Headphones
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
A long-time recommendation for under-$100 full-sized sealed headphones, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is a solid performer in any monitoring application. Although extra-expensive high-end sealed headphones have come a long way in the past few years, these dependable cans continue to hold their own at this pricepoint with a balanced audio presentation, 'flat' tonal delivery, and very good isolation from outside noise. Big fave with film/ TV audio recordists and location sound engineers.
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Product Features:
- Very good sound and isolation for a headphone at this price.
- Efficient enough for use with portable players.
- Folds up for convenient carry.
- A good headphone for use in non-critical audio professional applications.
- 2 Year Warranty
What's In The Box:
- 1/4" adaptor
Applications:
Every once in a great while somebody makes a small "mistake" of sorts that somehow gets things more right than they perhaps ought to be. Well, CRASH!BOOM!BAM!BING!SPLAT!... These headphones sound dang good for sealed-earcup, full-size cans priced under $100! Although maybe missing a bit of audio detail at the extremes of the musical range, the 280Pro remains a smooth-toned sealed-back headphone that delivers a clean, non-harsh presentation from low to high frequencies. It's quite an enjoyable set of cans for all your typical sealed (aka 'closed') headphone applications: noise-blocking for commuting on planes, trains, & automobiles; for watching movies in bed; or for listening in quiet workplaces, study halls, or in noisy ambient environments where listening isolation is key. The HD280 remains efficient enough to be used with most portable audio players and laptop computers BUT it will definitely sonically bloom and become more musically lively and detailed when paired with any dedicated [portable] headphone amp. The HD280Pro has also become the headphone choice of many audio, film, and location recording/mixing professionals due to its clear, flat tonal presentation, effective ambient noise attenuation properties, and durable build quality. The HD280Pro remains a true workhorse sealed headphone at a hard-to-beat price.
Despite its somewhat thick headband, the HD280Pro is a comfortable wear for most listeners. The circumaural, sealed [closed] earcups are covered in glove-type padding surrounding the ear which also serves to provide a solid degree of ambient noise isolation/attenuation. Sizing adjustment rails move in & out of the headband to adjust fit; we found it a bit creaky, but secure & decently comfortable in the end. The earcups on the HD 280Pro fold up & in via hinges on the headband, so the headphone can be stowed away in a compact albeit lumpy bundle for transit or storage. The headband can also be gently bent (gently!) to better accomodate those preferring a less tight clamping force. Handy HeadRoom Tip: Let the headphones stretch while clamped over a thick stack of books or a basketball for several days to help to slightly loosen the headband for big-melon owners.
The HD280Pro's non-detachable headphone cord is a coiled cable design that stretches to around three meters (approximately +/- 9ft) and the cable comes terminated to a 1/8" [3.5mm] plug with a handy threaded 1/4" full-size plug adapter handily included. A strong 2-year manufacturer's free repair or replacement product warranty remains standard with all Sennheiser headphones ONLY when proof-purchased from true authorized/verified Sennheiser headphone vendors -- like HeadRoom!
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 102 dB/V
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Cord Type: Coiled Left-Side
- Microphone: No
- Detachable Cable: No
- Cord Length: 10 ft. (3 m)
- Weight: 9.9
- Connector Type: 1/8" with 1/4" adaptor
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Coupler Size: Large
- Isolation: -12dB~-15dB
- Ear Coupler Type: Full-Size
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 64
- Manufacturer Warranty: 2 Years
- Wireless: No
- Headphone Type: Full Size
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Acoustic Seal: Closed
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- http://www.sennheiserusa.com/
- Product Info
- Sennheiser HD 280 specs
- Product Reviews
- Compukiss.com
- ocwizard.com
- Hardware Pacers Oct 2004
- Personal Media Review David MacNeill Dec 07
Average Rating
Posted by Dewcrav3r from Pacific Northwest on 2010-08-11
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Great sound for the price, inexpensive
Cons: Bulky, makes your ears hot
Overall: IMHO these are the new standard in studio monitoring. For live situations they are great because they attenuate so much ambient noise. Would surely work well for a DJ. Because I work live sound gigs I have turned these things up way louder than is recommended, and they're still working just fine. One time I even left them hooked up to my Mac with the volume turned all the way up (oops!). The fact that I haven't blown them yet speaks to the build quality of the drivers.
Sound quality: absolutely amazing, for the price. I don't think you will find a better pair of cans for <$100. The 5 stars I gave it is a price/performance rating, these obviously aren't 5 stars when you compare them to HD650's and HD800's. I haven't actually heard a more expensive pair of cans, but I know there is something more to be had, and I'm ready to buy a pair of HD380's when I find the cash. Like most others have said, the bass is lacking. I wouldn't mind having a bit more thump in the sound, but these are reference cans, they're meant to be flat. If they weren't flat then they wouldn't be fit for use by pro's. It can be a bit muddy as well, but consider the cost and the closed-ear design. Mixing bass with these is difficult, I would avoid it if possible and use these more as a reference (mixing with cans is a bad idea anyways). Mids are good. High's are ok. I like to tack on +3db to 8K and 16K with the iTunes EQ because my personal preference is to have lots of sparkle and shine. With the EQ in place I like the clarity that these provide. On the other hand, I know a friend who says that these are pretty bright without the EQ, so consider your preference.
Comfort: not stellar, but ok. I have a small head, so it's not too tight for me. Just stretch them out and you'll be fine. It sure as heck wouldn't be good to have them loose and falling off your head and not getting a good seal.
Something that's really irritating is how hot my ears can get, which makes them sweat and build up wax.... but the cans are closed-ear, so it's not really Senns' fault.
Look & Feel: big, bulky, mine are silver so the color is better. Really though, who cares? They're reference cans that you buy for the sound quality, not so you can make a fashion statement!
Durability: the drivers are extremely durable, as is the cord. The way the headband pad is meant to stay on is a bad design, but you can just tape it if necessary. The ear pads are replaceable, which is a great feature.
Despite the shortcomings I love the 280's, and I would buy them again in a heartbeat. If you have $200 then think about the 380's, though I haven't heard them and can't speak for the sound (I would assume they're good since they are twice as much).
If you want a great pair of cans for live sound gigs, DJ-ing, or studio monitoring, these are it. I would also recommend them as a first step into the audiophile world for casual listening. Now go click the buy button! :)
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Posted by Nichiren from LA, CA on 2010-07-06
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Good fit, great sound.
Cons: I haven't found any, yet
These cans are unbeatable for the money! Some people complain about too little, or muddy bass. IMHO the headphones simply reveal poor mixes. If the mix engineer didn't clean up the low end properly you will hear it in these cans. The headphones represent what's there and they've become an essential tool for checking my mixes.
Note: Speakers and headphones are highly subjective. I'm just a big fan of the Sennheiser sound. Most other cans sound too harsh for my ears. For a point of reference my studio speakers are: Event Studio Precision Active 8, Tannoy PBM 6.5 (w/Bryston amp) and cheap Yamaha multi-media speakers.
Best,
Nichiren
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Posted by Yo-Yo from Glendale, Ca on 2010-04-29
Recommend Product: No
Pros: Comfortable, Good Value, Decent Sound
Cons: No bass impact
I listen to mainly rock and hip-hop and was surprised at the little bass impact it had. The bass was "there" but only faintly. The truth of the matter is that these headphones are for studio-monitoring purposes. They are very good at being very revealing of the music being listened to and will give you opportunities to be able to hear things you might not have heard of before in some of your favorite songs. But being someone who listens to more rock and hip-hop, the lack of a bass impact is such a downer. Don't get me wrong, these headphones are great for home theater and for studio work. They might even sound great on classical recordings or jazz, but for someone listening to more "uncultured music" as myself, these set of cans are not the ones for me. Time to check out Ultrasone's HFi-580s!
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