In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro closed-back studio headphones. These are a controversial pair of headphones for many, so let’s take a deeper look to see why.
Final verdict
They’re not the most accurate headphones, and they surely aren’t the most comfortable, but the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro have earned their place as an industry standard regardless.
When it comes to midrange clarity and noise cancellation for tracking, the Sennheisers are a phenomenal option, and for under $100 who can complain.
What I like
- Good midrange clarity.
- Great noise cancellation.
- Perfect for tracking.
- Affordable.
What I don’t like
- Not the most comfortable.
- Somewhat odd design.
Why you should trust this review
I’ve been producing and engineering for over 15 years.
During that time, I’ve had hands-on experience with a wide array of monitoring setups – from high-end monitors and studio headphones to crappy earbuds and repurposed car speakers.
I know how to stretch a budget, and I know when a piece of gear doesn’t perform up to its asking price.
This experience, along with years of problem-solving in a variety of recording environments, has taught me what gear is worth your investment – and what isn’t.
Sound quality 4.0
The HD 280 Pro have an impressive frequency response of 8 Hz – 25 kHz. However, despite its extended low end, the bass isn’t as prominent as one might expect.
There is a -5 dB cutoff from around 50-100 Hz, so while you’ll still be able to hear the harmonics of the bass and kick, the full body of the low end will be subdued by quite a large margin.
The sweet spot of the HD 280 Pro headphones lies at around 180-700 Hz, making alto singers and strings sound phenomenally clear.
The high end is fraught with inconsistencies, however. Seeing that there is a slight dip around 2-8 kHz, instruments occupying this portion of the upper register will bleed together.
This is somewhat expected from a pair of headphones in this price range, and to be frank, the midrange is the more important aspect of the mix to nail.
So, while these aren’t perfect studio headphones by any standards, they’re good enough for most scenarios.
Build and design 3.8
The Sennheisers are made out of a dense plastic, making them quite sturdy and resistant to the wear and tear of accidental droppings and miscellaneous physical stress.
One major flaw these headphones have is the lack of a detachable cable. Nowadays, headphones having replaceable cables has become the standard, seeing that the wires are usually the first things to go sour with any new purchase.
While this isn’t necessarily the worst thing, I warn you to be careful of how you treat them in order for the headphones to last.
Comfort 3.5
These HD 280 Pro are adequate in terms of comfortability. The earcups are large enough, but I found the padding to be rather slim.
Also, the headband is rather tight. Some may prefer a fit with a bit more clamp to it, but I could easily see somebody becoming aggravated with it – especially for longer sessions.
The HD 280 Pro headphones slide off the head fairly easily and aren’t recommended for working out or other intense physical activities.
They’re stable enough for working in the studio, but with one small issue. Again, the non-detachable cable can be a bit of a nuisance if the cord ever gets hooked on to some gear.
Isolation 4.2
Noise cancellation is one of the HD 280 Pro’s strong suits. There is no cancellation occurring in the low end, so passing cars and trains will most likely overpower whatever you’re listening to.
However, in the midrange, they can isolate by a bit more than 11 dB while for the high end nearly 30 dB. In other words, these are some of the best headphones for tracking.
Accessories 3.5
There aren’t many accessories to mention here. Upon your purchase of the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro you’ll receive the headphones, a 1/8 to 1/4-inch adapter, and the manual.
Not that these things are incredibly important but it would’ve been nice to see a carrying pouch (and a replacement cable).
Compared to other headphones
While the HD 280 Pro are among the best studio headphones in the $100 range and might be perfect for your needs, it’s worth considering a few alternatives.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
The ATH-M40x are surely more comfortable than the Sennheisers, and have a lot more bass. They do have a lot of bleed, so be wary of using them for tracking.
Read the full Audio-Technica ATH-M40x review
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Sony MDR-7506
While the MDR-7506 have held their place as an industry standard for some time, they aren’t without their flaws. The Sonys are generally better for mixing, but the HD 280 Pro outshines them in terms of clarity.
The trade-off here is of course comfortability, in which case the Sonys are the clear winner.
Read the full Sony MDR-7506 review
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
The Beyerdynamics are much more comfortable and far better for mixing and mastering purposes in my opinion. If you can, get the DT 770 Pro.
Read the full Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro review
Who are the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones best suited for?
Due to their low price and good midrange clarity, the HD 280 Pro are a good choice for beginner producers looking for a set of studio headphones on a budget.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon
