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Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Wow, I am surprised at how some people can claim that they are true audiophiles but in fact they know nothing about audio. I think the bottom line is that they like to listen to music as a hobby... but that's about it. First of all, these headphones are not "inefficient." The reason the sound isn't loud on your portable music device (in which case you have to crank up the volume) is because those devices draw very little current... say 150mA for 16 hours of playback. That's the reason why headphone amps exist. You just can't plug in any headphone to a device and say that just because the sound isn't loud enough the headphones aren't very good. If one device is running at 1.8V and the other at 5V, most of the time the sound is going to be much better on the 5V, with the same headphones. Also, the earbuds that come with your portable devices sound loud because they have low resistance... but their frequency response sucks. Loud does not necessarily mean good. Secondly, the HD 470 is rated at 32 ohms. Inefficient? Many good headphones are rated at 32 or 64 ohms. Studio headphones can be rated at 300 ohms, but they sound pristine. It actually doesn't matter what resistance the headphones are rated if you have a good amp. I suspect most of you don't have a good amp. Do you expect the headphones to sound good from your laptop computer jack? Frequency response is also important as well! The HD 470 it has a very good frequency response... 22Hz to 22KHz, which means it is capable of playing deep bass and high treble. My only gripe about this headphone is that there is an emphasis on the bass, and you can really tell. I haven't checked out the frequency response of this headphone, but I suspect it isn't totally flat. The treble is good, but could be better. Overall, these headphones are definitely a step up from your $10/$20 phones. If you think these headphones suck, get a good amplifier or get a better sound card for your computer. You can't expect the headphones to be good if you're equipment isn't good.

Strengths:
Very good sound. Lightweight.

Weaknesses:
Bass heavy. Treble could be better.

Price Paid:  $12.00 from Ebay

Summary:
Well, I just got them today so I'll try not to be too hard on them......They stink. No, I guess it depends what you're used to. They ARE inefficient as another reviewer wrote. I'm using an Ipod which has enough power for a portable. At this price, many people may be looking to use this with a portable and you may be disappointed. I've bought & sold many hard drive based mp3 players and most of the phones that come with them like the Rio Riot, Ipod, RCA Lyra, etc. seem to blow these away. They might be okay if they were more efficient. They sound underpowered. They're also a little high. (too much treble) which can make your teeth grind. I still like my Sony MDR300's best, although they are a little too low end. They still sound great. Got them on Clearance for $30 at BestBuy so I guess you get what you pay for

Strengths:
Does play a pretty full spectrum of sound. Clear & crisp.

Weaknesses:
Non-efficient, a little too high. Volume must be up pretty high when using a portable device

Similar Products Used:
Senn Earbuds, Sony MDR300s, Senn PX100s

Price Paid:  $15.00 from Ubid

Summary:
This is not the headphone to use with audiophile quality gear, and anyone reviewing it on that basis misses the point of how these phones should be used. I have employed them with portable devices - MP3 and CD players. They are perfect for that application. Primarily, they are light weight and comfortable. Slide on and need no adjustment. Next they provide a decent bass response that is usually lacking in the phones that are supplied with the units. I have a set of Sennheiser 580s, which are great cans, but I prefer the 470s for use with portables. Plus they are plentiful and really cheap at the various auction sites.

Strengths:
Comfort, bass

Weaknesses:
None for the price that they can be purchased

Similar Products Used:
Sennheiser 433, 535 and 580. Sony

Price Paid:  $90.00 from Bay Bloor Radio

Summary:
For the price, these are the best earphones. Someone said earlier that if you hook them up to a component (AMP, CD Player, etc...) you will hear their limits, but thats not what these are for. I totally agree. If you want to buy earphones to listen to your stereo, or movies...then there are other earphones out there for the same price that will sound much better. But these are amazing for portable audio devices. You can keep them on for hours and still feel comfortable. The sound is very clear, nice high's and rich bass. They can handle classical music to dance just as easily. Once again, for the price...there is nothing better.

Strengths:
Comfortable, light weight, nice full sound.

Weaknesses:
Some people say they have an odd design...well, who cares? Shouldn't you care what they SOUND like, and not what they LOOK like?? If you were going hiking...would you sacrafice the more comfortable boots for the ones that looked better?? Probably not, because you buy products for what they are meant to do. Boots are for walking, earphones are for LISTENING. And thats all that should matter...and in this case, the listening experience is incredible.

Similar Products Used:
Denon 410, Koss Porta-Pro

Price Paid:  $80.00 from Hifi shop

Summary:
Ahh another Sennheiser to my stable. I can't seem to get enough of the German maker's headphones (having owned nearly 1/2 a dozen pairs in as many years). Bought these to hook up to a Sony Discman as the earbuds supplied with it are deeply under par. They were old stock when I purchased them but I think the HD-470 Headmax look way way cooler than the new models. Ughh. Some like the styling, some hate it. I don't. Groovey baby. For 80 bucks AUS I didn't put too high expectations on them. They're nowhere near as good as a pair of HD-590 which I also own. But hey...those are hardly portable and bear a premium price tag (of around $450). For the record though they sound great. Not the most efficient phones around at their price point. If you use them on a portable unit like Discman, MD, or MP3 player they demand quite a bit of juice to get them happening. The volume level on mine is set about 4 notches down from the top level. I personally think that this is the way Sennheiser intended when designing these. You can listen to them for a very long period of time at a comfortable level and your ears wont hurt. Neither will your head - like most Sennheisers, the HD470s are very comfortable. Treble is sweet, bubbly and detailed but a little forward. Bass is quick and punchy (these things love techno and modern grunge metal/rock). Doesn't quite go deep enough for my tastes but thats more to do with the Senn's being of a circumaural openback design. Overall this is another good model from Sennheiser. Value for money is pretty much unbeatable - sound vs dollar ratio is spot on.

Strengths:
A lot of people disagree but I think they look cool. Very stylish. Sound superb with portable equipment. Warm, airy and totally natural sound.

Weaknesses:
Bit inefficient so they dont go that loud. Hook them up to a home audio rig and you'll hear their limits. But thats not really the ideal use for them anyway.

Similar Products Used:
Sennheiser and only Sennheiser!