Sennheiser HD 202 Dynamic Headphones
by Sennheiser
|
Our Price: $39.95 Availability: Usually ships in 6-10 business days Buy Used: from $14.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sennheiser HD 202 Dynamic Headphones
Customer Review: So this is what the hype is about...
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll start off by saying that I'm a big fan of the Koss KTXPro1 headphones, so much of what I write is in comparison.
My pair of headphones at home were recently broken and I went to buy another pair, and asked my kids if they needed headphones. My son wanted a pair like I had, so he was getting the Koss headphones, and my daughter wanted ear-enclosing headphones, so after a little Amazon searching and filtering, I came across the Sennheiser HD 202s. For about $6 more, not a big deal. I'd finally get to hear these famous Sennheisers!
I prefer the non-enclosed form factor of the KTXPro1, so I can hear what else is going on around me (phone ringing, doorbell, kids yelling, etc). I was going to try the Sennheiser PX 100s, but they're a little pricey in comparison. I was going to offer my daughter the Koss UR40s but they apparently let the sound out for the world to hear, which we didn't want, and the Koss Pro4AATs were too expensive. It seems that these 2 were the best choices from these companies for what we were looking for.
They arrived, and they were compared on an iPod classic. Who knew that there was so much sound hiding in that iPod?! We definitely addressed the weak link for personal music listening. I haven't tried those soft-foam inside-the-ear-canal earbuds yet, but they have a tough act to follow.
Both sets sounded great, but I have to give the Sennheisers the edge. There was a little more detail coming out of the music, but in my opinion gave up a little bit of bass. It would probably be very hard to tell without back-to-back comparisons. I think that the HD 202s gain a little more detail than they lose in bass compared to the KTXPro1s.
The HD 202s are _just_ big enough to tuck my ears inside without too much discomfort, and they fit over my glasses. I can see that comfort could be an issue for larger heads, but luckily not for me. The HD 202s have a thicker wire, so may be more durable. The KTXPro1s have an inline volume control, but in my case, I rarely if ever use it, since the audio source is generally close at hand.
Among the headphones I've tried and looked at, if I were to sit back, shut out he world, and hear what I wanted to hear, I'd go with the Sennheiser HD 202s. If I wanted to hear the best sound that I could get and still hear what's going on around me, I'm sticking with the Koss KTXPro1s and giving up a _very small_ bit of sound quality. If I want to get "high fidelity" headphones that will fit in my pocket, I have my eye on the Koss KSC75s, which look like they're clip-on KTXPro1s. I may one day try the Jbuds J2 or J3 earbuds to see if it's possible to get good sound out of such a small package.
I'm never going to spend a lot of money on headphones, but these are far beyond the earbuds or the like that come with an iPod, smartphone, MP3 player, etc. Not that they can't be good, but so far I haven't seen a pair that are really up to the task of being used primarily for music. For smartphone sets, which include a microphone, the Palm Treo/Pre headphones with chrome and magnets aren't too shabby! I'm going to try the JVC Gumy HA-F140 as cheap replacement headphones for trips where I don't mind them getting lost.
In summary, for less than $25, try one of these larger headsets if you haven't already. IMHO, it's a very big improvement.
Not to pick on Dr. Dre, but I can't imagine what the Beats high-definition headphones can offer at _10 times_ the price over these. I hope that I'm not blessed (or is it cursed?) with eardrums that can tell the difference. I can't afford it!
Customer Review: Nice complement to PX-100s but not a replacement (better than EH-150s)
Summary: 5 Stars
The PX-100s are ubiquitous travel partners, always ready to be accommodated by the most stuffed travel bag. But what about those times when I'm merely running across town for a quick set-up at the station? At that instant I experience slight resistance to using the PX-100s because of the extra time--despite my practicing--to extricate and especially to reinsert the folded phones in their tight and hard little travel case. It offers ideal protection but undeniably insulates the phones, at least to some degree, making them sufficiently inaccessible to pose a psychological barrier to their use if nothing else.
If you have junk drawers at and away from home, and are prone to grab stuff in a hurry for instant gratification, these are still your best bet. Also, their tighter seal makes them more practical for use with ultra-sensitive microphones, where feedback would spoil the day.
[After another week of using these, my impressions are a bit less "impressionistic." The Sennheiser HD-202's are superior to the Sennheiser EH-150's which, though more expensive, have an objectionably "punching" bass, so much so that I happily gave them to my son. The HD 202's strike me as being equal in build quality and comfort to the EH-150's and possessing plenty of bass but not so insistently intrusive as that of the HD-202's. Still, after wearing the PX-100s for long periods of time, there's no way I'd care to wear the HD-202's for that length of time. An hour at the outside (two hours, if necessary, for radio broadcasting, for which which, unfortunately, the open-air design of the PX-100's are unsuited).
As for the sound, I'm finding it necessary with the HD-202's to equalize my player, reducing the bass while bringing up both the mid-range and highs, to achieve the sound I've grown to love with the Sennheiser PX-100s (which have recently gone up in price to a degree that makes their chief competitor, the Koss Porta-Pro's, look especially attractive).
As far as headphones go (as opposed to in-canal earphones), I'm also a fan of the top Sony's (with the exception of the V700DJ phones, which remind me of the irritating qualities of the Sennheiser EH-150s). Whether I'm giving away my limitations as an audiophile or exposing the utter subjectivity of headphone preferences, the full-size headphones that I actually look forward to wearing are the Koss UR-40s (I'm on my 3rd pair). Unlike the Sennheiser HD202's they cover the entire ear and are slightly larger and looser. Yet they're lighter and more comfortable, and the sound is as good as it gets without need of equalization--simply outstanding "presence" in all of the frequencies which, above all, are practically perfectly balanced. The main problem with the Koss headphones: build quality. The sparing of cost can be seen in the short thin wire as well as the poorly attached web that sits on top of the user's head (except when it comes unglued). They're almost twice the cost of the HD-202s, and are at least 50% less durable, but the sound is so transparent and non-problematic, they'd get my vote in the flutter of a hummingbird's wing. As for the poor build quality, is it possible that Koss assumes their "lifetime guarantee" gives them a license to cut corners? Maybe all Koss owners should start sending their phones back to the company until they get the message.
Finally--no,I haven't tried the Grado 60s or 80s as yet. They're next on my list while I concentrate on regaining capital (which won't happen if I seal myself in a set of good phones all day.)
Customer Review: Great pair of 'phones -- once you've stretched them.
Summary: 4 Stars
Hahaha~
I've recently bought these 'phones because my old pair, Daddy-o, a pair of Sony MDR-V150's, broke, and the review ratings are so high among every other pair of 'phones on Amazon.com.
After reading the amazing reviews for these 'phones, I thought, well, why the hell not? Though there were a few reviews lingering on my mind, while I placed an order for them; How they pinched your head, and were extremely uncomfortable to wear. I paid no mind to them, because I thought these headphones'd be like my previous pair, Daddy-o, and have an adjustable band for people with larger heads.
That's why I had a little surprise in the mail. They don't have that adjustable band, and I have a large noggin~~
***Edit***
Since I've fiddled around with the headphones a little more, I've found that yes, they do have an adjustable band, just pull the cups up or down to adjust~
Extremely eager to try them on, I slapped them on my head right away, and plugged it striaght into my ipod. Ohmygod. Even with my unexpierienced musical palate, the sounds were deep, and rich; the sounds far better than the crappy little earbuds that come with an ipod. However, after a few minutes with the phones on, I could see why so many people complained about how tight they were. These phones are really tight on your head!!
So I came up with a few *stupid* ideas to stretch 'em out. If you plan on ordering these phones, please pay attention~
1) Order these phones about a week before a family get-together. Then, starting from the smallest head to largest, get everyone to wear your new 'phones. Have them wear the headphones for at least 5 minutes, and then, move on to a larger noggin. After going through your family, your new phones should've stretched enough to emcompass your head, without crushing your brains out.
2) Stretch them out over-night, with something no larger than a television controller. A few suggestions include a small stapler, or a DS lite.
It's very important that you condition these 'phones before slapping them on, because when I first put them on, it felt like my head was being crushed in a vice grip.
By the way, these are, indeed, closed headphones, so they rest on your ears. These headphones relatively cancel noise from both ends very well. By both ends, I mean that *depending* on the volume, your music will not leak out much, or at all. It also works the other way around, muffling, not completely canceling, outside noise, and making it VERY easy to get absorbed into your music. If your head hurts from being pinched by the vice of these 'phones, you can let 'em hang on your neck, and use them like a boom-box...that hangs around your neck. The sound'll still be great no matter what you do with these headphones.
The only other thing I have a problem with is the extremely long cord these 'phones have. I had a pair Sony MDR-V150's, trust me, I thought cords could not get any longer than that. But these headphones have to have, at least, twice the length of MDR-V150's cord. But this problem is easily solvable, as these 'phones come this a wind-up cable clip, or the bread bag twisty-knot that I'm currently using.
Now, I hope these Sennheiser HD 202's last just as long as Daddy-o did~
Customer Review: Great deal for the price
Summary: 4 Stars
Originally wanted Allen Heath Xone XD53 Headphones after my earbuds cut out, but I didn't have $200 to spend on a pair of headphones. I listen to a lot of electronic music, but these headphones don't do that well for things like trance and hardcore.
Pros: Extra long cord; Good Bass; Ear cups block outside noise rather well. Adjustable height for ear cups; Lightweight to the point I forgot they were still on my
Cons: Fits a bit tightly; Bass can make vocals, mid and high tones muffled; Ear cups are a bit small.
Fit: It was initially a concern that the headphones would be tight for me since that was a common complaint, but that doesn't seem to be a problem. The fit is snug, but not overly so that it's uncomfortable. The snugness can be remedied by adjusting the height of the headband. The ear cups are a little small and put pressure on the top of my ears unless I tuck them inside the cup. If you wear glasses, these headphones may be a bit tight, but can be fixed by raising the headband up.
Volume: These headphones have a sweet-spot when it comes to volume. Too loud and it distorts, too low and it gets muffled.
Sound Test: Non-stop. Listened to all songs/albums back to back.
Computer: IBM ThinkPad R50e
OS: Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2
Program: Windows Media Player 9.00.00.3354
Genre - Equalizer Setting [Artist - Album] - [Length] <<<How it sounded>>>
Electronic - Techno [Armin Van Buren - State of Trance 383] - [01h59m21s] <<The vocals, mid and high tones are muffled by the bass. It detracts a lot from the listening experience>>
Japanese Rock - Rock [Uverworld - Timeless] - [00h53m39s] <<<Guitar chords and riffs are clear and easily heard. The bass (instrument) can be discerned from the guitar. Percussion is crisp. Vocals are clear and understandable without the key change like in Electronic>>>
Canto-Pop - Dance [Andy Lau - Coffee or Tea] - [00h45m04s] <<<The bass is absolutely perfect. It's just enough to provide a deep sound that envelopes you, but not to the point where it muffles the lyrics. Even a few points where it sounds like the lyrics are mumbled, they can be made out. I discovered an echo in the 6th track that I've never noticed before>>>
Classical - Classical [Mozart - Serenade No. 6; Symphony No. 32] - [01h20m49s] <<<The headphones are wonderful for classical music. The strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion sound almost as if I were sitting in the seat listening. The only thing it lacks is the acoustic resonance created by the hall itself and the warmth of a real instrument being played>>>
Pop - Dance [Panic At The Disco - A Fever You Can't Sweat Out] - [00h40m13s] <<< Vocals are clear, crisp and easily audible over the music, but not to the point where it overwhelms the music. Bass can get a little heavy at times, cymbals get tinny sounding>>>
Customer Review: At this price, this is probably as good as it's going to get. Go for it.
Summary: 4 Stars
SOUND ...
The quality of sound is good. It does lean a good bit toward the bass end (and I wished it didn't, but that's the way it is). I guess today's market has stronger preference for more bass. I've had a few other headphones and based on that (and reviewers of various other products), I expect this is about as good as sound is going to get for this price. I looked here at other products (in search of more upper range, less bass) and I didn't see anything reviewed at this price that looked more promising.
CORD...
Ok, the cord IS really long. I measured it at 10 2/3 feet. They ought to just have a jack in the headset to accept a 1/8" stereo mini-phono male plug. Then the owner could use the long wire ... or any wire he/she wished to use. And could stow it in any convenient way he/she pleased. (I'd use one of those retractable zip-keepers--there's a Scosche IU3.5RC 3.5mm Retractable Cable that sells for five smackers right here on Amaz.)
KEEPER...
The wrap-around wire keeper isn't small either. I measured that at 4" long x nearly 2" wide x just under 1" thick. The keeper has little 'nicks' at each end for pushing each end of the wire into to keep them in place. That's going to wear the wire out over time, if you push the same spot of wire in/out of the nick. It's got a thin plastic belt clip molded into the back of it. Go ahead and use it, cuz I'd like to know how long it takes before you bend over, put the keeper in a bind ... and snap that clip right off. Thank goodness they remembered to slap the word SENNHEISER across it in really big print. I was afraid they'd forget about that.
EARPADS...
The over-the-ear does a good job of keeping sound out. I can barely hear the TV in the next room. Not 100% isolation, but more than enough in normal environments. An airplane, though, who knows? The earpads are comfortable enough out-of-the-gate. These are for the office, so they won't see much extended wear requiring serious comfort over the long haul.
BRIDGE...
The bridge over the head, well, it's a tight fit. Not really uncomfortable ... yet ... but it could be looser. I've had other headphones where the bridge had far move 'give.' Either built in via an slide in/out part or just more flexible plastic. Perhaps this unit will develop more 'give' over time. The earpieces do slide a bit up and down (on their connections to the bridge) to allow some adjustment. I immediately pulled them all the way down. If you have a larger head and you want to absolutely assure a fit that's not overly snug, look elsewhere.
DURABILITY...
Other posters complained of durability issues, so be forewarned. At this price, though, they're practically disposable.
BOTTOM LINE...
You're not going to find anything worth having for less than this price, and these seem to be a good value for your money. Go for it.