[SunByrne]

I'm a relative newbie to phones (mostly from the speaker world) but I've been reading for a while and learning a ton.

I'd like to get a pair of closed cans in the $50-100 range. Lots of people with good things to say about the Sony V6's, but I'd be curious to hear what people think about how they compare to the Senn HD212 Pro and the Senn HD280 Pro, keeping in mind the 212s are a bit cheaper and the 280s a bit more expensive. If there are others I should consider around this price point (Beyer?), I'd like to hear thoughts on that as well.

My primary criterion is accuracy--I like the flattest possible response for the dollar, if you will. These will be for mixed home/portable (iPod) use, mostly home. Mix of rock, electronica, classical. For those also from the speaker world, I'm a PSB fan...

Thanks! From reading what I've read so far, I have already offered condolences to my wallet--hence the low price range.

 

[averydonovan]

I have the V6's, haven't heard the HD212 or the HD280. The HD212's are suppossed to be very boomy and not very good overall. The HD280 is reported to have less bass (or maybe just a very different bass) than the V6 while being less fatiguing. The V6 is a very good set for around $70 to $80, smallish, comfortable, and sounds good out of nearly anything. They handle rock and electronica quite well, I don't know about classical but they seem to be better for classical than any of my other cans (I don't listen to classical much though). They are probably the closest to neutral you can get in this price range.

The choice between HD280's and V6's here seems to be mostly about personal preference, some people like one, some people like the other.

 

[blessingx]

I've heard the horrible 202's (not the 212), have owned two pairs of V6's at different points, and tested the 280's for a couple times before picking up the V6's the second time. I prefer the V6's for a number of reasons, but not for its flat response. I think you may want the 280's for that (out of the three). How you're gonna use the 280's for portable use is another matter.

There may be other phones to consider also, but I'm not sure which (haven't aimed for flat).

 

[Jasper994]

The 280's are great and from what I understand they go lower and have less of a mid-bass hump when compared to the V6. I really like the 280's and got them for a great price $69.99 which is right in your price range. You can order them for that price from PC Mall or if you have a Guitar Center nearby they seem to honor that price if you print the buy page from PC Mall. I've gotten this deal and another person on this board got the same deal after taking my advice. Anyway good luck and happy listening!

 

[bangraman]

HD280: the better (never from a portable in my experience, unfortunately) amplification you have, the better it sounds than the V6. I much preferred it over the 7506/V6 when powering it from my mixer. The 7506/V6 seemed to work better from portables amped or unamped in my opinion. Some may contradict me and they may well be right too because our heads are all different but I found the HD280 more comfortable.


Clearly, I am saying buy both

 

[blr]

Had the 280 and traded for V6 basically for the comfort. The 280s although providing superb isolation were pushing a bit too hard on my ears, something that I couldn't tollerate for more than an hour. For people with small ears V6 are circumaural and quite comfy.
About the sound, HD280 sound flatter with less of a bass hump and well extended highs but never harsh. I agree with what others have said about powering them, the better the amplification the better they sound. V6 are less picky about that and generally easier to drive from a portable.

 

[SunByrne]

Excellent set of advice, gang, much appreciated. Especially given Jasper's tip on getting them cheap, I may well be forced to go with bangraman's tip and get both. Oh, my poor wallet...

 

[pwrusr]

My vote goes to the HD280's. I'm the one who followed jasper's advice and grabed them for only $69.99.
I use them for listening to Hard trance/trance, rock, rap and also for playing games like Unreal Tournament and ghost recon.

here are two threads that I started about them:
I've searched, but now I have a "???"
newest member of team HD280...
I'll try to write up a review within the next week or so.
I'm giving them alot of time to burn in as reccomended by pretty much everyone who has owned them.

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally posted by SunByrne Excellent set of advice, gang, much appreciated. Especially given Jasper's tip on getting them cheap, I may well be forced to go with bangraman's tip and get both. Oh, my poor wallet...

Go with 1 closed and 1 open. You can get better sounding phones in this price point without the closed restriction.

Also, like what Bangraman said, at least how I use them (iPod), I think the V6's beat the 280's... but they're not flat.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jasper994 The 280's are great and from what I understand they go lower and have less of a mid-bass hump when compared to the V6.

The V6/7506 actually have slightly better bass extension than the HD 280 Pro (although their bass is also more emphasized, whereas the HD 280 Pro has a tiny bit of roll-off). Likewise, the weakest part of the V6/7506's frequency response is its recessed midrange, which ends up making the treble and bass sound overdone. (That being said, neither of these two cans has very good midrange -- it's the weak point of both, IMO.)

Overall, the HD 280 Pro are a bit flatter in their response than the V6/7506, so if flat is your primary criterion, I'd go with the HD 280 Pro. Although I prefer the V6/7506 for everyday listening.

A few people find the HD 280 Pro comfortable, but I think it's safe to say that the majority find the V6/7506 more comfortable. Eventually you can spend $20 and get the Beyer velour pads for the V6/7506, which increases the comfort further.

 

[Xplo]

I have no idea how the V6 compares to more expensive phones, but what classical I have heard through the V6 definitely sounded better than it did coming through a number of cheaper phones. The sharpness in the highs really reveals a lot of detail in a recording, although sometimes more than I would like (it tends to emphazise clicks, pops, hiss, and ambient noises that weren't really meant to be recorded.. particularly in older recordings where these sounds are more noticible). I imagine the bass extension would help with some pieces.

My impression from numerous reviews and comments about both phones is that the 280 is more neutral than the V6.

That's a great price on the 280, BTW. I may have to get one now instead of waiting.. and there goes what's in the bank! I guess that'll make me an official Head-Fi member...

 

[GodsMadClown]

ecost.com has the same price on the HD280s ($69.99) with free ground shipping. Less immediate gratification, and no audition, but it might be less hassle.

 

[Jasper994]

Quote:

Originally posted by GodsMadClown ecost.com has the same price on the HD280s ($69.99) with free ground shipping. Less immediate gratification, and no audition, but it might be less hassle.

It really wasn't a hassle, just walked in with the printout and asked if he could match it since the PC Mall near me was out and he looked at it and said sure. Done deal... real simple.

 

[Tyson]

Classical come through much better on the 280's than the V-6's. Save the V-6 for crappy rock and pop recordings. If you are not using an amp w/the 280's, I find that a small bass boost works very well. With an amp a bass boost is not needed (and I highly recommend the fixup.net supermini headphone amp w/the 280's).

 

[pwrusr]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tyson Classical come through much better on the 280's than the V-6's. Save the V-6 for crappy rock and pop recordings. If you are not using an amp w/the 280's, I find that a small bass boost works very well. With an amp a bass boost is not needed (and I highly recommend the fixup.net supermini headphone amp w/the 280's).

I find the bass on portables to be fine without any bass boost (for me at least). Infact I had to keep checking the bass boost was OFF more then once with the HD280's