Sennheiser

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Sennheiser

107 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  What product category has gotten worse in quality, even at the premium level?

  You won't find me arguing. I replied to the OPs explicit posting-"What product category has gotten worse in quality, even at the premium level?" There have been monthly posts here begging the sub to return to "Buy it for Life" (the life of the person buying the product). That train of being way off from original mission left the station at least 5 years ago. Most kids on here ask about laptops, earbuds, gaming devices, socks, underpants. I've owned a pair of wired Sennheiser for over 50 years--still work and sound great.

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• #2Dec 30, 2025

  What product category has gotten worse in quality, even at the premium level?

  You can still buy good wired headphones, but you aren't going to find them next to the $20 ones at the local store. You'll need to look up the companies that sell to professional recording studios or audiophiles like Sennheiser or Audio-Technica. As a note, ear buds were never made to last; it was a huge complaint/concern when they were announced early on that they would lose a good portion of their battery 2 years into usage, just because a battery that size won't last long and it was clearly not made to be replaceable.

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• #3Dec 30, 2025

  What product category has gotten worse in quality, even at the premium level?

  Yup . I have a 50 year old pair of Sennheiser that work great!

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• #4Dec 27, 2025

  any gaming headset with low latency actually built to last? tired of plastic junk breaking in months

  I do the second set up! I have Sennheiser momentum 4s that I plug in to my yeti mic and it was life changing after using gaming headsets with the built in mics for as long as I could remember

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• #5Dec 27, 2025

  any gaming headset with low latency actually built to last? tired of plastic junk breaking in months

  You get a pair of good headphone, I use the senheiser HDB idk which number, and a good mic, El gato is what I use, and become content with all the sounds you can hear in gaming now

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• #6Dec 26, 2025

  any gaming headset with low latency actually built to last? tired of plastic junk breaking in months

  Stop buying anything labeled "gamer" this includes chairs, speakers, Mics, and headphones. The "gamer" title is washed up, geared towards ignorant parents, and children. I use Sennheiser studio quality headphones, I've had them for 10 years now, I change the pads every couple of years and I've changed the cable once. Get yourself a basic (not Chinese junk) DAC as well. You're gonna have to do research but there are plenty of audiophile resources out there for you to find a reliable product that's not a gold plated toilet.

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• #7Dec 26, 2025

  any gaming headset with low latency actually built to last? tired of plastic junk breaking in months

  Get the Drop Sennheiser pc38x I've got one of the older cheaper Drop headsets and the quality is extremely good.

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• #8Dec 26, 2025

  any gaming headset with low latency actually built to last? tired of plastic junk breaking in months

  V-MODA Crossfade-2. Some tips: You'll want to pick up an aftermarket modification for the earcups as the ones they come with don't provide the best padding, especially for long sessions. As far as BIFL goes, they're made by a company whose primary business is manufacturing headsets for the US Military. Durability is their first, middle, and last name. I have a pair and I can tell you that "military grade" is not an exaggeration. Had em for almost a decade (they don't even make the version I have anymore), dropped them 1000s of times, a friend dropped a sofa on the headband, and while it did break a chunk off, it still does the job well. The worst thing that happened was one of the screws holding the driver/earcup to the headband sheared off, but the company mailed me a repair kit free of charge. They're still holding strong to this day. Low latency, high quality, and most of the headsets have a wire-mounted microphone. Alternately, Sennheiser has dedicated gaming headsets. Although I do have growing concerns as to the brand's pivot in recent years, I have yet to be disappointed by their durability and build quality. I've owned, over the years, multiple HD518s and HD598s, and am currently geared out with an HD800 headset and an e835 microphone routed into a Yamaha Mix8/Onkyo HT-RC260. At bottom, if you want a good system that's going to put in the work and last a long while, stick to trusted, legacy brands that have an emphasis in pro-grade audio (talking things that actual audio engineers and concert halls use, or, with V-MODA, the US Military as well as top-grossing EDM producers & DJs). The second note is that the more features you add to a system, the more points of failure you introduce into it. Buy a microphone, a stand, and a simple Focusrite Scarlett 2 Channel interface. That way if one component of your signal chain malfunctions, it's far easier to troubleshoot and/or replace parts, and doesn't completely cripple you by having one single point of failure.

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• #9Dec 26, 2025

  any gaming headset with low latency actually built to last? tired of plastic junk breaking in months

  Sennheiser and AKG too. These Germans are good at BIFL headphones.

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• #10Dec 26, 2025

  any gaming headset with low latency actually built to last? tired of plastic junk breaking in months

  Then get either a professional(non-gaming) headset, or get professional headphones and microphone(non-gaming) For example right now I have an Audient id4 mk2 interface, BeyerDynamic DT770 headphones, and a Sennheiser MKE600 mic on my desk. Free yourself of the gaming market and there's so many good choices that will last for many years. If you want a headset, get a professional headset that would be used on the job, not a gaming headset.

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• #11Dec 25, 2025

  Sennheiser HD555 from 2008 Mine are from the old ‘Made in Ireland’ run.

  I have some HD555s as well, had them since 2010 I think. Use them everyday for work!

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• #12Dec 25, 2025

  Sennheiser HD555 from 2008 Mine are from the old ‘Made in Ireland’ run.

  Yep, PXC550 II still my favourite, very comfy and great noise cancellation. battery life still holding up for me, thankfully. When batteries give up, I'll solder in replacements.

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• #13Dec 25, 2025

  Sennheiser HD555 from 2008 Mine are from the old ‘Made in Ireland’ run.

  Yeah pxc550, still my favorite but low battery life and two pairs of earcups, HD450BT and the worst of the group the Momentum 4 on/off switch broke have to use them wired.

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• #14Dec 25, 2025

  Sennheiser HD555 from 2008 Mine are from the old ‘Made in Ireland’ run.

  It's rare that electronics fall into the "buy it for life" category but Sennheiser's are just fantastic.

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• #15Dec 23, 2025

  Looking for DURABLE noise-cancelling wireless over-ear headphones will last longer than 2 years

  I've had my Sennheiser Momentum 3s for over five years, used almost daily. They sound and feel amazing, have a great battery, and show very little signs of wear. I paid $430 for them, they are now on [Amazon ](https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Momentum-Wireless-Cancelling-Functionality/dp/B08B3MJBW8?th=1)for $200. Strong recommend.

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• #16Dec 22, 2025

  Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds for Sleeping, Calls, Airplane - Recommendations on Reddit

  Seinheiser, Bose or Sony That is it

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• #17Dec 22, 2025

  What are the Best Earbuds for Travel Now? Recommended

  For Father’s Day my family got me these [Sennheiser ear buds](https://us.sennheiser-hearing.com/collections/in-ear-headphones/products/momentum-true-wireless-4) and they’ve been super duper as far as I’m concerned. 👌🏽

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• #18Dec 22, 2025

  What are the Best Earbuds for Travel Now? Recommended

  For nice Bass, consistent working, and decent sound quality • Sony WF‑1000XM5 is the best. If you want overrall best sounding sennheiser momentum 4 wireless with clear mids and highs.

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• #19Dec 21, 2025

  My Bose headphones died today after 9 years of use and travel. Any suggestions on a good replacement?

  Sennheiser 630 HDB

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• #20Dec 5, 2025

  Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose Quietcomfort Ultra Gen 2

  My Sennheiser PXC550 finally stopped taking a charge last week. I got about 9 years out of them. I ordered another set of Sennheisers. Sony's been on my no buy list for a long time because of a pair of headphones that only lasted a year or so. I chose Sennheiser over Bose because they supposedly sound better.

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• #21Dec 5, 2025

  Looking into closed back headphones with detachable cables, which of these options I've considered are more durable

  Hey !!

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• #22Dec 4, 2025

  Something you didn’t expect to be BIFL but outlasted your expectations?

  Sennheiser earbuds. I don’t know what type they are since they’re already nearly 20 years old (if not older), but they still work, still have the same amazing sound and the bass is also still fully functional. I don’t think it cost me more than €25 or something when I got it.

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• #23Dec 3, 2025

  Alternatives to AirPods?

  I really like my Senn Momentum 4’s. Both sound great and have solid noise cancelling, but the senn’s are just more comfortable in my ear,

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• #24Dec 1, 2025

  Bluetooth headphones with good audio quality for every day use

  Devices like e-readers can last very long . If you got the senheiser m4, which have 60h of battery life, even after they wear down they'd still provide more hours of listening than , say, a pair of AirPods Max.

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• #25Nov 5, 2025

  What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?

  Sennheiser are a guaranteed win no matter what your budget.

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• #26Nov 4, 2025

  What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?

  Im an audio guy and after many years of optimizing playback solutions imo there are two very clear answers: Sennheiser 6XX for full size, and Etymotic ER2XR for IEMs.  The sennies can be found new for around 200 and the Etymotics are around 130 new. I found them uncomfortable and the cables are definitely microphonic but you can get aftermarket tips. For pure $/sound i think they are the strongest I've ever personally heard.  Another outside option is Grado SRs, for under 100 I love the sound. Build quality and comfort is meh but they look cool and sound excellent. They aren't a great match for every genre though, read up if interested. 

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• #27Nov 4, 2025

  What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?

  Sennheiser HD 599s have served me well for the past 7 years. Although I got them for $95 and now they're listed $150-200 most places, I'd buy again today.

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• #28Nov 4, 2025

  What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?

  Sennheiser 280 pro. I have 3 pairs, one from 2002. I replaced the foam once on that one, but original cord (???how???), and they still sound great. To top it off, I once had one break while on extended vacation in asia - one speaker went buzzy. They expressed me a replacement to Japan with an apology.

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• #29Nov 4, 2025

  What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?

  Used to always see Sennheiser reccomended, but Sony have also been really good for me. I did have Frontier headphones which were the best but they came in a end of line sale so a bit pricey usually.

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• #30Nov 4, 2025

  What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?

  \- Sennheiser HD 650 \- Philips High Fidelio X2 . They are open headphones. So great big soundstage. Awesome sound for films and gaming. I love them for Metal and Electronic music. They also are really comfortable and have a very enjoyable sound. I can and do use them for 10-12 hour sessions without my ears hurting or getting tired. But of course only for at home use really.

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• #31Nov 4, 2025

  What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?

  You'll get better answrs on r/headphones... but on value long term, try a used Sennheiser HD 560S or Drop HD 58X. Open back, comfy, detachable cables, and easy to fix, so they outlast most ANC models If you prefer closed? Sony MDR-7506 is a tank. No amp needed

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• #32Nov 4, 2025

  What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?

  If you’re looking for quality v price, I would be investigating wired headphones. - Grado SR60 (open back) - Sennheiser HD280 (closed back) Those are gonna be your best bet for sound quality and price. If you are looking for wireless and ANC, your choices under $100 are gonna be notably worse, audio quality-wise. Thats just the nature of that price point. The Anker headphones are fine for the price. A couple other good options: - JBL tune 670nc - Sony WH-CH270n

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• #33Nov 4, 2025

  What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?

  Sennheiser HD6XX

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• #34Nov 4, 2025

  Headphones for sensitive friend

  1. 99% of integrated mics are trash - go for dedicated one, like nlue snowball. 2. He may want to checkout open back headphones like panqsonic shp9500/9600, or sennhaiser hd560s - they let sorrounding sound in. 3. If he wants closeback - sony mdr 7506, sennhaiser hd280pro, or beyerdynamic dt770 are great options. If you want more reccomendations checkout r/headphoneadvice 4. I cant name one bt headphone thats built decenlty, sony xm4s are lifestyle product.

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• #35Nov 1, 2025

  In ear headphones. Plz help. Tired of replacing constantly.

  I haven't tried them personally, but the sennheiser momentum sport earbuds might be worth looking at.

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• #36Oct 10, 2025

  Over ear headphone recs?

  Check out fiio btr series of products - they allow you to convert wired headphones via bt. Up to the headphones - depends on your budget, but example models are Sennheiser 280pro, 560s and Beyerdynamic dt770.

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• #37Oct 10, 2025

  Over ear headphone recs?

  the answer is easy---so Buy it for Life, corded headphones can be amazing and many units had removable cords . I have a pair of Sennheiser that are over 50 years old--amazing! You already know that blue tooth products don't always last for years. It's audio---one usually purchases audio first and foremost based on the sound quality they are seeking.

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• #38Oct 5, 2025

  Wireless earbuds that still let you hear outside?

  Senhiser momentum tw3

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• #39Oct 3, 2025

  Which everyday item do you wish had a true BIFL version?

  Sennheisers HD 650 can be endlessly repaired, been in production over 20 years and parts are readily available.

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• #40Oct 3, 2025

  Are Focal Bathys headphones a ‘buy it for life’?

  I gather the Utopia has much better build quality than the Clear, which is what I owned. (For $5000 you’d hope so!) My best pair is the Audeze LCD-4. It may not prove to be a BIFL purchase, but it sounds amazing (especially with EQ) and I got it for a good price. The best-built TOTL is probably still the Sennheiser HD800/800S. Meze and ZMF might be more “heirloom-ish,” but I'm not really the target audience for those.

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• #41Oct 2, 2025

  Searching for stable headphones

  You might want to look at brands like Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, or Sony’s higher-end models. They tend to last much longer, especially their wired options. A solid headband and replaceable ear pads can make a huge difference in durability.

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• #42Oct 2, 2025

  Searching for stable headphones

  Everything with bluetooth will have a low lifespan. Get studio headphones where you can replace cables and pads. Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic etc.

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• #43Oct 2, 2025

  Searching for stable headphones

  Any serious brand should last a while. I like Sennheiser and Koss, many like Audio-Technica, the Sony MDR stuff is used professionally, there's a whole world of good cans outside of the fashion brands.

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• #44Sep 8, 2025

  Do you think there are any headphones that are buy for life?

  Sennheiser HD 25. Almost every part is replaceable and they've been around over 20 years now.

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• #45Sep 7, 2025

  Looking for some Nice Headphones

  Philips shp9500 or 9600 are probably the best for directional sounds open backed pretty comfy but you cannot replace the pads or headstrap when they eventually get nasty or start falling apart. Sennheiser Hd280 pros, Audio technica ath-m40x. These are both closed headphones so the directional sound isn't the best but the cables, pads, and headstrap are all replaceable and customizable they have a very durable design.

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• #46Sep 5, 2025

  Brands That Used to Be BIFL — But Aren't Anymore?

  Bose - Gave up on me 1.5 years in. Couldn't be repaired but got full restitution. Sennheiser - Gave up on me one month out of warranty. They didn't want to repair it, it didn't matter if I paid for it or not. They basically said: buy new one. As you can imagine; these companies don't get my money anymore.

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• #47Sep 4, 2025

  Brands That Used to Be BIFL — But Aren't Anymore?

  Sennheiser headphones We had a 9 month oddesey and a few calls to Slovakia to sort out a pair that shouldn’t have broken so easily in the first place.

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• #48Aug 11, 2025

  Can anyone give me recommendations on wired open back headphones for listening to music?

  Sennheiser HD6xx or HD58x will probably be your best bet, IMO.

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• #49Aug 11, 2025

  Can anyone give me recommendations on wired open back headphones for listening to music?

  At that budget and priority I’d be looking for a pair of Sennheiser HD600s on sale or lightly used. Those could easily be forever headphones with no need to upgrade ever.

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• #50Jul 8, 2025

  Looking for wired earphones without noise cancelling

  These. MDRs are used by broadcasters + i've had mine since college (1990) radio days. Easy to replace ear foam pads if they get gross. Or Sennheiser HDs(?) that DJs use. Both last and are totally worth cost of around $100. 

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• #51Jul 7, 2025

  Looking for wired earphones without noise cancelling

  beyerdynamic dt 770 is a classic for about 150€ But if you are looking for something truly BIFL you need something with a decatchable cable like a Audio-Technica ATH-M50 X or a Sennheiser of you want something open back

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• #52Jul 3, 2025

  Need a good wireless headset for work…any ideas?

  I bought the sennheiser momentum’s and I love them. I would never pay full price, but the refurbished ones are the way to go. Maybe not in your budget given the options you mentioned, but generic Amazon headphones won’t be BIFL (or as BIFL as any Bluetooth product can be)

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• #53Jul 1, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  I bought Sennheiser PXC300 back in 2007 and even bought a 2 year warranty with it. They've been all over the world with me and I've replaced the ear pads a couple times, but still going strong. I really want them to die so I can justify getting bluetooth ones.

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• #54Jul 1, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  These aren't must haves for anyone else, but they've served me well: - Herman Miller Aeron office chair - IBM Model F keyboard\* - Sennheiser HD600 headphones - Stanley thermos - Lodge cast iron skillet (\*The Model M is still in production by Unicomp and is better for most people, but the Model F is less prone to wear.)

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• #55Jun 13, 2025

  The ultimate pair of earbuds!

  Sennheiser HD 25 MK II's and over ear pads.

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• #56Jun 6, 2025

  Looking into closed back headphones with detachable cables, which of these options I've considered are more durable

  Sennheiser hd25 Lights are super tough, sound, good, removable cable. Koss has a lot of cable failures from my experience. You can get replacement parts for the Senns if needed. The regular 25s have a ridiculous articulating headband but the lights are simple. Same hardware different band basically. Wearing mine now and everyday really durable and sound is good. Easy to drive. Maybe check some reviews a lot of different sounds, comfort, and drivability, etc in these offereings.

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• #57Jun 6, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?

  I also got Sennheiser headphones, they’re corded so I use them mostly for work in my office and listening to vinyl, but I love them and they’ll probably never die. I got some Sony Bluetooth over-ear headphones I use for travel, and I love those as well- recent purchase, but I suspect they’ll last a long time as well.

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• #58Jun 5, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?

  Sennheiser ie80s, bought for the replaceable cable. I go through a £9 cable once every year ish and I've had them for nearly 10 years. I got them for £150. The cost I'd have had to pay for even mediocre in-ear-earphones that broke as frequently is at least a few times as much as I've spent on these and they're objectively much much better sounding.

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• #59Jun 5, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?

  Bonus points for buying the sennheiser off of drop.com - same headphones or similar just a lower price. The drop 6XX is one of the best deals in hifi.

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• #60Jun 5, 2025

  Companies with reliable “right to repair” products: can we compile a list?

  Sennheiser Framework Fairphone Valve Bosch Stihl Miele It is important to also mention the blacklist, companies that should be shamed and shunned, the opposite of BIFL: Nintendo, apple, john deere, tesla, dyson...

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• #61Jun 5, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?

  Quick reminder for anyone who reads Sennheiser and skips the "HD Series" part of this: Sennheiser Momentum and Sennheiser HDxx are DIFFERENT COMPANIES!!! Momentum is their consumer line, and is subpar build quality, whereas their HDxx are properly audiophile-grade. TLDR: Don't be fooled by the consumer division of Sennheiser

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• #62Jun 5, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?

  Yes! I've had the same pair of Sennheiser HD380 Pro for about 15 years now. Replaced the cushions twice in that time and always keep them in the case when not in use. They simply will not die. I'm convinced they'll outlive me.

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• #63Jun 5, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?

  Sennheiser is also amazing at providing replacement parts and keeping things repairable. Right now I have the HD560s and the sound is amazing for something under 200€, and if you check what reviewers say about their HD600...

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• #64Jun 5, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?

  I do love my Senn. HD 280 PRO's. A sound engineer friend suggested them and they're fantastic. The leather (or whatever material lines the foam cushioning) has peeled off the earbuds and is starting to peel off of the head band, but I don't mind the aesthetics and can get new foam surrounds for the ear pieces. And they were at or under $100? They're currently $99.95.

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• #65Jun 5, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that way outperformed its price?

  Victorinox and Opinel knives. Decathlon clothes and trekking gear. Sennheiser HD series headphones.

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• #66May 9, 2025

  Need a reliable pair of earbuds that won't die on me.

  Sennheiser CX Plus. Battery lasts forever and they sound amazing. I'm going on 3 years with them.

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• #67May 9, 2025

  Need a reliable pair of earbuds that won't die on me.

  If you want long-term reliability, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless is a solid pick — great sound and better battery longevity.

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• #68May 7, 2025

  Need new Over ear headphones

  Sennheiser Momentum (I think that is the right model) are very good X

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• #69May 7, 2025

  Need new Over ear headphones

  You're buying it for life---try some high end CANS. I've had a pair of Sennheiser--just replace the foam--for over 45 years.

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• #70May 2, 2025

  need bluetooth earbuds that rest on your neck and are attached to a cable

  Sennheiser and Bose are the only two brands I had experience with and that was 10 years ago? Both really good options. Not even sure what and if they carry in that style today.

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• #71Apr 10, 2025

  MMX 200 Wireless - Beyerdynamic let me down after just 6 months

  I can also vouce for the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X's. I put my pair through a decent amount of abuse (many accidental drops, cord tugs, etc...) and they are still in perfect working condition. The ear cups and cable can be replaced as well. Overall a fantastic sounding headphone at a similar price point.

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• #72Apr 3, 2025

  Any good WIRED earbuds?

  I recently picked up the Sennheiser IE 200, and they're fantastic. The sound is smooth and balanced, with good bass intensity, though it's not super deep. They're dual-tunable, which means you can adjust the sound signature by changing the ear tip position. Plus, they look great and are super comfortable. No mic or remote, but if you're just looking for great sound, these are a steal for under $150

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• #73Apr 1, 2025

  Best headphones for work?

  Depends, if you have your own office, I'd suggest some Beyerdynamic or Sennheiser that are open back. Great quality sound and you'll still hear everything even knock on the door (if music not too loud), but on the other hand everyone near you will hear everything too. And no mic, but honestly I bought a clip on mic for 10€ and it's more than enough.

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• #74Apr 1, 2025

  Best headphones for work?

  I've been pretty happy with my Sennheiser PXC 550s. I've had them for about 10 years at this point. I prefer over the ear headphones because anything on the ear on in the ear hurts after awhile. One resource you can look at is audio spectrograms of different headphones. That will show how well they each do at different frequencies. Just google something like: audio spectrogram pxc 550.

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• #75Mar 12, 2025

  I (19M) need help with the mentality of "Buy it For Life" itself

  This sub has made a new meaning for products that were / are buy it for life. People now are routinely posting on things that simply are not going to last a life time. It used to be hand tools, pocket knives , wind up watches, a really good pair of adult boots or a leather jacket, motor run tools and appliances that can be serviced and put back into operation, cast iron cook ware, fountain pens, double edge razors that take blades or straight edge razors, add to that shaving mugs, cutlery, old corning ware and pyrex, certain brands of eye glass frames or sunglasses, wool goods properly cared for, leather bags, fountain pens, certain makes and models of trucks (though I had a Toyota that I ran till 490,000 miles with routine maintenance--thing rusted in places that finally was time to pass it on), old chains, anvils, kitchen utensils, wooden spoons, gardening goods, my old baseball gloves Now folks have made the category electronic watches (no), computer goods (no). I do have the original Mac Mini (still works) but I can't possibly use it for daily use computing, people post about air fryers? (no no) When I see something that's been shown here in use (that's more modern) for 20 + years I'm interested . When I see brand names I'm simply cycling through what I know about that brand--for example I have a pair of corded Sennheiser headphones that I got in the 1980s and though I have had to replace the ear foam and get a jack adaptor--they still sound GREAT. My old cameras SLR and range finders (film cameras) still work though I have no desire to go back to film but they were built for life with servicing here and there. Old furniture (not veneer, not composite wood) can be restored--and last two or three people's life times.............

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• #76Mar 10, 2025

  I (19M) need help with the mentality of "Buy it For Life" itself

  Audiophile stuff, what. crazy deep dive that can get into. And the claims some of these companies make because they freeze their cables, or they are shielded with super whatever RF résistant coatings .. There becomes a point where you'll just say.. Am I really going to hear the difference? Is spending 1200$ or more on a set of headphones really worth it? Do I go with Sens, Audio Technica, Grado, Beyer, HiFi man, Audeze, Shure... literally just... doesn't stop.. The issue is with cans is they will all sound different, are you looking for bass heavy? Great mids, do they sound bright, warm, sharp on the brass instrumentsEct,. What's the audio format you're listening to.. mp3, WAV, lossless, vinyl? What inputs? Solid state, vacuum tubes, Headphone amps, DAC? It's literally a huge freaking never ending spiral when you dive into it. After like.. months of research, hitting up audio stores, listening, trying shit on, it came down to comfort, and sound quality for what the purpose was. Buy a couple that are great for what you're going to listen to. Or just say fuck it and get some all rounders like the hifiman 400s, sens HD650 or 800's.. and call it a day? It's an insane money pit that eventually your friends and family go.. " you spent how much on that??...why?". lol

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• #77Mar 6, 2025

  Earplugs For Sleeping

  Sennheiser has a pair that’s great

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• #78Mar 5, 2025

  What technology is enough?

  Sennheiser is absolutely the best. I bough my HD650 when I was 15 with the money from my first summer job. I’m now 31 and I still use them daily. They basically offer every separate part of the headphones as a spare part in case you ever need to repair anything.

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• #79Mar 5, 2025

  What technology is enough?

  The short is, there’s a lot of good headphones out there. If you don’t have a vested interest in TOTL audio quality the difference of a $150 to $400 headphone isn’t going to mean much to you. I’m partial to Sennheiser so my recommendation is either the HD 599 or HD 6XX. These are open back so if you don’t mind some sound leakage these are amazing. They’re fine on their own but if you notice they’re quiet or have some awkward buzzing you’ll want an amplifier. I got mine for like $80 (though I’m sure cheaper is out there) and I’ve used it without issue for 4 or so years.

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• #80Mar 1, 2025

  I need noise cancelling head phones that are big enough that they competely cover the average adult woman's ears

  Closest I’ve had are Sennheisers where you can replace the cable and also replace the ear and head pad. Those will last ages if you take care of them, generally only needing a replacement if you want to upgrade for sound or another feature.

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• #81Mar 1, 2025

  I need noise cancelling head phones that are big enough that they competely cover the average adult woman's ears

  >If you simply want a headphones that block sound and be BIFL, I'd suggest most popular **closed-back** (it's important) models from Beyerdynamics, Audio-Technica, Yamaha, and Sennheiser. This is what I would recommend. It comes with a massive audio quality upgrade too.

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• #82Mar 1, 2025

  I need noise cancelling head phones that are big enough that they competely cover the average adult woman's ears

  This is an important distinction. Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic and the like have been making BIFL headphones since forever. Also, some closed back Beyerdynamics have more than good enough passive isolation that active one doesn't matter, specifically for the more annoying part of the audible spectrum, high frequency, that anc never gets right. Wireless stuff is not BIFL.

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• #83Mar 1, 2025

  I need noise cancelling head phones that are big enough that they competely cover the average adult woman's ears

  *wireless* headphones aren't built for life. Get some sennheiser hd600 and you've got yourself a 30 year pair of headphones.

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• #84Feb 7, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Toyota, Arc'teryx, Michelin, Sennheiser, Sony, Yamaha

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• #85Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Now, however, you have to make sure to get the pro, which are still Sennheiser. They sold the consumer division, but let it keep the name. No, it is not the same.

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• #86Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Sennheiser. High quality headphones you buy for life. My grandpa still uses ones he brought in the late 90's. Wears them every day to this day.

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• #87Feb 3, 2025

  A list of BIFL not made in the USA

  I'm following this. For headphones/audio stuff, one of the few categories where tech is BIFL, Sennheiser, Germany is not only BIFL but also way better sound than the alternatives! Meze, Romania are also built like pieces of art and their new models sound like a dream! and Beyerdynamics, Germany are the choice for indestructibility for a reason. For tools, PB Swiss and Knippex, Germany, dominate for a reason. For knives, Victorinox, Switzerland and Opinel, France are not only top notch but also super affordable, and plenty of small French manufacturers if you want something fancier. For clothes, Fjallraven, Sweden deserves the reputation it has, and I'm very happy with my stuff from Seagale, France. If price is an issue, do not understimate the higher end of the Decathlon, France catalogue, it may not be as fancy as the alternatives, but durability is not compromised! For shoes, Carmina in Spain deserves a shootout. Same as Scarpa from Italy for more practical shoes. I know tech is not BIFL but Fairphone, Netherlands makes a repairable phone, and Nokia/HMD, Finland has done some nice repairability upgrades too. Tuxedo, Germany and Slimbook, Spain also sell computers based mostly on Clevo, Taiwan designs that tend to be more repairable and upgradeable than the alternatives.

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• #88Feb 3, 2025

  A list of BIFL not made in the USA

  Quecha outdoor clothing. MR Marvis pants for casual wear, vitorinox for knives, sennehiser for headphones, crueset for pans

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• #89Feb 2, 2025

  What’s one product you bought that has lasted forever and was totally worth it?

  My list seems to be the Kitchen Aid Lift Mixer, Leatherman ARC, Zojirushi Rice Cooker, Old Straight Edge Razor , Sennheiser Headphones (corded), Danner Logger Boots, Carhart Overalls, Victorinox Tinker, Cast Iron Fry pans, big and small, Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Mac MTH 80 Chef's Knife, Zippo Lighter, Samsung Portable SSD Drives, Zeroll Icecream Scoop, French Press Coffee Maker, English Pub Glasses (hold hot and cold liquids).

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• #90Feb 1, 2025

  Best noise canceling headphones?

  Sennheiser Momentum 4

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• #91Feb 1, 2025

  Best noise canceling headphones?

  Same, and I take mine to the gym REGULARLY. XM3s that I bought in 2021, the battery still lasts long and they sound fantastic. I did end up buying the Sennheiser M4s, but mostly because the sale was good. You can also replace the earpads on the Sony's/Bose's so it's a good (cheap) way to breathe new life into your old headphones.

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• #92Jan 9, 2025

  Recommendation for earbuds

  I have the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless. They’re a bit on the chonky side but I love them. Awesome mic, great noise cancelling. Can’t complain.

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• #93Dec 4, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  Sennheiser HD25-1 IIs are bombproof and have excellent sound, all parts fully replaceable too they run about €150 here in ireland, so id say you should be able to get them for that in the US

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• #94Dec 4, 2015

  What are the best on ear headphones for the money?

  what's your budget. there are only a few truly BIFL headphones. Sennheiser 25 1 II is number one on the BIFL list. they are indestructible. In-ear, in ear are fragile - your best bet is to get something for "sports" as they are more durable.

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• #95Dec 4, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  I got a pair of Sennheiser HD 598s for about $95, that would be a great option.

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• #96Dec 4, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  I've got 16 year old Sennheiser HD500s with a detachable cord. The drivers went out before the cable or the jack did. Prior to dropping money on that first set of Sennheisers, I'd gone through probably a dozen cheaper headphones (Sony, Koss, etc.) that I'd ruined on account of the cable. I found the tiny threads of cable difficult to solder at the time, although after I'd bought the Sennheisers, I retrofit a pair of Sonys with a removable cable. I didn't fall too much further into the headphone rabbit hole. Five years ago, I bought a pair of used HD595s because my HD500s were buzzing. After the 595s showed up, I took the 500s apart to find that it was just a cat whisker that was up against the driver, and they lasted another five years before the drivers finally gave out. I guess all this is to say that I don't think you have to worry about detachable cables as being a point of failure in headphones.

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• #97Dec 4, 2015

  What are the best on ear headphones for the money?

  If you want a true buy it for life then Sennheiser hd 25-1 II is your best bet. It's staple is its durability and all the parts are easily replaceable I would get the Amperior version if it's just for an mp3 player or phone.

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• #98Dec 4, 2015

  What are the best on ear headphones for the money?

  Sennheiser Hd 25ii or Amperior. ultra portable and it's known for its durability in the headphones community. Truly my poster boy for buy it for life when it comes to headphones.

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• #99Dec 4, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  Grados are a good suggestion. Headphones will eventually break-down in some way, so a good guarantee is a start. Grado will repair most broken parts for cheap or free. Note that Grado's are also an open design though. Don't be the idiot that gives them a bad review, because you thought they were closed. (For the curious, the design is set to open because it usually makes the headphone sound more natural letting air pass through). Also, for the curious, some amazing things are happening to modifying Grado's right now. It's an easy headphone to modify, but there's people building Senngrados for cheap (Vibro Labs). And you have Symphones started to release the Magnum V6 drivers, and making an open 3d printed earcup, made for the sound quality through Shapeways (in Beta). Grado's, and especially modified Grado are some of the easiest ways to get kickass sound quality on the dirt cheap, considering the hobby is getting stupid expensive. Koss is also a good suggestion and has a lifetime guarantee. If it breaks, and it will after a few years, send it in and get a new one, for life. Very cheap, open air design. Go with the Porta Pro or KSC75 (Latter has better highs, less bass, more neutral). Audio Technica is often recommended. Their M40x/M50x design is phenomenal, but they're a V shape, sucking out the midrange. Many realize their mediocrity after trying more neutral headphones (m50), the issue with the m40x is that it sounds too enclosed and slightly boomy. It is more neutral, the highs feels artificial. Supposedly there is a mod out there to fix some of these issues. My quintessential BIFL headphone is the Sennheiser HD-25. It's a 25 year old headphone, and only had a few updates. It's made to be used, the cable ports are well thought out, the parts can be bought if you break them, and are user replaceable. It sounds neutral, and this mod i've done has made them sound a lot better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZIt_3xfHwc Yes, it's usually more than $150. Also, a lot of people ignore on-ears. I think they're one of the cheapest ways to get a good seal though, whereas many over-ears have a harder time of making a seal and having the driver at the ideal spot to the ears. I was so ambivalent to the clamp of the HD-25's in the beginning, but they loosened up with use. One might place it around something to emulate a head. I agree with Unkle_Erik, a lot of the detachable cables - ESPECIALLY ON CHEAPER MODELS - are very weak. So many sell detachable cables at a selling point, even products like mechanical keyboards, and the input is the first thing to fail. Bose is decent. They make the best noise cancelling headphones, bar none. They are overpriced and not BIFL durable. Beats is overpriced too, although the Solo 2 is considered good. Still not BIFL. Beyerdynamic has too many quality control issues. Frequent drivers dying and imbalances. Not BIFL, although a step above the last few mentions. German Maestro 8.35 gets a mention, because they're bombproof. A videos on YouTube chucking them around. An over-ear, and could use a different set of earpads you can easily switch out yourself. 3 year warranty? Cable will eventually need replacing, but it's heavier than the headphone itself (I recommend the mobile version), since the normal length can put too much weight on the side of the headphone. I also do NOT recommend V-Moda. They are not military grade design. They have a good warranty, where they will give you 50% off your next purchase, when your current one breaks. Val Kolton is trying to balance style and function, and style trumps in the end. The headband frays, the plastic can chip easily (especially where they connect to the headband, the ports are a problem. They're not the worst, but priced around the warranty, i'd say. The sound is also as v-shaped as you can get. Mega bass, no midrange at all. The headband pads are bad, and the XL are not much better. Most would do better with the M50x if they want that V. I'm also not a huge fan of the Sony's 7506/v6. It's a great design, but the quality has dropped. There's a million imitators. They're neutralish though, and meant for monitors. This means, details revealed, bass lighter, and treble can be harsh, particularly on bad recordings. I'd recommend Senal SMH-1000 as an alternative. Headphone pads on both are meh. With the M40x/M50x, Sony 7506, German Maestro's, (and Fostex below) there's like a bajillion different headphone pads that are relatively interchangeable. The Mp4nation pads are generally recommended. They're a weak "memory foam". Also note that pads can change the sound signature in a significant way. I haven't tried the Monoprice more than at a meet. They're cheap, they're durable for their price. They're uncomfortable and put a lot of pressure on the top of the head. They're a headphone that could use some serious modding to make work, which for the price, i'd rather take a koss and flop on the hammock. Good sound signature, more neutral. Also, the T50RP and subsequent mods are a good recommendation. It's a different driver type, orthodynamic. It needs an amp, so can become more expensive and certainly cumbersome. I recommend the Fulla Schiit USB amp. The T50RP is semi-open design, so sound leaks, whereas the T40RP is closed. They've been modded to no end, but the mk3's sound pretty darn good. And ortho driver, to me, sounds more precise, while having a smaller sound stage. Some prefer one to another. While, to me, a dynamic sounds like its coming from a cone, within its soundstage, the Fostex and ortho drivers sound like they're coming from a wider area (not easy to explain). I still find dynamic drivers more fun, even though they're blending more. There's a major shift in the audio industry in the past 10 years. Many of the headphones i'm recommending have been "updated", but have been around the block a few times, and are 10+ years old. Recently, you have a ton of newer companies, typically made in China. Their drivers are fantastic. I can go on many ends of my web of how good the NAD Viso HP50 sounds. It's also horribly uncomfortable and fragile though. Many of these imports have really good drivers encapsulated in poor, weak designs. Take your pick, but it doesn't belong in BIFL. Also, for funsies, I will always recommend the Sennheiser HD600 and HD650. They're not duper durable. Sennheiser offers replaceable parts. Many will disagree with me, and I don't give damns for your downvotes, but with a decent amp, they're the best open, over ear headphones for the price. More people would like the HD650 ideally, but it's a pain to find the right amplifier (Bottlehead Crack). If you're not willing to build that, or invest in something like a Schiit Valhalla, the HD600 is way more amp forgiving. It's a headphone that always sounds, "just right". If you have any specific questions, ask me. This is too much shit for me to write a faq here.

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• #100Dec 4, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  Check out r/headphones. If I had to recommend something it would be the sennhieser 558s or if you want isolation beyrdynamic dt770 250 ohm (they come in 4 different models )

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• #101Dec 3, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  Love my HD497s, shame they're not made any more. Hard to go wrong with Sennheiser, though. Lots of choice in OP's price range.

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• #102Dec 3, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  I have been loving my Sennheiser HD 550s for about 15 years now. I've bought 2 pairs and plan to continue using them for the foreseeable future. They are "open air" meaning they don't block sound in the immediate environment (and people nearby can hear the audio coming from them a bit more than other headphones) but it also creates a rich, bassy, crisp audio experience that seems to inhabit the space with you. I think of it as virtual reality for my ears.

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• #103Dec 3, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  I got my Sennheiser 380 HDs for $99 on Amazon (by using camelcamelcamel.com) and absolutely love them! All the parts are replaceable, new velour pads can be had for $10, same with a shorter/longer straight cable. They are kinda pricey right now, so if you are looking to buy a pair immediately, the 280 HD Pros also get a ton of love and can be had for much cheaper.

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• #104Dec 3, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  I would go to /r/headphones, I have Sennheiser momentum 1.0's which cost $200 when I got them but can now be had for under $150. I really like them and would highly recommend them.

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• #105Dec 3, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  Sennheiser HD280.

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• #106Dec 3, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  I love my Sennheiser HD 280's. They're the best at blocking sound that isn't what you're listening to and have fantastic audio quality for the cost as well.

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• #107Dec 3, 2015

  Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?

  I'm a fan of my Sennheiser HD429's. They sound very good, have an even response and are well under $150. I think they retail around $79.

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