Sennheiser HD-497 Semi-Circumaural Cloth Earpadded Headphones

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Title : Sennheiser HD-497 Semi-Circumaural Cloth Earpadded Headphones
Author : Sennheiser
Release Date : 20020515
Binding : Electronics
Regular Price : $69.95
Amazon.com Price : $61.45 (12 %)
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Buyer Reviews :
I've been shopping for a medium to high quality pair of headphones for a while now. There are many high-end audiophile grade headphones that sound better than most $5000 speakers, but most of these headphones are too expensive for my budget (most cost $200 or more). I was looking for something around $50. After doing lots of research on the internet, I've narrowed my choices down to 4 pairs of headphones: Sennheiser HD497, Koss Pro 4AA, Grado SR60 and Sony MDR-V300. All of these headphones are within the $$$ range.

The first pair I auditioned, Koss Pro 4AA produced excellent sound all around (they have an unbelievable frequency response of 10-25,000). However, their weight was as formidable as their sound - I couldn't wear them for more than 20 minutes at a time, my ears would begin sweating from the rubber ear pads and my neck would begin hurting from the weight.

The Sony MDR-V300 is a much more comfortable pair of headphones; they also look much cooler than the 70's-style Koss. However, their sound was no comparison to Koss - Sony had a very nice bass, but overemphasized treble and lacked any midrange.

The choices came down to Sennheiser and Grado. Both of these brands are well known for their excellent headphones, and both models I picked lived up to their reputation. Both headphones sounded very similar listening to rock and pop tracks. Grado handled classical music and jazz slightly better, while Sennheiser sounded better with techno and trance. In the end, Sennheiser's super-sexy futuristic look swayed me in.

The HD497 are one of the best headphones I've heard - much better than any 'generic' headphones you may own, and even better than $$$ Sony MDR-V700DJ. The highs (treble) on these headphones are well defined and absolutely clear, the mid-range is warm (but not colored) and pleasant to listen to, and the lows (bass) is very tight and hard-punching (despite the fact that HD497 is rated down to 24Hz, 4Hz short of the theoretical limit of human hearing).

The headphones produce very little to no coloration - they don't enhance any of the frequencies, so what you hear exactly what is being passed to the headphones. You will hear new things from your CDs and mp3s, but be aware - unless your mp3s are encoded in high resolution (192kbps or higher), you'll also notice any encoded defects and blemishes that are characteristic of low quality mp3s. (You probably won't notice a difference between a 128kbps and a 190kbps mp3 on cheap 'generic' headphones, but the HD497 will make these differences very clear once you give them a listen).

These headphones are very efficient - you can play them loud using a regular portable CD player. However, you will notice great improvement (and be able to play them VERY LOUD) if you play them using an audio receiver or a dedicated headphone amp (which I don't have). I've found that my Creative Audio's Live! Drive's front end headphone plug produces the best results.

They are very comfortable to wear; I've been listening to them for 3 or 4 hours at a time without getting tired. Because they are 'open' headphones, there is plenty of air circulation, so your ears won't get sweaty. On the negative side, you won't be isolated from outside noise, and others won't be isolated from your music - you share whatever you're listening to with people around you (unless you listen on the quietest levels).

All in all, these headphones are definitely worth the $$$ price tag.

(by Arman Harutyunyan)

Features/Technical Specs :
* Semi-circumaural Headphone with cloth ear pads
* Top model of StreetWear line
* Warm, natural well defined sound
* Ideal for all types of music
* Fre Resp 24 hz to 22,000 khz

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