Sennheiser's New Headphone Range for Q1 2006

Sennheiser refreshed their high-end and mid-range consumer headphones that would be available for the first quarter of 2006. This showcase article gets right down to what the new refresh has in store for you and perhaps even help you nail down the ideal headphone pair you were looking for.

By Daniel Lim - 19 Feb 2006

Sennheiser's New Headphone Range for Q1 2006

When you talk about headphones with substance and reliability, one of the brands you can relate that to is Sennheiser. Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser focuses on microphone technology, RF-wireless and infrared sound transmission, headphone transducer technology, and most recently, in the development of active noise-cancellation. One of the milestones for the company would be the HE90 Orpheus created in 1991. Till date, it is still the world's most expensive headphone system and is perhaps the epitome of headphones with fantastic specifications and performance.

This is perhaps the best pair of headphones in our lifetime.

Though we are not dealing with such class of headphones now, our showcase today is of Senneheiser's latest range of high-end and mid-range consumer headphones that will be available in the first quarter of this year. Coming from Sennheiser, you can be sure that the new range of headphones will suit every user's needs.

HD 435 - Acoustic Lover

The HD 435 is an open, supra-aural pair of headphones with a detachable single-sided cable. From our brief encounter with the headphones, it reproduced sound with warmth and gives an impression of a wide sound stage. Unfortunately bass reproduction on the HD 435 can be muddled at times and this may not bode well with rock and electronic music lovers. As such, the target user group who would appreciate the HD 435's positive aspects would be those who prefer acoustic, folk and classical music.

The HD 435 produces warm sound with a wide sound stage impression.

The headphones rest comfortably on the ears, thanks to the well-padded ear cushions.

It comes with a handy integrated volume control for quick volume adjustments.

HD 205 – The DJ's Choice

The latest Sennheiser headphone in the DJ series is the HD 205. It is a medium-sized dynamic and supra-aural pair of headphones that comes with a single-sided rotate-able ear cup and single-sided cable. From our usage, it provides sufficient shielding from ambient noise and will make an ideal companion for DJs who need to prepare their play list in the midst of blasting loud music. However, the HD 205 isn't the most comfortable headphone for use in long music sessions.

The HD 205 is a rugged pair of headphones catered for the DJs with good shielding from external noise.

Only one side of the headphones can be rotated.

The single-sided cable eases cable management for the busy DJ grooving the turntable.

Specifications:

Frequency Response – 14- 20,000Hz
Min Terminating Impedance – 32 ohms
Max Spl – 112 dB
Transducer Principal – dynamic, closed
Price – US$66.00

PX 200 – White Edition for the iPod

Originally available in black only, the Sennheiser PX 200 now sports a white edition as well. The most interesting feature of this over-the-head designer pair of headphones is its creative fold-and-flip design, which allows you to neatly tuck it away into a small transport case provided. As you can see, the PX 200 is an excellent match for portable devices and now that it comes in white as well, it would be even more ideal for those who have always wanted a good pair of portable headphones to pair up with their white iPod, Zen Vision:M or other audio devices colored white.

The PX 200 white edition is exactly the same as the black model released last year.

The white edition of the PX 200 makes a great companion to the entire white iPod series.

The PX 200 White folds very neatly and can be kept into the transport case provided.

The PX 200 White comes with a transport case for you to keep the headphones compacted in a small footprint for ease of travel.

Specifications:

Frequency Response – 10- 21, 000Hz
Min Terminating Impedance – 32 ohms
Max Spl – 115 dB
Transducer Principal – dynamic, closed
Price – US$70.20

PMX 200 - Combining Good Audio Quality with Street Style Attitude

Add a neckband and more bass to the PM 200 and you get the PMX 200. The new behind-the-head pair of headphones is the solution for users who want good audio quality without having to mess their hairstyle. The PMX 200 produces great bass and is very suitable for rock, pop and electronic music. Though we had a hard time trying to put on the headphones initially, that's something which will require a while getting used to. A great street-class headphone pair that combines sophistication, style and punch; now if only this was foldable too.

The new PMX 200 is targeted at those who demand quality audio playback (with heavy bass) and prefer behind-the-head design wear.

The PMX 200 comes with nice ear cushions and they rest very comfortably on your ears too.

Unlike the PM series, the PMX 200 doesn't fold all the way.

Specifications:

Frequency Response – 10- 21, 000Hz
Min Terminating Impedance – 32 ohms
Max Spl – 115 dB
Transducer Principal – dynamic, open
Price – US$72.00

CX 300 – Music into your ears

The newest earphone pair in Sennheiser's family is the CX 300 in-ear earphones. It comes in two colors of your choice - black or silver. The advantage of in-ear earphones is the good attenuation of ambient noise when it fits nicely into the ear canal. Therefore, to ensure a perfect fit, Sennheiser has provided three ear adapters in various sizes. In our use, the CX 300 was able to deliver strong bass without compromising audio clarity. It is strongly recommended for pop, rock, electronic and even instrumental music genres. About the only complaint we had is of the low quality cabling that might give rise to maintenance issues such as easy tangles or may even simply snap if one isn't careful. However, the CX 300 is a very versatile pair of earphones whose high cost might be justifiable to some.

Adding on to the earphones family, the CX 300 is the first dedicated in-ears earphones from Sennheiser.

To ensure a perfect fit, Sennheiser included three adapters in various sizes.

The CX 300 only comes with a standard 1m cable length.

Specifications:

Frequency Response – 18- 21, 000Hz
Min Terminating Impedance – 16 ohms
Max Spl – 112 dB (1 kHz, 1 Vrms)
Transducer Principal – dynamic, open
Price – US$79.95

PC30 – Entry VoIP headsets

VoIP is becoming very popular now with Skype, MSN, Yahoo! And other instant messengers supporting voice chats. Not neglecting the PC users, Sennheiser introduced the PC series of headphones with microphone boom especially suitable for VoIP, gaming and other voice recognition software input. All headphones from the PC series are certified for use with Skype and the entry models are the PC 20 and PC 30. Both headphones come equipped with noise canceling microphones to ensure seamless and uninterrupted voice chats.

Introducing the entry-level headphones with microphone combo, the new PC 30.

The PC 30 didn't come with any cushion on the headband, which is unlike the higher-end PC 160SK model.

The PC 30 comes with a noise cancelling microphone to ensure voice clarity.

All the PC series headphones come with two 2.5mm mini-jack connectors for audio and microphone headphone inputs.

PC 30 Specifications:

Frequency Response – 40 - 18, 000Hz
Min Terminating Impedance – 32 ohms
Max Spl – 109 dB
Transducer Principal – dynamic, open
Price – US$36.30

PC160 – Especially for PC Gaming

Gamers, especially Counter-Strike players wanting the absolute best in their gaming gear really should not miss out on the special edition PC160SK stereo pro-gaming headset from Sennheiser Communications. This pair of headphones rests very comfortably on your ears while the microphone and its boom arm are without a doubt the party piece of the PC160SK.

Using the headphones, we found that the overall frequency response was a little flat, lacking drive in the higher bands for a richer, fuller audio experience. Bass on the other hand was sweetly taken care of by the PC160SK, which gave us reason to suspect that the frequency response was perhaps intentionally tuned down to make the headset easier on the ears than if it was harsher on higher frequencies. That being said, using the PC160SK headset for music listening is not highly recommended, especially if you are used to a fuller audio staging. On the other hand, the microphone felt clearer and more defined than the average desktop microphone, while the positioning and the build quality of the microphone appendage and its robust rotating hub are also worth commending. The Sennheiser PC160SK definitely mixes some good elements towards being game friendly, but it's certainly no master of all trades as we found.

If you are looking for a good pair of headphones for gaming, look no further than the PC160SK.

The PC160SK is generously cushioned on the ear pads and headband for the extra comfort.

To adjust volume quickly, the PC160SK comes with an integrated volume control on the cable.

The microphone is without a doubt the party piece of the PC160SK.

PC160SK Specifications:

Frequency Response – 15 - 23, 000Hz
Min Terminating Impedance – 16 ohms
Max Spl – 114 dB
Price – US$130

MM series - Good for Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are no longer just a simple conversational device. It has evolved into a multi-purpose device with built-in camera and music playback capabilities. For those who use your mobile phone's audio and radio features frequently, you will want to upgrade the stock earphones to Sennheiser's high-quality MM series earphones. With an integrated microphone, the MM series can also be used to make phone calls with equally good voice playback.