Sennheiser HD 25 Basic Edition, Closed Headphone for ENG/DJ use with split headband

One big plus for anyone using the HD 25s in a pro-setting who has a tendency to step on headphone cables is the lack of fixed mounting points for the driver units. They slip on to the headband arms and are held in place by ridges. No screws, or anything permanent.There's been many a time I've stepped on the cable whilst DJing and the driver on the cable side just slips off (or flies off). This avoids ripped cable connectors or snapped parts, so you just push the driver back on the headband and carry on. The drivers can withstand a beating and both of mine still sound identical after 10 years even though one has hit hard floors, hard, more times than I'd like to remember. The industrial-looking bare plastic finish doesn't scratch. I've had no need to replace any other parts beyond renewing the foam.They really are built to last. Even if like me you have your doubts the first time you take them out of the box, as they are rather flexible and don't feel very solid, they are not flimsy and are frankly the most robust pair of headphones I've bought.If you're considering buying them because perhaps a friend told you they are fantastic, and you currently like the sound of your £20 earbuds but fancy an upgrade then you might want to have a listen to them and test them out before buying. They are designed as reference headphones with a flat frequency response and accurate sound - if that's not to your listening taste then you would want to reconsider.Make sure to burn them in first, it makes a difference to the sound quality.The headphones are mostly held in place by the pressure the headband applies to the ear cushions. This is useful when only wearing them with one driver on an ear as they stay put even if they are not balanced on your head. Moving the other driver aside (or down to your neck) doesn't make them fall off as I found some of the heavier circumaural DJ headphones do.For those like me who have a larger head size, they can make your ears a bit tender after a couple of hours wear due to the pressure of the pads against your ear. This did improve after a few months of regular use but it's something to bear in mind if you intend to use these for extended periods of time.I'd say these are definitely worth the price for pro use as I've yet to fault them, the 20yr old design has stood the test of time.If you're buying as a consumer for everyday use then make sure you understand how these differ from regular headphones first otherwise you might be disappointed. They are specifically designed for pro use and listed as such ("for ENG/DJ use" in product title), I'd only give these headphones 3 or 4 stars if they were a consumer model.

I found that the H25s’ went from fairly pants to magical in the first ten or so hours of use. Once run in they are very neutral with a flat frequency response and a tonal accuracy that some may term a little clinical; similar in nature to Grado Headphones (but without the mid-range emphasis). Not as warm and exciting as my AKG 451s’ but overall more musically satisfying. In my opinion far superior to the Sennheiser Momentum 2 that everyone raves about. Not designed as commuter portables, but if you need a small pair of real audiophile quality headphones that afford a reasonable level of sound isolation and real musical satisfaction then definitely try them out. Great monitor level headphones if you are into mixing and recording your own music. Can be critical of poor quality input so better with CD quality or higher resolution input. Bottom line is that I never feel as though they have any significant faults in their presentation and they draw me into the music. Recommended.ProsSound quality. Lots of portable headphones are designed with low frequency bias. The H25s’ are not and have a very neutral and detailed presentation with a fine tonal accuracy. Every part of the music just sounds well balanced and right. They also have a wide sound-stage for closed cup headphones. If you are not used to this presentation then you may consider them a bit analytical or clinical but persevere and you may start to be absorbed in the detail and musical dynamics and find the H25s’ highly musical.Well made. Very sturdy phones and most parts are replaceable.Limited microphoney from the cable. So if you tap the cable you don’t get a large booming in your ear.Even at the full retail price they are worth it.Reasonable sound isolation.Strangely Comfortable. Initially you are aware of a significant pressure applied by the headband to the ear pads and I expected this to become uncomfortable over time, but it doesn't. You are always aware that you are wearing the headphones but the pads soften quite quickly and you get used to the pressure. For me it never becomes uncomfortable and the ear cups do not move around and cause irritation.Good if you wear glasses. The design means that the ear-pads do not touch the arms of glasses.ConsNo carry case or bag supplied.Bulky. The headband and size of ear cup mean that they are not particularly good if you are listening to music whilst lying down.They are not really everyday portable headphones.Make everything sound great, however they really deserve to be used with at least high quality CD resolution music sources.Not stylish but very functional looking.