insyte
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2008
- Posts
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I originally posted this review in a local forum ( HeadPhiles - Index ) but I thought why not share it here
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I've had this for a few days now and most of my impressions are based on my experience with this can as a portable solution.
The Sennheiser HD 25-1 II is a closed supra-aural dynamic portable headphone. This is actually the senn flagship when it comes to the portable sealed cup category. The 25-1 II should not be confused with its cousin the HD-25 SP.
Technical Data
Nominal impedance70 Ohm
Load rating0.2 W
Contact pressureca. 2.5 N
Weight w/o cableca. 140 g
Jack plug3,5/6,3 mm stereo
Transducer principledynamic, closed
Ear couplingsupraaural
Cable length1,5 m
Sound pressure level (SPL)120 dB(SPL)
THD, total harmonic distortion< 0,3 %
Frequency response (headphones)16.....22000 Hz
The 25-1 II has dual entry cabling. The original cable actually hangs down from the right side and the original config is seen on the box above. As you can see the cable is assymetrical as the wire that goes on the left side is actually squeezed in between on the grooves of the headband.
Yup the headband splits as seen here. A very interesting and kinda unique feature of this headphone.
I actually didn't bother to take a pic of this headphone in its default stock configuration because after a quick listen, I've always used the extra HD650 cable for this can. The connectors for this headphone is the same as that for the HD650/600/580.
The mids and bass do benefit from the cable change for me, aside from a subtle increase in headstage. Another benefit of the cable change is that the HD650 cable is thicker and more durable than the stock cable.
The package also contains a 1/8" to 1/4" adaptor. It also contains extra pleather pads. But I prefer the velour pads as they are more comfortable.
So lets talk about comfort
Similar to the ESW9, this has a bit of a clamping force. But I learned that you just have to wear it properly. As the ear cups can move along the ear cup holder, you can vary the clamping force. The ear cups should just be at the same level and the clamping force becomes very minimal and this headphone becomes very comfortable, something I can wear for 2 hours or more without my ears becoming sore.
The adjustable headband also helps in making this fit better on your head. Splitting the headband improves in securing this over your head. I usually split the headband when I listen while lying down on bed, and while walking.
The package also contains this bag which doesn't really offer much protection for this headphone. So now let's talk about portablility
It's true what the other reviewers said about this headphone. It is very sturdy and something that you can actually just throw in your bag and not worry about it.
Another thing I like is that while walking, the cables are not microphonic. Plus with the HD650 cable upgrade, Im not afraid of it tangling up with something and getting torn. This is really one heavy duty headphone.
The ear cup with the label is actually the left side while
the one with the screws is the right side. I think this can be unscrewed to let the wire pass in between when in stock configuration.
Well, this headphone is full of tricks as you can actually remove the earcups from the headband. You have to put them back in reverse if you want to use the HD650 cable because you want to put the cables from below, as opposed to the stock config where the connectors come from above.
Anyway, one of the reasons I only wrote this review today is that I wanted to complete my tests on sound leakage and isolation
Sound leakage is minimal to nil. As for sound isolation, it is surprisingly superb when compared to the etymotic er4s. I actually had a chance to use this today on the MRT (local train). It will not isolate as perfectly as the er4s but the outside world was absolutely quiet, especially when you are playing music already. If the er4s can about isolate at about 35db, then the HD25-1 II can do about 30db, which is excellent for a non-IEM. The numbers I stated here are just estimates and I am referring to the passive isolation qualities of the er4s and HD25-1 II.
Another unique feature of this headphone is that the left headband can bend like this. I suppose this feature is more useful for DJs.
So how does this thing actually sound. For this review I used my rockboxed ipod streaming out flac files using Ferds' LOD into a mini^3 high performance version. I listened to my usual JPOP consisting of YUI, Buono, Momusu. Listened to some Brilliant Green and Tommy Heavenly 6, some classical, some OPM songs. As usual, my impressions are my impressions only and YMMV
Listening Impressions
The HD25-1 II is actually the first closed headphone that I've actually had a lot of time listening to. I wasn't expecting much since I have my biases against closed cans.
But I was pleasantly surprised when I started listening. The first thing that struck was that this headphone is very capable of delivering detail. My reference for detail has always been the etymotic er4s. And I was shocked that the HD25-1 II can reveal as much as the er4s, and having more bass at the same time.
If you ask me to compare with the bigger Senns such as the HD650 and HD600. The first noticeable difference is the headstage size which of course falls in favor of the bigger Senns. I would say that the headstage is comparable to the Grado RS-1 in size. In terms of tonality, Id say the HD25-1 II sounds closer to the neutral tone of the HD600.
In terms of presentation, the HD25-1 II is not laid back. Vocals are actually presented upfront with everything just close in the background. Instruments can be clearly be heard, instrument separation is just okay, probably because of the smaller headstage as compared to its bigger cousins.
The mids are not as lush as the RS-1 from what I recall, but they are not recessed. I would describe it actually as kinda aggressive but borderline thin. The bass is one of the things I really like with this can. It has enough bass slam and adequate extension without bleeding into the midrange (but probably not enough for bassheads). The highs, thankfully do not hurt my ears, but they are not recessed. I did not find this headphone to be sibilant.
Nowadays, having heard different headphones and sources, it has become very hard for me to be impressed with a headphone. But that was not the case with the Senn HD25-1 II. I was really impressed with this portable solution to sound this good even though it is a closed headphone. Even harder to believe is that this headphone will scale up depending on your setup. I just heard this with the LDII and the definite increase in headstage when paired to this amp was remarkable. Pairing this up with C-2C enhaces detail, tightens the bass but it makes the mids sound thinner, so it has not displaced my fullsized Senns for home use.
Another thing I would like to mention is that for me, the HD25-1 II is not amp dependent and I've actually had some headtime with this with only the Ipod headphone out as source, and it was driven adequately, but personally I still do prefer amping this.
Overall, the Sennheiser HD25-1 II is a headphone I can easily recommend to someone looking for a good all rounder closed portable can. I think Sennheiser did good with this closed can
I hope you enjoyed reading my review
-----------
I've had this for a few days now and most of my impressions are based on my experience with this can as a portable solution.
The Sennheiser HD 25-1 II is a closed supra-aural dynamic portable headphone. This is actually the senn flagship when it comes to the portable sealed cup category. The 25-1 II should not be confused with its cousin the HD-25 SP.
Technical Data
Nominal impedance70 Ohm
Load rating0.2 W
Contact pressureca. 2.5 N
Weight w/o cableca. 140 g
Jack plug3,5/6,3 mm stereo
Transducer principledynamic, closed
Ear couplingsupraaural
Cable length1,5 m
Sound pressure level (SPL)120 dB(SPL)
THD, total harmonic distortion< 0,3 %
Frequency response (headphones)16.....22000 Hz
The 25-1 II has dual entry cabling. The original cable actually hangs down from the right side and the original config is seen on the box above. As you can see the cable is assymetrical as the wire that goes on the left side is actually squeezed in between on the grooves of the headband.
Yup the headband splits as seen here. A very interesting and kinda unique feature of this headphone.
I actually didn't bother to take a pic of this headphone in its default stock configuration because after a quick listen, I've always used the extra HD650 cable for this can. The connectors for this headphone is the same as that for the HD650/600/580.
The mids and bass do benefit from the cable change for me, aside from a subtle increase in headstage. Another benefit of the cable change is that the HD650 cable is thicker and more durable than the stock cable.
The package also contains a 1/8" to 1/4" adaptor. It also contains extra pleather pads. But I prefer the velour pads as they are more comfortable.
So lets talk about comfort
Similar to the ESW9, this has a bit of a clamping force. But I learned that you just have to wear it properly. As the ear cups can move along the ear cup holder, you can vary the clamping force. The ear cups should just be at the same level and the clamping force becomes very minimal and this headphone becomes very comfortable, something I can wear for 2 hours or more without my ears becoming sore.
The adjustable headband also helps in making this fit better on your head. Splitting the headband improves in securing this over your head. I usually split the headband when I listen while lying down on bed, and while walking.
The package also contains this bag which doesn't really offer much protection for this headphone. So now let's talk about portablility
It's true what the other reviewers said about this headphone. It is very sturdy and something that you can actually just throw in your bag and not worry about it.
Another thing I like is that while walking, the cables are not microphonic. Plus with the HD650 cable upgrade, Im not afraid of it tangling up with something and getting torn. This is really one heavy duty headphone.
The ear cup with the label is actually the left side while
the one with the screws is the right side. I think this can be unscrewed to let the wire pass in between when in stock configuration.
Well, this headphone is full of tricks as you can actually remove the earcups from the headband. You have to put them back in reverse if you want to use the HD650 cable because you want to put the cables from below, as opposed to the stock config where the connectors come from above.
Anyway, one of the reasons I only wrote this review today is that I wanted to complete my tests on sound leakage and isolation
Sound leakage is minimal to nil. As for sound isolation, it is surprisingly superb when compared to the etymotic er4s. I actually had a chance to use this today on the MRT (local train). It will not isolate as perfectly as the er4s but the outside world was absolutely quiet, especially when you are playing music already. If the er4s can about isolate at about 35db, then the HD25-1 II can do about 30db, which is excellent for a non-IEM. The numbers I stated here are just estimates and I am referring to the passive isolation qualities of the er4s and HD25-1 II.
Another unique feature of this headphone is that the left headband can bend like this. I suppose this feature is more useful for DJs.
So how does this thing actually sound. For this review I used my rockboxed ipod streaming out flac files using Ferds' LOD into a mini^3 high performance version. I listened to my usual JPOP consisting of YUI, Buono, Momusu. Listened to some Brilliant Green and Tommy Heavenly 6, some classical, some OPM songs. As usual, my impressions are my impressions only and YMMV
Listening Impressions
The HD25-1 II is actually the first closed headphone that I've actually had a lot of time listening to. I wasn't expecting much since I have my biases against closed cans.
But I was pleasantly surprised when I started listening. The first thing that struck was that this headphone is very capable of delivering detail. My reference for detail has always been the etymotic er4s. And I was shocked that the HD25-1 II can reveal as much as the er4s, and having more bass at the same time.
If you ask me to compare with the bigger Senns such as the HD650 and HD600. The first noticeable difference is the headstage size which of course falls in favor of the bigger Senns. I would say that the headstage is comparable to the Grado RS-1 in size. In terms of tonality, Id say the HD25-1 II sounds closer to the neutral tone of the HD600.
In terms of presentation, the HD25-1 II is not laid back. Vocals are actually presented upfront with everything just close in the background. Instruments can be clearly be heard, instrument separation is just okay, probably because of the smaller headstage as compared to its bigger cousins.
The mids are not as lush as the RS-1 from what I recall, but they are not recessed. I would describe it actually as kinda aggressive but borderline thin. The bass is one of the things I really like with this can. It has enough bass slam and adequate extension without bleeding into the midrange (but probably not enough for bassheads). The highs, thankfully do not hurt my ears, but they are not recessed. I did not find this headphone to be sibilant.
Nowadays, having heard different headphones and sources, it has become very hard for me to be impressed with a headphone. But that was not the case with the Senn HD25-1 II. I was really impressed with this portable solution to sound this good even though it is a closed headphone. Even harder to believe is that this headphone will scale up depending on your setup. I just heard this with the LDII and the definite increase in headstage when paired to this amp was remarkable. Pairing this up with C-2C enhaces detail, tightens the bass but it makes the mids sound thinner, so it has not displaced my fullsized Senns for home use.
Another thing I would like to mention is that for me, the HD25-1 II is not amp dependent and I've actually had some headtime with this with only the Ipod headphone out as source, and it was driven adequately, but personally I still do prefer amping this.
Overall, the Sennheiser HD25-1 II is a headphone I can easily recommend to someone looking for a good all rounder closed portable can. I think Sennheiser did good with this closed can
I hope you enjoyed reading my review
