[Jasper994]

I need some help from people that actually have both (please don't respond if you haven't heard them after burn in)

I'm trying to decide which phone to go with and can't make up my mind.

I currently own the HD590's but their lack of isolation makes them less than the best for my bedroom since my source is my computer and it's very loud (lots-o-fans). Since I live in Southern Cal I also have a loud window fan in the room, so I need something with pretty good isolation.

I currently own the 590's as I just mentioned and like the detail and only find them to be slightly bright. Becasue the Bionetic design causes them to put the weight directly on the top of your head I find them uncomfortable after long periods of wear. I have used quite a few over-the-head headphones including a pair of Panasonic Studio monitors, and some Sony MDR-CRAP and haven't ever had this issue before, but either of those put more pressure on the side of your head (more comfortable to me) rather than the top.

I also on own the PX-100's which I like but find them to be a little muddy sounding. I also find myself turning them up a bit too loud due to lack of isolation.

I have a pair of MX-500's as well and really like the detail and warmth, but they are a little light on bass and could use more isolation and soundstage.

My current source is either my PC or my laptop using my AudioTrak Opto Play with either.

I listen to everything but mostly acoustic rock, R&B, alternative rock, and some country, jazz and classical. I like a lot of detail, and good bass response, though I don't really like bass heavy headphones. I will also be using the headphones for playing CS from time to time (when I don't need a headphone with a mic... anybody know of some really good cans w/a mic for gaming? I currently have some altec-lansings (the ones that are about the size of the px-100/200's that are pretty good, but I'm always looking for better). I will also be using them for watching movies quite a bit.

Anyway, I'm just looking for advice/opinions on whether the PX-200's or the HD 280 Pro's would be better for my needs.

 

[Davie]

I own both of these and like them both alot. It sounds to me like the only potential problem with the 280pro is comfort. Is that right? If so, you could go ahead and order them from somewhere like Headroom that has a good return policy. For me they started out uncomfortable but after a couple of days they felt just fine. But I guess the only way you can tell is to try.

The 280 is definitely clearer than the PX200. The PX200 has a mid-rangey sound which I like. Treble is somewhat rolled off. Compared to the PX100 I'd say that the PX200's high end is less clear, but on the other hand the PX200's bass is much better controlled and doesn't interfere with the lower midrange. Isolation is definitely better than the PX100, but not as good as the 280pro or some other bigger closed cans.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jasper994]

Are they both good enough/different enough to warrant owning both?

 

[Tyson]

The 280's are the way to go. After break in they are quite comfortable, the sound is very balanced and clear. The isolation is superior to anything else out there w/the exception of the ear canal phones like the etymotics.

They do take a looong time to break in. After 2 months of hard use, mine were starting to sound "acceptable", and it's only recently that I've really hit "gold" with the sound (about 6 months of fairly extensive use). But, I wouldn't trade them for any other closed headphone on the market. In fact, I own 2 sets of 280's, one for my home computer setup, and one for work. On the didicated music headphone setup, I've got the HD600's. The 280's are not as good as the 600's, obviously, but it's suprising how well they actually stack up.

They are way to big for travel or gym use, so I use etty's for that

 

[hero zero]

hi

it's quite a tough choice between the HD280s and the PX200s......the PX200s are oriented towards portable use..they won't sound as clear as the HD280...they seem a bit more comfortable compared to the HD280.

the headband of the HD280 puts pressure on the top of your head, and because it's closed, causes heat to build up around your ears....I'm able to use the HD280s for a short amount of time, but watching a movie or having them on for more than an hour is enough to give me a headache....comfort is subjective, though, so the same thing might not happen to you....the same thing goes for the PX200s....some people have trouble getting the right fit for proper seal and sound..

your best bet is to find a place to try them on and see which one you like....if you like both of them, then buy both of them....HD280s for home use, PX200 for portable use and travelling...they complement each other well...

the HD280 can also be equipped with a mic on the right side, so you might be able to use that for computer gaming...

hope that helps!

 

[Jasper994]

Quote:

Originally posted by hero zero hi the HD280 can also be equipped with a mic on the right side, so you might be able to use that for computer gaming...

REALLY?!? What kind of mic?

 

[hero zero]

I'm not sure....I'm really sorry about the inaccurate info....don't know much about headsets....

I thought I read somewhere in the HD280 manual [which I no longer have] that you can contact Sennheiser and get a mic upgrade for them.

this makes the HD280s HMD280s....I've found some info....

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...ssionals_04976
http://www.djmart.com/senhmd280hea.html

it doesn't quite look like a cheap solution...

apparently, Plantronics makes decent headsets...
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...ht=plantronics

getting something like that is much cheaper than trying to find a professional headphone equipped with a mic [ie. HD280 -> HMD 280]

hope that helps!

 

[D-EJ915]

The old Koss Pro4AA's had a boom mic hookup, I don't know how much the mic costs, but you can find those 'phones for cheap since they're discontinued, note that I'm talking about the Pro4AA's and not the T version which is new...they'll require a powerful source though, as they're 300 Ohms.

 

[MacDEF]

I personally like the PX 200 better than the HD 280 Pro. The 280 isolate much better, but the PX 200 are much more comfortable, isolate fairly well, and sound better to me overall.

 

[Jasper994]

what about them makes the PX 200 sound better to you?

 

[bangraman]

Precisely what I was wondering

 

[MacDEF]

First, I should point out that the sound of the PX 200 is all about fit/seal. If you search for opinions on these headphones, you'll see that if they don't fit/seal on your ears well, they sound thin and lack bass. However, if you get a good fit/seal, they're full with very good bass. I happen to get a good fit/seal, so that's the perspective from which I'm coming.

The HD 280 Pro are known to have a fairly thin midrange and rolled-off bass. They're great "detail" headphones but they're lacking in "body" and "punch" to me. My PX 200 have an overall more balanced sound -- a bit warmer midrange and better bass, along with detail that is still good. I just enjoy listening to the PX 200 more than the HD 280 Pro; combine that with the fact that the PX 200 are much more comfortable, and I'm willing to forgive the PX 200 for not blocking out as much noise.

 

[elnero]

Quote:

Originally posted by hero zero I thought I read somewhere in the HD280 manual [which I no longer have] that you can contact Sennheiser and get a mic upgrade for them. this makes the HD280s HMD280s....I've found some info....

You are indeed correct, the manual does state they can be upgraded but seeing as the HMD280's sell for well over twice what the HD280's sell for I think sending them in to be modded would be far too expensive to be practical. I have HD280's myself and had been considering this as since I've upgraded they have been relegated mainly to gaming. Seeing as they still seem to irrate a problem I have with jaw and left ear plus they insane cost of the mic I think I will have to finally let them go and look into getting something else for gaming.

 

[D-EJ915]

you could always get the beyerdynamic headphones that come with a mic, I've seen 'em on speed channel, they isolate a lot (for use in pits), but I don't know where you'd buy them or how good the sound is or anything like that, they kinda look like the 250's, but are blue.

 

[Tyson]

Quote:

Originally posted by MacDEF The HD 280 Pro are known to have a fairly thin midrange and rolled-off bass. They're great "detail" headphones but they're lacking in "body" and "punch" to me.

Gotta take issue w/this statement. They are not lacking in bass, and the certainly do not have a thin midrange. In fact, yesterday I was A-B comparing my HD600's and the 280's, and the overall tonal balance and "sound" was remarkably similar. Now, I suppose one could say that the 600's are rolled off in the bass, but that would not be accurate, as the 600's have a very even frequence response, as do the 280's. People that want stronger bass response than this are desiring a deviation from neutrality. Nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't mean the 280's or 600's are bass shy, it means that those people prefer headphones that have boosted bass.