When comparing MEE audio Pinnacle P1 vs Sennheiser HD380 Pro, the Slant community recommends MEE audio Pinnacle P1 for most people. In the question“What are the best headsets under $200?” MEE audio Pinnacle P1 is ranked 2nd while Sennheiser HD380 Pro is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose MEE audio Pinnacle P1 is:
The value and craftsmanship that the Pinnacle P1 offers is hard to beat at this price range. They are durable due to the metal earpieces. The stand-out build quality is complemented by a detailed and balanced sound, braided cables and a large assortment of ear tips.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Excellent build quality and value for money
The value and craftsmanship that the Pinnacle P1 offers is hard to beat at this price range. They are durable due to the metal earpieces. The stand-out build quality is complemented by a detailed and balanced sound, braided cables and a large assortment of ear tips.
Pro Balanced and neutral sound
The sound signature is very balanced, with no frequencies taking over the rest in terms of extension. The highs are clear and airy, but do not sound harsh. The mids are smooth and rich yet are not too forward and do not creep up on the highs. The bass has good level of punch and extension, but is also controlled so there's no booming and won't muddy up the mids.
This sound makes these in-ears great for those who value sound accuracy over a fun and boosted sound, and as such work really well with all types of music.
Pro Build quality is great
The earpieces are made from a zinc alloy that gives them a solid, high quality feel. The thick and flexible cables, firm yet flexible ear tips and a leather carrying case are also similarly of good quality.
Pro High-quality braided cables
The cables have good thickness and flexibility. Also, they are braided and will not tangle easily, even when bunched up in a tight space like inside your pocket or bag.
Pro Comfortable and stay snug in the ears
Despite being made out of metal, the earpieces are actually quite lightweight. Combined with the good fit, these headphones stay in the ears pretty well without tiring your or ears or causing discomfort. This makes them very easy to wear for hours straight.
Pro Comes with two cables
There are 2 cables included, one with an in-line mic/remote and the other purely for audio listening. This gives you the choice of extra functionality or a less intrusive cable with no dangling mic.
Pro Includes plenty of accessories
You get 6 silicone tips in different types and sizes along with 6 sizes of foam tips. Also included is a quality leather carrying case which should add extra convenience and protection when bringing these on the go.
Pro Mic has great sound quality
The microphone produces sound with good clarity and detail, so talking over the phone with these should not be a problem.
Pro Very small amount of leakage
The tight clamp on the 380HD helps create a seal that prevents quite a bit of sound leakage.
Pro Great sound quality with deep bass and lively highs
These headphones, as far as reference or pro-quality headphones go, are fun sounding. There is a slight boost to the lower frequencies which adds fullness and depth to the bass. The mids are also full-sounding, but there is a peak at the upper mid frequencies which can make guitars in heavy music sound harsh. The highs have good detail to them, but the peak in the top frequencies can also make the sound a bit grainy.
Pro Big ear cups that sit well over your ears
The 380s sit well over your ears and do not typically touch them when positioned correctly. This helps make them comfortable as the clamping force is distributed over a wide area, not directly on your ears.
Pro Removable cable
The HD380 Pro is quite portable thanks to the detachable cable. Also, the included cable has a specially designed locking mechanism which prevents it from being detached accidentally.
Pro Does not require a powerful amp for optimal sound
The HD380 Pro can produce great sound even paired with low power amps. Some headphones require expensive amps to sound properly, but for these, even entry-level portable amps are sufficient.
Pro Clamshell case included
These headphones can easily be brought along while traveling and spending time outdoors thanks to the included carrying case. The solid, clam shell design gives the headphones extra protection from impact and scratches.
Pro Blocks a lot of outside sounds
The large ear cups and the strong clamp allow for impressive passive noise cancellation.
Pro Good soundstage
These headphones have fairly wide soundstage, despite being closed back.
Pro Can fold to a more compact size
The ear cups of the HD380 Pro can be folded up into the headband. This reduces these headphones' size and footprint, making these much easier to fit inside a bag.
Cons
Con Connectors are known to lose connection
There have been many reports that the MMCX connectors it uses is prone to problems, either with a loose physical connection or the loss of electrical connection despite the cables being physically connected.
Con Sound can be unexciting for some
The neutral sound signature can be unexciting. The highs, mids and lows are not boosted, so if you are looking for one that enhances certain frequencies, then this is not the pair for you.
Con Very strong clamping force
The 380HDs have a very strong clamp. This helps the headphones achieve better sound isolation and minimal sound leak, although some will find the clamp very uncomfortable. Fortunately there are also many who will never notice this at all and find the 380HDs very comfortable.