Design and features:This wired home/studio-style over-ear model lacks active noise reduction, but the closed design helps to reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment.
Additional features: Replaceable earpads
Sound quality:We found the HD 480 PRO delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. The
bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep and is a bit boomy. The
midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is a bit thin, grainy and nasal. The
treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended and a touch smeared and sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying). The sound also has a good sense of liveliness and is open--sound-wise it seems like you don't have anything plugging up your ears, and does a decent job of recovering room ambience. Mixed character warmish bass and coolish midrange and treble. The overall sound can be summarized as a bit boomy and thin.
Comfort and Fit:There is a sense of moderate pressure around the ears. As typical of over-ear models the ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use.
Large
Users with larger heads might find that the headband presses slightly uncomfortably on the top of the head.
Users with larger ears might find that the over-the-ear fit of the ear pads feel cramped, and that the ear pads sit on, rather than around their ears; in that case the less-than-ideal fit around the ears might interfere with the ear pad seal and reduce the bass response and/or noise reduction capabilities of the headphone.
Stability
Some users may find that when they lean far forward the headphones feel unstable and shift forward , possibly to the point of falling off.
When wearing this model while walking the muffled vibrations from each foot step can be heard slightly through the headphones regardless of whether or not the headphones are in noise cancelling mode.
When the audio cord is used the sound of it rubbing on clothing may be faintly heard through the headphones.
