Ask most DJs what they feel their favourite pair of DJ headphones is, and you can reasonably guarantee that HD 25 (reviews here and here) will be the response of a great many of them. But up to now there have been a good number of variants with all manners of suffixes that simply confuses those same DJs. So Sennheiser has done a bit of housekeeping, made some small improvements, and reduced the HD 25 range to just three variants, the regular HD 25, HD 25 LIGHT, and HD25 PLUS. And yes, this news totally passed me by at NAMM.
There’s a bunch of words, but I’ll nutshell it for you at the end:
Sennheiser HD 25 – the classic pro headphone range streamlined
Wedemark/Anaheim, January 21, 2016 – Audio specialist Sennheiser has steamlined its classic HD 25 pro headphones portfolio to make product selection easier. “With seven variants to choose from, customers often asked ‘But which one is the HD 25?’,” said Jannik Schentek, portfolio manager Live Performance & Music. From March, there will be one classic HD 25 with two sister models – the HD 25 LIGHT, with has slightly different features and accessories, and the HD 25 PLUS, which adds additional accessories to further enhance the classic. The new versions can be easily recognised by the compact Sennheiser logo on the earpieces, with the version and impedance information now provided on the headband.
The classic HD 25 comes with its iconical split headband, 1.5m single-sided connection cable and a flip-away earcup for single-sided listening. Newly designed headband ends ensure that the earcups lock securely into place, while lightweight aluminium voice coils ensure an excellent transient response. With a frequency response of 16 to 22,000Hz, an impedance of 70 ohms and a maximum SPL of 120dB, the HD 25 lends itself to any monitoring task, whether broadcasting, live recording or in the DJ booth. The HD 25 comes complete with a screw-on jack adaptor to 1/4” inch (6.3mm) for its straight steel cable.
Its sister model, the HD 25 LIGHT, is the entry-level version for demanding consumers and cost-sensitive pro users who are looking for a good pair of mixing and monitoring headphones. The HD 25 LIGHT features a simpler headband design and slightly different drivers but brings a well-defined bass and detailed treble to any monitoring task. The headphones have an impedance of 60 ohms, a maximum SPL of 114dB and a frequency response of 30 to 16,000Hz. The straight, dual-sided steel cable (3m) comes complete with a 3.5 to 6.3mm (1/8” to 1/4”) adaptor.
The HD 25 PLUS is identical in design to the HD 25 but spoils its users with extra accessories and two included cables. Users can choose between a coiled steel cable (length: 3m/1m) and a straight, 1.5m steel cable. The PLUS version also comes with a handy storage pouch and a second set of ear pads in a soft velour version.
“The HD 25 is a true classic that enjoys an excellent reputation in fields as diverse as outside broadcasting and DJ-ing,” said Jannik Schentek. “The new portfolio is now more clearly defined with each model clearly differentiated, and ensures that both pro users and consumers will get just the right pair of headphones for their preferred applications.”
IN A NUTSHELL
- The HD 25 LIGHT is a cheaper single band version, a bit like the HD 25-SP II.
Street price £95. - The HD 25 is just the classic headphones that you know and love, but no extras whatsoever — just headphones.
Street price £109. - The HD 25 PLUS is the same as the HD 25 but with cables, a bag, and spare velour ear pads.
Street price £145.
This really does bring clarity to the range. But given the amount of stock still on retailer’s shelves, it’ll be a little while before you can just ask for HD 25 and not be greeted with “yeah mate but which one?”.