Sennheiser HD-280 Professional Headphones Reviews

• Excellent sound, but . . .

  
  By A3CVQB2U7A5IM5 on 2003-02-05
  the folks at Sennheiser must not have large heads. As with about every pair of headphones that I try on, I had to extend these all the way to fit. After a few months of daily use, the plastic headband began to develop small cracks. Now the cracks are growing and I fear that the whole thing will just snap one day. Unfortunately, that is one of the parts that isn't listed as replaceable.

  That said, people who look at this headphone are looking for: a) quality sound synonymous with the name Sennheiser b) excellent noise reduction.

  a) The sound from these phones is excellent. The standard criteria are there. The signal is very clean, thanks in part to the oxygen free copper cabling used. Bass is controlled and precise so a timpani doesn't sound muffled. Higher frequencies do not hiss and the phones are able to drive high frequency sounds and pull out details lost by consumer grade headphones. Soundstage is fairly narrow as some have said, but much better than consumer sets that sound like the sound source is inside your head. Of course, a DSP solution for soundstage expansion could help if someone didn't like the soundstage.

  What people should realise is that most music is optimised for listening on a stereo system and not headphones. A search for "binaural music" will yield samples that show how music should be sampled for headphones. Anyways, the HD-280 Pros also have 64 Ohms of resistance so an amplifier isn't needed.

  b) The biggest impression I got from these phones is silence. Not total silence, since with the headphones on I could still hear outside noise. Once the music starts playing, however, music is much clearer because background noises have been attenuated so effectively.

  That was the biggest attraction of these headphones. For my sound processing work, ambient noise from my computer and the outside world are suppressed admirably. 32 decibels is a lot of sound attenuation, far more than the Active Noise Reduction sets from Bose or even Sennheiser. The HD-280 Pros use passive noise attenuation. This means that for the phones to supress outside noise effectively, they have to be tight. They are very tight in fact. Four Newtons of force are applied, a number significantly larger than most headphones. If it weren't for the thoughtful padding, they would feel as uncomfortable as firing range headsets. Passive noise attenuation also means there is no artifacting from electronic noise that is usually the case in Active Noise Reduction sets.

  If you have a very large head, a solution is to find in-ear phones (the expensive Etymotics sets have even better sound quality and noise reduction). If you are sensitive to tight headphones, a solution might be the Active Noise Reduction sets (although they aren't as good sonically). If you listen to sound in a very very quiet environment, Grados or some other Sennheisers would probably get you that better soundstage for the money.

  If none of these situations applies to you, then these phones will provide better sound through their native excellent quality and their superior noise attenuation. After all, the listening experience with Sennheiser 600's on an Audigy 2 card or a tube amplifier is diminished with that noisy computer fan in the background.

  All in all, these phones are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
  
  

• GRADE: B+

  
  By A32RX109J2TRYG on 2006-03-22
  These headphones are a much tighter fit than your average pair. If comfort is important to you, these are probably not going to be the phones for you. But customers looking for noise attenuation, and who don't mind some extra pressure around the ears, should consider these phones. Of course, they are not totally leak-proof, but they do a good job of keeping unwanted (external) sound out of the music listening experience and keeping sound inside the cups so that other people are not subjected to whatever you are hearing. These are not the kind of phones people usually wear in public, but they do a superb job of keeping out traffic and city noises. As for build quality, they aren't the sturdiest phones out there, but they are well made (in Ireland.) I've had these phones for two years now and they literally look brand new. In any case, the final and most important factor for me after the noise attenuation is sound quality relative to price, and that's where the 280 shines. To put my comments into proper perspective you should know that I'm using a headphone amp as well as a decent system, although my comments apply to the un-amped phones (as long as you're using a good headphone jack).
  
  Initially I didn't hear that much of a difference between the 280 and my old twenty dollar pair, but gradually my opinion changed as I continued listening, switching back and forth between them. Because some of the Amazon reviews led me to believe that the bass on these phones was less than adequate, I was afraid that this would give the 280 an excessively bright, tinny, anemic, or superficial sound. However, the bass is actually rich and clear. The reviewers who complain about weak bass must really like their bass up front, with everything else--mid to high ranges--subdued behind it. I listen to classical, punk rock, goth, acoustic, you name it--but my taste stops short of "boom-boom" music. The bass is strong and deep but not overwhelming. What I like best is that you FEEL the punchy bass on these phones without it being boomy. The music did not sound anemic at all, although it is true that the 280s are on the bright, trebly end of the spectrum. Playing them too loud is really killer on the ears because of the highs. But the sound is crisp and clear, with instrument well articulated. I started perceiving how pure--if a little analytical on some tracks--the music sounded compared to all the headphones I'd used in the past. I had to listen carefully before I noticed it, but once I heard it, it was unmistakable. As I switched back and forth between pairs I noticed something else, too. Without adjusting the volume at all between changes, the volume level on all my old pair seemed significantly diminished when I put them on directly after listening to the 280. One reason for this speaks to the benefit of closed headphones. A great advantage of closed phones (and not all closed phones have this feature; the 280 seals your ears unlike many closed cans that leak sound in and out almost as much as open cans do) became clear to me: with the sealed 280 I could listen to music at a much lower volume and still catch every detail, which protects me from the potential hearing damage that results from listening at high volumes. When you listen to open phones, you tend to crank them up to drown out whatever noise there might be in your environment (and even inconsequential noise can make you do this; it doesn't have to be very loud noise).
  
  The soundstage on the 280 is compressed. Rather than a great expanse or sense of breadth, it's an "intimate" or "cozy" soundstage with decent depth. This is common with closed phones as opposed to open ones. Open phones in general give an airier soundstage. I'm amazed at how well I can hear the music right now considering the phones are about fifteen feet away. They sound almost like small shelf speakers. Even at this distance I can hear details distinctly, and the music sounds strong and robust. This is what finally convinced me--at this distance, at the same volume, I cannot hear the same amount of detail from any of my other headphones (I checked). Also, the 280s are really EXCELLENT at reproducing the human voice. In short, I'm very satisfied with my purchase. Incidentally, I read somewhere that it can take as long as one hundred hours of playing time for these headphones to fully blossom, which may just mean before you get used to them.
  
  Some idiosyncrasies have become apparent to me that potential buyers should keep in mind. Nothing that changes my recommendation, but just certain minor quirks you might want to know about. The cable is a mixed blessing. It comes out only from the left side and, when you move away from your source (if it's stationary), you can feel tension pulling on the left earcup. The cable also hangs awkwardly and heavily when you walk around, and swings back and forth like a pendulum causing a lot of contact noise. While external noise IS attenuated quite nicely, the cable is pretty sensitive, which in one way is very good, but in another way is a small drawback. Whenever the cable (which is curled like a telephone cord but with both ends straightened out) rubs or hits something you hear it inside the phones. For instance, if you rub the cable with your finger, you hear it. It just sounds like a very low rub and doesn't distort the music at all. I don't want to overemphasize this because it really isn't that big of a deal, but it is something you should keep in mind if you tend to move around a lot while listening to music. These are definitely NOT dancing phones (although moderate movement is no problem). If you are going to be bouncing around a lot, you probably would be better served by another model. Just keep in mind that while you are getting rid of lots of unwanted external noise, you do add a little bit--and it is just a tad--of what I would call internal noise. This seems to be an effect of the closed design, which makes any tapping or rubbing anywhere on the phone, not just on the cable, reverberate in the earpiece. But it's a small price to pay and on balance it's still a great trade-off considering that the sound on these phones really is pretty good. I recommend you use them during the breaking-in period; don't just leave them playing by themselves because you might have to adapt to these phones--mostly to wean yourself off of the artificially boosted sound of the more common earphones), then play J.S Bach's famous Organ toccata (any great recording will do). You will hear RICH, CLEAR, DEEP, BEAUTIFUL TONES! I love these phones. They are a great buy, but they DO have peculiarities that take a little getting used to.
  
  Since writing this review I've had the chance to compare these 280s to the Sony MDR-V700s which sell for about the same price. The 280s beat the V700s in just about every category, including sound, except that the Sonys are more portable and will probably be a better choice for Djs who play deep bass music. Otherwise, it only confirmed my honest belief that the 280s offer good sound for the price. And if you ask me the 280, despite its tightness, is more comfortable than the V700, which has shallow earpads that crush your ears. The 280s have a deeper cup so that the pinnae of your ears don't get squashed. The 280s put pressure AROUND your ears, but not right on them. However, the Sennheiser 280, because it was designed to keep noise in and out, does have a "suction cup" effect which produces some slight discomfort (at least for me) after a few hours of use. But again, this is part of the trade off if you want good noise attenuation without the sound-masking.
  
  But not all music sounds great on the 280. The following is a list of things that sounded really incredible and stuff that sounded not so amazing. I add this just so that you can have an idea of what works well with the Sennheiser 280s and what doesn't. I like all the music I'm about to list. My criticism has to do with how it sounds on these phones:
  
  SOUNDS GOOD:
  
  --Alexander Scriabin. Le Poeme de l'extase. Pierre Boulez. Deutsche Grammophon. Orchestra sounds great, but a bit cramped because of the limited soundstage. For "classical" I prefer the Sennheiser HD 650, which I purchased a few months after writing this review. Because of the sealed nature of the 280, some of the bloom of orchestral instruments is lost. In general, music with a smaller soundstage (such as a chamber work) plays better on these phones, while large-scale, big soundstage music sounds good, but compared to the 650 the instruments sound miniaturized, as though they have been shrunk to fit the reduced soundstage of the 280.
  --Radiohead. OK Computer. The 280 brings out the layers and textures like I have never heard them before.
  --Johnny Cash. At Folsom Prison. The audience plays a big role in this recording, but up till now they had just been amorphously in the background. On the 280s they step forward to play a much bigger part and I can hear more clearly what they are calling out to Cash. I can almost even make out snatches of conversation! Both Johnny Cash and June Carter sound amazing. If I closed my eyes I could easily imagine I was hearing them live. Live recordings in general really come to life on these phones.
  --Kate Bush. The Dreaming. Listening on the 280s was a spine-tingling experience. I am rediscovering all my old music from high school and college.
  --David Bowie. "It's No Game (Part 1)." Michi Hirota's voice sounds unbelievable. (She's the Japanese lady who does the voice-over: "Shirueto ya kage ga kakumei o miteiru . . .")
  --The Weavers. Reunion Concert at Carnegie hall, 1963. Another live recording. The Weavers are an old folk band known for their beutiful vocal harmonies. Listening to them live on the 280s I wasn't only AT the concert, I was actually ON STAGE with them. Wow! A very happy time.
  --Kraftwerk. "The Hall of Mirrors." Another spine-tingling experience on these phones. Brings out this track's haunting nature. Atmospheric. Totally envelopes you.
  --All my old Billie Holiday recordings sound wonderful. The 280s emphasize the crudity of the older recordings, but also bring out Billie's voice in the most astonishing way.
  --The Creatures. HAI!. This is a percussion-intensive recording and every cymbal, every thwack, every slap of the bongo drums is lovingly recorded. The recording is much more layered than I realized. But Siouxsie's voice was not flattered by the Senns on this recording. She sounds too up front.
  --Roxy Music. Siren. I have heard this recording dozens of times, but when I listened to it this time around it was as though I were encountering it for the first time.
  --I don't particularly like New Age music, but I listened to some and I can say that the reviewer who claimed that New Age sounds really good on these phones is right.
  --Prince. "Sign O the Times." Bass sounds tight and punchy but not boomy. Crisp-sounding and makes you want to get up and dance.
  
  MUSIC THAT DOESN'T SOUND SO GOOD ON THE 280s:
  
  --Rock/punk is hit or miss on these phones. The Ramones's ROAD TO RUIN sounded excellent, especially with the bass cranked way up on my receiver (although doing this did reveal a limit at which bass starts to distort on these phones). The Ramones have never sounded better to me. But, strangely, The Damned's "Damned Damned Damned" album, which is classic British punk, didn't sound so hot. It's as though these phones were too polite for these guys. Magazine's "Secondhand Daylight" also didn't sound so hot on the 280s. The recording sounded too analytical as though the phones were dissecting the music. All the instruments were very well articulated, but this made the music sound deconstructed. The instruments somehow didn't cohere. In short, some rock has never sounded better to me than on these phones, but some just falls flat. Probably it has to do with how the music is recorded and also because these phones are kind of analytical and polite and also don't artificially enhance the music. The 280s are very detailed and so emphasize all the defects of a recording. Things sound pristine and clear on the 280s, which works very well for some types of music but for a lot of rock you want that gritty, grungy, rough, half-baked sound. If all you listen to is gritty rock (a la Iggy and the Stooges's "Raw Power," which sounded awful on these phones) you might want to shop around some more. I have read that rock sounds great on Grado phones, but Grados are supra-aural, so they sit right on your ear unless you upgrade the earpad or something. I believe Grado does not make any phones that would keep noise in and out the way the 280s do. I much prefer circumaural phones like the 280s that cup your ears; they are simply more comfortable. If you listen to all kinds of music like I do, then I recommend these Sennheiser 280s as long as you have a pair of back-up headphones for your more grungy rock recordings. In general, the smoother the rock recording, the better it sounds on these phones. For instance, I was never a big fan of Television's offering from 1992--I always considered it too slick and polished for its own good. But the CD sounded great on these phones. I finally heard how good it really is.
  
  So far I have written about music, but the 280s have, among several applications, TV studio monitoring, and this might just be what they do best. About a year ago I purchased a CD box set entitled "The White House Tapes" of live White House recordings made by presidents from FDR to Reagan. I tried listening to these CDs a few times, but always put them away. The recordings were just too poor. Well, I started listening to the recordings on the 280s and I could make out MUCH more of the conversations. Taking my cue from this I attached my HeadRoom Micro Amp to my VCR and DVD players (by way of a Straitwire cable) and listened to sports and other live events that I had recorded, including news conferences, and much previously burried detail was suddenly revealed; every little rustle, every half-uttered phrase and background detail on the recording was seemed like it was gloriously amplified. The 280s offer super-fine sensitivity that will be of great use to people who want to hear everything there is to hear in a recording. I'm not saying it magnifies, but it does transmit what is there with clarity.
  
  CONCLUSION: I liked the 280 so much that I have since moved to the HD 650. While I still definitely recommend the 280s for the price, if you have more than $300.00 to spend and if outside noise reduction and leaking are non-issues, go for the 650, as it is better, particularly for classical. But I still find plenty of uses for the 280, especially when I need to attenuate outside noise. I also always prefer the 280 when listening to nonmusical programs such as lectures, audiobooks, and other nonmusical media. However, I now use the 650 for nearly all my music (I say nearly because some recordings--such as "Johnny Cash at Folsum Prison"--actually sound better on the 280). If you don't want to spend more than $100.00 or so, the 280 is hard to beat sound-wise and probably the best value for the money, but they are not for everybody, especially not for people who mind extra pressure around the ears.
  
  WARNING: After mailing my headphones to Sennheiser for repair, I was called and told there was a problem because they were not purchased from an authorized dealer. I purchased them brand new here at Amazon from ELECTRONICA DIRECT, a seller often featured by Amazon right on the product page. Sennheiser told me that I probably purchased stolen phones. Shoppers who want the warranty honored SHOULD NOT BUY FROM ELECTRONICA DIRECT or any unauthorized dealer. Verify that the seller you are buying from is recognized by Sennheiser. After I complained up the chain, Sennheiser was nice enough to repair (actually, they replaced) my phones, but it was a hassle.
  
  

• All I can say is, WOW

  
  By A2BHSBVL2OJGMZ on 2003-06-19
  These cans are currently being offered well below MSRP -- no, they aren't in danger of being retired any time soon (confirmed with Sennheiser customer service) -- and are truly the best bang for the buck. Despite the very positive reviews, I had two reservations about purchasing the 280s: 1) the tight, uncomfortable fit; and 2) cracking in the plastic headband that some have commented on. I have a big ol' head where adjustable ball caps barely fit me. The 280s aren't tight at all, but rather comfortably snug -- what do you expect from a closed design? Shooting range ear protection/muffs are 3 times more tighter than these. Secondly Sennheiser claims to never having heard about the cracking issue but will repair/replace your unit with no questions asked under their 2 year warranty.

  Although plastic in design, the product has a solid, quality construction (made in Ireland if you care). An advantage, as you may already know, is that most of the components are designed to be replaced due to wear or damage. I like the folding convenience of the 280s, but don't expect them to fit in your coat pocket.

  After burning these puppies in for 24 hours, the audio quality truly impresses with details I've never noticed before in my Definitive Technology and Aperion Audio home theatre/stero systems. Initially I thought the bass was a *little* lacking, but the cans have developed a fuller, richer sound with burn-in. I'm tempted to buy a second pair so I don't have to carry mine from home to work all the time.
  
  

• Just what I needed

  
  By ANEVEWN5Z9XJL on 2003-02-10
  I regret to say that I can't write about the sound quality of these head phones - I'm not an audiophile, I really can't tell the difference between these and something that you could get for 40 dollars or so.

  But I can tell you that these had everything I wanted in a new pair of headphones. I'm a college student and I share a tiny room with 3 other people. When I listen to music, I want to 1) not be able to hear my roommates or anything other than my music, and 2) i don't want to disturb them with my music. These headphones work perfectly for this. When you have them on, you can hear almost nothing other than what you are playing - people talking in the room won't disturb you any more. Also, when they are on, almost no sound leaks from them. You can listen to music as loud as you want and those nearby won't be able to hear it.

  I also need to walk around a lot when wearing headphones. This pair of headphones also worked well for that - the wire connects to only one ear, and can stretch to about 8 feet, long enough for me to go anywhere in the room.

  Lastly, I needed a pair of headphones that would last me a long time, and survive a lot of beatings from the people who come in and out of the room on a daily basis. These are perfect for that as well. They are very well built, and, if, by chance, you do break them, you can replace almost any part of them yourself. The last pair of headphones I had were a 30 dollar pair of sonys and they broke pretty quickly with all the abuse they get here, but I'm confident these Sennheisers will last me well past graduation.

  ********** EDIT **********

  after only a month or so of use, the headband has small cracks and chips in it. i use these headphones with great care, and don't stretch it beyond normal, so this is highly unexpected. as another reviewer said, this is the only non-replacable part of the headphones. while i don't expect the cracks to become much worse, it is a possibility, and would probably render an 80 dollar set of headphones completely useless. so consider this before you purchase them...
  
  

• Great Headphones, after burning them in

  
  By on 2003-01-02
  These are, overall amazing headphones. They sound great, are comfortable, and easily driven by portable players. However, when I first bought them, and eagerly unwrapped the packaging and tried them out, I was bitterly dissapointed. Where had my money gone, I wondered. They sounded tin canny, and the bass had no punch. I nearly returned them. But, taking the advice of many reviewers, I plugged them into my computer and left the music playing loudly for nearly a week straight. And it paid off.

  After nearly a month's use, these headphones sound GREAT. I have fallen in love witht eh tight, clear treble and amazingly accurate bass that the HD-280s provide. Jazz and classical fans (and rockers too but to a lesser extent) will love these headphones. I could go on and on and on about the sound quality, but you would find your self reading needless repition of the words "great," "amazing," etcetc.

  The design is a little big, but very comfy. I can wear these for several hours at a time and my ears will feel fine. The way that they fold up is also very useful for the frequent traveler, and the stretchy wire design is also very handy, keeping the wire out of the way yet providing you nearly 3 meters worth of wire (if stretched to the max)

  I would also just like to note that, after several airplane trips, the noise reduction in these headphones is also wonderful, and the HD-280 Pros make airplane flights that much more enjoyable.

  In conclusion, wait at LEAST two weeks, preferably more before judging these headphones, because the more you use them, the better they sound. And after a month's worth of use, they sound great. And they also fit great, and are extremely comfortable. The price too, isn't too bad, and I found them at ... for [$$$], including shipping from the states to taiwan.

  Do your ears a favor, and buy a pair of HD 280s.
  
  

• Tips on the right headphone
  By AIOH82Q8PJL3E on 2005-03-13
  If you are reading my review to know exactly which headphone you are going to buy, thats a bad idea. There are really only 2 steps to buy a phone that you love.
  
  1. Know What Sound You Like. There are basically 3 types of sounds. A natural sound, colorful/vibrant sound(no so much artificial),and an artificial sound that is very bassy. The first step is find out which of these sounds you like most.
  
  2. Match the headphones to your audio source. If you would use a portable device then make sure you get a low impedance (25-35) headphone. There are also the professional type for studio monitoring. These have higher impedance (60's)
  
  Don't ever go by what somone else says because everyone has very different taste. Make sure you listen to the headphones before making sure they're the ones for you. If you have no clue which headphones to start with to find out what sound you really like I can give you some ideas. If you think you would like natural sound and use headphones for a portable device try out the Sennheiser HD 497. If you like natural soud and you listen to music through a reciever or a high powered audio source try the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. For colorful sound try the Sony MDR-V6; try the Sony MDR-V600 which are the replacements for the V6. I found the Sonys to be kind of and exception. They are good for both high powered audio sources and mp3 players. They will sound bettter on a high powered source, but they don't sound too shabby on a mp3 player. For plain bassy and artificial sound(ideal for techno) try the Sennheiser HD 212 Pro(portable devices). If you like portability I believe that the Sennheiser PXC 100 have the best sound and are the most convienient to travel with.REMEMBER: Never buy your headphones because of others opinion. The HD 280 Pro are NOT good for portable devices in my opinion. But if you listen to music through a reciever or watch tv with headphones, go for it. These headphones in my opinion are the most natural sounding headphones on the market. Sennheisers I find are the best value for what you get, including the warranty. My biggest complaint with the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is that it is very uncomfortable.
  
  
• Be careful when you order the HD-280 these days: Amazon.com ships the HMD-280 instead
  By A2WL4P7BBPL06D on 2005-08-20
  Be careful when you order HD-280 these days: Amazon.com ships the HMD-280 instead. It happened twice in a row to me. I was told that shipping is automated. So, since the identical mistake happened twice already, it would likely happened a 3rd time. Therefore, the employee said, better get a refund rather than re-order again! Hard to believe that a human could not supersede the automation when an obvious mistake has been found in the automated shipping process. I refuse to believe it, and I am writing this review in an effort (among others) to get management's attention to fix the problem.
  
  
• Learned a lesson...
  By A23VWN0E8HWU1Q on 2002-06-25
  For someone who has spent years chasing the best equipment for the price, I really should have known better than to order headphones based on brand name, attractive pricing and some positive reviews. Headphones are very PERSONAL...no one can decide what you like and as with all audio equipment, specifications don't tell the story.
  I have no doubt that these headphones meet the advertised specifications. They have solid bass, an adequate midrange and decent treble. That being said, they are not "musical"; they present sound across the audible spectrum but are not really coherent or involving in any way. They might improve with some burn in but I don't feel the basics are really there to improve.
  Physically, these headphones are MUCH LARGER than I expected...the ear cups are large with a lot of interior space that seems excessive and contributes to an unfocused quality of musical image. They are also much heavier than expected. Finally, they do not fold up very small, in spite of what the advertising says. These headphones are not really practical to carry around with a portable.
  My reference headphones, the Sony MDR-V6's, which I've had for at least 15 years, sound WAY better than the Senn 280's, are much smaller, fold up very small and are much more comfortable. They are also very well made and have stood up well over the years. I was expecting some metal construction in the 280's but alas they are entirely made of plastic, which [suprises me]...
  The Sony V6's have been reissued as model 7506 and are a very good all around headphone. For something significantly better, check out Denon. The AHD-210's are incredible for the money, as are the 350's and 550's. There is nothing flashy or trendy about these phones but they are extremely well made, comfortable and MUSICAL. Each model in the line is musical and generally the more you spend, the more refinement and nuance you get. I'll be turning in the Senn 280's for the Denon AHD-950's which I don't think can be surpassed for all types of music, comfort and quality...
  
  
• AWESOME, an "8" once you know how to wear them
  By A2OG3NRQHKS0JY on 2005-03-18
  I have been using headphones for over 40 years. Most of the headphones I love have long since been discontinued. Buying headphones is harder than buying home speakers and much more subjective to your particular taste in music. I listen to ALL genres of music. I finally found a review site that made sense to me and I made the plunge into the HD280s. I have a pair of Sony MDR-V6 that sound wonderful. Honestly, the Sennheisers blow them away in all audio respects. OK, so if your head is too big, or your ears are on backwards, you might have issues with these headphones. For the normal person they kick ass, but with one VERY important oddity. The reviewer who said these have no bass really missed out. Sennheisers are a bit more quirky than most headphones. The ear pieces HAVE to seal well around your ears. If you place the phones on top of your head like any other regular headphones you MIGHT not get much bass - tinny and weak. The head band MUST fit snug towards the BACK of your head, at the highest part, to help pull the ear cups up properly to seal around your ears, and BANG, you get amazingly accurate tight bass. I have a smaller head and this worked perfectly for me. Just take the time to get these phones adjusted properly to your particular head and they will quickly become your favorite headphones. The other quirk is that Sennheisers need break-in time, about 20+ hours before they really come alive. The only way to surpass these in sound quality is to get the HD 580 or 600, or the new 650, at three to four times the price of the 280. Unless you are an absolute audiophile, these are the best phones there are, and at $99 they are a complete steal. Check out their rating and comparison at www.headphone.com. If you want to use these with a portable device, check out the dB Pro Headphone Amp on eBay. They turbo charge the HD 280s. Enjoy!!
  
  
• Better options available, but WON'T pull your hair.
  By A2J8K8PYCEYBW4 on 2003-12-23
  - Will NOT pull your hair. Even if you pull them off carelessly (I have long hair). That's VERY nice. I had a lot of experience with the popular (overrated) Sonys found in radio stations and recording studios (forget the model, but it's a direct competitor to this model) and with those Sonys had hairs being constantly pulled out from the root, even when careful. I've had almost 100% bad experience with Sony, and I never thought the sound was so great.
  
  I bought these to monitor audio recordings I was making of my own music and ambient (i.e. nature, foley) sounds, when my other open-air phones were creating feedback into my mics (ouch). I needed "isolating" or "isolation" headphones, and I can't stand earbuds/plugs. So the choice for over-the-ear was these or I believe Studio Kans (which are basically hearing protection mufflers modified to include audio drivers -- I didn't need that much isolation for the expected tradeoffs, such as comfort and price). I preferred the Sennheiser name, but they have also shifted their strategy to a degree in recent years to cheaper, lower-fi stuff, watering down their name. I didn't have a way to audition either of them. But I did know the Sennheisers have low bass response before buying, and I wasn't purchasing it for listening to industrial music ;) .
  
  - Low bass response. Not ridiculously low, but if you are purchasing these for listening (enjoyment, not technical/analysis) and enjoy deep bass, this is not for you. What is there is tight. If you like classical, you'll probably enjoy them, especially if you listen while traveling. I'll have to try that 'burn-in' thing some have suggested.
  
  - Good for listening for details. Isolation helps, as do the otherwise quality drivers. Cheap headphones will create or exaggerate hiss or noise, making your recording and gear seem noisier than it is. The HD 280 Pro lets you know what's really going on, but do audition the final mix in some regular speakers for a bass reality check so you don't overwhelm your listeners.
  
  - Blatently false advertising of "up to" 30-some dB of noise reduction (as others have mentioned). No way. That would make them more effective than most dedicated hearing protection, and that certainly isn't the case. I lost a lot of respect for Sennheiser when I realized that the company did not stop the person in the company misguided enough to claim this. Even if they technically made it happen in one register in the lab from a certain angle, in reality it's false. Now, Studio Kans' rating of 29 dB, I believe, making it double as hearing protection. But the Senn's DO provide decent isolation, but not as hearing protection, but for preventing feedback while recording, and muffling ambient noise enough that you're actually monitoring your recording, not hearing bleed-in sound.
  
  - Almost everything attached to these phones is replaceable, including a straight vs. stock coiled wire (wish it came w/straight).
  
  - In my experience, the Senn's are more comfortable than the Sony competitors, but the Sonys may stay on better if you're running, dancing, or prone (lying down). Senn's have a big, soft leatherette pad and rotate easily (and 'collapse', too).
  
  - Comes with 1/4" screw-on adapter (gold-plated connectors, O2 free copper wire).
  
  - Phones seem to be impedance-sensitive. Most quality gear will make these phones seem very efficient. More poorly-designed gear may get the opposite result.
  
  - Other phones I own: Koss Sportapros (descendant of the venerable PortaPros) and the venerable Koss/ Realistic/ Radio Shack Pro-60's.
  Pro 60's gave almost instant and strong fatigue (from the drivers, not the headset). Despite their size, they were very much open air and didn't isolate at all, so they were surprisingly bad for DJ, recording, and travel purposes!
  Koss Sportapros are an incredible value for a person who loves bass and wants to be entertained and enjoy modern music, not hear every detail in a technical manner. (Small, thin, light) Sportapros give wonderfully unnatural very-low-end and low-end bass (amazing, actually, and tight too), are cheap and great for just general purpose listening -- a great complement to the HD 280's (about the opposite of them in every respect). Sportapro headband is ugly as sin; I popped off the drivers & stuck them on a thin headband of throwaway Koss's (look at radio shack). I don't mean to review other phones, but it seems on-topic to me and may help someone.
  I also had some Sennheiser Active Noise Reduction (ANR) (the small/typical size-ones which sit on your ear). I took them back, was utterly disappointed. The ANR actually somehow ended up drastically reducing bass and just deterioating sound in general -- bass response & general sound was better with ANR off, plus sound wasn't so impressive even then. Plus ANR led to huge fatigue & didn't work so well for anything above low registers (but did cancel out bass well enough to cancel out its own bass playback). Passive noise reduction (muffling sound) is much more effective. Combo passive & active noise cancelling is probably a great idea but is expensive & I've not tried it.
  
  Best 'enjoyment' phones I've ever used (don't own) by far were some high-end circum-aural open-air Sennheisers (fabric pads, forget the model). However, those wouldn't be suitable for my purposes as they let in/out too much sound.
  
  Bottom line: recommended for people who need isolation or noise reduction, such as foleys, DIY solo artists who need to prevent feedback & monitor their track from the recording and block out the ambient room sound, studios who don't want backing music to bleed onto vocal tracks, DJs who need to cue up music while other tracks are playing loudly, but also need to get them on & off quick (Studio Kans look tougher to don), and frequent travelers, all of whom don't like in-the-ear isolation designs (which could isolate better) and need accurate sound. Not recommended for the casual listener who enjoys bass. For musicians/technicians, the lack of bass response can help pick out other details, but if I had my choice, increased bass response would be the only thing I'd change about these 'phones, in addition to a straight stock cable and even more isolation.
  
  UPDATE: A year after this review, I am updating to say that I think there are better options on the market, especially now. I am disappointed in the lack of bass and listenability. I don't quickly reach for these headphones because of the sound. I don't think the sound matches the price they charge for these 'phones. I wish I could lower this review from 4 to 3 stars. The one thing that is still great about them is they don't pull my hair. I wanted some 'phones which would do multiple duty for home recording, ambient recording, and home listening, but they are best only for ambient recording. For home recording, you need accurate sound, and these don't provide them due to the lack of bass. For home listening, you'd just expect tons more accuracy in the bass for the huge size of those diaphragms.
  
  
• WE HAVE A WINNER!
  By on 2002-09-02
  There are really 2 different headphones here: before and after burn-in. You DO need to play this baby for at least 2-3 days non-stop before they open up. The HD-280 are high-quality phones and very revealing, without being aggressive or clinical. Tape hiss on older recordings is enhanced but the sound remains truthful and musical acrosse the spectrum, with no exagerated frequencies, annoying overtones, or distortions. Classical/jazz listeners will be particularly pleased by what they hear.

  These cans are exceptional value and can be driven by just about everything. Headphones technology must have advanced quite a bit in the last 10 years. Whatever the case, I believe Sennheiser has a winner here.

  Now repeat with me: I WILL BURN THEM IN... I WILL BURN THEM IN... I WILL BURN THEM IN... I WILL BURN THEM IN...
  
  

• Superb Hi Fi Equipment!
  By AOQX0ATVQJF1J on 2003-03-09
  I must say that this was the best purchase I've made for this year. I bought this as a little birthday present for myself, and absolutley love it for several reasons.

  First, it's very comfortable to wear and because of its circumaural (fits around your ear) design, it blocks out a lot of the outside noise (especially when music is playing) and other people can't listen to what you are listening to. It's a must for classical and acoustic listeners.

  For those of you who listen to pop or more vocal music where there's a lot of sound board engineering, I must say that it sounds great as well -- you'll notice instruments (or synthesized instrumetns for that matter) that you've never heard before if you've never payed great attention to -- however you won't hear much difference as opposed to your regular speakers/headphones because these songs are engineerred to sound good on typical speakers.

  I guess the only downside to the headphones is it doesn't look "cool" on your head because the headband stretches out to a more squarish appearance and looks somewhat awkward on your head.
  
  

• Word of Caution...
  By AQZ76RN4L72S0 on 2004-01-18
  I love these headphones and the other reviewers share my appreciation for their accurate musical production. With that said, BEWARE OF THE IGNORANT REVIEWER.

  If you'll take a look at the box that these come in and their specs according to Sennheiser's own website, you'll see that these headphones are not for casual listening. In Sennheiser's own words, they "are closed-back, circumaural headphones designed for professional monitoring applications." Monitoring. Not listening to music with an MP3 player or a CD player. They are for monitoring. These are studio headphones designed to give a flat musical reproduction. Of course some people didn't like them when they listened to their MP3s - they don't color the music like consumer headphones do! The bass isn't designed to be booming and the mids and highs aren't supposed to be overpowering.

  In other words, these are a great pair of monitoring/studio headphones. That's what they were designed for, so don't heed the flak that others give these headphones when they say they don't like the way their MP3s sound with them. If you aren't going to be using these for monitoring like they were built for, then go buy the HD 500s. They color the sound and you'll be much more pleased. But for those who do recording of any kind and need a good pair of cans, these are it.
  
  

• Not bad sound but not comfortable headphones
  By on 2003-05-05
  I was looking for circumaural headphones to use with my MP3 player for travel and use at work. After looking around I narrowed my choices between the Bose Triport and Sennheiser headphones. I did not want to spend a lot of money on headphones and after reading all the great reviews on Sennheiser I decided to give them a try. Now the only problem was deciding which Sennheiser model to buy. Since I wanted a circumaural model I ended up choosing the HD280 PRO after reading the great reviews and how comfortable they were.

  I got them three days later and anxiously hooked it up to my MuVo MP3 player. At first I thought the sound was pretty good and would probably be even better after burning them in as other reviewers suggested, but to my biggest disappointment the headphones were not comfortable at all. They were a little tight around the ears (my head is not that big either, I wear a size medium on hats.) and the headband gave an annoying feeling on the top of my head. I was afraid to stretch them open given the fear of cracking the plastic construction headband. On the positive side, these headphones did block out some ambient noise since they are tight fitting and the ear pieces pivot and fold to transport when traveling.

  Not feeling satisfied with these headphones, I reluctantly purchased the $... Bose Triports since Bose guaranteed a 90-day customer satisfaction and the only way to be sure was to compare the headphones side-by-side with the Sennheiser HD280 at home. The first thing I noticed was how much more comfortable the Bose Triports were over the Sennheiser, they were light and very comfortable on the ears and the headband did not give that annoying feeling on the top of my head. The Triports had much better and thicker material construction on the ear cushions than the Sennheiser did. Also the Triport has a metal headband that you can widen to your fit.

  Now on the sound comparison: On the MuVo MP3 player, the Triports had a cleaner and tighter sound than the HD280, and it also had a higher volume probably due to the 32 ohms vs. 64 for the HD280. Then I compared them on my home system listening to Jazz and Rock on an Arcam Alpha 7SE thru a Denon receiver with all settings on flat. The HD280 had great bass, little midrange and a bit high on the treble. I'm sure the HD280 would sound a lot better later given the reviews of burning them in but my biggest complaint is that these headphones are NOT comfortable as others have reviewed. The Triports, surprisingly, sounded a lot better with more midrange and an overall balanced sound. Bottom line, I am returning the HD280 and keeping the Triports. Albeit I am spending more than I wanted to but after listening and wearing these comfortable headphones, I am very satisfied with my decision. If you're looking for comfortable headphones, I don't recommend the HD280. I can't say that for all Sennheiser models but the Bose Triports beat these hands down on sound and comfort.
  
  

• Best headphones I've owned
  By A10LK9TL9LCIM0 on 2002-11-01
  As given by "an electronics fan" below, be sure to burn these in for 40-50 hours of use at normal-to-slightly-above-normal volume levels before rendering your final verdict. The tonal qualities change quite a bit in that time. Initially the sounds were "good" to me but a little flat or thin, and I was a bit disappointed. After 40 hours the Senn 280s warm up to a very nice set of headphones. I liked them so much that I had to share the experience with folks at work -- the people that listened were all impressed at the sound, especially considering the price. Bass is tight and thumpy without being boomy. Midtones are clear. Treble is clean and doesn't get harsh at volume levels that I can stand. Sound isolation from the outside world is good -- I'm oblivious to my family and pets when listening :-) and they are comfortable. They pump out a lot of volume -- more at a given volume setting than even the low-end on-ear headphones that I've used. My 1984 vintage Pioneer SX-V300 (~45 watts per channel) receiver drives them as loud as I can stand with the volume set slightly below 1 (out of maximum 10).

  I recommend them.
  
  

• This is it !!!
  By A20QO5I08JQZE2 on 2003-12-20
  I am somewhat of an audio purist. It is almost certain that you fill find these headphones different from anything else you've heard. Mostly what I noticed was how these headphones sort of bring every peice of the sound forth. For example, if you were listening to a peice of audio with the wind blowing .. the wind would sound very .. clear and probably way more clearer than most others you've heard. The bass is enough. I am not one of those people who like thumping trunks. These headphones are pretty close to actually being there in person.

  In short .. yes these are recommended.

  Added later ...
  .. First of all these don't block out close to 32db .. atbest 10db. Though for this price you won't find anything that attenuates 32db and produces music.
  .. Secondly .. yes burning them in makes them sound much better. The bass really gets enhanced by burning them in.

  Added even later ...

  Ok, I've owned these for quite a while now .. here is one big negative .. all the pretty plastic you see around it's headband .. is ultra delicate .. shaterred with use for no good reason. The headphones are still usable .. but they look a little ugly now with their metal skeleton sticking out .. !!
  
  

• Excellent Closed Headphones
  By A1O0X4XR6MPTO7 on 2005-01-20
  First let me tell you why I wanted this set of headphones. I wanted it at work for my PC. I work in an open cubicle environment. (Hate it.) And it's just amazing how noise travels through open space. It's quite fantastic really. I guess it's what allows us to communicate verbally. I just wish they would do their communicating a couple of buildings over.
  
  I wanted a headphone that would muffle the background noise and I also wanted very good sound quality. I've purchased Sennheiser headphones before and I became hooked on their great sound reproduction! And this HD-280 is kudos on all accounts. It does an excellent job of drowning out neighborly squawking. It even dulls the clicking of my keyboard as I type this. (Unnerving!) The sound quality is absolutely amazing. I can pick up little defects in the recordings and I've never experienced that before. I can even hear in some songs the singer taking a little gulp of air and somtimes hear the stickiness of the tongue against the roof of the mouth as the singer sings the songs!
  
  But you do want to burn them in which just means that you shouldn't judge the sound quality of these headphones until you've listened to them for a week or two. My headphones are burned in somewhat and they're getting better everyday! The midtones get way more defined and the bass gets deeper.
  
  As for the comfort and construction, excellent again. I wear glasses and the closed ear muffs don't bother me. They are well made. And I can listen to these for hours on end. As for the construction, I don't understand what people are complaining about. It's absolutely solid!
  
  Buy these headphones!
  
  
• One flaw mars on an otherwise perfect product
  By A2W8O8S7RLGGCR on 2005-11-30
  These headphones are an excellent buy. After some research, I decided these were the best option for me.
  
  I use them mostly at the office. I'm a designer and music really helps me concentrate on my work. These phones were perfect because they block out most of the ambient noise - but I can still hear my phone ring or someone calling me. Sometimes I put them on without playing any music throught them - just to get a bit of silence when I need it :)
  
  I'm also a bit of an audiophile and the 280's are brilliant in reproducing all of the music I play through them (from electronica to reggae to classical to jazz to rock). I plug them straight into my PC at work, but they were lovely to listen to on my Marantz CD player at home. Bass goes down deep and low without overpowering the rest of the music.
  Apparently they sound much better when plugged into a headphone amplifier...
  
  Although I have a larger-than-average head, I have had no discomfort wearing them - even after hours of listening. Because the cups can swivel, you can adjust them to a fine degree, so you can have a very comfortable fit.
  
  Another great feature for me was that you can fold up / collapse these phones, which is great for popping them in my bag or desk drawer.
  
  ...
  Now for my only disappointment:
  
  When I bought them, I thought these phones would last forever. They're built like a tank and look and feel very rugged. The joints, cups, cable, connector, pads, etc. are very high quality and look very strong and sturdy. These were designed for the professional DJ or Sound Engineer out in the field, after all...
  
  Which is why I was very disappointed to see cracks developing in the headband (above the earpiece, where it slides in and out).
  This seems to be a very common problem with this model and apparently it isn't serious, but it's just one flaw in an otherwise beautifuly engineered product.
  
  The cracks atarted appearing about 8 months after purchase - even though I handled them very carefully.
  Sennheiser offer a 2-year warranty, which I'll soon take advantage of, but I'm sure it will crack again after repair.
  
  It's just that the material used is not appropriate for the amount of stress applied to it.
  
  Some customers have continued to use them even after the faulty part has completely cracked and fallen off, so it's probably only cosmetic damage...
  
  
• If You could have sex w/your ears- this would be your mate!
  By AEW48SRAO918T on 2002-05-31
  Wow - Am I a lucky guy! I just ordered these today and my good friend Brian has a pair already (we came to this conclusion in very different ways) He bought his from a buddy of ours and I only sought out the "on-line" opinions of others 'in the know" at audio web sites that specialize in this kind of thing.
  Well - Brian was over in his yard and we started talking and I was bragging a little and told him I was getting a pair of "Sennheiser HD-280 Pro's" and he retorted with - "Really!?- Want to listen to them now?" - My mind did not get this at first - How could my buddy the garbage man (literally)- know more than me more than me - about 'anything'???

  Well - he did - And I praise him for his audio IQ (way high) and he let me listen to them and (I swear) I was in 'love' with the sound.
  Now maybe I am a novice and all- but if this was a woman (or a man for you ladies) I would have to ask: "You have any sisters?" - These fit like a glove (and my hat size is 7 & 3/8th) and the sound was "almost" as good as a first kiss! (Really!) . --- I don't go on gushing about very many things - but this is one of them. He stated that he had broke them in for about 60 hours on hard rock and then 20 hours on classical music (to get the top end) and mentioned that I will not get this level of 'Goodness" till I do the Same - kind of break-in with the sounds I like - & I will.
  Bottom line - - - If I had three thing to take with me on a long trip - this would be #3. I would bet money that you won't be sorry (as long as you educate yourself on how to break them in) you bought these.

  "The price of quality is proportional to the end result. KWDIII 9-7-1985 (me)"

  Good luck and great times!
  
  

• High quality German headphones for a reasonable price
  By A2HXE29CU1I24Y on 2003-05-26
  I've owned various Sony and Pioneer DJ headphones. These are the most comfortable to wear, so far. A word of caution, these headphones faithfully reproduce the music. Meaning the frequency is flat - which is great! There is no discoloration, no unnecessary highs and lows. Why is this important? It will help you evaluate the real quality of your muisc source. You do your own adjustment by adding the necessary equalization setting.

  Sidenote: if you're looking for headphones to compliment your portable music equipment, then get the excellent Sony DJ or Bose Triport headphones which will give you colored music reproduction - extra/artificial bass and treble response. I have nothing against them, I think they are great for those needs. The only problem is that their ear pads are uncomfortable for extended use.

  These Senn headphones require a little bit more power to drive the speakers, so they are actualy best used for connecting to home systems that have amplification and equalization settings. I still use this for my Sony CD walkman, although I would have to crank up the volume.

  The plus side, parts are easily replaceable - ear pads, head pads and cord. You don't have to be afraid in using and abusing them. The German-engineered speakers (the reason you are purchasing the Sennheisers in the first place) will last.

  I have to warn you that the headphones will feel tight and sound bland when you first use them right out of the box. Use them constantly for a week or two and it will feel comfortable to your head. There is nothing rubbing against your ears to make you want to take it out. The environment attenuation is so great that you should NOT use it if you expect to be disturbed - phone call, door bell, etc.

  Why 4 stars? Better design and material should be used to make it look and feel more classy, than plastic.

  These are still made in Europe, so the price you are paying for is very reasonable especially when purchased from Amazon with the free shipping and tax.

  One last word of advice, no matter what we all say the final decision will be at the hands (or heads) of the listener. So try all the brands at your local electronics store and don't be pressured into getting one without uisng them for an extended period. Your head, ears and pocket will thank you later.
  
  

• Headband NOT Brittle! + Good Sound
  By A2XS5JNS9L34IC on 2005-01-13
  I have owned these headphones for over two years now, and yes, I noticed the cracks on the headband as well. However, I took the headphones apart, and that outer peace of plastic is only cosmetic, not structural. There is a steel band inside the plastic that holds the headphones together, and I'm not at all concerned about that ever breaking. After all this time (and heavy use), the band has held up perfectly.
  
  Though my review was primarily to inform that the headband is, in fact, quite durable, the sound quality of these headphones is superb for their price. I don't think there is a better deal out there. I listen to classical music, and the HD280pro's uncolored response is very pleasant. Though not perfect, the reproduction is very accurate, and makes for a great listening experience.
  
  
• Beats out the Sony MDR-V900 a teensy bit
  By AF6P7HA6HFFM9 on 2006-03-17
  After reading lots of reviews on Amazon, I decided in favor of the Sennheiser HD-280, having let the terrific price tempt me. Within a week, I also bought a Sony MDR-V900 for my wife, who uses them for recording and wears them an average of two hours a day. She likes the way they reproduce her voice and guitar. To compare the two I plugged them alternately into my Macintosh iBook G4 and played several kinds of music from iTunes. The Sennheisers block ambient sound better than the Sonys. Both are very comfortable. The Sony set is louder at the same volume setting, and oddly tends to flatten the dynamic range a bit; soft and loud passages are brought closer in volume. The Sennheiser headphones keep individual instruments separated better. Deep bass notes seem less muddy. Highs are clear, and the midrange where voices reside is nicely rendered. The differences are subtle, and it takes a lot of back-and-forth playing of the same passage to really appreciate the difference. I'm very happy with my choice of Sennheiser.
  
  
• Bang for the buck - fills a specific need
  By ASMPNX0SO2FE7 on 2006-07-26
  I live in New York City and take the subway every day to and from work, and love listening to my iPod. Unfortunately, my line runs R-32 and R-38 cars, which were built in the 60's and are extremely noisy to ride in. Those ear phones that Apple gives you I gave up on after 10 minutes. I had a pair of Sennheiser HD535's that are open-ear circumaural phones with great fidelity, so I went to those. They sound great, but don't do much to combat the noise, and they're also high impedance, so they don't get very loud with the lightweight amplification from the iPod. After a few months of dealing with that noise, and the ringing in my ears from listening loud, I decided to find a good closed-ear headphone. I have reservations about 'noise-cancelling' headphones: in order to cancel outside noise, they sample it with a small mic and flip it out of phase and mix the inverted noise in with your music. To me, this sounds like PERCEIVED noise reduction, and actually more volume of sound entering your ears, leading to potential hearing loss. Since I am an audio engineer, I try hard to protect my livelihood (ears), so even if it's only my theory, I am staying away from active noise cancelling phones. Well, as it turns out, these headphones deliver exactly what I wanted, to the best of their capability. A tight fit is important to these headphones, as they aim to complete a seal around your ear so outside noise can't get in. Combine that with a good closed-back design and moderately good sonics and you have a great solution for noise reduction and decent sound. The claims of dB loss are exaggerated and probably are only accurate in lab tests - real world I'd say you get a good 6-12 dB reduction. That is great though, and that also means you can turn down your iPod 6-12 dB and still hear everything well. The only issues I have with them are: I have noticed with the stretching out (breaking in) of the phones, the seal isn't as good. Still not bad, but not like brand new. Also, I have a large head (7-5/8 cap size, if that means anything to you) and while they fit well, they look huge and I get looks on the train every day. I don't mind that - in NYC, everybody has an iPod, and the few who don't should just put their eyes back in their book or Us Weekly. With my large head, I also notice that the seals break a bit when I turn my head - it is a strange sensation, but one I am getting used to. I am just happy I've found a real solution to enjoying my music at non-deafening, non-harmful levels in the noisy city, short of airplane runway guide's earphones. They are also great to just put on and not play any music - they cut out enough noise I can fall asleep on the train. I would even recommend them to drummers for practice and in use in recording studios, as there is no leakage from the drivers. Enjoy.
  
  
• i loved these headphones, BUT
  By A1LOEPBHBW8Q5N on 2007-04-08
  I loved these headphones, but the plastic headband kept cracking. I went through three pair within a 3 month period and they all kept cracking. I finally exchanged the 3rd damaged pair for a new pair and sold them. The sound quality and noise blocking ability are outstanding. I really do like the product but the quality SUCKS. I don't like spending my money on something that isn't going to last.
  
  
• I should have bought these first!
  By AFXMTGF9XLJM1 on 2002-09-17
  I can't say how many headphones I've owned over the years.

  I can say that this is the first set that sounds very very good and comes with the ability to REPLACE cables, headband pads, earcups and can be converted into a headset with the addition of a boom-mike!

  30dB isolation from outside noise and two ways to fold them (with the flat form an excellent way to lay them down on a sound board) + a 2 year warranty and a very responsive curve all for less $$ than my last set of Sony monitor (MDR) headsets (the Sony set is now retired after only two years of use - just like the three prior ones).

  The spring is a bit tight...but I like that.
  
  

• Watch out--Amazon has been shipping the unterminated HMD-280 instead!
  By A1CX43B67FBR1J on 2005-08-30
  Hopefully Amazon has fixed this problem by now, but from the most recent review, I doubt it. I ordered these headphones and actually received the HMD-280, the same headphone but with a microphone. I might have been able to just deal with it, even though I didn't want the microphone or extra weight, but they're sending the UNTERMINATED model, with bare wires, that requires you to put your own plug on. It's probably great for DJs who want a headset and mic, and want to make sure the plug matches their equipment, but for listeners trying to order the HD-280, it's no good. I'm especially irritated because I bought an Amazon Prime membership, and now I'm going to have to pay for shipping anyway to get these someplace else because Amazon apparently hasn't corrected the problem. (I returned my headphones and was refunded by Amazon already, so this shouldn't be news to them.) Caveat emptor!
  
  
• Strong, Elegant, Wonderful Sound
  By APD2LBS3995HU on 2003-05-01
  Sennheiser is a trusted name in headphones and their HD-600s are probably one of the finest sets of headphones out there. But the HD-600s have a price tag most of us can't afford, and they are open phones, meaning you can hear everything else around you while you're listening.

  The HD-280 is an excellent corrective to the above two problems. For one, these phones are very inexpensive for what you get. Secondly, they are closed headphones, providing a truly private listening experience that won't be interrupted by noises around you -- nor will they let your music annoy roomates, wives, etc. These features also make it perfect for travel.

  These headphones have a high impedence of 64 Ohms, but not so high that a portable player or computer source won't run them. They also have a coiled cord, which keeps it from getting tangled up with items around your listening area. Also beneficial is that almost the whole package is replaceable should something wear: ear pads, head pad, cord, and driver. These headphones are clearly made to last -- probably a decade or more!

  To be honest, however, these headphones are more suitable to us jazz, classical, and acoustic listeners than you rockers out there. You will hear more bass on these closed headphones than on open ones, but it won't be as boomy as on headphones designed to pound on your temples. Keep that in mind and look at the Sony or Grado brands if pounding bass is what you crave.

  For the rest of us, however, these are probably the best headphones in their class!
  
  

• Best sound driven by notebook PC
  By A2I6562SSXAD6 on 2004-10-18
  I bought these headphones from Amazon a year ago. They are tight on the head and do look a little big, and after a year, one of the pieces in the plastic headband broke. This began tearing up the plastic covering on top, and it was a big hassle to extend or compact the phones. After researching on the Internet, it turned out this was a very common problem with the HD280. I logged into Sennheiser's web site, mailed in my old headphones with receipt I printed from the Amazon web site (2yr warranty), and I got my new phones in ~ two weeks free of charge - no problems. In the meantime I bought more expensive Beyerdynamic DT 250-80 headphones. These looked nicer when wearing, didn't have as much pressure on my head, and the velour earpads were definitely more comfortable. However -- when driven with my notebook audio-out jack, the Sennheiser HD280s were DEFINITELY clearer and better, even after 48 hours of semi-loud burn-in with the Beyerdynamic. People often say you need good stereo equipment to bring out the best of your headphones. In any case, I've heard it said that the Sennheiser HD280s are the best headphones you can get when a notebook or cheap desktop audio card is driving the sound. I completely agree with this. Finally, the HD280s have the best sound isolation I've encountered -- you can enjoy the music without being bothered by outside noise, and without bothering other people. This feature also works very well on a plane, although you do look like a nerd. If Sennheiser could come up with an improved HD280 that's not as big, not as tight on the ears, with about the same sound isolation, velour earpads, and the same great sound -- that would be perfection.
  
  
• Excellent Value, Terrific Sound and Isolation
  By A281TZQAGG05QL on 2005-10-13
  Good sound, comfort, and isolation were my selection criteria.
  These headphones isolate exterior noise to degree I never experienced before, with my Sony or Koss phones. Sure, the $300 Bose may do it better, but I'm not spending that kind of cash on headphones.
  
  The sound is very good whether connected to my Iriver 320 or my Denon 3802 receiver or to my pc. I boosted the bass a little just because I like it that way.
  
  They are comfortable and unobtrusive. I was power walking with them on and my ears did get warm after a few miles, but that was to be expected. Normal sitting and listening, no problem.
  
  I think the Sennheiser HD-280 are an excellent value. Well made, sturdy, unlike the Sony MDR-XD400 which I originally purchased. I returned the Sony's the same day because they were cheaply made and the sound quality poor. The Sony sound was bad due to a poor design i.e. if anything, including the cord, a chair cushion, your hand, touched the outside of a phone, the rubbing sound was amplified and very noticable, drum like. They were junk.
  
  
  
  
• Clarity + Style for a low price
  By A10GZCI0HBJAYY on 2005-11-23
  Most of my friends had never heard of Sennheiser. A few even told me, that I should've bought a Bose, since I spent USD One hundred on these Sennheisers. Bose's triport headphones were my first choice too (since I didn't know any better then). After seeing the flimsy band, which looked eager to snap in half, I returned them, and got the Sennheisers.
  
  They're heavier than the Bose Triport, but after a few minutes of wearing them, you get so used to them, that they feel quite natural. The ear cups are soft and supple, that it really pads the skin from any rough feeling. It feels awesome to wear for several hours at a stretch. I use it for hours while programming away at work. It cancels outside noise by a lot, even with the passive cancellation - its that well insulated. Turn the music on, and even at low volumes, you're well isolated from your environment - its all crystal clear music.
  
  The crystal-clear highs and mids, make me listen to all my old CD's and iTunes MP3s over and over. The only complaint I have, is that bass is not this pair of headphones' strong points. Bass is controlled and for songs such as Hotel California (Eagles) and Fast Car (Tracy Chapman), the sound is amazing, very tight bass and crystal clear bass. But, for any kind of hip-hop or other bass-heavy music, this is not the headphones for you. Since I only very rarely listen to hip-hop, I don't find this bothering at all.
  
  In short, this is one heck of a good deal - great style, awesome build, comfort, clarity and substance. I took off 1 star for the lacklustre bass performance.
  
  

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