HD280 Pro Uncomfortable- Returning them to store

[Bert]

Hi folks,

Is it normal to have trouble wearing the new Sennheiser HD 280 Pro I just picked up. They clamp hard on my head and after a few minutes they begin to hurt my head behind my ears. The fact that I wear glasses probably doesn`t help but it isn't near my glasses that it hurts. For a serious music buff like me, to avoid putting on headphones is a very bad sign. I have Beyer DT 990, Koss Porta Pro and Sennheiser HD-40 at home and they are all 5-10 times more comfortable.

Should I give up on sealed phones or is there a more comfortable pair for the same money or less.

Thanks,
Bert

 

[phidauex]

Even if you DON'T have a huge head, many Sennheiser phones have a bit of a 'death grip'. Many people solve this by placing a large book between the pads so that they stay in a slightly expanded state while being stored, which will stretch them out a bit. You can just keep putting them away by stretching them over the book until they fit the way you like them.

part of the 'death grip' of some sealed phones is to really SEAL them against your head. The 280pro is prized for its isolation, which is just about the highest of any non-canal phone. Part of that isolation comes from the tight fit. If you stretch them, you won't get quite as much isolation, but they would be more comfy.

Anyway, if you like the way they sound, i'd say try to stretch them out a bit. If you just aren't satisfied with them, go ahead and return them. Sealed phones aren't all tight fitting, just the ones boasting very high isolation. If you like your Beyers, they also make some very nice closed phones that you might look into.

peace,
phidauex

 

[jpelg]

I found that the discomfort of the 280's came from the top padding on the headband pressing downward onto my head. After even a fairly brief listening session it was hurting too much. Despite the good sound quality coming from them, I had to send them back.

BTW, although I found the side clamping to be tight, it was not uncomfortable and contributed to their ambient sound attenuation.

There are several other quality closed cans out there that may be alternatives for you. Namely Sony V6/7506 (preferrably with the Beyerdynamic velour pads installed), Beyerdynamic 250-80, Beyerdynamic 831, Beyerdynamic 770, Denon 750, & Denon 950. Others here may be able to suggest more possibilities to you. All of them are of very different physical designs as well as sound properties. Again, while people here can attest for or against the comfort level of any of them, headphone fit is VERY personal.

 

[hokiefritz]

The Beyers look very comfy to me.

Other closed headphones that are very comfortable are the higher end AT cans like the W100. They have two small pads that rest on the top of your head and distribute the weight of the earcups nicely. You can sort of see what I'm talking about here.

 

[JML]

I'd like to echo hokiefritz' points about the design of cans like the W100 and the F1 -- they separate the vertical and horizontal forces by two different spring-loaded mechanisms, unlike the Senn design that relies on the horizontal clamp and a pad.

I found the Senn terribly uncomfortable, too. And I thought they were built cheaply.

 

[Bert]

I need comfortable sealed headphones for work that can be driven by a portable CD player. Are the Beyerdynamic DT231 any better than the Sennheiser HD280 Pro when it comes to comfort? How about sound quality? What about the Sennheiser 212 Pro? Are they comfortable?

Thanks,
Bert

 

[MacDEF]

The Sony MDR-V6 are sealed, very comfortable (especially if you replace the pads with the Beyer velour pads), easily powered by a portable/laptop, and sound good for around $60-$70.

 

[Bert]

Where can I pick these up online?

Thanks,
Bert

 

[nierika]

I also thought the HD 280 Pros were very uncomfortable at first. After about 2 days it went away; they adjusted somewhat to the shape of my head (they don't clamp as tight now).

 

[Bert]

Nierika:

How many hours did you wear them? Did you stretch them?

Thanks,
Bert

 

[nierika]

Bert: I would say about 5 hours in 2 days. The plastic headband loosens up and they are pretty comfy right now (have had them for a week). I think returning headphones right away is a little premature, give it at least a week or 2.

 

[hokiefritz]

Etronics.com sells the V6, and I'm sure there are others that do also. Try google.com as a search engine and you'll find many options.

I use the 280pro with my soundcard and I like them, they sound good but they're not exactly the last word in comfort. I don't like how the weight is distributed to just the top part of my head. I never really experienced the clamping problem though, perhaps I have less gray matter between the pads to stretch 'em out.

I'm all for high quality sound, but if it comes at the price of pain then forget it. Mine just get annoying after a few hours at the computer and at the point I should take a break anyway.

Regards

 

[mulciber]

Quote:

I need comfortable sealed headphones for work that can be driven by a portable CD player. Are the Beyerdynamic DT231 any better than the Sennheiser HD280 Pro when it comes to comfort? How about sound quality?

Beyerdynamic DT231's are extremely comfortable to wear and sound great. I used to have a pair of 831's that were far more expensive, and the 231's have the same sonic qualities (Beyers seem to have a certain sound, some might call it a bit dark. The midranges, although extremely clear, seem to be bouncing off a back wall somewhere, giving them a very spacious and well-knit sound).

However, three caveats:

1) They require a fairly powerful source. With an amp, either home or portable, they sound fantastic. Straight out of my pcdp (Sony D-EJ915, which has a very crappy headphone out) they don't sound very good. I imagine they'd sound much better with an older Sony pcdp or with something like a Panasonic 570. My MD recorder (Sony MZR50) has a very good headphone out and they sound terrific straight out of that.

2) Closed phones are hot in the summer. Even the Beyers, which have very nice velour pads, feel stuffy in hot weather.

3) They are a closed design, but they do not conceal sound to the outside. The joint that holds the band in place is actually an aural opening and contributes to the overall sound characteristic. This is good if you don't care about sound escaping, but it makes them not a great choice if you do.

DGI

 

[Positron]

At first I thought that the Sennheiser 280 Pro were quite uncomfortable at first. However, after playing music with them 2-3 hours a day for 1 week I really liked them. The comfort level is now acceptable, and the sound is great. Therefore, I think it is worth to give these cans a bit of time before returning them. Still, it´s your choice.

 

[Bert]

Well, it looks like I will give them another day or two. Right now they are playing loud, stretched over a small box. I have already noticed an improvement in thier comfort.

Bert