Sennheiser HD280 vs HD497

[murphyslabrat]

I am looking for a new pair of headphones, and I am looking at a friends HD497 that was lightly used (he's asking for $45) or buying a Sennheiser HD280 off of eBay for about $60 (there are several auctions going). I am favoring the 497 because of it's portability.

I wanted thoughts from anyone who had them, on which would be the better purchase, or if there's another deal I should be considering. I don't want to pay very much more than $60...if it's an insane value, than I guess...

For reference and comparison, my brother has a Creative Aurvana Live, Aurvana DJ, Sony V700 dj, and a Sennheiser HD205. I have an AKG k27i and a Sennheiser PMX-100, along with the Aurvana IEM's.

 

[jandlecack]

An insane value would be the HD595 or HD555. Considering the price difference between them and the HD600 series, they are the best bang for your buck by a long shot.

I can't speak for the HD497 as I never used it but the HD280 is a decent set.

 

[PM650]

I have the HD555's and HD280's and honestly I prefer the 555. The 280 provides great bass response (some might say too much) and they also fit quite tightly, being a closed design. Be prepared to have your hair flattened around your ears in a donut shape if you wear the 280's for more than a half hour or so Amazon even has a refurb pair of 555 for $65, but I can't speak to what you'll receive. The 280 are more portable wrt the 555 (coil cord & 1/8" vs straight cord & 1/4") & 280 = foldable. Can't say anything about the 497 though unfortunately - perhaps your application would dictate this better but we have no idea what you'll be using them for.

 

[SonicIce]

I have the 497 but never tried the 280. The 497 is not really portable. They don't fold up and I would advise disconnecting the cord (it's removeable) from the phones before transporting because the cord will tear at the point where it enters the headphone (it happned to me but thankfully you can order replacement cables). Plus the cord is 10 feet long. They do sound great and pleanty loud running on portable media players which the 280 might not be able to do.

What do you want to use them for? Seeing as you already have the PMX-100 you don't need portability.

I think your friend is maybe asking too much. I paid $42.84 brand new from Amazon in March 2005 when it was on sale. Regular price was about $60 though.

It is a very good sounding headphone. And it was an incredible value. One of the few headphones to receive a 5/5 value rating from Headroom and I think Senn really outdid themselves with this model.

 

[murphyslabrat]

I am looking for an all-rounder, but mostly mobility, as I ride a bicycle around the city. I broke my PMX-100, but I bought it used off of eBay, so I don't have any of the warranty info or packaging. As for the k27, it has very poor clarity, especially in the midrange, with heavily overblown bass. The Aurvana in-ears are the opposite of that, though, but equally unpleasant.

I would just use one of my brother's headphones, but I don't like their sound. That is, excepting the Aurvana Live's, but he likes them too much.

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: murphyslabrat
I am looking for an all-rounder, but mostly mobility, as I ride a bicycle around the city. I broke my PMX-100, but I bought it used off of eBay, so I don't have any of the warranty info or packaging. As for the k27, it has very poor clarity, especially in the midrange, with heavily overblown bass. The Aurvana in-ears are the opposite of that, though, but equally unpleasant.

I would just use one of my brother's headphones, but I don't like their sound. That is, excepting the Aurvana Live's, but he likes them too much.

I have the 280s at work and they are great, we have an open office mini-cube farm and sometimes its hard to concentrate with people talking and what not. I slip on the 280s (not even connected to anything) and 80% of the noise is gone if I want to go a step further I go to simplynoise.com and turn on the white noise at a low level and cant hear a thing. People have to shake me or knock on my desk if they want to get my attention. That being said Ive never used the other proposed model so I cant offer a direct comparison.

 

[yhelothar]

I have the HD497, and I've demoed my friends HD280. The HD497 has stronger bass, but other than that, they sound similar. The HD280s is a nice open design.

The 280 provides great bass response (some might say too much)

hmmm, head-fi seems to agree that it's anemic
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/...e-buyers-guide-271258/

Personally, I'd get another IEM. Yours probably just sucks, but there's plenty out there that sound better than both the HD280 and HD497. Depending on what kind of sound signature you like(ex: detailed, bassy, natural, warm), there are plenty of options out there.

Out of all the earphones I've demoed(owned the shure E530, bro owns beyerdynamic DT770 and went to a head-fi meetup), I've settled on the Etymotic ER4P. I got a used set on head-fi forums for $100. It has the most detailed and immersive sound I've ever heard. The soundstage is amazing. It doesn't have the strongest bass out there, but it's tight and punchy, and bass boost is readily available on most sources if I'm cravin it.

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

I have a pair of HD 280 Pro and they are good at blocking out noise, they're comfortable, and they sound good (pretty warm, not hyped). The plastic headband shell cracks a little, but it doesn't affect the functionality (or it hasn't so far). Drummers use them in the studio because they're isolating and stay on your head comfortably.

the HD 280 Pro's DON'T have much bass which is a good thing because you can always EQ in some 45 or 75 or 100 - whatever you like.

 

[PM650]

Originally posted by: ChaiBabbaChai
the HD 280 Pro's DON'T have much bass which is a good thing because you can always EQ in some 45 or 75 or 100 - whatever you like.

Well, maybe I'm wrong but the 280's have quite a bit more bass than the 555's, which I consider to be pretty well balanced.

 

[0roo0roo]

neither is portable.
497 is open. big difference. now if you need to hear your surroundings to be safe, and its not a situation where sound leakage is inconsiderate this is fine.
or if you are alone its great. open is more open sounding..and less confining. 280s are closed.

 

[AdamK47]

I have the 280s. Bought them two years ago. Great headphones! Not a lot of bass response, but that's OK. They keep the fan noise from my computer out and and produce crystal clear sound.