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 location recordists and studio tracking engineers.
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 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 Snozzwangler from Berkeley, CA on 2010-02-16
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Portable, sturdy, decent sound quality, decent isolation, very little sound leakage
Cons: Muddy bass
Comfort: Since they don't have active noise cancellation, they clamp around your head pretty tightly to help isolate your ears from outside sound. I didn't find them too uncomfortable, but if it really bothers you, I have heard that some people stretch them out (putting them around a thick stack of books for a few days) a bit before using them.
Durability: These are fairly durable headphones. I use them as my portable headphones, so I just fold them up, toss them in my backpack, and go. I've had my pair for around 4 years, and after 4 years of heavy use, I haven't had to replace any part of them yet. Pretty good for $100 headphones.
Other: I don't like the coiled cord.
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Posted by jchandler3 from Ashland, OH on 2010-02-10
Recommend Product: No
Pros: Nice build, very durable, fold nicely, good isolation
Cons: Mediocre sound, TIGHT on my head, just ok...
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Posted by PScal from Little Rock, AR on 2010-02-07
Recommend Product: No
Pros: Nice long curly cord, great isolation.
Cons: Midrange please?
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