Sennheiser has a reputation for world class sounding headphones that precedes it. But now the German brand has joined the likes of Dr. Dre by offering stylised, street savvy and hip looking sets that it hopes will appeal to trending setting types (i.e. not me). EFTM has landed a pair of the Sennheiser Urbanite XL.
The Urbanite XL are loud, brash and substantial. The circular cups are large by any standard, with thickly padded suede-like material making them especially comfortable to wear. The folding mechanism connects innovatively to a lower bracket that allows simple adjustment for the desired fit. The nifty hinge results in them folding away very tightly for an otherwise large set of phones.
The flat cable features controls optimised for both Apple, Samsung and Android devices. I really like the locking mechanism for the jack which ends the annoyance of accidentally unplugging. A rubber ribbon insert runs through the headband which is covered by a strong mesh type material that is coloured according to which set you choose. High quality rubber lining sits between your head and the band.
The Urbanite XL produces an extra heavy base experience which is a deliberate departure from the norm. It’s all about enjoying music in an urban environment, people haven’t walked around with Boomboxes for decades so in effect this is a strap on wearable alternative. In my opinion the sound produced is very pleasing indeed, and due to the extra-large cups is well isolated from outside interference. But with all that base bias a clean, crisp sound still lingers at all levels.
Summing up I’d describe the Sennheiser XL as something akin to whacking on a boy racer style body kit to a BMW. Excellent, inherent quality mixed with something a little too adolescent for some. There’s a novel advertising campaign online if you’d like to check them out at www.earlove.com.au.
Oh yeah and $399 puts them right up there alongside the Dr. Dre equivalent and others, also you’d expect more than the miniature library bag to store them at this price. Library bag… I think that’s another 80’s reference.
[schema type=”review” rev_name=”Sennheiser Urbanite XL” rev_body=”I’d describe the Sennheiser XL as something akin to whacking on a boy racer style body kit to a BMW” author=”Chris Bowen” pubdate=”2014-11-25″ user_review=”3.5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]
