C[omp]ute

From: "andrew cooke" <andrew@...>

Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:13:42 -0300 (CLST)

[My email is working again, so this blog is back from the dead - my server
has a new power supply and a new CPU cooler]

Pauli brought me a pair of Sennheiser HD25s back from the states (thanks
Eric for being my Amazon drop-off point).  She said they look ugly, but I
quite like them - at least when I'm not wearing them.  They are smaller
than I expected and when around the neck don't look too intrusive.  When
they're on your head, however, they look more "obvious" than my Grados. 
The trouble is that the headphones are quite deep and the headband goes
round the "outside", so they look very wide.  Also, you can see the
various wires, which makes them look rather "technical".  In other words,
you look like a geek walking down the street.  Which is annoying, because
I bought them for doing just that - they're closed back and fairly
well-isolated (not as good as the in-ear Shure phones that I tried, but
pretty good - see below).

Anyway, as I was saying, they are quite compact when they're not being
worn, and they're lighter than i expected.  They're kind of "pro" looking,
but in a miniaturised, slightly "cute" way.  I keep thinking they're Sony
phones, if that helps understand what I mean.

They're moderately comfortable - as about comfortable as "on ear" can be. 
After a while they press my ears against my glasses, and the plastic
padding gets a bit sweaty (I think velour replacement pads are available).

So.  How do they sound?  Overall, they're OK.  With the isolation and
moderately compact size, I can't see a better solution for traveling
(in-ear phones do not work for me - my left ear seems to be a funny
shape).  There are several negatives though: a slightly harsh, metallic
sound, as if there's too much of some high (but not very high) frequency;
poor stereo; surprisingly little bass; a slight "shut in" sound that I
guess may be unavoidable for closed phones.  They sounds neither warm, nor
"airy".

On the positive side, I am (this is a cliche I've read in so many audio
reviews over the years, yet in this case it really seems to be true - I
keep noticing new examples) hearing things I have not heard before.  I
don't know if it's the quieter background or the treble emphasis, but I'm
noticing a lot more of the comments from musicians/engineers as tracks
fade in/out (and that's another cliche people should drop).  It's also
easier (despite the rather restricted stereo) to listen to individual
instruments.  They sound very "precise".

Hmmm.  Overall, this review is rather negative.  I do like these - and
I've already worn them outside once (only one person stared).  But they're
a definite compromise for traveling.

Andrew