such as pop/rock music and other musical styles where rhythm is important such as some electronic music, reggae, and R&B. And in my quest for a headphone that revealed music as I would hear a live performance if I were present in person at the performance and hearing it with my own ears, or listening to high-quality studio monitor playback in a high-end studio, the HD 25, with its prominently bassy-yet-neutral sound and clear transients wasn’t perfect, but I thought it was very impressive and enjoyable.
 
Introducing the Amperior
 

 
At the start of this year, I saw this video of the Amperior posted on head-fi, followed by glowing reviews by Tyll Hertsens of Innerfidelity. I also began to get very excited about the Amperior and bought one from a local Apple store as soon as I knew it was available. When I got it back home and tried it (yes I waited I liked what I heard. A lot.
 
Design
 
As will most probably be obvious to you now if you watched the above video, the Amperior is basically the same design as the HD 25 but with a few changes:
 

1. The swivel caps and plastic earcups of the HD 25 have been replaced with anodized aluminium in a choice of either blue or silver.
2. The headband padding and earpads have been replaced with a more luxurious material similar to that used with Sennheiser’s current flagship headphone, the HD 800, and also the HD 700.
3. Instead of the HD 25’s one cable, the Amperior comes fitted with a short cable, extending 0.3 metres from the right ear cup, and also included in the package are two extension cables, a standard 0.85 metre cable and a 0.96 metre cable with a remote control and integrated microphone, specifically designed for use with iDevices.
4. The iDevices the Amperior was designed for have a lower output level in comparison with the higher output level of standalone amplifiers, and to enable the Amperior to be driven sufficiently it has been given an impedence of 18 ohms, compared with the 70 ohm impedence of the HD 25; basically, at the same volume setting on an iDevice, the Amperior will sound significantly louder than the HD 25.

 
The Amperior's stylish box that is a very functional way to store the headphone and its cables when not in use. The box is hinged and closes securely due to the tension between the boxes’ outer and inner lip.
 

 
The incredibly robust headband of the HD 25 seems mostly unchanged with the Amperior. Before selling my HD 25, I had used it extensively and casually stored it in my bags and cases when on the move, and after 10 years of wear-and-tear – not always in the most delicate way – the HD 25’s headband remained unscarred and in remarkably fresh-looking condition. The only criticism I have with the Amperior’s headband is that the headphone cable sometimes comes loose from the groove in the headband it runs through. This is a minor issue but one I would prefer not to deal with.
 
One feature about the Amperior and Sennheiser headphones in general for which I am incredibly grateful is that parts for all Sennheiser headphones are available for purchase. To me this is very reassuring as it pretty much guarantees a lifetime of use for any Sennheiser headphone as long as they continue to manufacture and supply spare parts.
 
Comfort
 
Though essentially the same design as the HD 25, I find the Amperior to be much more comfortable due to the upgraded pads. It feels very pleasurable to put the Amperior on and take it off and it also feels more expensive than the HD 25, which to me feels less luxurious and more of a standard item.
 
The Amperior is a supra-aural (on-ear) headphone and clamps firmly on my head, providing effective isolation from outside noise. Like with the HD 25, I find the Amperior's clamping pressure gets uncomfortable after wearing it for an hour or two, but if I take it off and give my ears a rest for a few minutes, they feel fine again when I put the Amperior back on.
 

 
Audio Quality
 
The sound of the Amperior is very similar to the HD 25-1 I had, but I find the sound quality of the Amperior to be a definite step-up and more cohesive sounding overall. Some say that the HD 25-II is a sonic improvement over the HD 25-1, but I can’t yet comment on that from actual listening experience. Since I sold my HD 25 soon after buying an Amperior, I won’t be A/B’ing the Amperior and HD 25, but some of my comparisons between them can be found in this thread.
 
Again like the HD 25, the Amperior is an excellent detail retrieval tool that will no doubt assist many listeners in hearing details they never knew existed in their favourite recordings. The Amperior is still nowhere near as revealing of musical details as current flagship headphones such as the Sennheiser HD 800 and the Audez’e LCD-3, but for a supra-aural headphone that costs a fraction of their price and is designed for portable use, the Amperior is truly excellent in this regard.
 
When listening to recordings with the Amperior, the instrumental tones are slightly thinner than natural i.e. what I would hear if I was present listening to a live concert performance at the venue, and in terms of overall sound balance the Amperior is very neutral with a slight emphasis on the bass region.
 
One of the Amperior’s most prominent features is its ability to deliver impactful bass that facilitates a fun toe-tapping factor (known as PRaT in the world of headphones). Listening to the drum and bass track Seven Samurai by Photek, the sub bass extends low to such an extent that I can feel it vibrating in my chest. With some tracks the Amperior’s bass at times sounds a bit boomy but when I listen more closely, even on tracks such as All My Life by the Foo Fighters where there’s a lot of activity in the bass region, I can still hear details such as the pointed attack of the bass drum beater above the bass guitar.
 
The Amperior reveals what’s on recordings with clarity that is there in spades but due to its closed-in sound, which could be described as intense, the listener may have to concentrate more to hear specific instrumental details than they would with a more open-sounding headphone. I’m not at all saying this is a ‘bad’ thing about the Amperior, but merely that the Amperior has a specific-sounding presentation that is different than some other types of headphones. I can see that many people who listen to music with a strong rhythmic emphasis could easily prefer the Amperior over less forward-sounding high-end headphones. I personally recommend giving the Amperior a listen if you get the opportunity.
 

 
I find that there is a slight sibilance in the Amperior's treble region which is evident when listening to cymbals, such as on the song White Limo and Dear Rosemary from the Foo Fighters Album Wasting Light, but for me such sibilance in no way affects my enjoyment of the music. Everything sounds clear and impactful.
 
The Amperior’s soundstage may be considered its weakest area as it isn’t as wide and expansive as other headphones and can relatively sound a little bit congested, but I still find its soundstage more than enjoyable for most recordings.
 
When it comes to instrumental definition, or separation as it's often referred to, the Amperior smoothly delineates each instrument on recordings in a way that cohesively, and with an intense intimacy, presents the whole musical picture. If you are looking for a spacious-sounding headphone that portrays instrumental details and texture with both the utmost definition and separation (useful qualities when listening to recordings featuring many instruments and subtly detailed orchestration e.g. classical music), the Amperior may not be the headphone for you, but it has clearly presented every instrument on most of the wide range of recordings I have so far fed it. (Since getting the Amperior, I’ve listened to many recordings with it; my current total listening time with the Amperior is about a few hundred hours.)
 
Value for Money
 
At the time of writing this, the Amperior is available from Apple stores for just under £260, which is around £100 more than the HD 25-II or HD 25 Adidas Originals versions. I think that £100 is a lot to pay for a headphone that is designed to sound the same as its predecessors, but I do much prefer the sound of the Amperior to other portable headphones that cost more than it.
 
When I recently compared the Amperior to the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 portable headphone (RRP approx. £300), I clearly preferred the Amperior and thought it sounded more natural and full-sounding, making the Bose sound thin and tinny by comparison, and a few years ago, I A/B’d my HD 25-1 with the B&W P5 (RRP approx. £240) and much preferred the clarity of the HD 25, so it makes sense that I’d also prefer the Amperior over the P5. 
 

 
The Amperior’s earcups are made from machined aluminium, which most probably adds to the cost of construction materials and the manufacturing process over-and-above what it costs to manufacture the HD 25, and they also add sparkle to the HD 25's aesthetic, so considering the Amperior’s excellent sound quality and fashionable, modern looks, I think the Amperior is great value for money relative to other headphones on the market. But again that is obviously subjective i.e. my opinion.
 
Outro / In Summary
 
The Amperior is a stylish-looking, lively-sounding, and robustly-constructed headphone that presents music to the listener with an abundance of sonic impact. It sounds good with all styles/genres of music (it particularly shines with pop/rock and other music that thrives on visceral impact such as some electronic styles, reggae, and R&B) and it is excellent for both personal and professional audio applications. The Amperior is also an ideal choice for people who frequently travel or find themselves on-the-go and want an audiophile quality headphone to take with them.
 
The Amperior is another world-class product from Sennheiser and the finest supra-aural portable headphone I've yet heard.