headphones

I bought a Sennheiser HD25-C II and I absolutely LOVE them. I’m using them live as well as in the studio for producing.

It’s the version with a coiled cable (hence the -C). This is the only thing I have slightly mixed feelings about. Although it’s still a lot more practical than having a 3 meter straight cable (in my opinion), the cable is quite heavy.

But nevertheless, I think they’re magnificent. Wouldn’t, nor couldn’t, miss them for anything in the world.
Also, at 180 Euro they were somewhat affordable and definitely worth it.

HD25-IIs all the way. Cable DOES come off and while it doesn’t fold perse, it does collapse into a rather small package. Sound quality is great and EVERY single part can be swapped/replaced. If you bought a C but want the straight cable, just order the cable, swap it out and presto!

HD201s, cheap for backup purposes. Ridiculous price for sound quality. Build quality is obviously less, they will break eventually, but at 20 bucks, by the time they do, they will have served their purpose and paid for themselves.

Although I personally have no problem whatsoever with the (lack of) isolation that Mat claims, the new DJ7 and DJ8 version of the Sennheisers are very nice. Great sound, great comfort, superb build quality. If I didn’t love my 25-IIs and use them for sound engineering also, I’d probably get a pair of 7s.

Currently using Audio-Technica ATH-M40X headphones.. they sound awesome – but I use my beyerdynamic in ears or my Hi-Fi speakers when I am listening – the Audio Technica’s sound a bit dull due to the flatish frequency response.. I mix (as a sound engineer) on my Audio Tehnica’s as well..

Bought them when my Sennheiser 205II’s gave up when one side stopped working.. These sound much better than they did 🙂

And I have tried 201’s but found them really uncomfy (not enough padding) to wear for more than 15 mins or so..

bob6397

In response to Matt:
The cable does indeed come off, on the right side there’s two screws. Really easy to replace.

I also like to mix inside my headphones and have absolutely no problem with isolation of my HD25’s. I should note my monitors are always on a rather low level if I compare to the DJ’s playing before/after me. I’ve already got hearing damage so I tend to keep my monitors low and do a lot in my headphones wearing ear plugs.

I have the version without detachable cord. It’s ok-ish for backup, wouldn’t use them as my primary set of cans though. What’s good that there isn’t much that seems to be able to break (apart from the cable). So easy to toss around in bags.

“Better” is a relative measure when it comes to cans. If we are looking for pure flat audio response, I’d dare make the claim that it is hard to find something that is MUCH better than the 25s. They have just celebrated their 25th birthday and are still being sold. You will be hard pressed to find any place with professional audio engineers (studio, live, regardless) where there isn’t at least one of them in sight (and in use). It’s the worlds most-used set of cans for audio professionals, I think. And they can’t all be wrong. Better yet, I dare say that they are all right.

However, once you start factoring in comfort (highly personal), more DJ-suitable sound (also highly personal), sex-appeal (none for the Sennheisers) and other subjective and/or DJ-specific factors, then yes, I can imagine there will be a group of people that prefers the V-Moda’s to the Sennheisers. But to claim that they are much better … I doubt it.

To my ears I actually disliked the V-Moda a lot and found the HD25s loads better.
However I agree on the Nocs, they are absolutely stunning headphones.