[SunByrne]

OK, so I recently bought both of these sets of cans based on recommendations from around here, and I promised I'd post a head-to-head review, so here it is:

http://byrneweb.com/sunburn/audio/hd280vsv6.html

Comments? Feeback? Anything I forgot to include in the review?

 

[usc goose]

link's broken i think.

 

[SunByrne]

Hmm, try it again--I just had some weird glitch with the server that seems now to be resolved.

 

[usc goose]

cool. just got done with it. nice review.

i've never heard the 280s but i do love the v6s. out of the ipod i think the brightness is a little much but i've gotten used to it.

keep up the good work.

 

[Jasper994]

Great review, thanks!

BTW the SR 60's are definately worth owning. I heard a pair at a hi-fi shop not very long ago and I'm considering getting a pair down the road when isolation isn't so important to me... Meanwhile maybe I'll grab some V6's in the near future

Thanks again for the great review.

 

[psyco1]

That's a pretty good review, SunByrne. I'd suggest a Mint to go along with that ipod, it's almost as small as a supermini and it's almost as good as a Meta42. I'd also like to see another one like this for the sr-60 vs. hd-497.

 

[blessingx]

Great review SunByrne. Thanks for sharing your impressions. Looking forward to any future ones.

Two other factors that future buyers looking at these choices should consider-

The 280's are much easier to find. The total number of outlets for purchasing the V6's can probably be counted on one hand (though their more expensive brothers, the 7506's, are around). The V6's were suppose to be gone a long time around, but either in limited stock or low production, they keep showing up.

Once found though, the V6's tend to traditionally be around 20% cheaper than the 280's (in the U.S.). The latter is often $99 (list $199). You were lucky to be able to bring these two to the same price point.

... and get the Beyer pads for your Sonys!

 

[Xplo]

Great review.

You really ought to give the 280 a lot more than 30 hours to burn in, though. People around here really aren't kidding when they recommend 100.. in fact, mine are probably around 150 - 200 now and still getting better. (I'd be tempted to think this is just me getting used to them, but I don't wear them all the time, and the bass slam is definitely getting stronger.. not as strong as the V6, but very fast and tight, which helps make up for it. Kinda like Mike Tyson vs. Bruce Lee...)

I actually find the V6 to be (or maybe just seem) more revealing, thanks to the sharp highs, but the 280 and V6 are pretty close in any case.

They're both great phones, even though their sound differs a lot. "Buy both" would definitely be my advice to anyone who listens to a variety of music and can justify the cost of two headphones.

 

[iGig]

Thank you SunByrne
That review answered a few of my questions.
Im looking forward to your HD497-SR60 showdown, although I'm considering the SR80, not 60.
Hopefully I can make up my mind soon, cause 4 pairs is too much for me! (well, maybe later)

 

[00940]

nice review.

In fact, you wrote something most would agree on. A link to keep ready the next time a newcomer asks about them.

If you can get the SR60 and the HD497, they're great too, as different from each other as possible. It should be quite easy to present a similar review.

 

[gerG]

Very nice, thank you!

I agree with your impressions, but have noticed something in the bass-ment. My HD280s have deeper and more abundant bass than my V6, as long as I am careful to get a good seal. Observations on the bass capability of the Sens has been all over the map, and I am not sure just why. My test data shows them reaching down in the range that was previously owned by the Beyers. Break in is likely one factor, so I will be interested in your long term experience (I bought mine used, so they worked great right out of the box). The seal is another strong factor. One little air hole and the bottom octaves check out.


gerG

 

[SunByrne]

Hey, cool, lots of stuff to respond to...

First, thanks to everyone who said it was a good review--I wanted my first big one to be thorough. Sounds like there's some interest in me doing another one like this, so we'll see if I can sneak in another set of phones...

blessingx: Good points on availability, I've added to the review to include something on that.

Xplo: I'm not sure how much I believe that they'll really change that much after 40 or 50 hours--I think you're onto something that it's probably the listener doing most of the changing at that point. But, I'm certainly keeping them around and so we'll see how they sound with more time on them... Oh, and I'm looking at the SR60 rather than SR80 because the SR60 is nearly identical in price to the HD497, and the SR60 is supposed to be more friendly to the unamped than the SR80.

iGig: Which questions that you had were not answered? I'd be happy to at least try to answer them if I can.

00940: Producing something useful for a newbie was my goal, so thanks. Link away!

gerG: I have no trouble believing that the HD280s go down lower than the V6s, but I think the V6s bass presentation is more forward and involving on rock/techno. Sounds to me like a push in the 50-100Hz kind of range, more lower midbass than really deep bass. Regardless, though, I love your sig...

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally posted by gerG The seal is another strong factor. One little air hole and the bottom octaves check out.

Not a very positive factor in a pair of headphones...

Could be why I returned my HD280Pro. I wear glasses, and obviously a perfect seal is out of the question. Makes me wonder if it's people with poor eyesight who tend to dislike the 280!

 

[radrd]

Excellent review!

I agree with other people who have said the HD280 keeps getting better for a while with burn in, I would keep that HD280 Pro burning in for 100 hours plus to "really" hear them.

As far as looks go, I'd have to take the V6 any day. One looks more than a little dorkish in that HD280 C-clamp.

 

[ph0rk]

Quote:

Originally posted by fewtch Not a very positive factor in a pair of headphones... Could be why I returned my HD280Pro. I wear glasses, and obviously a perfect seal is out of the question. Makes me wonder if it's people with poor eyesight who tend to dislike the 280!

One word... contacts!

For decent bass below 60 hz, any closed headphone will need to make a good seal. (otherwise it would sound really bloated when there was a good seal)

perhaps a supraaural closed can might work otherwise...