Thinking of getting some Sennheiser HD485s

D_Brasted

D_Brasted

D_Brasted

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Hi,

I'm thinking of getting some Sennheiser HD 485s, and wondered whether peeps here think they're a good choice...

I am going to be wearing them for lengthy periods, so comfort is a big concern. I also wear glasses. Regarding the sound quality, I mainly listen to what's known as "contemporary Christian music" (I'm not good at describing music, but I suppose CCM's something like "soft rock"), as well as some softer acoustic stuff - so I like a crisp, clean sound (for the vocals, acoustic guitars, etc), with a good degree of punchy (but not overwhelming) bass.

Are the 485s a good choice? I can get them for a little under £40 inc p&p. Any other suggestions? I don't really want to spend more than £55.

Thanks.
 
i got some HD555's of and well known online retailer named after a forest for £50 and they are very comfortable (i've got glasses too) they are very good all round headphones.
i've just had a look at the HD485's and they look like they've got similar cups so you should have no trouble comfort wise
 
The 485s are brilliant cans, the if you can raise a little extra for the HD555's it might just be worth it
 
I was looking at the 485s but decided to go the extra mile and ended up buying the 555s. I'll let you know how they sound when I've opened the box on Christmas day...:p
 
Having looked some more, the HD555s' frequency response seems more even than that of the 485s (various reviewers, professional and layman, complain of too much bass and not enough mids), and the price of the HD555s is low enough for me to be very interested...

I'm a little concerned about the higher impedance though - I've read/heard that running a device with too high impedance headphones can damage the output (e.g. of a PC soundcard/portable CD player). Is this true? The 555s are rated at 50 ohms rather than the usual 64, but that's still higher than the 32 of the 485s. I can't afford a headphone amp, unfortunately.
 
I'd try and go for the larger 5xx line...I think you'll be ok with lower end 5xx (535/555) but for the higher end 5xx (580) and definietly 6xx you will need a headphone amplifer.
 
Thanks. Another thing - do the 555s have a detachable cable? HeadRoom say no, but the official British Sennheiser product sheet says it does. I ask because if they do, and I choose to buy them, then I can also just buy a replacement cable with a 3.5mm jack, rather than purchase (for example) the Grado 6.3mm-3.5mm adapter.
 
Some Sennheiser have a detachable cable (two prong into little holes) however it's only used to make it easy for the end user to replace it. The contacts aren't very durable so don't remove it any more than you have to.

I found the two prong/wire coil system a bit rubbish, mates pair signal breaks up. Good idea in theory, not in practise.

Hi-Fi pair are Grado RS-1's, end user can't replace the cable however it's much more durable than Sennheiser's.
 
You may not need an amp to run the HD555 but I find they improve significantly when you use one.

D_Brasted said:
Thanks. Another thing - do the 555s have a detachable cable? HeadRoom say no, but the official British Sennheiser product sheet says it does. I ask because if they do, and I choose to buy them, then I can also just buy a replacement cable with a 3.5mm jack, rather than purchase (for example) the Grado 6.3mm-3.5mm adapter.
Click to expand...

They come with an adapter, it's a bit unwieldy mind :p The connector and adapter together are longer than my MP3 player/portable amp.
 
Thanks. I guess the best thing to do is to try each pair and see which I prefer...

I'm going into central London on Monday - any recommendations for shops that are likely to sell/let me try them? (providing they're not a competitor... :))
 
Most good hi-fi retailers should be able to give a demo. I've tried the HD555's and the HD485's with and without an amp, and you can (as expected) see a larger difference between the hd555's with and without an amp, but as you'd expect the 555's are definitely better overall and would allow for an update at the later date if you felt the need
 
ive got some! they are ace, and come with a little handle to hang em on, you might as well try em both and see which ones you likes best, in the end i went for the hd485, which ever one you choose I'm sure you'll be satisfied :)
 
the HD555 can have the cable detached and replace, and it is built into the design, but you have to open the headphones to do it... they come with instuctions on how to change the cable
 
Can anyone suggest "closed cans" suitable for listening to music on the tube from a phone, that are comfortable and not more than £60 but in a similar style to the 555's above as I think they look comfortable, never really got in ear headphones.
 
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