Sennheiser hd 2.30 i review

From Sennheiser’s HD 2 series comes the Sennheiser HD 2.30 – a relatively compact, yet powerful set of headphones, that is sure to appeal to the masses.

The HD 2.30 is advertised as “a compact, extremely lightweight pair of headphones that makes it easy to get the most out of portable devices,” and Sennheiser stays true to this. I was surprised at the sound quality that I got out of something relatively small and so utterly light. It packs a lot in a small, aesthetically pleasing package.

Performance

For its size, the HD 2.30 delivers a stunning bass and crisp acoustics without compromising the sound quality even a little bit. The headphones do isolate you, but that’s only if they’re adjusted perfectly and snug around your ears. But even without the sound isolation, it’s still a pleasure to listen to the fast paced sounds and upbeat bass from bands like the Foo Fighters – a mesmerising experience, in my honest opinion.

The headphones do leak a little bit of noise, but that’s expected as soon as you see the earcups, which are on ear and not circumaural. However, the premium leatherette earcups are extremely comfortable and soft around the ears, even if they’re adjusted tightly, which does take quite a bit to get right. At times, I found myself having to hold the earcups to my ears just to hear the full effect of the headphones.

Noise cancellation with these headphones is prominent, as I found myself staring at my family while they talked around me and I couldn’t even hear a single word. Although, that could be because my volume was up high.

Speaking of volume, I found that the Sennheiser HD 2.30 was loud enough without me needing to go over half the volume on my smartphone! That’s something I’m always glad to find.

Comfort & Design

As was aforementioned, the earcups of the Sennheiser HD 2.30 are extremely soft and they don’t get uncomfortable even after prolonged use! Understandably, the HD 2.30 is lightweight, even when worn, and offers a simple design for even the most self-conscious audiophile such as myself. Wearing them in public didn’t make me uncomfortable at all, and because they’re relatively thin in size, I was okay walking around with them all day.

The HD 2.30 comes with a detachable 3.5mm cable, that has a 3-button inline remote plus microphone which also lets you control your music accordingly. It also comes with a carrying case if you’re taking them on the go, but the HD 2.30 is extremely portable even without the case since you can fold them up and make it compact.

I personally think the Sennheiser HD 2.30 is one of Sennheiser’s most unsuspecting, yet best headphones to date. It’s priced at AED 349, and I definitely think you should check it out if you’re in the market for new headphones.

With plenty of brand new models flooding headphone market, Sennheiser has many options to choose from. For bass enthusiasts desiring portability, though, three models in particular rise to the occasion. But among those three models – the HD 2.10, the HD 2.20, and the HD 2.30 – which one should you choose?

All three HD 2 models feature an on-ear design with pad-like cushions. The headbands are slim and flexible without feeling cheap or flimsy. Comfort is decent, too, and while the on-ear design can be fatiguing for listeners with larger ears, the soft pleather padding on the earcups does much to prevent such unpleasantness.

All three models feature a 4.6 ft (1.4 m) fixed cable. While the HD 2.10 features no remote, the HD 2.20 features a single-button remote and in-line mic optimized for various smartphones and tablets. The HD 2.30 offers a three-button remote and in-line mic for iOS or Samsung Galaxy devices (designated as the 2.30i or 2.30G, respectively).

Specs

HD 2.10 HD 2.20 HD 2.30 Price $49.95 $69.95 $89.95 Frequency Range 18-18000 Hz 18-18000 Hz 18-22000 Hz Impedance 26 ohms 26 ohms 22 ohms Speaker Pressure Level (SPL) 110 dB 112 dB 115 dB Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) <0.5% <0.5% <0.5%

As we can see from these specifications, the HD 2.10 and 2.20 appear remarkably similar, while the biggest difference exists between those models and the HD 2.30. The higher-end 2.30 offers slightly more high-end detail, a lower nominal impedance (for better efficiency), and louder volume.

Low End

All of these headphones offer some detail with the low end, but the HD 2.20 and the HD 2.30 offer a bit more. Detail on the HD 2.10 can be a bit fuzzy at times, but this lack of articulation is more than made up for by booming bass. The HD 2.20, by comparison, seem to dial back the bass just a little bit more, leading to what seems like a high quality sound, even if it is a bit more subdued. The HD 2.30 features more bass than the 2.20, but still sounds as clean in terms of bleed.

Mids

The midrange throughout this series is surprisingly decent. The HD 2.10 has a little bit more distortion than the other two models, occasionally appearing in the low and high mids. The HD 2.20 is a bit cleaner, with imperfections only in the upper mids, and most present in male vocals. Finally, the HD 2.30 is the cleanest of them all, but still suffers from the slightest bit of distortion.

High End

Highs on all three models are fairly laid back and subdued, as evidenced by the frequency range in the Specs Section of this review. The HD 2.10 features the least amount of detail, while the HD 2.30 features a bit more. But I was most impressed by the high end detail in the HD 2.20, despite it being cheaper than the HD 2.30. None of these headphones sound necessarily bright – not even the 2.30, despite its higher frequency range.

Soundstage

All of these headphones deliver a relatively unimpressive sense of soundstage. While the HD 2.20 and 2.30 feature some depth, the depth on the HD 2.10 is almost nonexistent. Placement on all three models is lacking. While the headphones still sound decent in general, those seeking a more realistic sound will be hampered by the on-ear design and lack of higher-end fidelity.

Overall Impressions

The HD 2.10 is an inexpensive point of entry to this series, and even though the sound seems a bit lacking in comparison to the other models, the quality is still worthy of props in comparison to other models from other manufacturers. The HD 2.20 provides a step up in almost every category, but especially in terms of the high end, which sounds as detailed, but smoother. Finally, the more-expensive HD 2.30 provides the most impressive low end and midrange of all three models. The bass, too, while not as intense as the 2.10, is still cleaner.

Recommendations

For those seeking intense, thumping bass (and not much else), I’d recommend the HD 2.10. For anyone seeking a bit more in terms of clarity, but still maintaining that bass, I’d tell them to consider the HD 2.30, even if it is more expensive. The HD 2.20 seems more of a do-anything type of headphone – and this is the one I would probably recommend the most. It’s not quite as expensive as the 2.30, but still sounds as good (or at times, even better). Of course, this model lacks the bass found on the HD 2.10, but more than makes up for that in terms of accuracy.

Final Analysis

The HD 2.10, 2.20, and 2.30 offer portability and performance at a lower price than other competitors. While the HD 2.10 and 2.30 seem to concentrate more on a bassy sound with a recessed high end, the HD 2.20 steals the show as the headphone you can take anywhere no matter what kind of music you’re into.

Is Sennheiser really that good?

Sennheiser headphones have a reputation of being high quality and reliable audio equipment. This is due to their commitment to research, development, and producing superior sound quality. you will benefit from the comfortable design, durability and excellent sound quality that Sennheiser provides.

Why is Sennheiser so expensive?

Build Quality and Materials: Sennheiser often uses high-quality materials in the construction of their headphones, including durable metals, genuine leather, and high-grade plastics. The build quality contributes to the overall durability and comfo.

Is Sennheiser high quality?

Sennheiser is a German audio company producing high-quality headphones for over 75 years. Founded in 1945 by Fritz Sennheiser, the company started out producing components for radios before branching out into headphones.

How good is Sennheiser noise Cancelling?

Some Sennheiser headphones block or cancel noise effectively, but unlike other brands like Sony or Bose, they don't have the best isolation for similar headphones. Expensive. Although Sennheiser offers many cheap models, their better-sounding headphones tend to be more expensive than the competition.