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Old 11-20-2024, 01:17 PM   #209
DoubleF
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV View Post
Honestly, now that I have these EQ'd up, if I were spending more, I would have to get up to a pair of Mark Levinson № 5909 which are closer to seven or eight times the price I paid.
How loud do the Accentum get? I don't recall reading it as a complaint of either headphone, but I find the HD450BT a little quiet. The volume is just right at around 90-95% and 100% is just slightly louder than I prefer. Maybe ANC makes it so that it'd always be adequate volume? But I just find it weird that I need to be at 85-95% volume to be where I want. Weirds me out in a way like I'm accidentally underpowering the headphones or something.

I don't know the gap between the HD450BT and Accentum, but most of what I read seemed that other than user experience (ie: touch controls) and build quality (hinge), everything else was relatively incremental. This should mean that both will suffer from build quality/comfort vs other headphones, but not suffer for sound. But IMO this is a characteristic of a lot of Sennheiser headphones. I wouldn't consider their less premium build quality to comparable priced competitors to be a fatal flaw. Just a characteristic to be aware of.

That's been my experience with the HD450BT which is consistent. Like the HD599 for <$300 headphones, it performs well sound wise. But it has a plastic build that I feel like I could probably break by grabbing and twisting with my bare hands with moderate effort.

Beyerdynamic, Audio Technica, AKG, Sony, B&O, B&W etc. in the 200-300 range, I'd have to put in nearly full effort with my bare hands to break them due to integration of more metal hinges, bars or solid/thicker plastic.

I'm glad you like the Accentum. If you haven't done it yet, I assume replacing the ear pads will be one of your next moves to really love them more. I know when I have time this Christmas, I'll spend some time researching to replace the HD450BT ear pads to a cushion, foam or soft leather (if possible).

The HD450BT ear pads reminded me of the Sennheiser HD280 ear pads. After using Beyerdynamic DT 770/880/990 (suede like), AKG (soft foam) and Audio Technica (soft leather) headphones, these feel plastic and stiff in comparison. Foam on cheaper headsets feel more comfortable to me.
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