[fpsdoug46]

I mainly listen to rock and some rap and want a good pair of around the ear headphones. I've narrowed my choices to either the Sennheiser HD 428 or the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro.
What Im looking for:
-Sound quality
-Comfort
-Durability
-Good noise isolation
 
Which one is better out of these two?

 

[fpsdoug46]

anyone?

 

[Deep Funk]

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/433318/shootout-86-portable-headphones-reviewed-soundmagic-p30-sony-mdr-770lp-added-07-12
 
This should help you along...

 

[fpsdoug46]

that's helpful, but sadly it doesn't have the hd 280s or the 428s.

 

[Deep Funk]

I quite liked my HD428. If isolation is more of a must the HD25 should be on the list. 
 
Ljokerl's thread does mention the HD428; just read the comments in the reviews.

 

[fpsdoug46]

How's the sound leak on the 428? I heard the 280 Pros have virtually no sound leak.

 

[flavouz]

The 428 has a very good sound isolation. Though I think the cable is too thin (I always had the impression I was going to damage it). And for rap, maybe you will find the 428 a bit bass-light.
 
If you're not a basshead and you want to use them as portable, go with the 448. Basically same sound signature, but with a thicker and shorter cable (1.2m instead of 3m).
 
But both are very comfortable, with very good SQ and isolation.

 

[cFran]

 

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I only have experience with the 428's, not the 280's, but I've used them as my main headphone for portable use for as long as i've been interested in better sound quality. 
 
In terms of sound quality, until I experienced some higher end headphones in a much higher price bracket, I was VERY pleased (Head Fi can really damage your wallet, for good cause I would argue). I listened to all sorts of rock, and some electronic music on them as well (similar enough to rap perhaps?). Depending on what headphones you had before, you may be pleasantly surprised by the relatively large soundstage of these headphones. (soundstage is the area which the sounds seem to originate from, a larger soundstage means that the sounds seem to originate from further away, more similar to listening to the recording through speakers)
 
Comfort-wise, it doesn't get much better. Virtually no clamping; you can almost forget that you have them on when no music is playing.
 
In terms of durability, I toss them in my bag, have dropped them from 4ish feet, caught the cord on things whilst wearing them, giving it quite a firm tug and they get tossed around and banged up in my bag. They don't break easy.
 
flavouz mentioned they may be bass light, and I came from the mxb-300's, so the lower amounts of bass was a shock, but with a slight EQ, they can compensate to some extent. If you were to choose these and were EXTREMELY disappointed in the bass, and were feeling a little adventurous; you could perform a simple modification to the interior which greatly increases the amount of bass, but loses a little bit of bass control. I had done this, but changed it back because had become accustomed to the lower amounts of bass. This does void your warranty though, so be careful.
 
Isolation, flavouz is dead on, they do a solid job. But if you are in transit, you will still hear whats going on around. Perhaps the 280's do better in this regard?
 
Just my 2¢
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[fpsdoug46]

i might just get the hd 428s since they're $50 cheaper than the 448, although the 448s look much nicer

 

[Deep Funk]

Quote:

The 428 has a very good sound isolation. 

Try a HD25 and hear the difference. My portable for now is the K181 and it almost completely shuts me off from the world, that is what I call good isolation. The HD428 still lets a lot of sound come in. 
 
 

 

[flavouz]

One thing I've noticed on the 428. I don't know if the model I had was "faulty" but compared to the 448, the clamping force was much lighter which had a big impact in the bass.
 
So if you're disappointed with the bass on the 428, you might want to bend the headband a bit to try to add some clamping force, that will vastly improve the bass. Or you might try the 438 (this one I've never tried), but it's known for having more bass than the 428 and 448.
 
And even though cFran is right, they don't break easy, ironically I upgraded from the 448 because I broke it

. But I'm considering getting another pair just to leave at the office. Great sound and you can wear it for hours.

 

[koolkat]

HD438 has more bass than the HD428 that's for sure. I'm not sure how HD418's bass compares to HD438s,
but the HD438s have much better reviews than the HD418.. I haven't tried the HD 280 Pro.
 
I think all the cables on the HD418, 428, 438 and 448 are of the same thickness, but the cable on 438 and 448
are detachable. The isolation on the HD4*8 series isn't great, it does block out outside noise, but it's not noise
cancelling.
 
Bass wise, HD438 beats HD428 and from what I've read from reviews, even the 448. The soundstage isn't very
good, but you really can't ask for much from closed cans. I have a review on the HD438, you should read it, lol. 
 

 

[flavouz]

I had both 428 and 448, and the cable on the 448 is thicker (although slightly) than the 428. Actually, I'd say the cable on the 448 is normal and on the 428 is really thin.
 
Also the cable on the 448 isn't detachable (I wish it were... this is what I broke on mine 

).

 
Quote:

HD438 has more bass than the HD428 that's for sure. I'm not sure how HD418's bass compares to HD438s,
but the HD438s have much better reviews than the HD418.. I haven't tried the HD 280 Pro.
 
I think all the cables on the HD418, 428, 438 and 448 are of the same thickness, but the cable on 438 and 448
are detachable. The isolation on the HD4*8 series isn't great, it does block out outside noise, but it's not noise
cancelling.
 
Bass wise, HD438 beats HD428 and from what I've read from reviews, even the 448. The soundstage isn't very
good, but you really can't ask for much from closed cans. I have a review on the HD438, you should read it, lol. 
 

 

 

[fpsdoug46]

I found the 448s for $70 here http://www.buy.com/prod/sennheiser-hd-448-headphone-stereo-mini-phone-wired-32-ohm-16-hz-24/q/sellerid/25465387/loc/101/211531784.html
but there not available anymore. also, google shopping lists really low prices for the 448s. was there an older version of the 448s that were cheaper? If you guys could show me where to get the best price for a new pair of 448s, 438s, 428s, or 280s that would be much appreactiated

 

[flavouz]

I don't know but I think there's only one version of the 448. Here in France the price varies from 60 eur to 100 eur.
 
 
Quote:

I found the 448s for $70 here http://www.buy.com/prod/sennheiser-hd-448-headphone-stereo-mini-phone-wired-32-ohm-16-hz-24/q/sellerid/25465387/loc/101/211531784.html
but there not available anymore. also, google shopping lists really low prices for the 448s. was there an older version of the 448s that were cheaper? If you guys could show me where to get the best price for a new pair of 448s, 438s, 428s, or 280s that would be much appreactiated