[ooheadsoo]

I've been reading a lot of threads on the 280s and on most accounts have observed that ppl think they sound slightly better than the v6. All of a sudden, I read a thread originating in april of this year that ranked the 280's sound lower than the grado sr60! Considering I own a pair of Koss porta pros and there are actually ppl who believe the porta pros are barely a slight step down from the sr60 (I've never heard the grados myself,) will the Senn 280 pros actually be "inferior" in sound reproduction than the porta pros?

I always imagined the Sony V6 to sound much much better than the porta pros, so I had assumed that to pick up a pair of 280s would be a relatively safe choice. Now suddenly, all of this is cast into severe disarray and confusion.

Will I be dissapointed with the improvement (if any at all) in sound when moving from my porta pros to the 280s?

 

[00940]

I wouldn't play this little game of scale. But I had the senn HD497 and the porta pro. The HD497s are often compared to the sr60 or just ranked slightly under.

There is a huge step between the porta pro and the senn hd497, these worth any additional bucks. The porta pro is a bit mid-bass heavy and its high are far too be as good as the cans of the higher class. If you just want low-cost portable cans, the porta pro are really nice for 31$. But they certainly can't compare to sr60. There is a large gap, large enough to find a really better sounding headphone; and don't forget the HD280 bring you isolation and circumaural shape.

 

[a1leyez0nm3]

there is no way that the sr60 is better than the 280. whoever said that is crazy, i think. the 280 in my opinion sounds slightly better than the V6, and much better than the portapro ( i have the koss).

im listening to my 280s right now through my AH

 

[Eagle_Driver]

The Koss Porta Pro may be among the best headphones priced under $50 MSRP, but I've always found all of the Koss cheapies based on the Porta Pro drivers (this includes the Porta Pro itself) to be a bit too mid-bass heavy for the audiophile good. The Sennheiser HD 280Pro has a bit more mid-bass response than the Sony V6 or 7506, but not quite enough to call it "boomy" - and its upper mids/lower treble is a bit less "coarse" than the Sony V6 or 7506 (the 280Pro's mid-treble response, however, is a bit more peaky than that of the Sony V6 or 7506).

 

[ooheadsoo]

OOhhhhhhhhhhh this is SUCH a relief guys! So basically, the porta pros aren't exactly even in the same league as the 280? You see, I'm currently the winning bidder for the pair of 280s that Jan donated to Head-Wize

Now I'm much less scared about winning this auction!

Actually, I think i may already get slightly "shafted" considering Jan is in germany and shipping to me will most likely cost a fortune.

The 280s can easily be found online for $75. The V6, on the other hand, readily commands an $80 price tag. The sales at $60 just a few months ago are nowhere to be found! Given this very close gap in the prices of these two phones, I found myself very attracted to the 280s.

If any more of you have an opinion on this, please continue to speak! I would be extremely sad if I bought the 280s and found them to be only "slightly" "better" than the porta pros.

 

[00940]

the auction for headwize includes shipping...

 

[ooheadsoo]

BAH! You're right!!
/me slaps himself upside the head

 

[Wilson]

I have used the Grado 60, Senn.280, and PortaPro for
quite some time. Headphones sound different to
different people, depending on their sonic preference,
and associated equipment. But 280 is indeed a
more sophisticated product than 60 and PortaPro,
you can look at the construction and immediately
tell. I do some recording work, if I were to choose one
from this list, 280 is my definite choice sonically.

Given a reasonable amp, you can tell 280 sounds
better than PortaPro quite easily, and for me they sound
better than Grado 60 in most of the setups that I have
tried. When the driving amp is a bit deficient, then
Grado 60 is more forgiving. 280 is the most comfortable
of all for me, and is better constructed that it is more
durable. They feel different because 280 is closed and
the others are open, people prefer different feels. Do
audition and decide.

Enjoy.

W

 

[MacDEF]

I disagree a lot with some of the comments made here. I think the PortaPros are definitely in the same league as the Grado SR60 and the Senn HD 280 Pro (I've owned all three).

As Eagle said, the Koss portables have a bit of an upper-bass emphasis, and on some music they can sound a bit chesty or boomy because of this (although this is largely remedied in the looser models, such as the KSC-35/50). However, the Portas are also much more balanced than the SR60, and much less analytical than the HD 280 Pro, making them more enjoyable than either on some kinds of music. What it comes down to is what your tastes are. If you want flat and analytical, the HD 280 Pro are the way to go. If you want "in your face exciting," the SR60 will probably make you happy. If you want warm and musical (and don't mind a bit of extra bass on bass-heavy tracks), the PortaPros are the best of the three.

I think all three of these headphones are among the best sub-$100 headphones on the market, and which you prefer is largely a matter of preference rather than which is "best."

Other factors to consider: the HD 280 Pro isolate *very* well, but aren't as comfortable as the Portas. The SR60 can also be a bit uncomfortable for many people.

 

[ooheadsoo]

I assume I could throw the V6 into the mix and not change anything up for you, right MacDEF?

Wow, I'm having trouble coming to grips with the fact that a pair of $10 headphones can be as good as the v6, sr60, and 280. I just totally boggles my mind!

In many ways, I won't be *too* disappointed if someone outbids me on ebay

I'm getting to think I really need to find a local hifi shop and test these puppies out. Anyone know of any in the LA area? I live to the east of LA

 

[Jodiuh]

I have to agree with MacDEF. Damn those 280's sounded flat. I liked the porta pro's sound better

I enjoy my 580's because the sound is laid back...it's not in your face. This helps me with my long escapades in gaming...and music. I like to relax to music, not jump up and down or listen with wide open eyes

Jod

~ laid back

Maybe we should all list our style to our name, lol!

 

[Rizumu]

I vouch for the enjoyability of the Portapros...although I haven't heard any of the other phones mentioned.

I suppose you'll just have to take others word for it that they really are that good, and I'm not just in ignorant bliss

 

[ooheadsoo]

OK, this I HAVE to ask

What's the difference between "flat and boring" and "relaxed and laid back?"

 

[Jodiuh]

flat ~ think of eq, the treble, mid, and bass will all be neutral

boring ~ my n00b opinion of them

forward/laid back ~ this is better heard than explained, but basically think of being onstage (in your face...er ear) or in the audience (um...laid back

), respectfully, though this is a rough description

I would like to better understand what "musical" means, though.

Jod

 

[Rizumu]

http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?50:0 <---------*ahem*

I believe there was a thread specifically devoted to what "musical" means, but I can't seem to find it...