Sennheiser HD-280 PRO Headphones
by Sennheiser
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List Price: Our Price: $99.94 You Save: $50.01 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $55.00 (click here) Category: Speakers See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sennheiser HD-280 PRO Headphones
Customer Review: 2 years later
Summary: 4 Stars
Alright, I'm not a heavy user, but I will start off by saying that I have not experienced any of these problems with these headphones as far as breaking or anything like that (my dog actually ate them once, but only did serious damage to one of the earpads, which was easily replaced).
With that out of the way, I'll focus on two major areas: sound and comfort. I'll assume that if you're looking at these, you probably know what you want them for, so I'll skip over portability, looks, etc.
SOUND: After owning my 280s for 2 years now, I can offer a pretty informed insight on this. They are very good, but will probably not blow your mind. I'm no audiophile, but I know that there are certain areas where these cans could use some work. While they offer exceptional performance in the mids and pretty good highs, you'll probably want to put your bass boost setting on with these guys. There's not really any graininess or distortion of the lows, but you definitely get the sense that they could use a little more punch.
As far as noise cancellation goes, while they do not ACTIVELY block out noise, they are closed and as such do a pretty good job of blocking out noise simply by their design.
COMFORT: When it comes to comfort, it's going to be either hit or miss, based on the size of your head. For me, it does seem a little tight, although some may consider it snug and well-fitting. They do have a little bit of heft to them, but it's only noticeable when lying down, when they really seem to fall off (or more accurately, rotate off of my head, as the snug fit keeps the cans themselves in place around the ears.
However, if you have a reasonably sized head, I think you'll really like this product. The ear pads are very soft and I've never had any problems with comfort other than that fit on my large head. The weight is something to take into consideration though. They'll certainly work with your iPod, but between the length of the cord and the weight of the product, you might want to look at open, portable options like the PX100 instead, which I highly recommend.
In conclusion, this is an excellent set of headphones with the following set of pros and cons:
PROS
-great mids and really good highs
-excellent clarity
-very comfortable, especially in the earpads and band, just a little snug
-the long cord is useful for those of you looking to use this set for home theater or perhaps at your computer
CONS
-bass could use a little more punch
-a little snug for those of you with large heads
-some have experienced durability issues, although I have not
-A little big; long cord does not really lend itself to use on the go
IN CONCLUSION
I recommend this set of headphones for people who have reasonably sized heads and might want some cans to use with home theater, games, etc. However, I would not recommend this set for someone looking for portability, open-sound, or a bargain. For that, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Sennheiser PX100. Sennheiser PX 100 Lightweight Collapsible Headphones
Customer Review: These Headphone were a steal!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was looking for a decent pair of closed headphones to wear around the house while not traveling around. I use these at my desk and the ambient noise blockage is great, although Shure's line of IEM's does a much better job. At first i did not like the sound of these as much as my E3c's but as I had worn them around and broke them in a bit I found they actually started to sound less thin and more full bodied.
I had been listening to these headphones for a week and was a little disappointed that they did not beat my E3c's in any musical category when driven through my Ipod shuffle. I was expecting much better sound out of these phones than with my Shure's. Anyway i finally plugged these puppies into my Onkyo home theater receiver and was taken back by the sound they produced. Finally the bass reproduction was thick and tight, (not overwhelming, just there)drums pounding in my head, and the mids pulled through carrying the vocals and symbols in and around my head, the trebles were much better than with the E3c's and let the sound of the guitar pick tickling my Tympanic Membrane but not as bright as I would have liked. I'll round up the pros and cons.
Pros:
1: The coiled cable is great for sitting a distance away from your source, such as a receiver.
2: Sound reproduction (flat and even frequency response). Noise blockage is also phenomenal for a closed headphone minus active sound cancellation.
3: I picked these headphones up (refurbished) off of an amazon listed store for $63 after the cost of priority shipping which makes me even happier for the quality they provide.
4: These also are constructed very sturdily and are comfortable to wear for enduring periods of time.
5: Great for all genres i have tested so far. Amazing jazz, heavy metal, rock, rap, dance, techno, reproduction. Incredible for heavy metal rock especially because you can feel the drums and here the guitars shredding solo at the same time with good separation.
Cons:
1: Sometimes a little muddy on the bottom end and a bit light weighted at the upper ranges.
2: plastic body feels brittle and fragile at times, although has not yet been a problem.
3: These take a while to burn in and until then they sound like little tiny speakers. (Best advice... Be Patient!)
4:Ipod/ MP3 players have not been able to drive these phones correctly so far. They feel thin when in such portable sources and probably could benefit from a portable headphone amp despite of their relatively low impedance.
Other than for the few beefs i have with the product, it is great for the price, i don't think any other can on the market can beat this in a performance to price ratio even if the price was higher than what i paid. Got these directly from Buzmart for 63 dollars after priority shipping and could have spent less if i had not puchased priority shipping. For the price, they were steal. This is a five star upgrade I recommend to anyone looking for a great headphone at an astounding price.
Customer Review: So far, an excellent product.
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't write reviews unless I am exceptionally impressed, for the good or the bad. I am pleased to be writing this review.
The Sennheiser HD-280 Pros arrived and after the first couple of weeks I am quite impressed with both the quality and design. I was concerned when reading several comments on the snug fit, stating it was designed for a narrow head. I wear a size 7 3/8 hat and I find the set fits very well. It is snug but no more than is necessary for a proper fit. My other concern was wondering if these would measure up and if I should be looking for something in the 500 series. I decided to stay with a closed-back and these fit the bill nicely.
These are my first headphone purchased "blind" and I have to admit I was concerned. I am a "try before you buy" guy. I stepped outside my comfort zone and gave it a shot. I was not disappointed.
These have a much clearer sound with deeper lows and crisper highs than my Audio-Technica headphones. I recently listened to a recording of J.D. Sumner, best known as the bass singer for the Stamps Quartet and having toured with Elvis Presley. He is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for his solo recording of the hymn "Blessed Assurance". According to Guinness, the song contained the lowest recorded note ever produced by a human voice, a "double low" C.
I was anxious to hear his bass voice on my new headset and it did him every bit of justice. I heard vocal depths I had not before heard. It was as if somebody turned on the light switch.
I have always used, as my audio unit of measure, the sounds of the acoustic piano and the vocal accoutrements of a good Southern Gospel quartet singing a cappella. It is how I have chosen which electronic keyboards were quality and is the audio track I take with me when buying equipment and speakers. The HD-280's produce a clear tone in the lower, middle and upper registers without muddying or blurring the tones, neither does it produce sounds too sharp.
Whether you are listening to Béla Bartók or Ol' Blue Eyes, Southern Gospel or Jazz, Classical or Country or anything in between, these can handle the acoustics for even the most discerning ear.
And yes, just as it makes the good notes sing, those sour notes will land with an echoless thud.
The around-the-ear design is comfortable and the pads are quite sufficient. The speaker placement within each cup provides a sound that is set back from the ear enough so as not to have that in-the-ear sensation one gets from earbuds and even many headsets. The sound surrounds rather than attacks.
A feature I particularly enjoy about these headphones is the included 1/4" plug adapter. It doesn't just plug on (which we all know will eventually begin falling off over the years). Sennheiser has adapted a screw-on feature to keep it securely attached. A minor feature but appreciated none the less.
Don't forget these offer user-replaceable components making them that much less disposable.
Comfort and quality. I recommend this product with a 4 1/2 stars (nothing is perfect).
Customer Review: Incredible sound, cheesy plastic headband cover - Updated
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had a pair of these beasts for more than two years now and I've never had a better set of 'phones sonically.
Like a number of other people, I find the plastic cover of the headband is cracking and shedding pieces to the point now where it looks like I use the headphones to drive nails.
Apparently the outer shell just does not flex enough and I do have a somewhat larger than average head. It's annoying and looks awful but until they actually fall apart I'll keep using them and then will probably buy another set.
Sonically, they are simply incredible. I use a small portable CD player and it drives them just fine, even on battery power.
The noise isolation is wonderful, I use these on airplane trips and most of the noise just vanishes, at home, I often don't hear the telephone ringing on the end table next to me and I don't listen to particularly loud music. I can enjoy quiet music while my wife watches TV 6' away and barely register that it is on.
Every time I play a CD for the first time using these 'phones, I am usually astounded, especialy if I've heard the music before on lesser systems. It's like hearing it for the first time. The depth and clarity simply delight me and I am constantly hearing new things or nuances in the music, even on discs I have heard a hundred tims before.
The bass is full and rich without sounding like you've plugged your speakers directly into a 60hz AC outlet. (Which seems to be a popular thing to do judging from what some people call "bass" but which is more like the sound made when a brontosauraus has really bad gas.) Highs are crisp and clear without sounding tinny or ringing and the soundstage is just right at least for me.
I use these primarly for classical, jazz and new age/ambient with occasional excursions into classic rock and they just simply work. I can't comment on how they sound with "rap" or similar noise as I only use these to listen to real music, not someone screaming vulgar words while thumping on a bass drum, but I digress.
If you want quality sound with great isolation, buy these, just don't wear them while bicycling or driving, OK? You won't hear the semi-truck coming through your windshield.
;)
Update: In late 2007 I bought another pair of these. I think they may have solved the cracking headband issue. I use them almost daily often for two or three hours at a time and the new set does not seem to be showing any signs of the older pair's issues. Sound quality is still the best I've heard, especially for the money. They are heavy and a bit hot and the cups could be a bit deeper...they press on my ears a bit after long wear but I've yet to find anything else I like as much.
Update to the update: July 2009. Still use them heavily almost every day. Headband is fine, no noticeable wear, cracking or other issues. I think Sennheiser listened to people.
Buy these 'phones! I've used them now with almost every decent portable music player around, my PC and my stereo. They just sound good and they keep sounding good.
Customer Review: it's Sennheiser Quality....but you may think it's a miracle!
Summary: 4 Stars
While i'm no audiophile, i go out of my way to learn about a product before i make a purchase, and i'm very satisfied with the quality of this Sennheiser headphone.I was comparing this pair with a similar DJ headphone model by Sony--similar price point. I tried the Sony pair and they sounded very good to me, and comfortable. However, in searching the web for user reviews, i was coming across statements about the Sony product not holding up in terms of manufacturing quality.
-The HD-280s are solidly built. ** Compare the 2yr warranty against the competition, and Senns replaceable parts. All swivel and pivot joints give the impression that they will handle a lot of use. The earpieces fold up (ear cushion to ear cushion) inside the arch of the headband for more compact storage. Each earpiece will also swivel on a ball joint from its connection to the headband so you can hold one speaker to your ear. Each earpieces also flips inside-out on the their wishbone connection.
-The cord is single sided, coiled, and substantial.
-The 1/4" and 1/8" plug ends are gold plated--the 1/4" screws on the 1/8".
-Be aware that Sennheiser--off their own web site--lists the pressure of the earpiece to your head at 6 Newtons. This pressure, combined with the closed earpiece design (the back of the earpiece is a solid piece of plastic vs an open mesh that allows sound to enter and leave the speaker and ear space), and the relatively firm foam pad with soft vinyl-like covering allow it to block 32dB of sound from entering your ear from outside the speaker enclosure surrounding your ear. This product does a very good job at isolating your ear (also referred to as sound attenuation) to the audio input--no neighbors, no dogs barking, no traffic noise, etc...to 32dBs. **Don't put these on if you're expecting an important phone call--you likely won't hear it! This does mean you will feel these earpads resting on your head more aggressivley than others Senns or other makes of headphone. If you have a wide face, i would be cautious of purchasing these, and certainly recommend trying them at a local audio source for at least 15 minutes to get the feel of them....and compare it to the feel of similar products. After a couple hours with these on, i do find a little dampness around my ear due to the tight seal. Other Senn products will use an even softer foam and a cloth covering, but that also allows more ambient sound to enter the earspace. It's all a trade--decide on your priority.
-I found the sound to be crisp, full, and amazingly deep. I actually find the base from certain sources will cause that rumble in my body i thought would only be felt by large external speaker woofers. And i do find, along with the other reviewers, that i hear new sounds from tracks i have listened to many times.
So you ask, "Why 4 Stars?" Answer: because now i know what a good pair of headphones can do, and these are only half way up the Sennheiser line! My next pair will also be Senns. Happy Listening.