Sennheiser's HD280 pro or HD555 headphones

Alright here it is, ive read countless threads on this forum about headphones and i've narrowed it down to these two.

Sennheiser's HD280 pro or HD555. They are both $100 on newegg.

I want them for mostly gaming, some movies while traveling, and to use with my bass guitar.

I was leaning towards the 280s but i have heard people saying how closed headphones are bad for your ears. I like the look of the 555 but i like to have the sound cranked and dont want to be rude to the people around me.

I'm going to go to guitar center to actually hear each of them, but i want to know what you guys think of them as well.

 

I've used the HD280's and I like them. They offer fantastic reproduction of sound and music, although they're are a little tight on the head initially.

 

For Gaming & Music .HD555 are much better.

for sound isolation only HD280 is better.


HD555 are most popular among CS players ..it has a huge soundstage and great 3d imaging to see enemy with your Ear

 

I'd take the audio-technica ATH-AD700s over the HD555s . . .
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=310726&page=2

 

Chaz,

have u tried AD700 before?

they have a very thin bass.

 

I have the HD280's they are a great pair of headphones for the $$$.
They are a bit heavy, and can be tight, but you can adjust them a little. If you bend the plastic piece which goes around your head, you can alleviate some of the pressure generated by the plastic piece which goes over your head.
I prefer the DT770's by Beyer Dynamic, but they are way over $100.

The Hd555's are nice, for sound quality, I do not like the looks of them much, but they are supposed to have really nice quality.

K-TRON

 

well i have tried all sennheiser headphones with amps and know how each of them sounds.


DT770 is engaging,detailed but has lot of bass too... HD280 is more about sound isolation but very unengaging and boring.

HD25-1 are one of the best Closed headphones by sennheiser...u mite wanna check them if u really want closed.

 

I own them.

The AD700s are not strong in bass, I agree, but there's enough of it to enjoy most types of music.

I also agree that the HD280s are boring, and IMO, one of the most overrated headphones. I had them for a week and sent them back.

@OP - consider a pair of Denon D1000s if you want better bass.

 

If you like the sound of AD series and want tighter bass, then you should get at least AD900. However, AD900 is not as "spacy" as AD700 (nothing is, though).

I agree that HD280 is overrated. On the other hand, D1000 is a good buy, if you can stomach its inferior build quality (Denon outsource their non-cheap phones, unlike AT or AKG). D1000 is also relatively compact, and closed - useful for traveling.

Another good "inexpensive" headphones are Grado SR60 and Goldring DR-150, the later is very hard to find, though.

 

closed earphone are for isolation, they make your ears feel hot and for long periods of time they are uncomfortable. if you turn up the volume so much that other people on the opposite side of the room can hear clearly, then you are F up your hearing. You might wanna think this out.

 

for sound isolation get IEM's..they can sound much better than u think.


if u want good awesome sound and sound experience..get open cans.

CLOSED cans arent so popular anymore

 

Im not sure what i want to do anymore. The more i read up on it the more undecided i become.

I think i've safely crossed the 280s off the list. Now i may buy a pair of open cans for at home or places where i dont care about the people around me.

Im looking at the HD555 or the Grado SR60 for the extra bass. Then i may eventually get a pair of in ear buds for traveling and public places. These would be mostly for movies and music on the road.

 

The OP should note that Amazon is selling the DT770 (2005 consumer) for $108 right now. Not the DT770 pro's but.....

 

AD700 is thin in bass but not as thin as the HD555 lol. The HD555 has really airy bass and lacks any punch whatsoever.

 

I love my HD280 pros. But you need to keep in mind, the 280 Pros are "PRO". They are studio headphones and have a perfectly flat response, meaning you are going to get exactly what the audio engineers designed the audio to sound like. The bass is nothing phenomenal by default, but if artifically cranking the bass up via a pre-amp, they will thump well and you'll be pleasantly surprised how they handle.

I would put your money into the HD280 Pros. I have not regretted mine for a second. Anybody who says they are overrated do not know what good speakers are. WIRIWYG. What is recorded is what you get. Cheaper "gaming" headphones boost lows and highs to give a more exciting experience, but if you want headphones perfect for games, movies, music, and any professional studio use, the HD280's are your best bet.

I can wear them for a few hours at a time before my ears start to hurt a bit.