Headphones: Sony MDR-CD380 or Sennheiser HD 490?

[kami]

I can get both for the around same price, and originally I was going to go get the Senn's no questions asked because of their reputation, but then I started reading reviews online. I haven't been able to find much positive word at all...people complain about muddy bass and harsh highs. At audioreview it has a rating of 3/5 with 38 reviews...frankly that's a crappy score! The Sony only has 3 reviews though, and they are all very positive but it's nothing compared to 38 reviews. I can't find many mentions of the Sony anywhere, but any that I do find are pretty positive. The Sony also looks a bit better on paper, but I guess that doesn't mean much.

Sony specs
Senn's specs

Well, what do you think?

My other option is to splurge a bit and spend an extra $25-$30 on the Senn HD 495's, which receive much better reviews (4.34/5 with 50 reviews)...but is the cost worth it over any of these ones?

They will mostly be used for gaming (always preferred phones for gaming because of the superior surround with EAX, A3d, etc.), but I usually listen to music on my home theater unless I can't keep someone up. Oh, and movies are always on the home theater...no question.

TIA

 

[kami]

drops so fast

 

[recha]

If you want comfort, go w/ Senn. On the other hand, if you want bass, prob stick w/ Sony.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

I wouldn't buy the Sony based on the three reviews. Chances are those reviews were given by uberN00bs who were using Memorex headphones before they go the Sonys. Also, chances are the Senns are reviewed by uberAudioPhiles. I would probably go with the Senns. I've been looking at headphones myself and find myself considering the 490s and 495s as well. Hrmm

 

[Fausto]

I'd say go with the Senns, but honestly just go find a store that carries both and listen to the same music back to back on both sets and see which one you like better. Speakers and headphones are a very subjective thing, so you're probably better off to use your own ears to make the decision.

Fausto

 

[kami]

Originally posted by: Fausto1
I'd say go with the Senns, but honestly just go find a store that carries both and listen to the same music back to back on both sets and see which one you like better. Speakers and headphones are a very subjective thing, so you're probably better off to use your own ears to make the decision.

Fausto

I know of a store that carries both but you can't listen to them.

Has anyone been able to listen to both?

 

[Passions]

Forget about all of those, and go with the best headphones ever

BOSE TRIPORT.

 

[kami]

Originally posted by: BOBBY RIBS
Forget about all of those, and go with the best headphones ever

BOSE TRIPORT.

If I wanted bose-like sound then I'd listen to music over a telephone

 

[Passions]

bwahahahahahahahaha.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: kami

Originally posted by: BOBBY RIBS
Forget about all of those, and go with the best headphones ever

BOSE TRIPORT.

If I wanted bose-like sound then I'd listen to music over a telephone

 

[erikiksaz]

Originally posted by: kami

Originally posted by: BOBBY RIBS
Forget about all of those, and go with the best headphones ever

BOSE TRIPORT.

If I wanted bose-like sound then I'd listen to music over a telephone

Amen brotha! I'd go for the Senns, and the higher model if possible.

 

[Farbio]

forget both and go with the grado sr 60 or sr 80s

put them both to shame in pure musicality

 

[habib89]

the senn hd 495's are nice.. i'm tried those... for the same price, you can get the sony v6 which are just as nice.. also tried those.. the 495's are open, the v6 are closed.. so it depends on wether you want to bother people or not... sennheiser also has a hd 497 which aren't too bad either.. the 497's are cheaper than both that i've mentioned...

 

[kami]

forget both and go with the grado sr 60 or sr 80s

Well, from what i've read (check headphones.com)...they praise the SR60's but still say the Senn HD 495's are better than the SR60s, and I can get the HD 495's for cheaper than the SR60s so that kind of rules them out!

 

[Chu]

Senn's, no doubt. But make sure you get an amp to go with that -- an amp will make *ANY* headphone sound twice as good. The good commercial ones start at $150 (Creek OBH-11 standard) but you can build one that sounds just as good for as low as $20 -- or less if you got some of the parts laying around. Check out the meta42 and the legendary CMoy. Note that the CMoy is *EXTREEMLY* easy to build -- I built my first one successfully, prior to which I didn't even know what a resistor was.

Of course, if you are willing to build and amp, and are willing to drop $50 more, you can get the Senn HD600 for $200 from Mier Audio in Germany, which is signifantly less then it costs in the US. Of course, since the dollar has been tumbling and the Euro gaining, it might be signifincantly more now . . . You cannot do better then the Senn's without spending almost triple the price. Most headphone addicts like myself consider the Senn HD600's the best you can get without going into serious audiophile territory.

-Chu

 

[Chu]

>>

Well, from what i've read (check headphones.com)...they praise the SR60's but still say the Senn HD 495's are better than the SR60s, and I can get the HD 495's for cheaper than the SR60s so that kind of rules them out!

<<<

Ahhh, the old Senn vs. Grado debate. Comparing senns and grados is very tricky, because they sound VERY different. The best analogy I can give is Grado's put you right in the middle of the band -- they are an incredible 'in your face' headphone. There is no doubt that no headphones reproduce the kick of the drums as well as the Grado's do.

Senn's (and sony's) are much more laid back. Grado's put you in the middle of the band, senns put you in the front row. It's very hard to describe the difference, but if you get a chance to audition Grado RA-1's or Grado SR-325's vs. Senn HD-600's, you'll immediatly know what I'm talking about. It's not necessarly one is better then the other, it's a matter of preference.

-Chu

 

[divinemartyr]

I own a pair of the Sennheiser HD 580's and I can't say enough about their design/sound. A lot of people complained that the cord was too thin and had reliability problems, but I've experienced no such thing. I've owned everything from Sony to Sennheiser, and I love my Senn's. Without spending a ton more, the sound quality doesn't get much better. Had you considered an open design such as the HD 580's? Or is that out of the budget? Mine cost me around $200 but they are one of the best investments I've made. Think about it this way, how many times will you buy a pair of headphones in your life?

If you really want to do a side by side comparison, get on Sennheiser's website and locate a local dealer, call them and ask if they have any on display for auditioning purposes.

dm

 

[kami]

Well I ended up with the Sony's but only for one reason...

They had an open box special for only $30, and they are regular $72 at this particular store (Canadian currency). Basically they have a policy that they can't re-sell returned items (even if they work fine), so they toss the packaging and then for some reason they are allowed to sell it in a bag..sort of like an OEM computer part I guess. Strange policy but eh I'm not complaining. There is no way any headphones could touch these for $30...they sound pretty damn good. I liked them better than the Senn 490's (which were $99.99), but I felt that the Senn 495's sounded a lot better. Only problem is that the 495's are $150 at this store...quite a jump.

 

[habib89]

wow.. awesome deal kami.. wish i could find a deal like that.. but guess i'll have to go and pay full price *gasp*

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: BOBBY RIBS
Forget about all of those, and go with the best headphones ever

BOSE TRIPORT.

Try Grado Labs. I've got the audiophile-level SR60s and they cost me an amazingly scant 70 bucks!! You cannot beat these headphones at even thrice the price. They're incredible and have won numerous awards. Recommended, hands down.

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: Farbio
forget both and go with the grado sr 60 or sr 80s

put them both to shame in pure musicality

YEP!

 

[Chu]

If you think the Grado SR-60's put the Senn HD-490's to shame musically -- have your ears checked (unless you absolutly positively cannot stand inflated highs, but then again grados have a hugely inflated midrange)

The SR-80's and SR-125's on the other hand . . . well, see my post.

-Chu

 

[Chu]

>> Try Grado Labs. I've got the audiophile-level SR60s and they cost me an amazingly scant 70 bucks!! You cannot beat these headphones at even thrice the price. They're incredible and have won numerous awards. Recommended, hands down.

Yes you can. The Sony MDR-V6 are much better as a reference headphone, or if you need a closed heaphone, at the same price.

The Grado SR-125's are noticebly better then the SR-60's at $125. You can find these used everywhere for $90.

The Senn HD-590's can be had at $130. So can the HD-580's, but these do require a dedicated amp.

AKG's have a ton of headphones in the $120-$150 range that can give the SR60's a run for their money.

Need I go on? I swear sometimes "Team Grado" sounds like marketing zoids.