Sennheiser HD201 & Sony EX71 First Impressions

[azncookiecutter]

HD201s: WOW. Sounds amazing. When I first plugged it into my computer, sounded horrible. It was lacking a bit in the mids, the highs sounded a bit harsh. 3 hours later of burn-in, I cannot believe how much they changed. Mids sound amazing, highs have been tamed a bit, but the bass is a bit lacking. Listening to the Family Guy: Live in Vegas CD right now, sounds amazing. Most of the CD is jazz, just sounds amazing. Instruments jump out at you, sounds AMAZING. Pretty comfortable sitting on top of your head. Isolates a little bit, but not up to canalphone levels. It can cover most of my computer fan noise, but when I turn my desk fan on, cuts out only half of the noise. Overall, amazing for its price. I know there are better headphones out there that are more expensive, but at this price point, these headphones are great for home use. I can't wait to get the Turtle Beach USB soundcard, mentioned in the Computer as Source forums.

EX71s: Only spent half an hour on these, due to my awe for the HD201s. They seem good for portable use. Isolation is great, compared to all the cans I've owned and HD201s. The bass is a bit boomy, but not as one note bass bad as others have mentioned. Mids are recessed, maybe a bit overly so. Highs are a bit harsh too, but not as bad as I would have thought. These would be great for school, as my incoming Shure E2Cs would be a hassle, as I take my headphones often in school. The isolation would be great on streets, as it cuts out some of the noise, enough for me right now. Overall, these cans are OK with the time I put in them, but they're not great.

 

[jmb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by azncookiecutter EX71s: Only spent half an hour on these, due to my awe for the HD201s. They seem good for portable use. Isolation is great, compared to all the cans I've owned and HD201s. The bass is a bit boomy, but not as one note bass bad as others have mentioned. Mids are recessed, maybe a bit overly so. Highs are a bit harsh too, but not as bad as I would have thought. These would be great for school, as my incoming Shure E2Cs would be a hassle, as I take my headphones often in school. The isolation would be great on streets, as it cuts out some of the noise, enough for me right now. Overall, these cans are OK with the time I put in them, but they're not great.

I have to say that the EX71's are complete garbage. When I was a noob (still am really) they impressed me. After listening to several different budget/portable headphones, I can't listen to them anymore.

If they cost like $10-$15, then they might be worth it, but for what they cost...just flush your money down the toilet. Even if they were 10 bucks, I still wouldn't buy them.

The Plug by Koss is better IMHO. With a couple of mods, the Plug blows the Sony's out of the water with better isolation. Hellava lot cheaper too. The crappy cord of the Plug's makes them useless for portable use (microphonics), but I like to use them occasionally when falling asleep, as they provide pretty good detail at very low volume levels, and the wife doesn't complain about my music keeping her up. They a rarely used though. Wouldn't recommend them either to tell you the truth.

Ety's and Shure are the only way to go for canalphones.

 

[afbug]

Hey my experience with the HD201 is the same as yours. Sounds very bad at first but after a few hours, it began to sing.

But kinda hard for an unamp iPod to drive.

 

[razer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmb I have to say that the EX71's are complete garbage. When I was a noob (still am really) they impressed me. After listening to several different budget/portable headphones, I can't listen to them anymore. If they cost like $10-$15, then they might be worth it, but for what they cost...just flush your money down the toilet. Even if they were 10 bucks, I still wouldn't buy them. The Plug by Koss is better IMHO. With a couple of mods, the Plug blows the Sony's out of the water with better isolation. Hellava lot cheaper too. The crappy cord of the Plug's makes them useless for portable use (microphonics), but I like to use them occasionally when falling asleep, as they provide pretty good detail at very low volume levels, and the wife doesn't complain about my music keeping her up. They a rarely used though. Wouldn't recommend them either to tell you the truth. Ety's and Shure are the only way to go for canalphones.

EX71 garbage?? I went through cans like E5c's and HD650 and just yesterday my newly acquired AD2000 and I don't mind listening to the apple stock earbuds if I badly want to listen to some music. Of course it sounds bad but its still listenable to well...some extent? The EX71s are not at all that bad till the point of unlistenable right?

Hmmm btw, i was always thinking if anyone would be sane enough to recable and make a balanced iPod stock ear buds terminated to XLR....

 

[jmb]

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Originally Posted by razer EX71 garbage?? The EX71s are not at all that bad till the point of unlistenable right?

No, they are not unlistenable, just not enjoyable. Very bland and muddy. And the terrible microphonics are an annoying distraction. Yet, this is always a problem with canalphones. Sony did very little (if anything) to limit the problem, though.

I may have been a bit of harsh, but to my taste I really do not like the Sonys. When it comes to headphone evaluation its all subjective really. For what they cost though, they are a rip-off IMO. I also used to listen the Sony MDR-E888 ear buds, and didn't like them either. Total waste of money.

I've heard some decent reviews of the Eggos and have been tempted to try them, but I just do not trust in Sony heaphones anymore.

I probably will never buy Sony headphones again.

 

[warpdriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by razer EX71 garbage?? I went through cans like E5c's and HD650 and just yesterday my newly acquired AD2000

I guess it depends on personal tolerance. I used to love my EX70's, and bought some HD497's, and then went Grado/Beyer/Ety, and now I can't stand my 497's nor EX70's. But I still find the EX70's usable for a "beater" pair....barely. I actually still recommend the Sony's as a "mainstream" headphone for nondiscerning people who ask....as they provide an "exciting" sound.

 

[jmb]

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Originally Posted by warpdriver I can't stand my 497's

Don't talk bad about my 497's. Them's fightin' woirds

 

[azncookiecutter]

I don't own my HD201s anymore. Sold them since the bass was a bit uneven for my tastes. I prefer the sound of my Eggos (bass modded) to the HD201s. Anyway, EX71s are alright for school, since I often have to take them on and off. Even if the bass is a bit too much at times.

 

[Duncan]

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Originally Posted by jmb The Plug by Koss is better IMHO. With a couple of mods, the Plug blows the Sony's out of the water with better isolation. Hellava lot cheaper too.

Wow, thats quite a strong statement... I find the Koss to be complete and total junk... Where is the sound? just boom boom boom.

If we're talking of modded 'phones, then I personally recommend the Philips SBC-SHE775/85 (The differences are the same as the Senn MX400 -> 500, just one not having a volume control, and less fancy packaging)... They sound thin and anemic as is, but, if you use a pair of foamies (with a little hole cut out for the protusion) - they are imo a class above the Senn MX400 and 500, and also the Sony E888... much clearer, much more powerful... its like the Philips are a member of Team Grado... great

 

[jmb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncan Wow, thats quite a strong statement... I find the Koss to be complete and total junk... Where is the sound? just boom boom boom.

Out of the box, they are, sure. Do a google on modding Koss The Plug. There are quite a few options out there. Check Headwize.

Anyway...even with modification they are still not a stellar canalphone, but still superior to the Sonys and a LOT cheaper.

Sony canals are overpriced junk.

The Koss are cheap junk, that can be modded to sound halfway decent.

I can't be the only one who thinks the Sony canals are awful sounding. Can I?