Fastcode turns us onto this student project… While most of your readers are familiar with the Sennheiser name, the German audio company’s name is supposedly known by less than 10% of “regular” headphone consumers. Not sure on that.

Well, industrial design student, Matthew Lim, looks to raise the company profile with his student project, Ecovinyl, which produces a turntable and headphones from sustainable materials. Lim claims that with current production costs, Ecovinyl could retail for $350; not a bad price for the combo.

Trouble is, Sennheiser has not said yea or nay on producing the project. We’ll see what comes of it.

More looks after the click.

So in order to balance our coverage and love for Sennheiser headphones, we bring forth an alternative to the excellent Sennheiser HD-25-II which we covered in detail recently. Today, we look at its major competitor – the Beyerdynamic DT 1350.

Reader will note major similarities in design between the HD-25-II and the DT 1350; both feature similar articulating ear cups and split articulating head bands that open and close on the head for comfort. Both are sealed and can withstand day to day movements from walking to running. Most importantly, both headphones look great on and off the wearer.

Differences between the two come in with sound signature. For those not familiar with the Beyerdynamic sound, you will be more than pleased with the offering. The strength is in the solid mids and highs. While both headphones offer very strong and rich bass, the Beyerdynamic gives just a bit more on the mids and highs which many listeners may prefer. For those who will be using them to watch films or TV on your laptop while traveling, the “imaging” of the sound that the DT 1350 provides is reported, by some, to be a step up. That could make a world of difference when watching films with a strong soundtracks.

More importantly, for travelers, the Beyerdynamic DT 1350’s ear cups fold flat for storage in the included travel case. This is a huge win for road warriors as protection is key. Price-wise, the DT 1350 comes in at $299. I mentioned in my last review that for this category of headphone that $200 was the sweet spot.

Truthfully, the Beyerdynamic DT 1350 is compelling enough for me to change my opinion. Well worth a sound check from your local audio shop.

More looks after the click.

I stand by the statement I made recently on Twitter. You can tell how much a DJ cares about sound and music based on the headphones they use. While they may not dictate the true sound from the P.A., a great set of headphones in the DJ booth (or any space that requires for music to remain isolated and “sealed” from external environments) will not only save your ears from fatigue but also dramatically lower your overall “play” volume. There is simply no need to put that much stress on your ears.

Think of it this way: the damage caused by loud, distorted music on your eardrum is as harsh as the damage that cigarettes does on your lung (the difference clearly is that smoke inhalation will cause cancer while loud noise will cause tinnitus and hearing loss – the former will kill you, sadly).

There are a variety of excellent options in the sealed headphone realm, all of which will run you just around $200 in price. No need to spend more than that in this category. I’ve been testing the Sennheiser HD-25-1 II model (shown above in the flat black; my demos are the Adidas version in blue which are exact in spec other than color). The HD-25-1 II has gained major juice through the DJ world as a replacement for the old Sony MDR series. The advantage of the Sennheiser lies in their durability and size. They take a beating in ways that most headphones simply will not. Size-wise, the cups fit over the ears in an almost locking method. Move around in the HD25-1 II and they’ll remain properly in place. And please swap out the pleather pads for the soft ones. Makes a hell of a difference in the summer.

Sound-wise: the quality is solid for  a $200 can. Highly sealed while retaining clarity, they need no extra amplification. Plug them into your mobile device and computer; they will work better than most.

I’ve been sitting on this headphone review for a minute. The reason is that most headphones require at least 20-40 hours of playthrough to get the very best sound from them. In head-fi geek circles, it is called the “burn in.” Today, I can report that the Sennheiser HD 558, the latest model in Sennheiser’s “audiophile” category has burned in splendidly.

A step up from the incredibly popular and affordable, Sennheiser 555, the 558 brings just a touch more response in areas that many consumer consider important: bass and clarity. Like the Sennheiser 555, the 558 can be driven by just about any output device: from the iPhone, iPad, to your mobile, desktop computer, and beyond. While it may not come with the right-angle 3.5mm jack found on more portable models, there is an adapter for easy plug-in.

I am often asked what headphone model I recommend for someone taking a step up from their white earbuds. At just around $170, the Sennheiser 558 is a very strong contender in the sub $200 market. Again, with no additional amplification needed, the 558 will bring you a clarity unlike the stock earbuds that came with your mobile device in a full-sized open air headphone.  The all-black finish is a major plus as well. - Jeff

Yes, that is an iPhone photo above.

Photography: Selectism.com

Some new headphones from EOpstech.

Simply way too much to give away to not do two today! This time we turn to Denon for TWO pairs! of their new AH-NC600 noise canceling earbuds. “These comfortable and lightweight in-ear headphones feature Denon’s advanced active noise canceling technology reducing unwanted ambient noise by up to 99%. Powered by a single AAA battery, widely available on the go, the AH-NC600 headphones provide up to 60 continuous hours of noise reduction. The headphones can also be used without the noise canceling function activated.” Again, we have two sets to give away. Good luck.

How to Win:

Join Selectism on Facebook and leave a message on our Denon discussion page.

Ends on Dec 29, 2010.

Be sure and sign up for other  Selectism Holiday Giveaways below:

• Bed Stu Westward Boots (ends Dec 29, 2010)
• The ENTIRE Fabric/Fabriclive Back Catalog (ends Dec 28, 2010)
• Brooks Barbican Shoulder Bag (ends Dec 24, 2010)
• Outlier Riding Pack (end Dec 23, 2010)
• Need Supply “Made in the U.S.A.” Pack (ends Dec 22, 2010)
• Baxter of California Shave and Skit Kits (ended Dec 20, 2010)
• HP Envy 100 Printer (ended Dec 17, 2010)
• Liberty London for Apple Ianthe Laptop Sleeve (ended Dec 15, 2010)
• TSOVET SVT-LX73 Watch (ended Dec 13, 2010)
• Rizzoli’s Bespoke Book (ended Dec 10, 2010)
• Seavees Shoes of your choice! (ended Dec 8, 2010)
• Rapha Gift Pack (ended Dec 6, 2010)

With all our love for the full sized audiophile cans, it’s probably best to discuss a pair of headphones on the more portable sound – without compromising much on quality. Quality to me is simply a true representation of the music being heard, rather than an overload on the bass and treble. Most earbuds tend to do best only on one end of the bass vs. treble spectrum. A great earbud will also fill in the mids – the body of the music – in a way that will impress your ears. You will hear a difference immediately in clarity and richness.

While they may not be part of Denon’s 100th Anniversary collection (we covered their full-size cans and turntable from that collection), the AH-c710 in-ear buds are still a top of the line earbud which will be a step up in terms of sound over your standard Apple earbuds (including Apple’s in-ear buds). Don’t worry. The bass remains for those who prefer it. It will just sound tighter than normal instead of rattling your ears. Amazon has them.

More looks after the click.

Welcome to a new level in sound and price in luxury headphones which actually should sound amazing. “The [Ultrasone] Edition 10 is the first OPEN-BACK pair of Edition headphones by Ultrasone. The wings of a butterfly inspired the basic look. Ultrasone Edition headphones not only provide brilliant sound but couple that with best materials available. Precious Ethiopian sheepskin leather covers ear cups and head band. Enjoy the comfort of the balanced and matched dark brown sheepskin leather. This is the smoothest leather available. The noble metal matt ruthenium, which is known for its elegant look and durable properties, covers the ear cups. The decorative shiny warm finish of the ruthenium surface shows a variety of eye-catching reflections. The ear cups are emblazoned with inlays of decorous Zebrano wood.”

You’ll pay pretty for these. Seeing as the Edition 8 headphones run around $1400, expect to pay a bit more.

More looks at the Ultrasone Edition 10 Headphones with Sheepskin Leather Cups after the click.

Any headphone nutcase (including myself) will tell you that the benefits of wood cups are unlike any sound you have heard. Technically I cannot tell you why this is the case, but I do know that on other cans, the wood vibrates the sound in a unique manner. The latest into this class are the mahogany cups on Denon’s AH-A100 100th Anniversary headphones. The pads are listed as “skin-soft” which frightens me a little. A better descriptor may have been “supple.” Oh, and fear not, Denon makes killer cans – no doubt. Available at most retailers shortly. Part of that Denon 100 Legacy series. Sick packaging as well…

A few more looks at the Denon AH-A100 100th Anniversary Headphones after the click.

On days like today, all I can think about are new cans. Headphones, in my opinion, extend sound in a manner which allows the listening to experience a more personal understanding of sound. For those who wave my comment off as being hogwash, I simply recommend taking your favorite piece of music auditioning it against something more high end than those white ear buds your iPod/Phone arrived with.

For just under $300, these German Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones are a  reasonable upgrade to your stock headphones. I’ve auditioned them numerous times and they’re best fit for the reader who is into more lad back acoustic and compositional sounds, they will allow you to hear every note, tape, and finger pluck found in the sounds you enjoy. They also happen to look great and the velour pad (also found on higher end Sennheisers and Denon) are just pure comfort. Amazon has them.