Best value in closed, portable headphones—period.
Written: May 26 '03 (Updated May 26 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sennheiser's PX200s are undoubtedly the best value in sealed (closed) portable headphones available.
Cons: Carrying case is difficult to use.
The Bottom Line: Great sound with plenty of volume and comfort make the Sennheiser PX200 Headphones the best value in sealed portable headphones available today.
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| pbnyc's Full Review: Sennheiser Electronic PX200 Headphone PX200 Collap... |
The Sennheiser Electronic PX200 Dynamic stereo mini headphones are arguably the best closed (i.e. sealed) portable headphones money can buy, and there's no question that at $59 retail they are the absolute best value available--period. I have had numerous earbuds, open portables, and sealed headphones ranging from under $20 to over $400, and at a modest $59, the Sennheiser PX200s are without a doubt the best portable headphones I've ever owned.
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE
Sound and Seal:
Great, highly responsive, relatively low impedance* headphones deliver good highs and solid bass. (* "Low impedance" means they deliver decent sound volume even for small, low voltage portable devices such as MP3 and other personal music players). The PX200s provide excellent isolation: as long as you keep the phones on your head, you will not "leak" sound to the outside world (nor will your listening experience be disturbed by reality). I turn them up quite loud in very quiet spaces and have not had any complaints. I've even challenged people to listen for "leaks," and no one hears anything.
Design & Comfort:
Awarded design and engineering "Showcase Honors" at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show, the small, lightweight PX200s definitely pass the comfort muster. Extra ear and headband padding makes them even more comfortable. Invariably, if you wear any pair of headphones long enough (for me this means more than 2 hours straight), your ears will eventually begin to tire, and they will begin to get uncomfortable. I have never taken off my PX200s, however, simply because they were bothering me. All in all, especially when compared to other similarly styled headphones, they are extremely comfortable.
Durability:
I have found the PX200s to be very durable. Ever bent over to pick something up and snagged your headphone cord with your knees? Ever catch the cord on the knob on your way out the door? Probably the most common reason for the demise of any headphone is the wire connections coming loose. Unfortunately, repairs are usually not feasible. Though I've unintentionally stressed the PX200's wires on any number of occasions, the connections have held 100% thus far. Their unique "fold and flip" design allows the ear cups to be turned through 90° so that the headphones may be closed and "locked" into position (open or closed). This feature undoubtedly contributes to their durability. I have been using my PX200s for going on nine months now without incident.
ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE:
The PX200s come with what at first looks like a very cool hard plastic case. In fact, it IS a cool case, but even after having these headphones for 9 months, half the time I still can't figure out how to fold them up and get them back in it! There is a diagram on the case that's supposed to "remind" you how they fit, but to me it just makes it even more confusing. This case makes me crazy, especially because it feels like people are staring at me while I fumble around with it (in fact they may be because the case really does LOOK cool). As for me, I'm just about ready to stomp on it (mind you, there's no danger of the headphones being inside it!)
ON THE TECHNICAL SIDE:
Nominal impedance: 32 Ohm
Jack plug: 3.5 mm stereo
Transducer principle: dynamic, closed
Ear coupling: supraaural
Cable length: 1.4 m
Weight w/o cable: 60 g
Frequency response: 10.....21000 Hz
Sound pressure level (SPL): 115 dB
Total harmonic distortion (THD): 0.1 %
Sennheiser specific features:
(1) High resolution sound enabled by "Duofol" diaphragms with spiral embossing
(2) Increased bass response due to "Twin damping" with 80ppi polyurethane and perforated elements
List Price: $59.95
Street Price: $49.95
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
pbnyc
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Reviews written: 1
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