Topic: Headphones

[Bonehelm]

Hey GMG...I'm planning to invest on a new pair of headphones this summer since I already got a decent pair of speakers..I live in an apartment and would like to do some late night listening. I'm currently considering Sennheiser HD555's or Sennheiser 280 PRO. I've heard that the 280 is better for music and 555 for movies, But according to many reviews the 555's are more comfortable and I like the idea of open headsets. Other than that, I have also heard good feedback for AKG 701's and some other brands...so I have no idea what's the best for me. I'm a high school student and as surprising as it sounds, my budget isn't very high. I'd say about 120 Canadian is as high as I can go. ( I saw HD555's on ebay for $90 - unused !)

Thanks a lot GMG

[orbital]

Hey GMG...I'm planning to invest on a new pair of headphones this summer since I already got a decent pair of speakers..I live in an apartment and would like to do some late night listening. I'm currently considering Sennheiser HD555's or Sennheiser 280 PRO. I've heard that the 280 is better for music and 555 for movies, But according to many reviews the 555's are more comfortable and I like the idea of open headsets. Other than that, I have also heard good feedback for AKG 701's and some other brands...so I have no idea what's the best for me. I'm a high school student and as surprising as it sounds, my budget isn't very high. I'd say about 120 Canadian is as high as I can go. ( I saw HD555's on ebay for $90 - unused !)

Thanks a lot GMG

I have had the Sen 280's for about 3 years. I use them with my digital piano for hours during the weekend and they do not cause any discomfort with me at all. They are very comfortable and produce the most natural sound I've heard for the price. There are a few recent topics in the Diner section that might help you with the decision.

[Bonehelm]

Thanks for your comment, orbital. I'm trying to decide between noise-canceling (280) and surround sound reflection (555). Also, I cannot listen to music at midnight without waking up my family with the 555 as it is open-aired.

[Mark]

I'm looking into the HD 280s as well. Like Bonehelm, I need them for late night listening ... my wife is a VERY light sleeper!

[Holden]

As I've said before, got the 280s and highly recommend them but you need to consider that:
-the sound of open air phones is less fatiguing IMO.
-the 280s will out perform the 555s
-the 280s produce deeper bass with an HP amp

[Bonehelm]

As I've said before, got the 280s and highly recommend them but you need to consider that:
-the sound of open air phones is less fatiguing IMO.
-the 280s will out perform the 555s
-the 280s produce deeper bass with an HP amp

If I don't plan on getting an amp, will the 280s still sound great?

[toledobass]

Do you listen through a portable device?  I have a pair of 280's and a pair of 580's.  I got the 280's for when I'm on road and for when the wife doesn't wanna listen to what I'm listening to.  Most of the time I listen to the 280's through a go-vibe amp and a Sony portable cd player.  The times when I've listened to them without the amp I thought they were they sounded ok but I really missed the fullness that the amp provides.  That's something I don't think I could get used to.  It's something that would always bug me. The other hard thing is going back to the 280's after I've been listening to the 580's for a while.  The amp helps a lot,  especially if they're plugged into a portable player,  you really won't get the most out of your headphones without it.  With home gear if you have a headphone jack on your amp, you should be fine even though I think it sounds better with a headphone amp.

I don't know anything about the other set you're considering.


Allan

[Steve]

If I don't plan on getting an amp, will the 280s still sound great?

I'm going to have to agree with toledobass, you really need an amp for these guys.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Do you listen through a portable device?  I have a pair of 280's and a pair of 580's.  I got the 280's for when I'm on road and for when the wife doesn't wanna listen to what I'm listening to.  Most of the time I listen to the 280's through a go-vibe amp and a Sony portable cd player.  The times when I've listened to them without the amp I thought they were they sounded ok but I really missed the fullness that the amp provides.  That's something I don't think I could get used to.  It's something that would always bug me. The other hard thing is going back to the 280's after I've been listening to the 580's for a while.  The amp helps a lot,  especially if they're plugged into a portable player,  you really won't get the most out of your headphones without it.  With home gear if you have a headphone jack on your amp, you should be fine even though I think it sounds better with a headphone amp.

I don't know anything about the other set you're considering.


Allan

Would you be kind enough to provide the model number for the amp?

Thanks in advance.

[orbital]

The times when I've listened to them without the amp I thought they were they sounded ok but I really missed the fullness that the amp provides.  That's something I don't think I could get used to. 

It must have a lot to do with what you are listening to, too of course. With piano music I don't want any amplification (particularly in the bass section), so 280's flat reproduction, for me, is ideal. With Mahler symphonies perhaps some additional filling may be required.

[toledobass]

Would you be kind enough to provide the model number for the amp?

Thanks in advance.

I have the Go-Vibe v5.


Allan

[Holden]

I used the 280s on the plane across the Tasman just recently. Plugged into my MP3 player they sounded fine. However, most headphones benefit from an amp when using portable audio and the 280s are no exception with a more solid bass being evident with these. They are also very good on home equipment. However, the little amps that come out of ampifiers or CD players are nowhere near as good as a deidicated amp. The onne I use at home is a bBehringer MA400 and it is reidiculously cheap for what it does to the quality of headphone listening. You can find it  here

Alterntively, something like the Go-vibe will give you a double solution with it's portability an added factor. Of course, it's more expensive and it appears that the V6 is now the only model available

[Bonehelm]

I used the 280s on the plane across the Tasman just recently. Plugged into my MP3 player they sounded fine. However, most headphones benefit from an amp when using portable audio and the 280s are no exception with a more solid bass being evident with these. They are also very good on home equipment. However, the little amps that come out of ampifiers or CD players are nowhere near as good as a deidicated amp. The onne I use at home is a bBehringer MA400 and it is reidiculously cheap for what it does to the quality of headphone listening. You can find it  here

Alterntively, something like the Go-vibe will give you a double solution with it's portability an added factor. Of course, it's more expensive and it appears that the V6 is now the only model available

Holden, where can I find the Behringer MA400? $29.99 is indeed cheap as hell. Also, what do you think if I tell you I only use those 280's at home and not on portable devices? I think the amp won't matter as much, am I right?

Thanks for answering the questions~

[Holden]

Holden, where can I find the Behringer MA400? $29.99 is indeed cheap as hell. Also, what do you think if I tell you I only use those 280's at home and not on portable devices? I think the amp won't matter as much, am I right?

Thanks for answering the questions~

This little amp (I saw one for $19.99 BTW - see 2nd URL) is mainly used by musicians as a foldback device to monitor what's going on when they are playing and using a microphone. So I went to my local muso's shop and ordered one from there. You can also get them online from the manufacturers website

http://www.behringer.com/MA400/index.cfm?lang=eng

But our beloved Amazon have a much better deal and you can possibly help Rob with sponsorship by accessing the site below via the flag at the top of the page

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Micromon-MA400-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B000H2D89G


I do not, in any way, regret adding this amp to my home system especially as it will go into my PC! And all it cost me was $40 here in Australia. The 280s are top quality phones, why compromise them for the sake of $20?

BTW, the Behringer HA400 has 4 inputs if you find that useful and is the same specs and price.

[Bonehelm]

This little amp (I saw one for $19.99 BTW - see 2nd URL) is mainly used by musicians as a foldback device to monitor what's going on when they are playing and using a microphone. So I went to my local muso's shop and ordered one from there. You can also get them online from the manufacturers website

http://www.behringer.com/MA400/index.cfm?lang=eng

But our beloved Amazon have a much better deal and you can possibly help Rob with sponsorship by accessing the site below via the flag at the top of the page

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Micromon-MA400-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B000H2D89G


I do not, in any way, regret adding this amp to my home system especially as it will go into my PC! And all it cost me was $40 here in Australia. The 280s are top quality phones, why compromise them for the sake of $20?

BTW, the Behringer HA400 has 4 inputs if you find that useful and is the same specs and price.

Very helpful information you have there, Holden. I have one last question: What about the cables/wires that runs from the cd player (or my pc's audio socket) to the amp and from the amp to the 280? How many cables does that require and are they included with the amp?

Thanks again ! 

[Holden]

Very helpful information you have there, Holden. I have one last question: What about the cables/wires that runs from the cd player (or my pc's audio socket) to the amp and from the amp to the 280? How many cables does that require and are they included with the amp?

Thanks again ! 

The input socket to the amp from the CD/PC is the 6.25 size so you might need a 3.5 to 6.25 connector. Both size sockets are on the front so you get a choice which is good for me as my 280s have the 3.5 plug and my Senn 545s have the 6.25. You would have to supply your own cable from PC/CD to the amp. I got a cable from the local electronics store with 3.5 at one end and 6.25 at the other. If you get a standard 3.5/3.5 cable (you've probably got one already) you just add the adaptor plug mentioned above.

[Mark]

Well, I finally got around to getting my ass down to a decent hifi store (Sevenoaks in Guildford, for those interested) and trying out some higher-end cans. Happened to have a disc of Strauss' songs for soprano and orchestra with me at the time, so I popped this into an Arcam Solo (the music, not the movie, version), and tried the HD280s. And that's as far as I got. Why? I discovered something unfortunate about my head and Sennheiser's transducer couplings: they're not a comfy fit! I have quite a large noggin (cue sniggering), and this makes ALL of Sennheiser's more expensive headphones a no-no for me. Having slipped off the HD280s (didn't like these, btw - too boxed in around the bass end, like listening in a broom cupboard), I tried the fit of the HD595s and the much-praised and stupidly expensive HD600s. Still a no go. They hurt almost immediately. After an hour's listening, I could see myself having to have these cans surgically removed from my head.

Oh, well. At least AKG make great headphones with generous circumaural couplings for big heads like mine.

[op.110]

My Shure e2cs broke the other day, and it's time to get a new pair asap. If anyone's got a pair to recommend, post away.

[DavidRoss]

Do you want headphones, or another pair of earbuds?  How much of a consideration is price?  Portability?  Sound isolation?  How will you drive them?  Were you satisfied with the e2cs?

[op.110]

1. Noise-isolating earbuds are preferred (though I'm looking into a pair of bose headphones, but these might not be practical for city commuting).

2. Up to $200 (but I'll be happier if I dish out $100)

3. Earbuds and headphones are both pretty portable, but earbuds would be more convenient for storing when I'm on-the-go).

4. How will I drive them? Not sure what you're asking.

5. Ehh; it's hard to say. They had pretty good sound quality, but were uncomfortable (made my ears tender and irritated, and the chord was always rubbing up against my face and neck, which was also very annoying).