[GandalfTheGrey]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Has Sennheiser stopped the entry-level headphones like HD 201, 202, etc? Can't seem to find them anymore. I am very fond of the 201, especially its low bass, and find it to be very comfortable for wearing for long hours. Any similar alternatives?

Unfortunately yes, the HD201s and 202s have been stopped. I still have my HD202 that I bought in mid 2014 and the bloody thing, although worn out, won't die. I'm not finding any good headphones in the price range that match the sound quality of HD201s and HD202s. The way I see it is the market has tilted towards in-ear earphones, and the market for headphones has tilted towards premium wired/ wireless ones. The ones in lower price brackets doesn't offer the bang for buck the HD20Xs offered. So you've to either bump the budget to 4x-7x of HD201s for a good headphone or settle for some in-ear earphones in price bracket of HD20Xs. Difficult choice I must say.

Cheers!

[robimahanta]

Been using the Sony WH1000XM4’s for a long time and the itch to upgrade to something else kicked in during the diwali sale season. Ended up getting the Focal Bathys and the sound quality seems to be amazing as expected. ANC is decent and nothing much to talk about. The option to use it in USB DAC mode is nice. The recently updated firmware/app which includes a mimi.io sound personalisation is a nice touch. It also has a Dynamic EQ mode which is close to the Harman curve (as per them). Build quality is outstanding and I like the fact that it has physical buttons. Battery life is above average at over 30hrs with ANC.

[Samfromindia]

Originally Posted by R2D2

Well, after many years of debate I finally caved in last year and went in for yet another beautiful Sennheiser headphone. The HD 800s which to me is my end game gear. I call it the Darth Vader or the Princess Leia headphone for obvious reasons.

All I want to know is, does your wife know the original price you paid for these bad boys ?

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Samfromindia

All I want to know is, does your wife know the original price you paid for these bad boys ?

Oh, well, yes she approved but rather grudgingly. There was a price to pay subsequently but looking back it seems fine.

With this I attained my end game and will search no further. There are no regrets. Technically there are better headphones than this one (think Stax electrostats or even some say the Beyerdynamic T1 among many others) but strictly IMHO it don't get better. Sennheiser sound is one that I've appreciated since the 2000s. It is one brand of ear gear that I know I will wind up preferring. Just a personal choice or dare I say it a bias.

[Thad E Ginathom]

I think that even HD600 or HD650, depending on taste, can be endgame headphones.

Many don't like the treble of the HD800. For me, with HF hearing loss, it is particular suitable. I love also it's general clarity.

I was happy with HD600. But when I first heard my friend's HD800 I knew I had to have one. Actually, I bought his off him a few months later. I bought new pads and headband cushion.

The headband cushions are rubbish: they wear out in no time. I now have a third-party option from ZMF, which is very comfortable and will last longer than the Senn original.

[saildrive]

Hello,

I have Sennheiser Headphones which are not working due to some battery leakage issue.

Mumbai Customer Service number is always ringing; so finally decided to take it to them personally and get an update.

I was informed that it cannot be serviced here and must be sent to Delhi branch. I am not keen on sending it there as I am not sure how the transit will be.

Are there any local well known and reliable repair shops who can sort this out without being extremely expensive?

Just like FNG for cars; think having a reliable repair shop will help avoid massive (repair) costs when it comes to music enthusiasts.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by saildrive

I was informed that it cannot be serviced here and sent to Delhi branch. I am not keen on sending it there as I am not sure how the transit will be.

What model Senn headphones are these? Sennheiser's Mumbai service centre is for their professional line of gear while their customer line is serviced at Gurgaon IIRC. You can get the battery repaired at a so called generic repair shop but wary as they are all custom made and fit and 3rd party can give surprises. Try on eBay Intl. too.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I think that even HD600 or HD650, depending on taste, can be endgame headphones.

Many don't like the treble of the HD800. For me, with HF hearing loss, it is particular suitable. I love also it's general clarity.

I was happy with HD600. But when I first heard my friend's HD800 I knew I had to have one. Actually, I bought his off him a few months later. I bought new pads and headband cushion.

The headband cushions are rubbish: they wear out in no time. I now have a third-party option from ZMF, which is very comfortable and will last longer than the Senn original.

The HD 650 is what started it for me back in '07 and they certainly were my end game until one day in 2009 when the HD 800 was introduced and on auditioning that set I was floored by the imaging and spatial sound. It was 2009 after all and there was no headphone my ears had experienced that came even remotely close to the HD 800. I was kind of gob smacked TBH. Make no mistake I still love the HD 6x0 (and to a lesser extent HD 5xx series) of headphones and they are frequently used.

The HD 80x series treble is a tad bright for my tastes but these are supposed to be revealing 'audiophile grade' cans and I can't really fault them. The downsides - the HD 800s's bulk does not lend itself to frequent use, the grip over the ears could be better, those expensive pads (I bought a spare set) are a let down and require more frequent replacement than ear pads of the HD 6x0 series. Need to try ZMF next time.

Rumours say Senn is likely to announce a HD 9xx series in the future. Wouldn't it be lovely if the new model turned out be a planar magnetic!

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by R2D2

The HD 80x series treble is a tad bright for my tastes but these are supposed to be revealing 'audiophile grade' cans and I can't really fault them.

Well, I am getting more than a little deaf in my old age. High-frequency hearing loss, although lesser frequencies are compromised too now. HD800 was the perfect prescription! Female voices as I hadn't heard them for years.

I find them reasonably comfortable, expecially with the ZMF headband cover. (I think it is called "crescent?). I think I must have big ears, and I don't like them being squashed! The HD800 settles around them quite nicely.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Well, I am getting more than a little deaf in my old age. High-frequency hearing loss, although lesser frequencies are compromised too now. HD800 was the perfect prescription! Female voices as I hadn't heard them for years.

I find them reasonably comfortable, expecially with the ZMF headband cover. (I think it is called "crescent?). I think I must have big ears, and I don't like them being squashed! The HD800 settles around them quite nicely.

I guess hearing loss is normal after 40-45. It begins ever so subtly and progresses as the decades roll by. How much you lose in terms of high frequency sensitivity is down to each person. Now that I am well into middle age my hearing tops out at about 13-14 KHz.

I have eased off on HP use especially the closed back variety. Now about noise cancelling models; the Sony XM series for e.g. give me a nice bout of tinnitus should I ever switch on NC mode.

[dr_TJ]

I have a V-Moda Crossfade LP2 wired headphones and Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless ANC headphones.
The V-Modas are DJ headphones and are bass heavy but does not sound muddy or intrusive in relation to the mids and highs to me.
In comparison, I am not very happy with the XM4s as per the sound is concern. ANC is good but bass and overall clarity is somewhat not as good as the V-Moda LP2s, even though the LP2s are known to be Bassy.

I would prefer to sell the XM4s and break my savings to get the Focal Bathys or forget about ANC completely and get Hifiman Deva Pro with Bluemini R2R Dongle.
Yes, ANC is not a must have feature for me, I don't travel much and even if I do, I prefer driving. ANC use case for me was to be able to enjoy my music in silence but sadly the sound quality is a let down.

[sagpatel]

Anyone here tried unboxify.in for earbuds. They sometimes have brand new items for sale at a price better than amazon/flipkart. Are they legit?

[Satkaj]

Guys need your help. I with no knowledge of any update on headphones would like to gift my daughter one. She is 21yrs.

The choice is Marshall Major 4 or Sony 1000XM4 ( shortlisted after reading through this thread).

Prime purpose is listening to Music thru her i phone and she lives on Music

Would appreciate your suggestions for budget around 20k. BTW she has Airpods Pro as her regular earphones.

[keroo1099]

Originally Posted by Satkaj

Guys need your help. I with no knowledge of any update on headphones would like to gift my daughter one. She is 21yrs.

The choice is Marshall Major 4 or Sony 1000XM4 ( shortlisted after reading through this thread).

Prime purpose is listening to Music thru her i phone and she lives on Music

Would appreciate your suggestions for budget around 20k. BTW she has Airpods Pro as her regular earphones.

Sound is a very subjective thing according to me. Why don't you just give her a budget and ask her to go hear them herself and decide. I heard the Sonys at Croma but found them very bass heavy even when played flat without any EQ via Bluetooth. A friend has the Marshals which he loves, but I haven't heard them so can't compare.

Hope your daughter gets a set that she loves.

[Satkaj]

@Keroo , yes planning to do so if time permits but unfortunately she is leaving for Australia on Tuesday. I planned gifting her as she is missing on her birthday 20th July with us. Amazon offering same day delivery prompted me to buy headphones she has been asking for sometime.