[masteraleph]

I've had a set of Sennheiser HD 497s since december, and absolutely love them. However, I've had some issues with them, mostly when travelling- on trains and planes, I just have to turn them up way too high to drown out exterior sounds. I've been looking at possibly getting a set of HD 280s- I want decent sound which doesn't need to be driven by an amp, and as you can see from the above description, some degree of sonic isolation. The one side cord is also a plus. I'm wondering if there's anything else that might be better with the above criteria (no amp required and closed). Oh, and one more thing- I don't want to be sticking anything into my ears (i.e. etymotics). Anybody have any advice?

 

[hempcamp]

The HD 280 is probably right up your alley. Great isolation, sounds similar to 497, and good price too!

--Chris

 

[Daroid]

Also the HD-25-1 is a good choice. The clarity is better than the HD-280s and it seems more analytical and detailed. They won't take up a whole bag when travelling, so that is another plus. The clamping force is reduced after a month or so of use, where it only merely sits onto the ears. What is your budget actually ?

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by hempcamp The HD 280 is probably right up your alley. Great isolation, sounds similar to 497, and good price too!

Really? My impression was quite different. To my ears the HD 497 have the traditional Senn "house" sound (warm, good bass and detail, if a bit laid back), whereas the HD 280 Pro are more analytical with less bass.

 

[masteraleph]

My budget would preferably be under $100 but if really necessary I"ll go higher. I should mention that when I"m using these with portables, it'll usually be from a Nomad Jukebox 3 with the extra battery included (don't know how much of a difference that makes in terms of driving them, etc). The non-amp thing is more of an issue of convenience than anything else, I just really would prefer not to have to have one (and yes, I realize that will give up some SQ). The JB3 typically goes into the pocket of the pair of cargo shorts or pants I typically wear, although I totally have the feeling that won't work soooo well the headphones (cetainly doesn't with the 497s).

Daroid- do you have a link to anything about the HD-25-1? Closest thing I see to that is the 25-SP on headroom, and googling it gets me to a bunch of pages that are in german (which, sadly enough, I don't read). What's the size on them? (I know "supra-aural", but that could mean anything from the size of a cheapo set of headphones to something like the 497s, which I don't consider to be the same thing at all in form).

 

[hempcamp]

Quote:

Originally posted by MacDEF Really? My impression was quite different. To my ears the HD 497 have the traditional Senn "house" sound (warm, good bass and detail, if a bit laid back), whereas the HD 280 Pro are more analytical with less bass.

I think they are both "laid back" -- which is why I like them both for classical & jazz -- and why I would call them "similar." But yes, I agree, the HD-280s are a bit more analytical.

As for bass, I have no memory of the HD 497 in that regard -- I borrowed a pair for a few weeks a little while back, and I want to get a pair of my own soon. I guess bass is something I never really pay attention to

I haven't heard the HD-25-1, but I'd like to -- sounds like they might be good for what masteraleph is looking for as well.

--Chris

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by MacDEF Really? My impression was quite different. To my ears the HD 497 have the traditional Senn "house" sound (warm, good bass and detail, if a bit laid back), whereas the HD 280 Pro are more analytical with less bass.

I think it's really upper bass that the 280 Pro's lack. They get stronger as the bass gets lower, and have excellent deep bass extension. I hear low bass tones on the 280 Pros that are not picked up by the 497s. The 280 also does better at representing the treble than the 497s. Overall, I think that its sound is smoother and clearer. On the other hand, the 497 has a warmer quality.

I've tried a number of moderate priced closed headphones (Sony 7506, Ultrasone 650, Audio Technica M30 and M40) and the Sennheiser 280s are my favorite of the group.

 

[Daroid]

Quote:

Originally posted by masteraleph Daroid- do you have a link to anything about the HD-25-1? Closest thing I see to that is the 25-SP on headroom, and googling it gets me to a bunch of pages that are in german (which, sadly enough, I don't read). What's the size on them? (I know "supra-aural", but that could mean anything from the size of a cheapo set of headphones to something like the 497s, which I don't consider to be the same thing at all in form).

http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_118001_2750crx.aspx - Well, there is always user reviews, and yet, some of the reviews is for the HD-25 SP which is a kinda sad alternative to the HD-25-1, boomy in the bass.

Also, this page lists the reviews in magazines (German). http://www.testberichte.de/z-level6-10953.html..., but gives it a grade... "oberklasse" means "overclass" or "over-average"... Heard of Altavista Babelfish or Google Translator before ?

... BTW. HeadRoom also has the HD-25 for sale, giving it an amazingly 2½/5 stars. Though, they give a quite lifeless review of it - saying it is quite much more better than a good set of closed cans... but they think it is too pricey. You can save $50 by buying it other places, so that would bump up the value significantly. HeadRoom doesn't have much information about it either... no graphs what-so-ever. Try it before you buy - the sound changes pretty much in just a day of use. The sound is very up-front - like a Grado, but closed, and it doesn't have the same kind of hard/IMO harsh treble that the SR-80 at least has.. kinda hard to describe, so give it a listen.