Sennheiser Model Numbering Convention

[proxops-pete]

Hi...
I know it's a general rule to assume that higher the number of the HD series, the better they are...

But for some relative-newbies like myself, it would be nice to see a "hierarchy" of some sort of all the HD phones... in ascending or descending order of quality. Like for example...

Asc. Order
HD-212Pro
HD-497
HD-570
HD-600

etc...

Oh, and please try to be as INCLUSIVE as possible on your list as I will use this a gauge to ponder on what to upgrade to... Thanks.

 

[TrevorNetwork]

I'll start:

HD650
HD600
HD580
HD595
HD555
HD25
.
.
.

(IMHO). Add HE90 over all of them, and HE60 after HD650. =)

 

[Jahn]

such a list would be very helpful for Beyers too. The review comparo stick is helpful but a big ole list never hurts.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

That I've heard:

HD650
HD595
HD600
HD580
HD555
HD590
HD280pro
HD497
HD570


And the Beyers:

DT880
DT770-80
DT531
DT770-250
DT770-600
DT231

 

[Daroid]

Hey, yes that is a good idea indeed.

HD1000 (sorry... bad joke)
HD650
HD600
(have not heard 580)
HD25
HD595 (demo pair, excessive brightness or just psychological ???)
HD555 (imo a fair big step behind the HD595, less upfront)
HD590
HD515 (don't bother)
.
.
HD210 (screech!)
.
.
.
HD40 (old, discontinued, too bland)
HD26 (streetstyle clone, avoid)

Comfortability rating (although it's maybe useless):

HD26
HD515-555-595
HD595
HD590
HD600
HD650
HD25 (supraaural...)
HD210

EDIT: Forgot the 210, added

 

[proxops-pete]

Isn't there more (older) models out there?? And when it's near complete, could the mod make a new sticky with these in sequence?!

 

[Kirosia]

I don't think a stick would be a good idea the moment, since different members prefer different phones over others in the hierarchy. (ie the placement of the 595 in regard to the 580/600/650)

 

[acg2424]

I didn't really sort these by which is best but just that this is the total line of current headphones from Sennheiser. I haven't listened to them all so I wouldn't know where to rank them all but here is a list to go off of.

Wired headphones
EH150
EH250
EH350
EH2200
HD25
HD25SP
HD202
HD212
HD250 II
HD265
HD280 PRO
HD437
HD457
HD477
HD497
HD500
HD500A
HD515
HD555
HD570
HD580
HD590
HD595
HD600
HD650

Earbuds
MX300
MX400
MX500

Portable
PX20
PX30
PX40
PMX60
PX200
PX100

Noise Cancelling
PXC250
HDC451

Wireless
RS110
RS120
RS45
RS65
RS85
RS110
RS120

 

[breez]

There is no one list that reflects 'truth' because of preferences.

 

[acg2424]

There is also no 1 list because you can't really compare a closed headphone like the HD280 to something like the HD595 or the MX500, they are all completely different styles and sound

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by acg2424 I didn't really sort these by which is best but just that this is the total line of current headphones from Sennheiser. I haven't listened to them all so I wouldn't know where to rank them all but here is a list to go off of. Wired headphones EH150 EH250 EH350 EH2200 HD25 HD25SP HD202 HD212 HD250 II HD265 HD280 PRO HD437 HD457 HD477 HD497 HD500 HD500A HD515 HD555 HD570 HD580 HD590 HD595 HD600 HD650 Earbuds MX300 MX400 MX500 Portable PX20 PX30 PX40 PMX60 PX200 PX100 Noise Cancelling PXC250 HDC451 Wireless RS110 RS120 RS45 RS65 RS85 RS110 RS120

That is just a list, in no particular order.

But among wired headphones, I'd separate them in two different classes - one closed, one open.

So, in order of increasing sound quality, is my list:

Closed:

1. eH2200
2. HD202 = eH150
3. HD212Pro = eH250
4. HD265
5. PX200
6. PXC250
7. HD25SP
8. HD250II
9. HD280Pro
10. HD25

Open:

1. PX20
2. PX30 = PX40
3. PMX60
4. HD437
5. HDC451
6. HD457 = HD500
7. HD477 = HD500A
8. HD570
9. PX100
10. HD497 = eH350
11. HD515
12. HD590
13. HD555
14. HD580
15. HD595
16. HD600
17. HD650

Note that I had trouble ranking the HD580, HD595 and HD600 - they all are so close to each other in overall quality, the differences boil down to the audio presentation.

Also, I didn't rank earbuds or wireless headphones for various reasons: The earbud ranking is quite obvious (higher numbers are generally better - DUH!), while the wireless models rank with some of the lesser-performing models of their housing type. And in the case of the wireless models, the highest-numbered model isn't the best-sounding of that line.

 

[acg2424]

As far as the wireless headphones go I believe it is like this:

RS110

RS120

RS45

RS65

RS85

The RS110 sound quality isn't as high and the 110 and 120 do not have all of the features as the other models. While having a higher model number they are catally lower quality, as indicated by their pricing as well.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Yes, but my rankings ignore price. In fact, quite a few pricier headphones sound worse than some other models in the same brand's line which cost half as much. And the RS85 actually sounds worse than the RS65, despite the higher number and a higher price tag. And true, the HD650 (the most expensive headphone in that line) sounds best - but not all that much better than the HD580 and even HD555 on most equipment.

 

[acg2424]

I think that given the right equipment the HD650 sounds much better then the HD555 (which I own).

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by acg2424 I think that given the right equipment the HD650 sounds much better then the HD555 (which I own).

True - if the average price of each of your audio source/amplification components is at least $1500. But on the mass-market, where consumers are unwilling to pay more than $300 per component (average), the HD650 is overkill.