Sennheiser HD25 vs HD25 Light - what is the difference in the 2021 models

We take a look at the new updated HD25 light - now much closer in spec to the HD25. We check out the differences and see what they have changed in the design
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[@Mazak23]

I guess I own a 911 Turbo and a Cayman. I love the Lights! They fit like a glove and they don’t slide off my head when I’m head banging or bobbing my head.

[@CustomCans]

You are probably right - I think I am a little biased against the lights as the old version let me down. The newer ones are much better

[@Mazak23]

@@CustomCans Yeah, I have the new version and I love ‘em. I didn’t need or ever use the swivel ear cup because I’m not a DJ. A fixed headband is suitable for me.

[@djdivana]

Actually, I just sent my new HD-25s back to get the Light version for DJing (I used Technics DH1200s for the last 6 years... 2 of them broke in that time! No idea what I used before that anymore haha) I actually don't like the swivel joint, because it moves around annoyingly a bit if you don't use it but pop a can to the back of your ear instead. Also, I never use the "clamp-splitting" and the old ones just sat comfortably on my head anyways. I always monitor just shortly for the mix, then put headphones on my neck and monitor through the speakers, so for that short time I don't think they will pop off. If I notice they pop off my head easily, I will return them. Oh yeah the price difference is about 50 euro nowadays!

[@CustomCans]

Yes, the new version of the Light is loads better than it used to be

[@GarethBeard]

Ive had the old SP's since '99 Still going strong and, I love the way the earcup twisted mean the headphone can lay flat when holding between shoulder and ear.

[@CustomCans]

Sorry, yes, I was a bit mean about the old SP.

[@GarethBeard]

@@CustomCans ha. I totally get it. Bar the cable they're indestructible.. I think I've had about 5 of them

[@GarethBeard]

@@CustomCans I don't suppose you guys have a spare headband for the old ones?

[@CustomCans]

@@GarethBeard No, sorry wo don't

[@justifiedsoul69]

I agree with you Jason! The old SP's were dire! There were DJ shops that had them on their listening stations and I Hated them due to the rotating ear cups and twisting cables. If they made the new ones a single sided cable and maybe dropped the price it would be worth it for me. As it stands I've had my HD25's for about 16 years now. I've changed the pads 3 times (just recently to your white leather ones which are Lovely BTW!), but after all that time I am struggling to go to anything else as they are my benchmark now, even though I only use them at home now for DJ & studio work.

[@drewjackson3858]

Another Porsche boxter metaphor. You sir are a Top Gear fan.

[@CustomCans]

We are just about to start a second channel where we play with cars

[@VivianCels]

Thank you. Expensive, of course.

[@velawig]

Thanks for the detailed breakdown, Jason. The documentation that comes with the HD 25s reads, “Due to the high sound pressure levels attainable, these headphones must not be used with portable playback devices.” Can you explain?

[@CustomCans]

Yes... They are just saying that they can go loud enough to give you hearing damage - they are fine with portable devices - just start with a lower volume and then increase it to a level you are comfortable with... To be honest though.. most phones and portable devices don't have enough power to drive them at super high volumes any way.... you will be fine, just keep the volume at sensible levels

[@velawig]

@@CustomCans I appreciate the quick reply. Thx.

[@CodeXXX90]

Great video bro, very helpful!

[@CustomCans]

No problem ;)

[@VitaliVasyliev]

That moment, when i watch this video and use sennheiser hd 25-1 ii :)

[@hsjawanda]

Can either of these be comfortably worn (i.e., they won't keep falling off) in behind-the-neck style? Thanks for this informative tear-down.

[@CustomCans]

I think it would depend a lot on the size and shape of your ears and head

[@LeandroMartins-um8eq]

Hello. I couldn't watch your entire video because I don't know how to speak English although the video is subtitled. Could you tell me if the two models, the HD25 and the HD25 Light, have the same sound power? Do they use the same 70 ohms? Greetings from Brazil.

[@CustomCans]

yes if they are made after 2020 then they will have the same 70ohm drivers

[@Farpun]

The standard HD25 is $350aud in Australia and the HD25 Light is $170aud. The price difference is quite large over here. Do they sound exactly the same?

[@CustomCans]

Wow - yes that is quite a price difference over there. Yes they sound pretty much the same - you will get slightly more bass and isolation from the full fat HD25 as they have a higher clamping force on the headband but the drivers and pads are the same

[@Farpun]

@@CustomCans thanks for replying. That's the prices directly from Sennheiser Australia, I had a look and you can purchase them for $150 for the Light and $250 for the standard from retail stores, but yeah, still a big price difference.

[@evilnine5307]

The OG 'Tokyo' 3 stripes 👌

[@CustomCans]

It is one of my favourites

[@kml8642]

Hey Jason, great review! I have got the new HD25 Light just two days ago (from authorized retailer in Europe) but I have noticed some weird thing regarding the impedance of these headphones. Even the headbend, the sennheiser website and the packaging says 70 Ohm impedance, after I measured the actual impedance of both cans, it shows 60,4 Ohm. What are your thoughts about this, please? Is this a fake or did they use in the factory old drivers from previous model? Many thanks!

[@CustomCans]

Hi K. There is a bit of variation in the impedance but they are normally under 70. It depends how you measured them... they are normally around 65ohms including the cable - if you measured the driver directly then it may be lower as well. The old drivers will not fit the new headband so they won't be the old drivers. I doubt they are fake, you may just have a pair that reads unusually low impedance

[@kml8642]

@@CustomCans Hello Jason, thanks for your super-prompt reply, I really appreciate it :) I have multimetered them with a cable, directly on the audio jack. I am little bit suspicious about the impedance, to be honest. They are brand new, I do not want to open the cans yet to see the drivers, there is still a chance I might send them back. I know that the new cans are little bit different than the old ones, but I thought, maybe the factory uses old 60 Ohm drivers for some reason. The headphones do not look like a fake... the box carries Sennheiser Original silver sticker with a QR code... but it is only a box which has no seal, so it can be opened at any time. So I guess the 60 Ohm impedance should be allright and I do not have to worry that this is some shady product. You are an expert for HD25's in general, so I will trust your opinion :) The current Romania factory has loose tolerance probably. If there is any other option how I can make sure they are genuine HD25 Light headphones, pls, let me know. Thanks again for your help, wish you all the best!

[@thesuperiorbench6307]

Looks like I'm buying the 911 Turbo. Cheers mate :)

[@CustomCans]

Go big or go home ;)

[@nematix]

Couple of questions: is there a coiled cable that's compatible with the lights? And which velour earpads would you recommend? Cheers

[@CustomCans]

I would recommend the original hd25 velour pads from sennheiser. I think ZOMO make a coiled cable for the lights

[@lorenzospojavieira3881]

Ive got a pay of hd25 light and I need a new cable. Just wanted to know If the cable for the original Hd25-1 II is compatible with my Hd25 light (new version)? reason my im asking is because the Hd 25-1 II cable is cheaper than the gold plated one for my lights

[@CustomCans]

Not really.. The left and right sides are different lengths on the HD25-1 so will be a bit annoying. A HD600 cable is a good upgrade for the HD25 light

[@ninjamokama3839]

Is it possible to flip the hd25 light earcups to fit the standard hd25 headband and vice versa?

[@CustomCans]

You can on the latest model in this video but not on the older version. So... If your headband looks like the one in the video then it will work

[@markorollo.]

ive had sennheiser for a few years, just for listening to music through (warning, audiophiles might not want to read this next bit) my laptop and youtube, my current ones, hd 100's, which ive always found decent are starting to die slowly so looking for new ones, i think the hd 25 light version might be it. unless there are other better ones of the same type and price range, or cheaper, im unaware of?

[@CustomCans]

No - the new HD25 Light should be really good for that and should last for many years

[@Garage_inside]

Thanks you for help me to do right choise!

[@CustomCans]

You are so welcome!

[@EYEONIZM]

HI , can I ask what is your opnion of the 2021 hd 25's made in romania as opposed to the older irish made versions ? , i read a review that the 2021 models are of a cheap build quality compared to the older irish made versions , would this be accurate ? , all in all im weighing if they are still worth buying as im in the market for new headphones at the moment , what are your thoughts ?

[@CustomCans]

They had a few teething troubles when they 1st started making them in Romania with the odd screw over tightened and things but they got over that quite quickly. There is not much difference between the old and new ones - some things are better on the newer ones - the latest cables are Kevlar reinforced copper with gold plated connectors. Most of the construction is the same with the headband and hinges being almost identical and made from the same materials - the main difference other than the cable is they updated the driver slightly - The sound is almost identical but they need a bit of "burn in" before they sound their best.

[@EYEONIZM]

@@CustomCans awesome thanks heaps for your reply 👍🏻

[@lucaspigliasco6725]

I'm worried about the durability of the rotating ear cups of the standard HD25 like if it gets too loose when time passes. Is it a thing?

[@CustomCans]

There is a screw on the inside of the headband that adjusts the stiffness. It is worth checking the tightness of the screw every month or two. Sennheiser were clever though and made the screw so a coin will fit in it so you don't need a screwdriver

[@jaiejeot]

is the 25 light can be powered by smartphones?

[@CustomCans]

Yes most of our staff have them and use them with phones

[@jaiejeot]

@@CustomCans curious whether I need a portable DAC/Amp unit to power these cans.

[@CustomCans]

@@jaiejeot I would try them without - you will squeeze a little more goodness out of them with an amp but they are very sensitive and the impedance is not that high - I don't use an amp with them normally

[@oliverplaydj]

Very good! Is there a sound difference from light to normal? Thank you!

[@CustomCans]

The drivers and pads are the same so the only real difference is the cable - the light actually has a slightly better cable at the moment so they may sound ever so slightly better but don't clamp on to your head as tightly

[@Tosj_879]

Could I use the HD 25 light with my phone and laptop, or is the impedance of 70 ohm too high to get enough volume?

[@CustomCans]

They have a very high sensitivity so are fine with most equipment. Most of the team in the office use them with phones and laptops

[@Tosj_879]

@@CustomCans Thank you for your answer!

[@millkiss]

Hi Jason, I know you already answered the question regarding 60 instead of 70 Ohm in HD25-Light but I have exactly the same measurement in my newly purchased HD25 non "Light" version. Everything seems to be legit: box with hologram sticker, bought from trusted retailer, black screws, weight 155g with cable / 135 without. But why exactly 60 Ohms each can when it states 70 on the box and on the headband? Could these be the "Light" version driver (60 Ohm, 30-16000Hz) in regular HD25 ? Thanks in advance for your help.

[@CustomCans]

The latest ones have a different cable so the impedance is lower - they all measure around 60 ohms

[@millkiss]

@@CustomCans Thanks for the answer. I'll sleep better now:)

[@Farpun]

I keep getting mixed responses from Sennheiser when I ask the difference between the Light and standard HD25. Some say the drivers are better in the HD25 and some say they are the same.

[@CustomCans]

They used to be different on the older ones now they are the same

[@juliangst]

can I use HD600 cables on the light version? My major complaint about the normal HD25 is that you can't find cables for them because of the different lengths for each driver.

[@CustomCans]

Yes you can

[@hugocorona1097]

I have a question, can I use the light drivers in a normal hd25? I mean just pass your horn and change the cable since the normal hd25 and the light are different

[@CustomCans]

On the latest model with the headband shown in this video you can... on the older model with the round arms on the headband ... no it does not fit properly without modifying them

[@TheSecondFoundation]

Can you get a decent remote mic cable for the HD 25? - I want to use them with my mobile phone.

[@CustomCans]

I have seen some chinese ones out there - lunashops used to do one but I have not looked in a while

[@GoorooGaming]

Which headband is more comfortable at extended periods of time?

[@CustomCans]

I would say the full fat HD25 is a bit more comfortable especially if you split the headband and spared the weight a bit but both models are so light, both are fine for long sessions

[@salmattrulz]

The first thing I saw was the new stock of HD414 pads XD

[@CustomCans]

Lol - yes we have all kinds of rare parts stashed away

[@diegovzqz]

what is the difference between the HD 25 and HD 25 PLUS?

[@CustomCans]

The headphones are the same. The plus comes with an extra cable and pads

[@BlackPhonon]

Which one are the best. Hd 25 or Hd 25-1-ll? New or old?

[@CustomCans]

They are just slightly different. Which is best would be down to personal preference but the very latest ones do come with a better copper cable

[@n11n12]

Do the Lights press on your ears as tightly as the standard HD25?

[@CustomCans]

I think they do have slightly less clamping force but I have not measured it

[@fredfinks]

bend it out, dont break it of course but you bend it 'open' and hold. I dont like it too tight and do so its just right. If you ever have it too loose you can bend it 'closed' and hold, itll retighten.

[@AndreyAzimov]

Is these new HD 25 has Sennheiser logo on the jack connector? And is it true that if the cable has logo on the jack connector it means it's a copper and if no logo it's steel?

[@CustomCans]

Yes - if they have a right angled jack with a logo on it, they are copper - the older ones are steel

[@AndreyAzimov]

@@CustomCans Thanks! It seems like it's hard to find a HD 25 with a copper cable these days in Southeast Asia. The box is new and they are made in Romania thought. But mostly with a steel cable. How about UK?

[@CustomCans]

@@AndreyAzimov We get a new batch every month direct from sennheiser and I know we did see another couple of batches of steel cable ones on the new model. They may have been using up stock of the older cables. Now all the new ones we are getting have the copper cables so eventually that will filter through the the rest of the world as the older stock sells through.

[@AndreyAzimov]

@@CustomCans Good to know! Thanks for sharing it!

[@Marian1st.]

Do they sound better than noise canceling headphones from Bose or Sony?

[@CustomCans]

It is probably a personal prefference thing - bose and sony both make a good headphone - you won't get active noise cancelling with the HD25 but the passive blocking of external sound is pretty good and you will get a lower noise floor in quiet environments as you won't have the giuet hiss that noise cancelling headphones sometimes get get. For Pro use, the HD25 is probably better as they are tougher but for listening to music on the train you will look more stylish with some Bose or sony headphones but all of them will probably sound good enough for most people

[@Marian1st.]

@@CustomCans I have HD25. I’m not looking for noise canceling headphone. Just want to know which of these sound better. NC is irrelevant. I just want to put them and and say these sound better than these. I don’t listen much to my HD25 as they have too much bass and almost no treble. It doesn’t make my music sound good. Some EDM tracks sound good with HD25.

[@1christian1sonne1]

HD25 Light

[@CustomCans]

They are a good price these days

[@TonyChurch112]

Hey, if you seriously get through thousands of pairs. Would you kindly donate a pair to my son this Christmas? He’s eager to start djing. Regards, Tony

[@CustomCans]

It is worth keeping an eye on our social as we do sometimes do giveaways but I doubt we will be doing anything like that before christmas. Believe it or not, Sennheiser UK have run out of HD25s so we don't have any and are having to buy them retail from other shops to cover our queue of orders

[@s100flo3]

50% price difference in the US

[@CustomCans]

Ah... In that case... the HD25 light is a bargain ;)

[@mikeandrews7551]

Aitch d 25s

[@RovexHD]

I don’t get the purpose of the Light. It’s not even that big a price differential ! You get a lot more value with the standard one.

[@CustomCans]

Yeh, they have never really appealed to me but I know some people do like them

[@mikemercado5687]

New ones are fragile. Typical business driven. Coz the old one will last longer which translates to less sales. Oh boy

[@darrinsiberia]

Dj Steph Curry

[@sorinsilviu1452]

The worst headphone’s 🤮🤮I could ever buy in my life as a Dj you can barely hear the bass for 130£ it’s a garbage product . I previously had a pair of Numark headphones and they were absolute top quality until one idiot walked on them 🤦‍♂️😭😭