Thanks for your input, Proton. Indeed you are right, audiophile music while running?... with some ambient noise outside (particularly with an "open" design) is toughe (perhaps semi-open?). However, I contacted Sennheiser's tech support and this is what I got:
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Thanks for writing back. The HD 239 are sturdy, comfy and light
enough to use while jogging. As for the sweat question that really
depends on the amount of sweat in questions. A small amount of sweat
won't be an issue so long as the headphones are properly dried
afterwards ... let them sit in the open not in an enclosed space. I
would not recommend soaking the headphones though.
Have a great day.
Lachlan Brennan
Sennheiser Technical Support Team
(P):
860-434-9190 EXT3
Email:techsupport@sennheiserusa.com
www.sennheiserusa.com
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Btw, I also checked the headphone weight - apparently, I got the 16 ounces for two reviews that obviously were wrong. Sennheiser lists the HD 239's at 9.9 ounces (still way heavier than my 2.1 ounce PX-200's but not insanely heavy).
I suppose that I'm frustrated because of my own prejudices when it comes to headphones. Since I don't have to worry about disturbing anyone at home, buying audiophile headphones for home use makes no sense, bc/ I have have good speakers, etc. Or my cousin has an incredible (albeit old) system - professional JBL woofers, ring-radiator tweeters and massive horn midranges (all tri-amped and balanced along with a pre-amp made with NASA parts akin to a Levenson). The sound stage is massive and vocals feel like the singer is literally there. Headphones???? I NEED them for portable use, and I'm tired of mediocre sound. Sheesh - my apologies for this rambling reply.
As for in-ear headphones - I've read very conflicting data. An IEM company made the argument that hearing loss is less likely with their devices, because the superior noise isolation allows for good listening at lower decibal levels. However, many medical articles warn against all in-ear devices, citing serious hearing loss potential. They even recommend lower listening levels for standard headphones. At any rate, I personally don't like the feel of in-ear devices. As for noise cancelling headphones, most of my reading shuns these, stating that their NC circuitry yields poor music reproduction.
I was hoping that it wouldn't take so much effort to find and buy something good.... but... damn. I'd probably benefit from one of those headphone gathering, but alas, I live in NY there's no local show coming here. There.... I've whined enough !!!
Jeff