The Sennheiser HD 300 PROtect addresses professional users who sometimes have to work with headphones for hours at a time. In this area of application, the test device as a work tool leaves a very positive impression. Sound quality, comfort and noise isolation are high, while the NoiseGuard technology protects the ear from excessively high levels in a meaningful way. In contrast, the HD 300 PROtect lacks transparency for the highest sound demands. The manufacturer also accepts a slightly limited dynamic range due to the sensible level limitation, but this can be deactivated, if required, for higher linearity.
Sennheiser’s HD headphone series has been in daily use for studio work, live, broadcast and DJ applications. In the closed HD 300 PROtect model, particular emphasis is placed on good noise insulation. Not only is outside noise effectively damped, but also the sound carried to the outside. After all, who wants to hear the playback on a vocal recording?
First of all, you can look forward to a familiar, sturdy pair of wired over-ear headphones with swivel and foldable earcup functionality, impressive imitation leather upholstery and adjustable headgear.
As a pure wired headset, the HD 300 PROtect is completely unfussy. The one-sided cable routing is on the left, although the L/R markings could have been clearer. The cable, which is provided with a short spiral at the top, is replaceable and protected against accidental removal by screwing in. On the other side, the cable works on a 3.5 mm jack with a screwed-on 6.3 mm adapter. The connection cable is for professional use with 1.5 m, at least for instrumentalists.
There are only good things to say about the fit: the HD 300 PROtect sits comfortably, without slipping and with good pressure on the head – especially useful for the sometimes long-lasting studio work. At the same time, it provides good external noise attenuation (up to 32 dB) for a clearly audible monitor signal, but avoids letting sound escape into the environment.
A special feature of the HD 300 PROtect is the so-called “NoiseGuard” system. Especially in the studio or for DJ use, explicitly high levels are often used. A passive circuit in the tester captures signal peaks above 110 dB by a fast-acting compressor. Sennheiser thus complies with the EU noise abatement directive (86/188 / EEC) and reliably protects hearing from excessive levels. If you want to deactivate this circuit, you can do so via a small switch located behind the nameplate.
Sound Quality
The HD 300 PROtect delivers a balanced sound when the NoiseGuard is turned on. It maps the bass range cleanly and without overemphasis, and tonality and dynamics are just as identifiable here as deep bass. The essential centre area is clean, consistent and tends to be warmly reproduced, while voices and solo instruments receive a pleasant intimacy through a good detail resolution. Finally, the headphones are rather round even in the heights and avoid harshness. The overall tuning is more warm than analytically transparent. The dynamic image is successful and also shows the necessary fine dynamics in the form of quiet details in classical recordings. The stereo panorama is clearly traceable, but rather inconspicuous, as is the mapping of spatial information. The NoiseGuard circuit itself operates inconspicuously without sound degradation, as can be seen from the hard level limits.
Technical specifications
- Ear couplingOver-ear
- Typeclosed
- Transducer principledynamic
- Frequency response (headphones)6 - 25.000 Hz
- Impedance62,95 ohms
- Sound pressure level (SPL)103,29 dB
- Pressure averaged from big and small head758 g
- Weight with cable336 g
- Weight without cable300 g
- Cable length150 cm
What's in the box
- Cable with mini jack (1.5m)
- 6.35mm stereo jack
