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Sennheizer HD 448 Headphones

These are the best “mid-range” headphones on the Sennheizer line of great headphones. They retail for about $160.00 CAD but sound much better than more expensive sets made by their competitors.

Design-wise, these are closed-back which provides a good level of insulation without requiring noise cancelling technology. Their large size and padding ensure their suitability for environments, but probably best suited for listening at home.  due Build quality is really good, with some nice metal touches which makes them look expensive. The headphones are extremely light and easy to wear. The ear pads feature some decent and soft pleatherette material which is really comfortable, although some leather padding would have been a nicer touch. I can wear them for hours on end without the slightest sign of discomfort.

What makes these headphones really great though is the sound quality. Overall, the sound of the HD 448 is quite balanced. The highs, lows and mids are incredibly bright. On the bass front, since they are meant for home listening, the bass is stays true to the original material. This is a good thing  because the headphones don’t try to overcompensate for ambient noise or bad sound quality with exaggerated beats. They still provide a good amount of bass, but what you get is just the right amount. Hence, these headphones are by far the most balanced and crisper headphones I have ever heard. If you are a bass head you might be somewhat disappointed, but if you enjoy music, the bass is just perfect.  As a result these are best suited to rock, pop, jazz and electronic music. However, if heavy and overpowering beats are your thing, you may want to consider a different set because despite the great bass, full bass bass notes can sound a little "bloomy" and ill-defined. The stereo separation is great and the soundstage is simply amazing. All in all, the sound quality on the HD 448 has to be heard to be believed and they provide hours and hours of perfect listing without fatigue.

Sennheizer claims these were made with the ipod in mind, however, having listened to a variety of different sources, including an Apple iPod, laptop, desktop computer, and stereo receiver, I would say that they sound best on the receiver. If listening on a portable device, you really have to set the sound close to 100%.

While they're not the ultimate in high fidelity, the sound is of excellent quality and you will not find a better set of headphones in the $300.00 range or less.

Rating: 9/10