HD485 vs. HD497

[isibane]

Hi all,

I'm having trouble choosing between Sennheiser HD485 and HD497 so I want to hear some opinions about the HD485 since it isn't sold in my country, there's a glorifying review over at cnet but I'd appreciate any other opinion.

It will be used mostly for music: Prog, Jazz, Classical and some Electronica.

thanks.

 

[zaack]

Never believe CNet. Look at the scores for bose audio equipment, It's overblown (or in a way, 'glorified').

 

[Andrea]

I disagree. You rather should trust Cnet, but trust Headroom more.

 

[zaack]

ah, checked, but still, no review up.

The price is the one you should be concerned though. @ $89.95 and import duties (because it's not available there), i'd go with either: the 497 for a cheaper price, go with any available grados (either SR60, SR80 and MS-1) or the 280 Pro (for classical).

 

[isibane]

Import duties won't be a problem because I have someone who is visitng the US next month. However, I just realized that the 497 are much cheaper so I guess thats not a very good comparison. I was going more for the 80$ range... any suggestions in that area beside the 485?

 

[PrototypeX2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea I disagree. You rather should trust Cnet, but trust Headroom more.

Triports rated 8 out of 10?

 

[b-sides]

don't toss out the 497s as inferior just because of the price. They were almost as much as the 485s when they first came out.

 

[Naga]

497 is cool, especially w/ some of these online deals going

 

[Eagle_Driver]

I have heard the HD485, and own a pair of the HD497. The 485 is not worth the price premium over the 497 - it is a bit too thick and a tad too boomy at the low end for my tastes. But I can see how some people would like the 485.

 

[Andrea]

Eagle_Driver, what about the midrange of the 485 ? Is it as neutral but perhaps better, richer, than that of the 497 ?

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea Eagle_Driver, what about the midrange of the 485 ? Is it as neutral but perhaps better, richer, than that of the 497 ?

The midrange on the 485 (at least the pair that I heard) is rather woolly and uneven, as well.

 

[Andrea]

Do you find the HD497 woolly and uneven in the midrange ?

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea Do you find the HD497 woolly and uneven in the midrange ?

Maybe a tad. It's just that in my country, the HD485 will be priced significantly higher than the HD497 - at least $30 USD higher. I feel that the sound quality of the HD485 does not justify the $30 (that's a whopping 42% price increase over the HD497, at Sennheiser USA's MSRP) premium, IMHO.

 

[Andrea]

Thank you, it helped clarifying my ideas. Better stick to what I have for now.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea Thank you, it helped clarifying my ideas. Better stick to what I have for now.

I see that you have the HD595 and the PX100. My opinion of the HD595 has changed somewhat since I last posted about it (but that's for another thread).

As for the HD485, I should have made the term "thick and boomy" clearer:
It just delivers a bit too much bass, especially mid-bass and lower mids, for my listening tastes. And most of the equipment that I use most often offer no way at all whatsoever to attenuate bass response.