Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

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 good for sealed-earcup, full-size cans priced under $100! Although maybe missing just a bit of audio detail at the edges of the musical range, the 280Pro remains a smooth-toned sealed-back headphone that manages to deliver decently clean, non-harsh audio from low to high frequencies. It's 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 well-detailed when paired with any dedicated 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, very effective ambient noise attenuation properties, and extremely durable build quality. The HD280Pro remains a true workhorse sealed-earcup headphone at a hard-to-beat price.

Despite its somewhat bulky-looking headband, the HD280Pro is a comfortable wear for most listeners. The circumaural, sealed earcups are covered in glove-type pleather padding surrounding the ear which also serve to improve the strong ambient noise isolation/attenuation characteristics of the headphone. Sizing adjustment rails move in & out of the headband to change the fit; we found it a bit creaky for quick adjustments, but quite secure & decently comfortable in the end. The earcups on the HD 280Pro fold up & in via hinges in the headband, allowing the headphone to be stowed away in a compact albeit lumpy bundle for transit or storage. The secure headband can also be gently bent (gently!) to better accomodate those preferring a less tight clamping force. HANDY TIP: Letting the headphones stretch while clamped over a thick stack of books or a basketball for several days will help to slightly loosen the headband for big-melon owners. The HD280Pro's non-detachable 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 included. A 2-year product warranty remains standard with all Sennheiser headphones.