Sennheiser HD 25 and HD 280 Headphones [Back to HOME page]

Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser is an established worldwide leader in microphone, RF-wireless and headphone technology. Although their cans are the one of the industry standards with European DJs, their incursion into the DJ headphone market here in the USA has been slow to develop. Responding to this challenge, Sennheiser recently performed some major product redesign and the ensuing marriage of form and function has resulted in several truly stunning products that are making their mark in this segment of the marketplace.

For this review, I was provided with two pairs of headphones, the HD 25 and HD 280. I will break up this overview into a section on each, as they are both capable performers that appeal to slightly different segments of the market.

HD 25

I was first introduced to the HD 25 headphones nearly 4 years ago when I purchased my own pair, so my opinion is a bit biased. Truly legendary in the pro audio world, they became the industry standard almost as soon as they were released and their lightweight design and fully adjustable head band and ear pieces make them an ideal choice for prolonged use and critical listening.

I have spent many a late night in front of my mixing board with my HD 25’s firmly planted on my head, and have not a single complaint to report. They are comfortable enough for prolonged use and deliver a sound that stands up to critical listening. They do not color the sound and respond equally to classical, jazz, reggae and house beats. The HD 25s are closed back meaning that they give good attenuation of surrounding noises, but they also are capable of delivering very high sound levels – a train that could be helpful in some situations, but damaging in others.

While the HD 25s are a bit more delicate in their design than many other headphones I have used, they are extremely well built and almost every part can be replaced if damaged. They have fully adjustable ear pieces and a split headband that is great for keeping them securely on your head in nearly any setting.

Having owned a pair of HD 25s for many years, I have to be honest in saying I never even considered DJing with them. I suppose if you are a DJ that leaves your headphones on your head, covering one ear with the other cup slipped behind your other ear, they would be fine. But as a DJ that prefers to wear my headphones around my neck (as opposed to on my head), the ear cups don’t give me the kind of swivel that I find necessary when performing. Many DJs do use them, but it is in the studio where they truly shine brightest.

I can honestly say without reservation that these are the best headphones that I have ever had the pleasure of owning. They are at the top of my list in almost every category and have stood the test of time in every manner and way. People in the market for a serious pair of quality headphones would be hard pressed to find a better pair for anything close to this price point.

HD 280

Out of the box the Sennheiser HD 280 headphones look great. The pair I was provided with were silver and black and from an aesthetic standpoint, I was immediately impressed. They feature a softly padded headband and ear cups and a 3 meter long, retro curly cord with 1/8” plug (a ¼” adapter is included.) They conveniently swivel, fold up and have enough adjustability to easily accommodate any user.

For their size, the HD 280s are light and fit comfortably and snuggly over your ears. I was able to wear them for extended periods of time, with very little fatigue. As with all Sennheiser headphones, most of the parts on the HD 280s are replaceable, adding to their versatility.

After a manufacturers suggested 48 hour burn in period, I got my head around my pair and got down to an initial sound test. Listening to some ambient beats, I was struck by the smooth, accurate sound the 280s reproduced. The tightness of the cans accentuated the soundstage and I was pleased with the results. Switching to some house, I found the cans a bit lacking in the bass department, but the bass that was present sounded tight and true.

I found the impedance of the HD 280s to be lower than many other DJ oriented headphones and had to drive them harder than most to get the same sound levels. I don’t think this is a major issue, but when faced with a DJ mixer with a weak headphone amp; it could become a concern.

Another issue came to light as I took the headphones off my head, and repositioned them around my neck as I normally do when I am performing. The same padded headband that is perfect for improving extended listening sessions became a hindrance and felt more like a padded collar than an agile DJ tool. This may not be an issue for other people, but I was not thrilled with this aspect of the cans. Hot and constricted is not a good way to feel while mixing beats for hours on end.

Other than these small issues, the HD 280 is a fantastic pair of headphones that look great and are as robust and durable. They ship with the backing of a fantastic company and have already begun to make some serious inroads into the DJ segment of the headphone market.