[Rocko1]

Does anyone know the difference other than pad material? Thanks.

 

[Magicman74]

Quote:

Does anyone know the difference other than pad material? Thanks.

The 428/29 is very close to the 439, here's my take on the whole 400 series. The 439 is a tad more refined then the 428/9 but have the same tonal balance!!
For the 400 series it goes like this:
The 419 are the Darkest sounding (Warmest) Most Bass, Sound sig reminds me of the PX100.  Great comfort-Velour pads!!
The 439-Is more Mid Focal (Slightly Warm) Bass is about equal to the 419 in impact but it's a better texture/decay.  Same Great Comfort-Velour pads
The 449 is more Treble Focal (Luke Warm) The less Bass of the bunch but the Mid & Treble detail is the best of the bunch, Soundstage as well. It's Wider and has more Depth.  Treble can be hot on some tracks, at least to me.  Same Great Comfort-Cheap fake leather pads, Can be changed to the 419/439 velour.
 
The sweet spot really is the 439, It has a better balance, Stock velours, and Removable cables, One 4ft, One 10ft.
If the 449 was priced better it might be the better buy, But coming in at around $120 you can get a Refurb 518 for $70 or a Refurb 558 for $110-120.  And both of the phones are way ahead sound wise.
 So it really depends on what you want, Darker 419, or the same Bass but a " Cleaner sound" 439.
Refurb 439's are going for $50 here in the US and the 419's have been selling in the $30 range!!!

 

[streetdragon]

Funny how often the higher end models in the series/family normally the one with more treble and is less bassy, other examples:
SR60i,SR80i,SR125i,SR225i,SR325i
HD518,HD558,HD598
SRH840,SRh940,SRH1440

(however exceptions apply,like the DT880,DT990. and HD600,HD650)

 

[Rocko1]

Thanks for the info. Where to the 428's fit in?

 

[Magicman74]

Quote:

Thanks for the info. Where to the 428's fit in?

About right where they fit into the 400 series. As you go up the quality goes up.  My pick still is the 439.  Mainly for the Cables/Sound
The cables can be changed and are at least 2/3 times better quality then the 428. Also remember you have to find the 428 that has the sort cable if not it's a very long thin mess. 
 
I don't know your budget but:
ADGTRON is a Sennheiser Reseller.  All are Factory Refurbs and come with a Factory Warranty.  I've used them a few times and everything comes as Brand New...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B005SNPV94/sr=8-1/qid=1362089272/ref=olp_tab_refurbished?ie=UTF8&colid=&coliid=&condition=refurbished&me=&qid=1362089272&seller=&sr=8-1
 
Just email them first, to see if they are in stock!!

 

[Rocko1]

Great. Thanks.

 

[whoelse]

Quote:

About right where they fit into the 400 series. As you go up the quality goes up.  My pick still is the 439.  Mainly for the Cables/Sound
The cables can be changed and are at least 2/3 times better quality then the 428. Also remember you have to find the 428 that has the sort cable if not it's a very long thin mess. 
 
I don't know your budget but:
ADGTRON is a Sennheiser Reseller.  All are Factory Refurbs and come with a Factory Warranty.  I've used them a few times and everything comes as Brand New...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B005SNPV94/sr=8-1/qid=1362089272/ref=olp_tab_refurbished?ie=UTF8&colid=&coliid=&condition=refurbished&me=&qid=1362089272&seller=&sr=8-1
 
Just email them first, to see if they are in stock!!

Hi, if the price is the same for 439 and 449, would you still pick the 439 for it's sound?

 

[Magicman74]

Quote:

Hi, if the price is the same for 439 and 449, would you still pick the 439 for it's sound?

Not if they are the exact same price.  The 449 is a better sounding headphone.  But for me the 449 at full price isn't worth it.
At least here in the U.S.  You can get the 439 for $40-$50 and the 449 is in the $130's.  For $20 more you can get a DT770, HD518, HD558 and the other $150 phones that are better.
So at full price the 449 isn't worth it as you can get something much better for just a few $ more. If the price of the 449 was around $80 or so it would be a better buy.
But I'd still take them if the price was the same as 439.

 

[whoelse]

Quote:

Not if they are the exact same price.  The 449 is a better sounding headphone.  But for me the 449 at full price isn't worth it.
At least here in the U.S.  You can get the 439 for $40-$50 and the 449 is in the $130's.  For $20 more you can get a DT770, HD518, HD558 and the other $150 phones that are better.
So at full price the 449 isn't worth it as you can get something much better for just a few $ more. If the price of the 449 was around $80 or so it would be a better buy.
But I'd still take them if the price was the same as 439.

$40-50? that's a very good price! $150 for dt770 is sweet too! not a chance here.