What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Seriously good headphones for the listener who wants to keep their music private, but rivals have caught up
Pros
- +
Punch powerful sound
- +
great design
- +
very portable
Cons
- -
The Grado SR60i is a touch more revealing – and it's a bit cheaper
- -
lack some refinement
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi?
Closed-back headphones have their pros and cons.
On the plus side, there's very little noise leakage (ideal if you don't want to distract others), but on the downside, enclosure vibration can impact on clarity and dynamics.
These HD 380s have a powerful, vibrant sound. Eminem's We Made You has pace and rhythm: detail is good, although they're not the most refined.
The folding design makes these a good travel companion, too. It's only the excellence of new rivals that sees these drop to four stars
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What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.