Sennheiser HME 280i Specifications, Tests and Review

The Sennheiser HME 280i are wired headphones. In the case of studio and professional DJ headphones, a wired connection is a standard and a necessity. In this case, connecting via cable reduces audio transmission delays and prevents unwanted battery drain as it would be in case of wireless headphones. The same is de facto true for gaming headsets. In case of headphones for normal music listening, the cable is rather a relic, although it still has its fans. However, the wireless option is much more popular for everyday use in today’s world.

This type of headphones has a design that surrounds the entire ear to improve isolation from external noise. As a result, they provide a great quality of listening without interference. However, unlike on-ear headphones, they are usually heavier and less suitable for frequent wearing. Although these are over-the-head headphones that are normally characterized by their bulky nature, this model can be folded into a more compact form. This makes them easier to fit into a backpack or bag

The sound quality can be affected by many factors. When it comes to frequency range, a wider range will allow more detail to be heard during your listening session. However, it is important to note that the ability to perceive frequencies varies from person to person. The average person is able to hear frequencies in the range of 16 to 20 000 Hz. That is why headphone manufacturers usually focus on the 20 to 20 000 Hz range. If the lower values are lower, headphones are better able to reproduce bass tones, as these represent frequencies up to approximately 256 Hz. Conversely, values from 2 048 Hz upwards are treble. Thus, headphones with a high upper limit will provide a much more accurate reproduction of high tones. Headphones Sennheiser HME 280i have a frequency range of 300 - 4000 Hz. Overall, these headphones can reproduce sound up to 104 dB. However, be careful. Repeatedly playing music continuously at really high volumes can damage your hearing.

The device connected to the headphones also plays a role most times. The lower impedance value (approximately 100 to 150 Ohms) is suitable for playback from mobile phones, laptops or other portable players that do not have a powerful enough amplifier. The lower impedance will ensure that the required volume level is achieved with less power, thus extending the life of the player. However, at the same time, with lower impedance, there is more distortion of the sound. Headphones with a higher impedance of around 250 Ohms and above are then more suitable for playback from really powerful signal sources or using a headphone amplifier, otherwise the sound coming out of them might not be loud enough. At the same time, higher-impedance headphones will also ensure less distortion in the sound. In the case of these headphones, the impedance reaches the 64 Ohm value. Total Harmonic Distortion of these headphones is Audio Output | Total Harmonic Distortion. The value quoted by the manufacturer is usually the average distortion over all reproducible frequency bands. This is not a crucial parameter to decide on when making a decision, but on the other hand, keep in mind that higher harmonic distortion can negatively affect sound quality.

The design of the headphones and their ear cups can also affect the quality of the audio output. The closed design does not allow ambient noise or sound from the headphones to flow outwards. Not only will you enjoy music in noisy environments, but you won't disturb anyone while enjoying listening session. The closed-back design makes the headphones suitable for the office or for travel.

Sennheiser HME 280i has a boom–type microphone. The microphone sensitivity is -37 dB. A lower microphone sensitivity will generally ensure that even quieter sounds are caught. On the other hand, in noisier environments, distortion of the recording may occur. With a higher sensitivity, the microphone will not distort the recording even in noisy environments. On the other hand, the microphone will not pick up quieter sounds. So it depends on the environment and the purposes you plan to use the headphones for. As with headphones, so-called harmonic distortion affects the sound quality of a microphone. Harmonic distortion above 5% is quite high and can lead to a reduction in recording quality. The average for most headphones is a distortion between 1 and 5%. For the average user, the recording quality of a headphone microphone in this interval should be perfectly adequate. Total harmonic distortion below 1% is more likely to be encountered in professional headphones. Such distortion is already considered very low and will ensure maximum recording quality. The total harmonic distortion of this microphone model is Microphone | Total Harmonic Distortion. A nice benefit of the microphone of the Headphones Sennheiser HME 280i is the Noise Canceling technology that suppresses ambient noise and allows a clearer sound recording to be captured.