HD 485 vs HD 238 Precision vs Grado

[rakinishu]

Hi I was wondering if anyone would recommend the HD 485 over the HD 238 Precision. I heard the Grado's are nice, but it looks very uncomfortable and it doesn't cover my ear entirely... (I don't know if that is a sound performance factor.)

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...t=502763&row=2


I want to use these headphones for walking around campus and studying in the library. I like the design of the HD 485 but I'm afraid it might be too big for me to wear around which may make me look like a dork. I really like the HD 238 design but I havent heard any solid reviews about it. I also want to make sure I don't disturb other people in the library while I am listening to mostly rock, jazz, and reggae songs. But most of all I'm about sound quality.

If anyone has recommendations please respond with any other advice.

Thanks.

 

[Nestor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakinishu /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi I was wondering if anyone would recommend the HD 485 over the HD 238 Precision. I heard the Grado's are nice, but it looks very uncomfortable and it doesn't cover my ear entirely... (I don't know if that is a sound performance factor.) Sennheiser Worldwide - HD 238 Precision I want to use these headphones for walking around campus and studying in the library. I like the design of the HD 485 but I'm afraid it might be too big for me to wear around which may make me look like a dork. I really like the HD 238 design but I havent heard any solid reviews about it. I also want to make sure I don't disturb other people in the library while I am listening to mostly rock, jazz, and reggae songs. But most of all I'm about sound quality. If anyone has recommendations please respond with any other advice. Thanks.

I don't think that anyone has reviewed the HD238 yet, but I can tell you already that they wouldn't work - they're open design. The HD228 or HD218 might work, though, as they are closed.

 

[scompton]

The Grados and HD485 are open too. If you listen at low levels, it's not a problem for sound leaking out. However most people listen at levels loud enough for them to leak. If you need to block outside sound, they won't work at all. If you need to block a lot of outside sound, an IEM is the way to go. Most closed headphones will block low level background sounds, but not the sounds of mass transit.

Grados don't just look uncomfortable, they are. HD485s are among the most comfortable headphones I've owned