Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
A side-by-side look at Sennheiser HD 280 Pro and Sennheiser HD 380 Pro for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
32 dB of passive noise isolation in a collapsible closed-back that pros actually reach for
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Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
The HD 280's quieter, more refined sibling with an even flatter frequency response
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| Sennheiser HD 280 Pro | Sennheiser HD 380 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Podcasters recording in noisy environments who need maximum passive isolation without active noise cancellation | Producers who want a step up from the HD 280 Pro with a flatter, more refined monitoring character and replaceable cable |
Key features
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
- Closed-back, circumaural folding design
- 8 Hz - 25 kHz frequency response
- 64 ohm impedance
- Up to 32 dB passive noise attenuation
- Maximum SPL of 113 dB
- Collapsible with swiveling earcups
Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
- Closed-back, circumaural folding design
- Up to 32 dB passive noise attenuation
- 8 Hz - 27 kHz frequency response
- 54 ohm impedance
- THD less than 0.1% at 1 kHz, 100 dB SPL
- Detachable and replaceable coiled cable
Pros and cons
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Pros
- Best-in-class passive isolation at 32 dB - no batteries needed
- Accurate Sennheiser sound for monitoring and review
- Collapsible design for travel and storage
- Drives cleanly from standard interfaces
Cons
- High clamping force - can become uncomfortable on long sessions
- Coiled cable is long and can be cumbersome at a desk
- Sound is somewhat clinical compared to warmer-voiced competitors
Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
Pros
- Excellent passive isolation at 32 dB - matches the HD 280 Pro
- Lower distortion and flatter response than the HD 280 Pro
- Replaceable detachable cable - longer lifespan
- Better comfort on extended sessions than the HD 280 Pro
Cons
- Higher price than the HD 280 Pro for incremental improvements
- Coiled cable is long for desktop use
- Less widely available than the HD 280 Pro
The verdict
Choose Sennheiser HD 280 Pro if
Podcasters recording in noisy environments who need maximum passive isolation without active noise cancellation.
The HD 280 Pro earns its place in pro studios because 32 dB of passive isolation is genuinely useful - you can monitor a guest through these while they're speaking into a mic and hear your feed clearly. The sound…
Choose Sennheiser HD 380 Pro if
Producers who want a step up from the HD 280 Pro with a flatter, more refined monitoring character and replaceable cable.
The HD 380 Pro is Sennheiser's professional closed-back that most audio engineers consider the more accurate companion to the HD 280 Pro. The frequency response is smoother, the THD is lower, and the detachable coiled cable is a practical improvement…