Headphones

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Headphones | Press and News

Sennheiser unveils its HD700 high-end headphones

By   January 10, 2012

Las Vegas, January 10, 2012 –Sennheiser’s high-end world has plenty of excitement to offer. At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the audio specialist is unveiling a set of new premium headphones, the HD 700. These fully open dynamic stereo headphones combine high-end sound with an innovative headphone design.

“The HD 700 features a perfect combination of outstanding acoustic properties and sophisticated product design,” said Maurice Quarré, Director Product Lifecycle Management Sennheiser Consumer Electronics. “Its styling and material selection have been thought through down to the finest detail in order to fully exploit the sound potential of the acoustic unit.”

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Headphones | Press and News

Legendary Sound. Urban Style. The new HD 25 Amperior from Sennheiser

By   January 10, 2012

Las Vegas, January 10, 2011 –Not prepared to make compromises? For all those who don’t want to decide between perfect sound and cool design,Sennheiser is now taking their star headphones from the club scene onto the streets. Based on the legendary HD 25 DJ headphones, the audio specialist is launching the HD 25 Amperior in an exciting aluminium finish. And to make sure that the headphones are ready for use at any time, they have been optimised for connection to an iPad, iPhone and iPod*, and are equipped with a microphone for easy telephoning. The unique combination offers the best of both worlds in terms of sound and design.

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Headphones | Press and News

Sennheiser Upgrades its Popular HD 200 and HD 400 Headphone Line: Combining Well-Defined Sound with Stylish Looks

By   November 07, 2011
Six New Models Deliver Great Sound and Bold Style

OLD LYME, Conn., November 7, 2011 — Audio specialist Sennheiser announced the introduction of its stylish new HD 200 and HD 400 series headphones. The line includes six new models: the HD 219, HD 229, HD 239, HD 429, HD 439 and the HD 449 headphones.

“Our new HD 200 and HD 400 series headphones offer a significant acoustic upgrade from stock headphones with fashion-forward design,” commented Sennheiser product specialist Eric Palonen. “Each headphone stands out with bold colors and an intricate ear cup design, while offering a variety of sonic signatures fit for any music fan.” All six models are also optimized for listening on MP3 players, tablets, Android, Windows and Blackberry smartphones, laptops, netbooks and Apple devices including iPods*, the iPad series* and all iPhone* devices. Some models feature a rotating earcups or cable systems fit for portable or at home use.
Earphones | Feature Articles | Headphones | Headphones | Sports

Monster iSport Immersion Earphones Review

By   August 15, 2011

Attention runners, wind surfers, downhillers or any athlete who has been searching for a comfy and good sounding earphone that stays put! Your search is over.

Pros:
- Dang near stays locked in the ear – comfy fit
- Light weight and doesn’t tangle
- Water/sweat proof (washable)
- Surprisingly good sounding – warm lower mid-range and gentle highs
- Isolated midrange to upper range frequencies well
- Many size/fit options
- Adjustable/angle-able tips for better sound
- Control work with iPhone and mic sounds clear in loud environments

Cons:
- Highs are friendly but not extended
- Micro dynamics and articulation could be better
- Probably too isolating for city biking, running, can’t hear cars, people

Summary:

The iSports Immersion earphones well surpass the requirements for sport earphones. But the $180 price tag might be a bit of a bitter pill for some folks to swallow. But even with some audiophile quibbles, taking the package as a whole, a crash proof fit and very sturdy build, being water proof, warm clean bass and detailed mid-range and gentle highs, the iSport Immersion earphones don’t let down. Now you just have to find a water proof portable bomb shelter for your iPhone!

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Editorial Reviews | Feature Articles | Headphones | Headphones

Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Headphones from Monster Editorial Review

By   July 19, 2011

Dr. Dre Studio Beats Headphones – What You Need To Know

Pros:

  • Deep Bass
  • Super Stylish
  • Noise Cancellation works very well
  • Comfortable
  • Easy for travel

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Editorial Reviews | Feature Articles | Headphones | Headphones

Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD Headphone Editorial Review

By   May 09, 2011

Beats by Dr. Dre Solo Headphones – What You Need To Know

You can’t say Beats without saying style. Dr. Dre and Monster cable have done something only Bose has been able to do, cross the great barrier divide between decent audio reproduction and life style.

The Solo HD headphones use a proprietary driver technology that delivers detail and powerful bass with a smooth top end that is easy to listen to for hours on end. Purchasing the Red Special Edition version of the Solo HD headphones and some of the profits will be donated to Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

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Buyers Guide | Editorial Reviews | Feature Articles | Headphones | Headphones

Best Headphones

By   May 09, 2011

AKG k701 – $449.00
Specs:

  • Revolutionary flat-wire voice coil technology
  • Patented AKG Varimotion ultra-precision two-layer diaphragm
  • Bi-wiring, high-performance cable with 1/4″ jack plug
  • Comfortable, specially shaped “3D-Form” ear pads
  • Complete with stylish storage cradle
  • Individually tested and numbered
4.20 out of 5 – 5 Reviews
audiowize Said: After letting them play for a little over 100 hours (they were used when I got them, but not well broken in), the sound has softened and the tunes are sweet. The bass control is out of this world!
tngiloy Said: The sound is clear and neutral. The bass is very good for headphones. I have yet to hear floorstanding speakers that match the sound from these cans. I’m sure there are some, but they are out of my price range.
Wes Phillips – Stereophile – 2006 Says: The K 701s just flat-out sound more like music as I hear it than any other headphones I’ve ever heard. I love ‘em and I won’t be sending ‘em back. They’re mine, all mine! Bwah hah haha haaa!
EnjoytheMusic – 2006 Says: The AKG K701 is one beautifully rounded performer. Top shelf sound, superb ergonomics, a competitive price and no quirks. The new reference has arrived and I’m not letting it go. Anyone wanna buy my K1000s?Read More Reviews

Sennheiser HD 555 – $170.00
Specs:

  • A comfortable, high-quality headphone system
  • Extended spatial field surrounds you with sound; ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (EAR) enables ideal sound channeling for a new kind of listening experience
4.20 out of 5 – 5 Reviews
Garth Said: Ecellent headphones overall, but the mid bass boost is too much for me. (The HD-595 is better in this aspect) The spatial sound field is incredible …. it’s like the music is in your brain (I can’t say it in a better way).
spilner Said: OK, so here’s what they give you after over 200 hours of intensive burning in: Generally speaking, it’s a nice, detailed and pretty well balanced sounding headphone. Now to be more specific. The harshness of the treble is pretty much gone..
GoodCans Says: …offers surprisingly good detail in all areas; highs, mids and bass. In addition to great sound quality for a portable headphone, it’s light weight, comfortable, and collapsible.
TechRadar UK Says:Meticulous sound reproduction that enlightens not strains the ear, and a good retail price.Read More Reviews

Denon AH-D5000 – $700
Specs:

  • Reference Audio, circum-aural
  • Real Mahogany wood housing. Micro fiber diaphragm
  • Acoustic optimizer for life like audio reproduction
  • Gold plated aluminum connector.
  • Light wieght magnesium frame structure
Head Room Says: The scientific audio lab measurements don’t lie: the results we’ve seen in every category for the AH-D5000 rival that of any high-end audiophile reference headphone that has entered our testing facility.
CNet.UL Says: The D5000s blew us away with stellar reproductions of every musical genre we threw at them — tightly orchestrated classical recitals, brutal black metal performances, chest-pounding drum ‘n’ bass, over-produced pop.
HeadphoneReviews.org Says: The first thing that strikes you is the enveloping bass, the full-range sweetness of the trebles, followed by more of the bass. The bass is never completely tight; while most often pleasing.
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Koss Portapro – $50
Specs:

  • Dynamic-element design for deep bass performance
  • Comfort Zone setting on temporal pad for comfortable, secure fit
  • Collapsible for maximum portability when listening on the go
  • Multipivoting ear plates and adjustable headband for added comfort
  • Includes convenient carrying case
4.45 out of 5 – 67 Reviews
RobDigital Said: Highs: Clear and not to sharp though ever so slightly hissy at low sample rates. Mids: Present and strong. Strong like English breakfast tea, not like Starbucks bold. Bass: The bass is very respectable for the size. They won’t send shockwaves through your heart like a nice set of JL subs, but they stand up to the spectrum and with the highs and lows create a rich listening experience. 
lisitsa Said: The other reviews have covered this as well, but there is something special about the bass. I once had this song which had a really punching bass for the first 20 seconds, and it literally felt like your ears were being plucked.
GoodCans Says: …offers surprisingly good detail in all areas; highs, mids and bass. In addition to great sound quality for a portable headphone, it’s light weight, comfortable, and collapsible.
CNet Says: Koss hit a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there’s no denying the sound quality here: they’re the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.Read More Reviews

Sennheiser – HD 800 – $1,399
Specs:

  • Natural hearing experience – realistic and natural sound field with minimal resonance
  • Biggest transducers ever used in headphones up to today – new innovative dynamic transducer design
  • Note – You will need a headphone amp for these, a good one.
GoodGearGuide.au Says: Despite the price we were very impressed with the Sennheiser HD 800 headphones. They consistently handled every bass and treble note we threw at them, and the build quality is exceptional.
CNet.au Says: it becomes clear that you need to make quite an investment to get the best out of these headphones. But if you’re a hi-fi hobbyist, or simply love music, then this is perhaps the best set your money can buy
HeadRoom Says: xtraordinary transient response. The natural snap of the leading edge of pianos and drums is beautifully coherent without being overly sharp; within each xylophone strike one hears both the instantaneously loud bell-like tone and the metallic ‘ting’ as the mallet strikes the bar.
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Audeze LCD2 – $945

Specs:

  • Impedance: 50 Ohms, nominal
  • Sensitivity: 91 dB/1mW
  • Maximum power handling: 15W
  • Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 20 KHz, usable high frequency extension 50 KHz.
  • Distortion: Less than 1% even at full output.
Audeze LCD2 headphones are simply the best headphones I’ve ever heard. Steve Guttenburg from CNet thinks so, Srajan Ebaen from 6moons thinks so, and the forums at Headfi are in love with them too. If money is no object, these are it. Paired with a good S.E.T. amplifier and solid source, you just beat the guy with the $40k stereo system
 Ranked #1 on Head-fi.org (It doesn’t get any better than that.)
Srajan Ebaen – 6moons: Within my headphone harem, the top echelon is occupied by the LCD-2, T1, HD800 and HE-6 and in that sequence. I find the Audez’e first amongst equals by an appreciable margin but other tastes will reshuffle my rating.
Daryl Hoffman – headphonista.com: They are just as detailed as the Beyerdynamic T1 or STAX setups, while also avoiding some of the pitfalls of those, such as limited bass.  They are unrivaled for sound engineering / mastering purposes, and are at their best when paired with the correct amplifier.
Editor’s Note:  The Audeze LCD3 are now availble for purchase for $1945.  Initial reports from the 2011 RMAF is that they are even better than the LCD2.  We suspect the LCD3 will soon be the new #1.

Grado SR60 – $65
Specs:

  • Tranducer Type: dynamic
  • Operating Principle: open air
  • Frequency Response: 20-20
  • SPL 1mV: 98
  • Normal Impedance: 32ohms
  • Driver Matched db: .1
4.53 out of 5 - 173 Reviews
Nick Said: These headphones are incredible! At $69.00 they are a steal for someone looking for a well built quality set of cans. I read all the reviews online for a good month before purchasing these cans. I would agree with all of them except comfort. I find them fitting perfect against my ears with no discomfort whatsoever.
vchu7105 Said: The Grado’s have a open air, light, but crystal clear feel to them making the music come alive. The Sony Earbuds can’t even compare, just a diffrent class. They are good for travel or mowing the lawn.
CNET Says: Grado’s cheapest headphones belt out big sound with pint-size portable audio devices.
IGN Says: As for value, I would venture to say that there will not be a better set of headphones for $70.00 until Grado figures out a tweak for these. If you are on a budget, you simply must buy the SR60s. And there is no way in hell you will be disappointed.

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Sennheiser PX 100 Travel – $39
Specs:

  • Compact, folding, on-the-ear design
  • Open earcups and adjustable headband
  • Neodymium magnets for low distortion
  • 4.5-foot cord with stereo mini plug (no full-size plug)
  • Hard carrying case included
4.15 out of 5 – 13 Reviews
Larscis Said: When I bought these, I was skeptical as to how good they would actually sound. I’ve dealt with higher-end Sennheiser and Grado products before, but hadn’t really dealt in the portable market. After an initial break-in period of about three or four days, the sound quality was, for their size, phenomenal. For any iPod user, these are a definite step up, and they blow away any set of headphones in the price range.
Ray B. Said: I want to confirm anything positive you’ve read about the PX-100 headphones. As a musician with a post-master’s degree in music, I am VERY picky about music. The Sennheisers were my fifth try at finding decent replacements to the stock ear buds
Headphone Room Says:This might be the best “open” headphone for under $50 bucks, and a perfect choice for great listening on the go, at the gym, or directly from your laptop computer and/or iPod. Plus the PX100 has now been made iPhone compatible for happenin’ Apple Fashionistas!
CNet Says: The PX100 is a good choice for travelers seeking a compact headphone design.

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Editorial Reviews | Feature Articles | Headphones | Headphones

Samson CH70 Headphones User Review

By   April 25, 2011

MSRP$ 39.00

Description: CH70 headphones are ideal for any listening and monitor application where critical sound reproduction is needed. The closed-ear design provides maximum isolation reducing unwanted bleed that can be picked up on live microphones. The CH70 employs exceptional 40mm drivers with ultra thin Mylar diaphragms and high-output neodymium magnets. The result is a wide dynamic range and linear frequency response from 20Hz to 22kHz for exceptional reproduction and a balanced sound making them a perfect choice for monitoring digital audio. The adjustable headband and lightweight design provide comfort and easy listening through the longest sessions.

 1 Reviews
1 Quick Ratings
4.50 of 5

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Editorial Reviews | Feature Articles | Headphones | Headphones | iPod

Apple In Ear Earbud Headphone Editorial Review

By   April 19, 2011

What You Need to Know About The Apple In-Ear $79 Earbud

Apple offers a step up in sound quality with their In Ear earbud heapdhones. Unlike the earbuds that come with your iPod or iPhone, the In Ear is designed different booth on the inside and out. It fits a wider array of ear sizes by offering three plastic fit adjustment sizes. These flexible plastic adapter seal out noise and increase the bass response of the earbud by using trapped air to pressurize the ear. Get the absolute correct fit is key to getting the best bass response possible

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