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About this product
Product Information
Turn on the stereo, throw on a record, and listen to your favorite tunes like it is 1969. These Sennheiser HD 414 headband headphones bring an authentic feel to your vintage audio experience. With their yellow foam earpads and powerful sound quality, these headphones pack in lots of retro fun and charm. Back in the 1960's, audiophiles bought large over-ear Koss or Grado headphones. These usually sounded good, but they were heavy, bulky, and generally uncomfortable to wear. In 1968, Sennheiser shook up the home audio market with the release of its 414's. Suddenly, there was a lightweight, comfortable alternative that did not compromise on sound quality. Music fans loved them and they quickly became bestsellers. These headphones remain popular vintage audio accessories. The Sennheiser 414 model features a freqency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz, which brings out depth in both the sub-bass and bass range. The headphone cans also let acoustic color shine through the midrange and treble frequencies. With a 10-foot cable, you can comfortably relax on the couch as you listen. The foam pads on the pair of cans are soft on the ears and the band is lightweight. This headphone model came out in the 1960's, which means that it includes a 1/4-inch stereo phone connection. Most vintage amplifier models offer this type of connection, so it is compatible with older amps. Sennheiser HD 414 headhphones offer low enough impedance to pair well with portable devices such as Walkmans, Discmans, MP3 players, and smartphones. However, you should use 3.5mm adapter to connect the cable to your device. Sennheiser HD 414 headband headphones hold up very well, even after years of use. Their high quality design does not degrade easily, so they can still sound as good as they did in 1968. Occasionally, external parts such as the foam pads or the cable can show signs of wear. You can easily find replacements for the original yellow foam pads, so you can restore your pair to its former glory. If the headphone cable is worn, Sennheiser also produces compatible replacement cables for its headphone models. These require little effort to install, so you do not need a lot of electronic expertise to replace the cable on your 414's. Simply remove the old cable from the cans and plug in the replacement. If you prefer a newer set of headphones with a retro feel, look out for the Sennheiser HD 414 Anniversary Edition. This 1995 edition preserved the original design of the classic model, but gave the electronic components an upgrade. This edition features a frequency response of 18 to 21,000 Hz, offering a boost on both the bass and treble ends. It also has an impedance level of 52 ohms and includes an adapter for 3.5mm headphone jacks, which makes it a great option for modern portable music players.Product Identifiers
BrandSennheiser
MPNHD 414
ModelHD 414
eBay Product ID (ePID)114457154
Additional Product Features
Brand ColorBlack/Yellow
ColorMulti-Color
Number of EarpiecesEar-Pad (On the Ear), Headband
Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 29 Oct, 2015
Old technology still good technology
I bought an original set of HD414 soon after they came out (yup, I've been around a while), and they were falling apart from the use. Got the anniversary model and would still have them if a foster greyhound hadn't decided they were a chew toy (she was a cute dog but if we had a god house she would have been there until she was adopted. Still has a new set of replacement foam ear pads - the only thing problematic with them is the ear pads would deteriorate do had bought a couple of replacements. Now, to the sound. I do video editing in a home office, and while I use Sony pro headsets when doing production, I find them too confining when editing. Working late at night, the 414s are perfect. Lightweight, great sound, can work with them for hours. I bought one of the smaller Sennheisers, which just weren't the same, sound quality was good but they just weren't the same (I now keep them in my DSLR bag, their smallness and relatively short cable kind of go better with a small camera compared to my big broadcast gear). And I use an old but decent receiver with the 414s (they are relatively insensitive so the computer audio and self-powered studio monitors I use don't crank them very high) that can also play other sources and really crank, though being open air they can be heard faintly in the next room when really turned off. I'm very, very happy that I found a good buy and a good condition (close to new condition for something from decades ago) that performs as I remember both the originals and the anniversary model. Maybe Sennheiser will come out with a 50th if both they and I are still around! We know the folks who adopted the dog, and she's still doing well. I've almost forgiven her! If you like this kind of headphone, highly recommended.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 11 Jan, 2023
The best set of headphones every made by anybody!
I've used this model of phones since I started in broadcasting some 30 years ago. I've never found a better set of phones for my purposes.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 18 Jan, 2025
Added to my collection of 2. 1st one i ...
Added to my collection of 2. 1st one i bought in 1980. Wish they would start making them again. Maybe wireless!Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 26 Jan, 2021
as good as I remember
Had the originals for 50 or so years, then my dog chewed up one of the capsules, so this was a needed replacement, very happy to find it.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 23 Jul, 2019
Just needed new ear pads
great soundVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 23 Feb, 2016
The best head phones I ever had
I have had the same pair of these headphones since 1984 the sound is still one of the best from open headphones and reliability are un- paralleled. The right ear piece finally failed last month, it had lasted 34 years! I was able to get a spare from eBay. Spares still available on eBay are foam ear pads, high quality lead and even the head phone band.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
