Sennheiser HD380 Pro vs Sennheiser HD 201

The tight clamp on the 380HD helps create a seal that prevents quite a bit of sound leakage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The large ear cups and the strong clamp allow for impressive passive noise cancellation.

These headphones have fairly wide soundstage, despite being closed back.

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.

Both the ear pads and headband have a good amount of foam in them, which results in adequate cushioning. They're quite comfortable even if you've been using them for several hours straight.

The sound is fairly balanced and can work well with most music genres. The highs and mids have good presence. Although they are not that clear, there is still an acceptable level of detail to them. The bass is not impactful but it does have some depth and helps give a fuller feel to the overall sound signature.

These are actually pretty light weight for over the ear headphones. The HD 201 will not cause unnecessary strain to your neck, even if worn continuously for extended periods.