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Best Sennheiser Headphones for a Iriver H320?

A

arod

Diamond Member
I got a iriver H320 from FS/T and am looking for a good set of headphones to go with it. I like Sennheiser because I have their PC headset and really like the sound it produces.

I see there are 2 basic camps for the sub $100 arena (I want to keep the headphones right at $100 or less)

The Sennheiser HD280 (~90)
and Sennheiser HD497 (~50)

Are the 280's worth the extra 40 bucks.... My biggest priorities

1. Comfort (these have to be comortable)
2. Sound
3. others (I really dont need a long)

If there are other headphones in my price range that are really good (grados) recommend those too and review sites would be helpful (comparing them).
 
If you want on the go, sometimes the senns can be a lil bulky - as with all the other cans. Try the Koss PortaPro's. For 40$ these headphones are awesome.
 
I have the KSC-35's on my work pc and they are good but not nearly as good as my Sennheiser PC headset (and this is a pc headset not even a real headset)... the quality diff is probably because one are "earbud" types and the pc headset it "over the ear" type (which i prefer)

Not to mention they have already started to break on me (one of the buds is loose fit to the ear part and it comes out alot)
 
280's = closed
497 = open

I'd personally go for the 280's becaue I would want closed cans. I have the 495's now, and while nice, it's not good for public places as it leaks.
 
Sennheisers are too big for portable headphones.

Edit: I have the 280's, and they are way too big to carry around.
 
Originally posted by: LuNoTiCK
Sennheisers are too big for portable headphones.

Edit: I have the 280's, and they are way too big to carry around.
Click to expand...


I know, Im going to use my KSC-35's when walking around.... This is for when Im studying or at home (and want to tune everything else out).

As far as bass.... I dont want overpowering bass, good clean low bass (when Im studying I usually listen to movie scores [orchestrations]).
 
Originally posted by: LuNoTiCK
Sennheisers are too big for portable headphones.

Edit: I have the 280's, and they are way too big to carry around.
Click to expand...

good point... I was stuck on computer usage (what i have my 495's for). Either one is not good for portable use I think... better off w/ earbuds (but then, I know lots of people hate them), or maybe grado sr60's
 
I've had the 497's for a few years now and they work well. I paid like $75 for them back in the day. I haven't checked out the other headphones you were considering, but I do like the 497's, and they do have a lot of bass.
 
Originally posted by: welst10
497 has less bass than 280. if you like hard rock and metal, then 280 is better.
Click to expand...

Haven't read much about the 497s, but the 280s are known not to do rock/metal too well, and I have to agree. They're very flat and laid back, good for many types of music, just not really rock & metal. For that, Grados are supposed to be excellent.

As far as comfort, the 280s leave a bit to be desired, they do clamp onto your head fairly tightly. As I've gotten used to them and they've gotten used to me it's been better, but still, after 2-3 hours I need a rest. It might be because my ears are so large that the phones sit partially on top of them rather than around them. Grados aren't much better in that respect, I hear.

I'd say it comes down to where you'll be using them and what music you listen to. If you're looking to use it among people who don't want to hear your music, you can eliminate open phones from your choices. I believe the 497s are open. The 280s are closed, but their size and power requirements to sound good and have ample volume have me thinking canal phones might be a better idea, if you're not familiar with these, they're smaller than earbuds, actually fitting inside your ear canal and providing a good seal for isolation and ample bass. Supposedly the higher end models are some of the best sounding phones out there.

As always, lurk for a bit over at head-fi.org for more in-depth & varied information and opinions, and preview the phones at a store if at all possible.
 
I was looking at the canal phones but they seem to have about half and half love/hate, plus they are expensive.

I am intrigued by them though, It would seem they would be the best but Ive always had a problem with earbud phones fitting right so Im a bit skeptical about them. I would really want to demo them before I bought and this isnt possible on most of the canal phones.
 
Canal phones should fit properly, they don't sit in your ear the way buds do but plug into the ear canals firmly & securely. Only bad thing I've read about them is that they take a little bit of time to get used to, as we don't generally stuff things in our ears. Considering a pair myself, actually.
 
I've listened to the 280 Pros and they're alright, but only get them if you want closed headphones. They are nothing like the Grados at the same price point (check out the SR60s or 80s). I've heard good things about the 497s but haven't heard them personally.

I've also been considering some E2Cs or E3Cs (especially with some of the deals lately). I've read similar problems with people not getting good seals or it feeling uncomfortable, but not so much that I'm worried about picking up a pair.
 
Audio technica a500s(closed) from audiocubes. The 497s sound pretty damn dry...I have a pair. The also need some serious juice to get going.
 
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