When comparing Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ) vs Sennheiser HD 202 II, the Slant community recommends Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ) for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones around $50?” Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ) is ranked 2nd while Sennheiser HD 202 II is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Monoprice MHP 839 ( 108323 ) is:
The mids are the star of the MHP 839’s sound signature. They are forward and have good clarity, making vocals and guitars sound really prominent, and gives the overall sound a distinctly warm feel. The bass is very good. While not very forward, it is full, has good punch and comes off as quite natural. The top highs are rolled off, which may muddle some of the music’s details. However, this also results in a smooth sound, as there is little to no harshness.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Rich and forward mids with good bass
The mids are the star of the MHP 839’s sound signature. They are forward and have good clarity, making vocals and guitars sound really prominent, and gives the overall sound a distinctly warm feel.
The bass is very good. While not very forward, it is full, has good punch and comes off as quite natural.
The top highs are rolled off, which may muddle some of the music’s details. However, this also results in a smooth sound, as there is little to no harshness.
Pro Ear cup position can be adjusted in a variety of ways
You can wear these the conventional way, or you can also choose to use these DJ style, where only one ear cup is held to the ear.
Pro Two headphone cables are included
One cable is thinner and shorter which is great for mobile use. The other is longer and thicker which should work better when using the headphones indoors.
Pro Removable cable
The cable is connected to the left ear cup via a 3.5mm cable, which can easily be removed. Storing the headphones or replacing a broken cable should be very easy to do.
Pro Nice sounding headphones that are great for casual, studio or mobile use
The MHP 839 is very versatile. The sound signature is enjoyable, and can work well with a variety of genres. It also offers good passive noise isolation for studio/DJ use. The collapsible design with removable cables make it easy to bring on the go. This combination of features is rarely seen in the price range.
Pro Good sounding bass with okay detail on the highs and mids
As expected of their price, these headphones are not able to deliver a lot of detail, clarity or accuracy in terms of the sound but they're still quite fun to listen to. There is a slight accentuation on the bass which gives it oomph and presence but is not overpowering. Mids on these headphones are recessed, but are still able to present a good rendering of vocals and guitars. The highs are not very detailed, which means that you will miss some of the more intricate sounds from the music, but they are good enough that the overall sound does not come off as too muddy.
Pro Decent all-plastic build quality
Although it's made entirely of plastic, it does not feel cheap at all. The plastics used are of good quality. They can take a significant amount of flex with no signs of breaking.
Pro Can isolate sound well
With the closed back design, very minimal sound can seep into your music. Likewise, sound leakage is kept to a minimum so you won't be disturbing others near you with your music.
Pro Comfortable to wear for hours straight
The 202 II's are really light so you can wear these headphones for longer periods without neck fatigue.
Cons
Con Pads can get warm pretty quickly
The ear pads do provide ample cushioning, but they also trap heat, causing your ears to get warm really quick. You may need to take these off periodically so you can cool off.
Con Strong clamping force can cause discomfort
The strong clamp may feel like it's squeezing your head which can get uncomfortable after a while.
Con Feels cheap and flimsy
These headphones can creak and flex a lot. Some may also find that these are too light for their size.
Con Ear cup height adjustment is quite limited
The ear cups are attached to a fixed head band, with a ball socket as the connection. Users then move the ear cups up and down the stationary head band. Available adjustment is quite limited though, so these headphones may not be suitable for individuals with bigger sized heads.
Con Very long, fixed cable
The cable is around 10 feet long. While this can be a good thing for certain uses, the long cable can get tangled up pretty easily and can get quite difficult to manage if you decide to take these on the go. The included cable organizer can help mitigate the problem, but some might find it fiddly to use.
Con Ear cups are quite small
Despite being labeled as over-ear headphones, the cups are actually quite small. If you have larger ears, it is possible that these will fit a little too tightly, if not rest on your ears completely, which you may find uncomfortable.
Con Strong clamping force may cause discomfort
These press down on the head pretty tight, which some might find uncomfortable. With regular use and some stretching of the headband however, it is possible that the clamping force will loosen up over time, resulting in a much more comfortable fit.