DT231 and the Senn HD25-SP

[Fishy]

1. Which of these two has better overall sound? how much different is the bass between these two models?

2. Which of these is the most 'closed'? I've heard that the DT231 doesn't do much in the way of isolating, but does it really leak that badly? Does it leak as much as a full sized, open headphone?

 

[Fishy]

*bump*

please help...suggestions...thoughts....

 

[shw24]

Hi Fishy... I'm a noob also in headphone world, so my advice might not reliable. I'm sure that many headfiers in this forum will able to give you more accurate advice. I'm owned DT231 as my first cans, and overall, I like them. I have never heard HD25sp personally, but I heard that they have a lot of bass and I think more than DT231. However I think the bass in DT231 is already good enaugh for me, and this is the reason why I choose this one instead of choosing HD497 and px100. I like to use this cans for listening instruments, or pop but for rock, I think sr60 is better eventhough it is an very open cans. DT231 do leak a lot considering it is a closed phone, but if you compare to open cans, it still better in terms of isolating especially from grados. One thing that I like about DT231 is it is very comfortable so that I can use it for hours...but it is will depends on your head and ear size of course. Personally, for the money I've paid for this phone which is 30 pounds (which is the same price for ipod bud), maybe I can say that this is one of the best value cans, better than other cans with similar price (HD25sp here cost 80pounds). If you have a chance to demo them, that would be the best way, you can choose which one is the best for you, coz every opinion hear is a matter of personal taste. I can find some headfiers who consider DT231 is a nice budget phone, and some headfiers prefer HD25sp instead of DT231. Well I think for a noob like me, DT231 is a good entry level cans for my first step in headphones world (and also for the money, it doesn't make me broke, I can still spare some cash to buy DIY amp) but if I have more money, and wants something better, I won't buy HD25sp but I will buy HD25-1 instead, I think from the review, they are much superior compare to HD25sp, or since I like beyer, maybe I will upgrade to DT531 level at least.

 

[Nak Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shw24 but if I have more money, and wants something better, I won't buy HD25sp but I will buy HD25-1 instead, I think from the review, they are much superior compare to HD25sp, or since I like beyer, maybe I will upgrade to DT531 level at least.

Please remember that 25sp can be usually had for half the price of 25-1 so it's significant cash outlay for 20-30% improvement.

Never tried 231 before, but I can say that the isolation of 25 series pads are very good: with little music playing you can barely hear outside world. However, the sound signature are not for the bass-weak-at-heart. To me they sound very heavy and not natural, overpowering the whole spectrum. For the price I agree DT531 would be better than both 25s but they offer no isolation at all.

 

[episiarch]

Fishy, I have both and will try to fetch the HD25SP from the office and do a comparison for you tonight. What kind of amplification do you have, and what kind of music do you listen to?

The DT231 does indeed leak sound to the outside world. Not as much as an open headphone, probably, but it definitely doesn't pass the spouse-in-the-same-room test.

 

[Fishy]

episiarch,

I don't use any kind of amplification...is it really necessary? I usually listen to music on my home stereo, computer or ipod 20g. I listen to everything from classical (study music) to rock to metal. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD555 that I just got for use at home--I like the sound, but would prefer a little bit more bass (not to the point where it obliterates mids/highs, but enough so i don't hear that kind of 'crack' sound on some of the lows--i've noticed the 555's do this on parts of the Braveheart soundtrack and some Korn songs, for example). However, i have multiple earpiercings and have found that headphones like the 555 are the most comfortable for longer wear. Now i'm looking for a 'nice' headphone for on car trips, or boppin' around campus (i'm a student). I was looking for a more closed can just so that i'm not bugging other people around me as much, not because i have an overwhelming need to block out annoying sounds.


Back to the amp...would you recommend and amp with either the DT231 or the HD25? I'm looking for somethign under 100, so I guess that means I'm looking at the 25SP rather than the 25-1 (?).

also someone mentioned demo models...I can't find a single place in the DC metro area that has demo's available (other than Bose Triports, a Koss and Sony at Best Buy). No chains around here seems to do demos, and i have yet to find an independent store that sells anything but Senn 202 and 212. If anyone lives in my area and knows someplace where i could touch/try some of these models, would they mind filling me in?

Otherwise, all i can do is examine pictures on amazon or wherever and make my best guess

Thanks everyone for the input! I really appreciate it!!!

 

[episiarch]

Fishy, either of these will run well without an amp, so that won't be the deciding factor. I just asked so that if you listen with an amp I could try to give you my impressions with the nearest equivalent amp that I own. I think an amp is generally helpful with most cans, but with these two you will still get a good experience without one.

If you need something library-friendly, then I think DT231 is pretty much out. Likewise if you have the kind of roommates who need perfect silence. But I think they're not so leaky that they will drive people crazy in a non-silent setting.

As for comfort, they're very different designs. The DT231 goes around your ear, in the manner of the HD555, but is pretty small. If you have big ears, or have anything dangling from the piercings, you'll probably have comfort problems with the DT231. The HD25SP sits on top of your ear, and if you have studs or something in those piercings then there's every chance that it will press right on them. I imagine that could become a comfort issue, but I really don't know.

I'll do a sound check tonight and report results, but one thing I'll say now is that I would probably rank the DT231 as a nicer study music headphone. It has strong bass and extended highs that work together in such a way that I can turn the music down [size=xx-small]very low[/size] and still enjoy it -- it doesn't dissolve into a boring undefined murmur. That's good for the way I work, but if you're like my friend who does his best work while blasting Alice In Chains, then that's not a factor.

 

[episiarch]

All right, here it is. Somewhat to my surprise, I like the HD25SP better on all the material I listened to. I don't remember that being the case, but side-by-side the choice was very clear to me. The HD25SP had a somewhat distant sound, but to my ears was much more correct overall. The DT231 had lots of big warm bass, but was pretty mushy and fuzzy in the midrange.

Caveat: my HD25SP's have had far more burn-in time than the DT231's, which I pretty much stopped listening to once the "not-really-closed" issue became apparent. (If you decide you want the DT231 anyway, PM me, as I don't see a reason to keep it.)

This was out of an unamped iPod. Adding an amp improved both, but I still liked the HD25SP better. I listened only to brief passages, but I chose things that I know well enough to think I can give a fair assessment pretty quickly. They included vocal and instrumental jazz, chamber and orchestral classical, and rock; I don't think I have any metal.

 

[Fishy]

I guess it seems to me, then that the HD25Sp is the best choice. I think the DT231 might have a slightly higher comfort rating on my ears, though it seems like the sound is better on the senns, . And the closed issue...I think that will make a difference when I'm in the library.

Ok, so HD25SP it is! *fingers crossed*

Thank you everyone for the input

Thank you episiarch for doing the comparison for me.

I'll report back once I have em and have tried them. I can't wait!

Thanks again!!!

 

[episiarch]

One more thing...did you ever consider the Sony soft earbuds (MDR-EX71 or EX71 or the new EX81 available from AudioCubes)? They are closed, ultraportable (natch), have gobs o' bass, are very comfortable, and are within your price range. Opinions differ - they don't get too much respect around here - but some of us do like them. Here's a related thread.

 

[Fishy]

well, I had the Sony Fontopia earbuds...not the noise reduction ones, the ones that are like a step down from the MDR-EX71 you suggested. Like $10 cheaper, I think. I really liked them--had them for about a year--but then they started playing only out of one ear. I mean for an earbud, I thought it was decent sound with decent comfort at an affordable price. I was using those Fontopias for working out, and then some philips (can't remember the model) for studying until about 2 weeks ago when they both broke within 24hrs of each other. weird. So, since music is kind of the only thing I spend my money on, i decided to start investigating some other, nicer options.

Back to the Sony's....I thought the 'regular' Fontopias (for lack of a better word since I dont' have the model type on me) did a decent job of blocking out noise. That was partly why I bought them--they did a decent job of getting rid of the gym music so I could hear my own. Does the extra $10 for the 'noise reducing' feature really help much more?

I mean in for a penny, in for a pound....maybe I'll just get both (the sony and the senn). That will leave me with a home can, a workout can and a portable/"on campus" can. Makes sense...right? Or am I buying more than i need?

I can see already all this information is not going to be good for my wallet

 

[episiarch]

If by the noise-reducing one you mean the MDR-NC11, I truly don't know. I've never heard it. I have EX71SL and EX70L (at least I think it's EX-70L; it's EX-70something). I also don't know what to say about the breakage. It hasn't happened to me. (FWIW I keep mine in the kind of little microfiber drawstring bag that is sold among the sunglass cases at Target.)

It may not be the best use of your money to get HD25SP's as well as replacement Sonys. I'm not sure what advantage the HD25SP's have as portable/on-campus cans over the little Sonys; I don't think their sound is all that much better (though it is different in a way that some people may like better). The only reason I have DT231's or HD25SP's at all is that at work there are days when I have lots of interruptions, and I find it a little less fiddly to take off and put on a regular-sized headphone than canal phones when the phone rings or when someone walks in. If it were purely a matter of sound quality or comfort, I'd be happy enough with the EX70's, despite their bass-heaviness and indistinct middle, since the DT231's and HD25SP's are not exactly no-compromise cans either.

 

[Nak Man]

Exactly ! I forgot to add that my only use of 25sp are to block out noisy office environment and can easily plop them on n off to pick up phones or address other interruptions. Beyond that purpose I hardly use them. If you can choose other route (go canal or open or full sized), I read there are many other recommendations for almost similar price.

 

[Fishy]

Ok so I think I got all confused...

--I've had the MDR-EX51LP Fontopia. Liked it well enough for working out but wasn't comfortable enough to go over more than about an hour (in my opinion)

--The MDR-EX71 has been recommended. What is the difference between this one and the EX51? The only thing I could really see was the cord/accessories issue. I thought for some reason the EX71 was 'noise reducing' but it's not, it's just closed (like the EX51). oops

--To me, the earbuds/in ear options aren't in the same category as other portable cans (like the DT231 or the HD25Sp) because of the feel issue. Also, I sweat a lot when i work out--so i stay away from anything that isn't silicone or some other 'rubbery' type material (or it gets yucked up really fast). So, I would be looking at earbuds for working out regardless, and since all of my stuff broke on me at the same time, I'm buying a buch of things at the same time too.

That's what the difference is to me between the Senns and the Sonys--comfort, so I put them into two seperate groups. I have two needs--a portable earphone i can use on campus/in the car for extended periods of time, and a workout earphone. At first, I was only looking at the DT231/SennHD25SP for the on campus issue. But now that you brought up the earbuds...I'm thinking if I'm going to order online I should just do both at the same time.

I think I've decided on the Senns for the oncampus category, but are there any other earbuds besides the Sonys anyone would recommend?

 

[Fishy]

Ok, I got the DT231's. They didn't have quite enough bass for me, and then started crackling when i touched the cord so I sent them back. I'm looking now at the 25sp's, though I am still concerned about the fit. I need to know just how tight they are on the ear. My sister has a pair of Sony MDR-V150's; is the cup shape/size of the 25sp similar to the Sony?