Sennheiser HD-222 (c. 1981)
The HD-222 is one of Sennheiser's early closed-ear headphones, and it was a departure for the company. Sennheiser had built its reputation on open, non-isolating designs. A brief High Fidelity news item (May 1981, p.14) noted this, and its headline put the new direction plainly: "Sennheiser goes for isolation." Sennheiser's own advertising claimed the closed-ear HD-222 could match the clarity and definition of its open-back Open-Aire models (High Fidelity, May 1981, p.137).
Hirsch-Houck Laboratories ran a full equipment test report in HiFi/Stereo Review (May 1981, p.22). They measured the HD-222's sensitivity at 94 dB SPL or better for a 1 mW input (0.77 V), with a maximum continuous input rating of 0.2 W. Past those figures, the record is thin. The archive's sources have no production years, original price or detailed specifications.
- Closed-ear (sealed) headphone design
- Sensitivity: at least 94 dB SPL at 1 mW (0.77 V)
- Maximum continuous input: 0.2 W
- Advertised and reviewed in May 1981
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