Sennheiser HD 515
Manufacturer: Sennheiser Electronics Corp. Part number: HD515
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Sennheiser's HD 515 headphones don't scrimp on comfort or sound quality.
Read more
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CNET editors' review
Sennheiser HD 515 price range: $66.88 - $109.95
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 06/22/2004
- Released on: 01/10/2004
The good: High-tech design; rich sound; outstanding comfort.
The bad: Not a great match for portables.
The bottom line: Sennheiser's HD 515 headphones don't scrimp on comfort or sound quality.
Sennheiser offers a wide range of headphones, from inexpensive earbuds to full-blown audiophile extravaganzas. Its HD 515 'phones sit in the middle, with a list price of $109.
These contemporary-styled 'phones look a little bulky but weigh just 9 ounces, so their wearabilty is first-rate. The HD 515s feature especially large cushions, a deeply padded headband, and a nine-foot cable that terminates in a 1/4-inch plug (a 1/8-inch minijack adapter is also provided for use with portable devices). They have an open-backed ear-cup design, so they won't be the first choice for private listening.
Gothika, a creepy DVD starring Halle Berry as a psychologist wrongfully locked up in a mental asylum, palpably evoked its scary setting over the HD 515s. This movie is loaded with atmospheric effects, such as thunderstorms and driving rain, but our favorites were the noises from the asylum's faulty light fixtures, which constantly buzzed and rasped, sometimes sounding like they were actually over our heads.
The HD 515s sounded similar to Sennheiser's HD 555 headphones but didn't match the more expensive model's rich bass response. CDs sounded brighter and more immediate, which suited David Bowie's vocals on the Ziggy Stardust SACD. We actually preferred the 515s for rock music because of their edgier, more exciting sound.
Hooked up to our iPod, however, the HD 515s sounded too bright and forward and wouldn't play terribly loud. The iPod didn't seem happy driving the 515s, which means they definitely won't be a good match for other MP3 players, most of which are much less powerful than Apple's trendsetting model.
User reviews
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I didn't expect this from Sennheiser :(
by Roger_32 on December 7, 2005
Pros: Comfort, Build Quality
Cons: Sound quality on mid-range
Summary: I bought these headphones and had to return them 1 hour later.
I had Sennheiser heaphones before (HD 475) and was very happy with them, but these were very bad ...Summary: I bought these headphones and had to return them 1 hour later.
I had Sennheiser heaphones before (HD 475) and was very happy with them, but these were very bad in sound quality.
The problem is that all the mid and high range is very uneven, and the sound can be quite harsh, sounding like a $30 headphones.
After browsing the net, i found that i'm not alone in my opinion, and amazingly, the Sennheiser HD-555 are way better than these and only cost an aditional $10.
I got the HD-555's and i'm very pleased with them: they have good bass, but with a much more even mid-range and a softer and detailed high-range.
Do yourself a favour and spend the additional $10.6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Brilliant sound reproduction! No distortion.
by Craig Wattrus on March 12, 2006
Pros: Great bass, classical music reproduction.
Cons: Open structure allows everyone to hear your music.
Summary: Great headphones that give you great flexibility between different genres of music. Comfortable pads that stay glued to your head. I found that most negative reciews on these headphones were ...
Summary: Great headphones that give you great flexibility between different genres of music. Comfortable pads that stay glued to your head. I found that most negative reciews on these headphones were inaccurate as my pair is brilliant.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Fits over my ears for hours of comfortable studying
by Jablo on June 4, 2009
Pros: Large enough to fit perfectly over ears
very hq sound for movies, songs, and voice recordings
very loudCons: Not isolating at all, even at lowest settings neighbor can hear me
slightly hard surface on inside of ear piece, have to position it perfectly
VERY LARGESummary: I bought these to listen to lectures in grad school. They work amazingly in that respect. On top of that, started to listen to some of my favorite songs and ...
Summary: I bought these to listen to lectures in grad school. They work amazingly in that respect. On top of that, started to listen to some of my favorite songs and movies, and heard things I never heard before. Was never a big audiophile, but I now want to listen to new songs with these head phones to see the difference.
BTW, i have huge ears that protrude out, and these fit over them; so no concern there. -
Really disappointed by this headphones!!
by joecand on May 31, 2009
Pros: They look nice.Thats all.
Cons: The sound in the middle and high frequencies is as bad as a 10? headphones. Really a big disappointment. My Sony mdr-7506 sound like 1000? product compared to this. I don t know how this brand can put this product as Audiophile....
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A very good sounding headphone that's a joy to wear and listen to.
by baumaxx1 on August 4, 2007
Pros: Great for rock, good bass, light, comfortable, detailed sound, changeable parts for longetivity, long cable, materials don't make you sweat
Cons: Weird big to little adaptor which is chunky, press on ears a bit, bass can be overpowering on certain sources, but fine if you can adjust the equaliser, treble a bit weaker than bass,
Summary: "Hooked up to our iPod, however, the HD 515s sounded too bright and forward and wouldn't play terribly loud. The iPod didn't seem happy driving the 515s, which ...
Summary: "Hooked up to our iPod, however, the HD 515s sounded too bright and forward and wouldn't play terribly loud. The iPod didn't seem happy driving the 515s, which means they definitely won't be a good match for other MP3 players, most of which are much less powerful than Apple's trendsetting model."
Hmmm... didn't find that problem on a nano... and my Zen copes really well with all music, even drum and bass.
Rock is excellent on these headphones though. Great for frets on fire. -
Great looking & sounding headphones!!
by abhi_garg on July 28, 2007
Pros: Design, stylish & ear cups are comfortable for long use.
Cons: Bass could have been better!
Summary: I got my pair of headphones today and tried them on my 30GB ipod to start with. I would say the sound output is good but lacks consistency over different ...
Summary: I got my pair of headphones today and tried them on my 30GB ipod to start with. I would say the sound output is good but lacks consistency over different genre. If you reduce volume on your ipod, there is a sharp dip in sound quality.Rock lovers would be disappointed!
As far as the design is concerned, they are comfortable to wear and fits perfectly which makes them suitable for long periods of use.
Bass is good but nothing that would force you to call out wow!! Treble at times gets a little too sharp.
All in all a good package for the price tag is owns. I got my set for 100 Euros. -
great headphones
by joe saint on June 17, 2006
Pros: Good resonate bass, very clear sound
Cons: open acoustics. It's a fair trade though.
Summary: I love listening with these! The violins are clear. Heavily distorted guitars are buttery, warm, and sweet. The bass resonates! Everything is crisp and natural sounding. You can even hear ...
Summary: I love listening with these! The violins are clear. Heavily distorted guitars are buttery, warm, and sweet. The bass resonates! Everything is crisp and natural sounding. You can even hear the quality of the mics used in the recording sessions (especially when listening to solo violin and other tracks with "space"), and how well the recordings compare to each other on the cd.
For the price range, these headphones are perfect. There's nothing lacking. -
Good set of cans for the money
by skyline889 on December 29, 2005
Pros: Price, for $110 these senns are a good deal, clear mids and highs, works well when paired with both portable electronics and receivers
Cons: When pushed to the limit there is quite a bit of distortion, treble can be a bit too sharp especially when playing rock, the large head bands also screw with your hair, not good when youre in school
Summary: Overall I think these are good set of headphones. I think the best feature of these headphones is there amazing comfortability. They don't squeeze your head like the old ...
Summary: Overall I think these are good set of headphones. I think the best feature of these headphones is there amazing comfortability. They don't squeeze your head like the old HD570s did. I wore these on a nine hour flight to Kansai Int in Osaka and I never once got fatigued however, it was a bit hard too sleep since they are quite large. Which brings up its biggest weakness, its size, since it is made of plastic it is very light and is easily packable but these cans are huge! Big phones are pretty popular at my school right now so I don't look out of place but out in public people just stare at you as if youre crazy. Being open air they also have no noise isolating properties at all, everyone within a five mile radius will here what you are listening to. The sound quality is decent but by far not the best I have ever heard. Being fair my expectations are really high, before these I had gotten used to listening to my dads HD650s which he let me use when my 570s blew out but he would not let me take them out of the house so I bought these. Compared to other headphones in this price range It has the best sound quality. Its bass drums a clear deep note and does not bottom out like many other cheaper headsets however I found that the mids and highs while extremely clear were a bit too sharp when playing songs like City Pavement by The Subways. When playing rap and alternative the treble rings clear and true like mentioned before but when you play rock the 515s struggle and muddy up the guitars on jimi hendrix's purple haze. You also do not want to pair these with a cheap receiver or mp3 player as you will hear a lot of feedback and noise. If you have a creative your golden. I use these with my Zen vision and with its 97db snr these sound brilliant. If you want a reasonably priced set of cans these senns I think sound better than the similarly priced grados, but if you have the money go for the either the 600 or the 650s.
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Superb sound and comfort
by TheWretched on July 15, 2005
Pros: Clear highs and solid low frequency.
Cons: not enclosed
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Great set of headphones I use them professionally
by marcusfb on December 9, 2008
Pros: Light weight,Great sound,works well with mixer boards I use. Durable they don't distort and stay cool and comfy.
Cons: Cord is on the wrong side for me.
Summary: I will purchase another set maybe higher end I spend hours at the mixers and also use them in practice sessions, good reproduction of sound and I cannot seem to ...
Summary: I will purchase another set maybe higher end I spend hours at the mixers and also use them in practice sessions, good reproduction of sound and I cannot seem to make them distort low end great mids are great and lots of bass.what more could you ask for, execpt maybe a way to change the cord from one side to the other or a way to hold it in the middle. it sticks to my neck and is bothersome.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sennheiser Electronics Corp.
- Part number: HD515
- Description: The HD 515 is an open, dynamic stereo headphone suitable for all kinds of music. It features Sennheiser's innovative E.A.R technology creating a new kind of acoustic experience. If you are seeking an audiophile headphone without having to pay the earth this is the perfect model for you. Come and listen for yourself.
General
- Product Type Headphones
- Weight 9 oz
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Ear-cup
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Response Bandwidth 14 - 26000 Hz
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.2 %
- Sensitivity 104 dB
- Impedance 120 Ohm
Remote Control
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Phone stereo 6.25 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x Headphones cable - 10 ft
- Included Accessories 6.3 mm (1/4") stereo adapter
Power
- Power Device None
- Battery None
Manufacturer info
- Sennheiser Electronics Corp.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sennheiser Electronics Corp. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/
- Address:
1 Enterprise Dr.
Old Lyme, CT 06371 - Phone: (860) 434-9190
- Fax: (860) 434-1759
