Sennhesier's always falling apart -- need an alternative

[John Willett]

Well, my own HD 25-1 are over 20 years old and still going strong - only needing the earpads replaced a few times over the years.

Personally, I never really liked the HD 280 - I like the new 380 better at that price.

But I have never had a Sennheiser headphone "fall apart", ever.

The HD 25 do seem to be the strongest of the lot and are in daily use by sound professionals and DJs the world over - including the pair in our "black museum" where a DJ went back into the club after it had burned down and found that his HD 25 headphones recovered from the mess still actually worked!

[Michael Dow]

Another HD25 user here. I've taken then to DJ gigs and used them in the studio for the last 6 years now, ive rolled over them with my chair, dropped them down stairs, sat on them countless times, pulled away too quickly and got them caught, got th wire tangled many times. And they are still going strong

Although eventually the ear pads have worn off and one of them has fallen off, but that happend at a rathe raucous party a few months ago. They still sound great though, and way beter than another paid of Sens at a lowr price tag

[Jeraldo]

On a lark, I got the 280's for almost pocket change from a big box store special. I've found them exceptionally easy to "translate," and the isolation they provide is excellent. They do not make everything sound the same as many cans do. They can be folded two different ways, making them very easy to pack with almost anything.

The folding feature, along with isolation, make them great inexpensive cans for remotes.

Mine live on the floor (yes, I take care of the rest of my gear) or in brief cases and gear bags. They are still perfect. Others have had issues with the headband cracking-I haven't.

I've seen the headphone article in SOS, and am looking forward to reading it in detail.

[Scramble]

I should point out that none of these headphones have been abused. Yet all 4 HD280's that I bought have before too long fallen apart or broken in some hard to fix way.

HD25s: As I said, I haven't had a problem with the HD25. But I don't really like the way they sit on your ears rather than around them. On that matter I prefer the 280s.

[Real Keith]

Hi.
I've been thinking about some new headphones. The HD 25-1s seem to be highly regarded but I wonder how the cheaper HD 25 SPs compare. In terms of technical specs they dont seem so good, but I wonder if anyone has compared them?
Also, in how noisy an environment will they keep out ambient sound? Drum n bass rave?
I think the 280s are my next choice.

[chris...]

The HD 25-1s seem to be highly regarded but I wonder how the cheaper HD 25 SPs compare.

I own both. I never use the HD25 SPs as they are nowhere near as good as the proper HD25s

Sound quality is inferior, and isolation is alot poorer - possibly because they don't fit tightly/securely on your head like the proper ones do.