Be forwarned that no 1/4" adapter is included. Apparently Sennheiser wants consumers to view these as strictly low-end phones suitable only for connection to a portable CD player. Nonsense. My only real disappointment thus far is the awkwardness of folding and fitting the headphones back into their hard case. If I can get this down to 60 seconds or under, I'll probably revise my rating upward.


Wow!   July 23, 2004
 112 out of 122 found this review helpful

I bought these to go with my new iPod, and all I can say is "wow". I can't believe these headphones cost under $50. The folding action is very convenient, and the case that comes with it is top-notch. These sound warm and full, amazing for a lightweight set of headphones. They are the perfect complement for the iPod or any other portable device. Not quite as comfy as my Sony cirumaurals, but they fold up into a neat little case.


Great sound at a cheap price isn't necessarily cheap   November 26, 2005
 107 out of 127 found this review helpful

If I were only reviewing the sound quality of these headphones I'd give them 5 stars. If I were only reviewing the comfort of these headphone I'd give them 5 stars. After all, I've bought three sets of them I liked the sound and comfort so much. The problem is, that it was three sets in less than 18 months...

All of them failed in the same way: the right channel just crapped out from a cheap cord design. The first set I chalked it up to me not treating them right. The second set I was a bit angry about but I decided to try the warranty replacement. Unfortunately, I was dumb enough to buy a 3rd pair while waiting on the very slow warranty service, which wound up replacing them with a completely different model of headphone to add insult to the whole process.

Well, yesterday, in spite of my gentlest treatment yet, set #3 crapped out in the right channel after only 4 months. That's it, I'm not wasting any more money on these headphones and I recommend the same to everyone else.


Excellent portable headphones for the money.   November 4, 2004
 54 out of 54 found this review helpful

The Sennheiser PX100s are the entry end of Senn's PX line (which includes the open-aire PX100, the closed PX200, and the noise-cancelling PX250). They retail for $39.99.

The PX100s are small, unobstrusive phones. They're suited to portable music players (portable CD and MP3 players), as they are relatively efficient and drive well for the most part. They are small and thin, so you won't look like a complete geek or goofball wearing them in public, and they fold up cleanly and could easily fit in a shirt or pant pocket. They also include a carrying case. The build feels flimsy, but they are actually far more durable than one would imagine. The cord is thin, so beware snagging it too sharply, and short (these are not for use with a home system). They are also extremely comfortable, with a large "sweet spot" and light weight.

Out of the box, the PX100s sound extremely "sweet." They're remarkably soft and smooth sounding, and this will initially sound somewhat disappointing, unless you listen exclusively to jazz. Never fear, however. After about one week of normal use, the highs and lows open and sharpen up, and the headphones become well suited to more aggressive, harsher sounding music (such as metal, hip-hop and hard rock) as well as natural and smooth melodies. Overall, there is a slight emphasis on the low-end; there is pronouced bass without any "bass boost" or EQ needed. However, the highs and mids are never drowned out, so the PX100s never sound muddy. The midrange is strong, and while the highs come in weakest of the three, they still sound better than any other phones I've heard in this price/weight class (the Koss PortaPros, the PX200s, the Bose TriPorts).

It should be noted that the PX100s are open-aire headphones, meaning they offer close to zero isolation. What this means is that they block out very little outside sound, and at high volumes in a quiet area (such as a library) your music will most likely be audible to those in your immediate vicinity. If you MUST have closed phones, the PX200s are the best choice, though it should be noted that they are very finicky in terms of their "sweet spot." It's occassionally hard to get the PX200s in exactly the right spot of ear and can result in disappointing sound, one of the reasons I ended up choosing the PX100s over the PX200s (as the 100s feature a much broader sweet spot on the ear).

I highly recommend the PX100s to those looking for alternatives to the "stock" phones that come with most MP3 and CD players. For those seeking high-quality sound performance on the go, and don't wish to carry monstruous DJ-style headphones (or "sound support systems" as my father refers to them), the PX100s are an excellent choice. They sound great, they don't look bad, and perform well without the need for any external amplification. They might drain the battery a bit more than the stock ear buds, but the difference is negligable and definitely worth it when you hear the difference in sound.


The best!   August 27, 2004
 27 out of 28 found this review helpful

These are by far the BEST portable headphones on the market today. After spending several days deciding between these and the Portapros, I decided to choose the Sennheisers. I couldn't be any happier. While the Portapros are very good headphones, I thought the bass was a little too overpowering (not to mention it looked a little too goofy for my tastes). The PX100's, on the other hand, have tighter bass and allows me to hear the rest of the song instead of a constant "THUMP THUMP THUMP" through a bass-intensive song.

Granted upon first listening to these, the bass was kind of weak and the entire range sounded very flat. After burning in my headphones over two nights, these have really opened up! I was blown away by what these little things can do! They sound like headphones twice the size and cost. The bass is in my opinion perfect. Even when its hitting hard, I can hear subtle background instruments that i've never heard before. Of course, those of you who like more or less bass can adjust accordingly with equalizers. Personally, I like the Rock setting on my iPod mini.

Senn also included a trick hardshell case that looks like a glasses holder. The headphones fold up like a pair of glasses and fit perfectly inside, with the cord wrapping around the base. The case looks very sturdy and your investment feels very secure once inside. Some reviewers complain about how tricky it is to fold it up. Personally I think if you can't get it right after a few tries, you should probably to back to kindergarden and play with legos some more. Senn even included instructions on the backside of the case too.

Keep in mind that these are open-air headphones, so sounds will come in and your music will be heard by those around you. This is perfect for me at work because I need to know if the phone rings or someone is trying to talk to me from behind. If you want total isolation, then go with a closed headphone, such as something in Senn's HD line (the HD280 sounds amazing), or an in-ear like apple's in ear, Sony's EX71SL, or something from Shure or Etymonic.

Pros:
Sound will blow you away
Very comfortable
Ultra portable
Trick case

Cons:
Styling not for some
Jack is not gold plated

Bottom Line:
The best portable open-air headphones on the market. Period.

If you're tired of earbuds medicore quality and want a pair of tried and true headphones, these are the best ones you can get for your money. If you want to experience your music instead of merely listen to it, these headphones are the closest you'll get short of a live performance. Highly recommended.