How to make headphones looser

[yh125d]

Hey AV. I have a pair of HD-280's I've had for a few weeks that I'm in love with. This roses thorn however is that they are a little tight for my liking. After a long days use I start to get a little headache. They don't seem to have any adjustability tightness wise, but I'd really like to get them a bit looser if I could.

HD280 owners, if you've done so, how do you adjust the tightness? My old headphones (cheap Aiwa HP-X223) were perfect fit-wise, and I'd love to be able to get my senn's as loose as that.


Thoughts? I'll probably go with some grado's for my next purchase, for the bendable metal headband

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Use them for 5 years

 

[yh125d]

Hopefully I can find a solution to expedite that process a little.

What about leaving them wrapped around something to keep them stretched out when I'm not using them? Like when you rubber band a cap to a 2 liter bottle, except the other way around

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

That would probably help

 

[yh125d]

Hmm, looking around my workspace, and looks like they'll straddle my 300 quite nicely

Thanks, though any more ideas anyone might have would still be appreciated

 

[Kaido]

If you think the 280's are tight, don't get the 650's :Q That's the primary reason I sold my 650's - WAAAAAY too tight. I had a headache after wearing them even for short periods of time. My 280's are still fairly clamp-ish, but just use them a lot and they start to bend. I mostly only use them when I'm filming with my camcorder though. A basketball works great for stretching them out, supposedly. I've never had the patience to see if it really works after a few weeks or not :laugh:

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Go to a voodoo headshrinker.

 

[Elderly Newt]

Make sure not to stretch them too much though... I have a pair and part of the band cracked, doesn't affect anything at all but it could crack more. I think this is a common problem, not sure if it's been addressed by Sennheiser in their more recent 280s.

 

[chorb]

taken from: Text

The secure headband can also be gently bent (gently!) to better accomodate those preferring a less tight clamping force. HANDY TIP: Letting the headphones stretch while clamped over a thick stack of books or a basketball for several days will help to slightly loosen the headband for big-melon owners.

 

[43st]

They are tight, that was my biggest problem with them. As well as ear moisture build-up after 30-60 minutes use.

 

[yh125d]

Thanks for the replies. I left them stretcjed over my case for about 12 hours, and they were noticeably looser. Didn't last long though, I'll keep at it and hopefully in a week or so its a more permanent solution

 

[QuantumPion]

They will break in to fit your head in a week or two of casual use. Don't force-stretch them, because then they will be too loose and you won't get good sound. That is why I replaced my old headphones with these, the headband became too loose to provide a tight seal.

 

[cheesehead]

Go buy some beyerdynamics?

Spring steel headbands for great win.

 

[Baked]

Break it. Should've read reviews before you bought those death clamps.

 

[yh125d]

I read reviews

Describing the 280's as "quite comfortable"..."good for big heads"..."comfortable wear for most listeners"... etc.




What would you guys recommend in the $200-250 range for closed, circumaural headphones? Must have a bendable metal headband or something similar for a lot of adjustment after this experience


I might remove the closed requirement though, I can switch to my 280s if I'm in a loud environment, or my SE110s while on the road

 

[driftwood07]

i wouldnt give up on the 280's yet. i have a pair and, yes, they were a bit snug at first but give them some time and i think you wont have a problem anymore. i never did any stretching besides just wearing them, and within 2 weeks or so they were fine -- also about the amount of time it took for the cans to 'burn in' and sound their best too. i would hesitate to tell you to stretch them around something because people have had problems with the top band cracking

 

[pcslookout]

Learn your lesson and don't buy Sennheiser headphones again. I know I won't. I used the Sennheiser HD-280 as my primary headphones but now use my much nicer Denon AHD2000 headphones. I could of went with the Sennheiser HD-650s but I knew they would still be to tight on my small head just like the Sennheiser HD-280. So I decided against it. My first priority for headphones was comfort, comfort, comfort. Then sound quality of course. I can wear my Denon AHD2000 headphones for as long as I need to without having to worry about them.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: Baked
Break it. Should've read reviews before you bought those death clamps.

:thumbsup:

Originally posted by: yh125d
I read reviews

Describing the 280's as "quite comfortable"..."good for big heads"..."comfortable wear for most listeners"... etc.




What would you guys recommend in the $200-250 range for closed, circumaural headphones? Must have a bendable metal headband or something similar for a lot of adjustment after this experience


I might remove the closed requirement though, I can switch to my 280s if I'm in a loud environment, or my SE110s while on the road

Actual user reviews not paid site reviews. Sorry your lost not mine. Glad my brand new ones were not expensive.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: QuantumPion
They will break in to fit your head in a week or two of casual use. Don't force-stretch them, because then they will be too loose and you won't get good sound. That is why I replaced my old headphones with these, the headband became too loose to provide a tight seal.

No they won't. I tried that and it did not work. I have a small head too. Face it Sennheiser headphones clamp to tight on people's heads so they can be used for long hours.

 

[CharlieOnFire]

So in response to YOyoYOhowsDAjello, I've been using the 280's for 5 years now, their still very right, have any other ideas?

 

[darkswordsman17]

Unfortunately, those are known to have a tight clamping force and on a 5 year old pair I don't know that trying to stretch them out to help wouldn't break them. But you can try getting a basketball or a bunch of books or something and then plop them over them so that it stretches the headband out.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Unfortunately, those are known to have a tight clamping force and on a 5 year old pair I don't know that trying to stretch them out to help wouldn't break them. But you can try getting a basketball or a bunch of books or something and then plop them over them so that it stretches the headband out.

I've had a pair for a couple of years now, still love them. Yeah they were tight at first but I fit them over one of my daughters kick balls and with a hair dryer blasted them real good a couple of times which did the trick on the band. YMMV however.

 

[jkwon]

If you think the 280's are tight, don't get the 650's :Q That's the primary reason I sold my 650's - WAAAAAY too tight. I had a headache after wearing them even for short periods of time. My 280's are still fairly clamp-ish, but just use them a lot and they start to bend. I mostly only use them when I'm filming with my camcorder though. A basketball works great for stretching them out, supposedly. I've never had the patience to see if it really works after a few weeks or not :laugh:

Hmm that's a bummer to hear. I've been thinking about getting the 650's, and my head is pretty wide. Do you know if the 600's are also tight?

 

[Chapbass]

Hmm that's a bummer to hear. I've been thinking about getting the 650's, and my head is pretty wide. Do you know if the 600's are also tight?

On the contrary, I don't feel the 650's are nearly as tight as the 280's. I own them both.

Also, not sure if we should be bumping 5 year old threads, but its still relevant, so whatever.

 

[exar333]

Usually people complain when its too loose...

Anyway, I second trying it out on something bigger and see if that does the trick. :biggrin: