4.8 / 5 ( 28 votes)
Today's ranking of the best Sennheiser headphones will describe the brand's popular models. We can safely say that this manufacturer is known to everyone who has even the slightest interest in headphones and audio equipment, and is distinguished by its professional sound. Our rating of Sennheiser headphones included different models.
It cannot be ignored that Sennheiser produces the best headphones in the world (Orpheus). You can already buy such second-generation headphones, but the price, to put it mildly, is very high - $55,000.
Which Sennheiser headphones are best to buy?
The company’s line of accessories is quite large, so choosing exactly what suits you will not be difficult. There is also a choice for every budget and preference: Sennheiser has models for phone and games, wired and Bluetooth. All of them are good for their stylish design and quality of development.
Sennheiser is one of the TOP most successful headphone manufacturers worldwide. Although the beginning of the ideal was first associated with microphones. The first headphone model (HD 414) was created by them in the mid-20th century. This created a sensation and simply exploded the industry - after all, these were the first open-back headphones!
The best Sennheiser headphones of 2021
№ | Name | Description | Price |
1. | Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC | The best Sennheiser wireless headphones with ANC | 170$ |
2. | Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 | 100% best Sennheiser Bluetooth headphones | 350$ |
3. | Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless | Senheiser wireless headphones - the best full-size in the ranking | 480$ |
4. | Sennheiser HD 650 | The best wired headphones from Sennheiser, ranked | 370$ |
5. | Sennheiser G4ME ZERO | Sennheiser gaming headphones with microphone | 200$ |
6. | Sennheiser HD 380 Pro | Sennheiser over-ear headphones | 140$ |
7. | Sennheiser MX 170 | The best Sennheiser headphones in the budget segment | 10$ |
Rating of the best Sennheiser headphones
Nomination | place | Name of product | price |
The best in-ear headphones (plugs) Sennheiser | 1 | Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear Wireless | 8 500 ₽ |
2 | Sennheiser CX 6.00BT | 5 000 ₽ | |
3 | Sennheiser IE 4 | 2 890 ₽ | |
The best Sennheiser over-ear headphones | 1 | Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear Wireless (M2 OEBT) | 12 189 ₽ |
2 | Sennheiser HD 25 | 10 690 ₽ | |
3 | Sennheiser HD 2.20S | 3 150 ₽ | |
The best over-ear headphones from Sennheiser | 1 | Sennheiser HD 800 | 54 990 ₽ |
2 | Sennheiser HD 650 | 21 340 ₽ | |
3 | Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Wireless (M2 AEBT) | 16 950 ₽ |
TOP 5 best headphones for streaming in 2021
Published: 01/24/2020
4.8 / 5 (25 votes) In this review, we will look at the TOP 5 best headphones for streaming on Twitch. These models are high-quality, proven headphones with a microphone...
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Sennheiser MX 170
The best Sennheiser headphones in the budget segment.
The Sennheiser MX 170 ($10) are great wired earbuds for any Sennheiser wallet. Their special feature is foam rubber nozzles and high-quality bass. Of course, these are not the best headphones, but for such a price it’s a shame to say anything bad.
The headphones have proven themselves really well and have been on the market for a long time.
- Sound. Again, completely worth the cost. They can be easily compared with more expensive and powerful models;
- Price. For $7 you can get at least 10 pieces! Sennheiser MX 170 are the best headphones in the price category under $20.
- Life time. It is logical to assume that the design and materials are the cheapest, so you cannot count on durability. The maximum is a year;
- Design. Everything is very simple and tasteless, nothing to praise!
The best Sennheiser in-ear headphones
Sennheiser OMX 90 Style
Wired closed “tablets” from Sinheiser stand out with their stylish modern design and have excellent characteristics for the niche. An impedance of 64 Ohms, dynamic sealed drivers, sensitivity up to 117 dB - all this contributes to the generation of excellent signature sound for which the brand is so famous. The behind-the-ear attachment ensures comfortable use; the cord length of 1.2 m is enough for free movements without being constrained. The packaging is also pleasing: the manufacturer additionally supplies the headphones with a stylish case and a pair of replaceable ear pads.
Advantages:
- sound output volume;
- decent resistance;
- comfort in operation;
- decent equipment;
- good fastening;
- design.
Flaws:
- difficult to find on sale.
Sennheiser MX 170
At first glance, the model may seem quite simple and discreet. Belonging to a cult manufacturer is visually signaled only by a coating with the brand name, made in a small, modest font. However, the modification is ideal in terms of price and quality ratio in the niche of Sennheiser liners. At a low price for this particular company, the variation produces luxurious sound compared to more expensive analogues from competing companies. The headphones display the middle range of sounds with good accents and details. The upper frequencies are absolutely not cut off, and the lows sound deep and noble. MX 170 is the best option “for every day”. The model will definitely appeal to fans of portable playback devices.
Advantages:
- excellent assembly;
- budget price for the brand;
- good frequency;
- volume;
- reliable cord;
- ergonomics;
- volume of sound;
- the model behaves well in the cold;
- there is no unpleasant rattling noise.
Flaws:
- low noise insulation;
- Noise may appear at maximum volume;
- no rubber covers;
- inconvenient plug.
Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
Over-ear, closed-back headphones from Sennheiser.
Sennheiser HD 380 Pro ($140) – excellent closed-back Sennheiser headphones for working and recording in the studio and just listening to tracks. The headphones are truly professional - they have a very nice design, fit comfortably, and the sound is completely balanced.
This Sennheiser model will definitely appeal to you if you need large, closed-back headphones for both home and work, and are also a lover of high-quality sound.
- Sound. Excellent sound without any deviations, even with fast and high-volume songs there is no trash or confusion. The Sennheiser HD 380 Pro are the ideal high-quality studio headphones for their price;
- Convenience. The headphones fit well on the head, and the design compresses the ears and they do not sweat. But you quickly get used to the twisted cable and soon you don’t pay attention to it at all;
- Quality. The headphones are very durable and even indestructible, despite the fact that they are made of plastic. They are long-lived and you may not expect any breakdowns.
- Noise isolation. For the intended purposes, noise insulation (ANC) is not needed. That is why it is not effective enough. In a quiet place (at home or in the studio) everything is perfect: you can’t be heard, but you can hear everything if you are addressed in a raised voice;
- Not urban. Walking outside with these headphones on is almost impossible. After all, terrible noise isolation and an inconvenient cable will not allow you to enjoy music 100%;
- High requirements. It is useless to connect them to the phone, the sound is not the same. To get the most out of Sennheiser headphones, you need to listen to uncompressed music, and the source must be with a good amplifier.
Sennheiser G4ME ZERO
Sennheiser gaming headphones with microphone!
Sennheiser G4ME ZERO ($200) is the best headphones from Sennheiser for gamers with a perfect microphone. The sound in the headphones is balanced, which distinguishes them from many competitive models - the sound is detailed and pleasant. The microphone is made of high quality and transmits voice clearly.
In our opinion, this model is the most unique from Sennheiser. It's definitely worth checking out if you're looking for gaming headphones!
- Sound. Good sound without harsh low frequencies. There is no need for sound quality amplifiers - everything already works 100%;
- Microphone. The headphones will protect well from the wind, and voice transmission will be at the highest level. Activating the microphone is very simple, just press up or down. Sennheiser G4ME ZERO is a worthy development from Sennheiser for gaming;
- Convenience. Fortunately, you can spend a lot of time in them - your ears don’t sweat, your head doesn’t hurt. And the fabric ear pads are removable, so you can easily clean them.
- Problems with the cable. Sometimes it rubs against clothes and a microphone effect appears. It is difficult to avoid this if used as intended;
- Microphone. It is quite large and there is no way to remove it;
- Connection. The headphones have a 2.5 mm micro-jack connector. Therefore, if you want to replace the cable, difficulties may arise;
- Sound card requirements. To experience the fullness of sound, you need to have a modern computer hardware. Embedding an ordinary chip is not an option - the sound will be incomplete.
Sennheiser HD 650
The best wired Sennheiser headphones in the ranking.
The Sennheiser HD 650 ($370) is a fairly popular large corded model that has high-quality sound and is priced just right. These Sennheiser headphones can be called ideal for music lovers! And when you choose a quality source, you will get an incredible experience.
- Sound. Sennheiser HD 650 has the best sound among the entire rating of the best Sennheiser models;
- Convenience. Comfortable ear pads and headband, lightness and lack of pressure on the ears and head make this model ideal for long-term use throughout the day;
- Assembly and design. The headphones are made of high-quality plastic, and additional metal inserts give them strength;
- Design. Sennheiser really looks stylish and nice. Classic “German” appearance;
- Detachable cable. Perhaps one of the best Sennheiser headphones in the ranking.
- Demanding on the source. If you want your headphones to produce 100%, connect them to an expensive source setup. It is more pleasant to listen to music in them in an uncompressed format;
- Set. There is no additional cable and no carrying case. For headphones at this price, this is not very good;
- Cable. Here the quality has failed, it is much easier to replace it immediately;
- Noise insulation (ANC). Although the headphones are some of the best among Sennheiser, your music will be heard by people around you.
The best Sennheiser over-ear headphones
The second group of devices in the ranking of the best Sennheiser headphones according to Expertology is a kind of compromise between “in-ear” and full-size – on-ear headphones. Here we will also look at three models that our experts considered worthy of attention based on their most important characteristics.
Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear Wireless (M2 OEBT)
Rating: 4.9
The first model in this collection is a kind of “big brother” of another model of the Momentum series from the previous group. Naturally, there is quite a bit in common between them, but some advantages are successfully implemented.
Everything is clear with the form factor of this model; the headphones weigh 210 grams, are attached via a headband and are available in three basic colors - beige, brown, black. The design is foldable; when folded, the headphones fit into a hard compact case, which is included in the delivery set.
The developers have placed significant emphasis on the quality and properties of materials to emphasize the premium class of the headset. For example, the ear pads and headband are covered with pleasant-to-touch artificial suede, and not just any kind, but the famous Italian Alcantara.
This model supports two methods of connecting to devices - wireless Bluetooth and via a detachable cable with a standard connector. There is also NFC support with the maximum possible range for this technology of 10 meters.
In terms of sound characteristics, this model boasts high-quality and pronounced V-shaped sound (accentuated bass and high frequencies). This amplitude-frequency characteristic best translates the rhythm of modern dynamic music. AptX codec is supported. Built-in active noise reduction NoiseGuard. “Feedback” is provided by as many as four microphones.
The headset's functionality also includes the ability to control calls on a smartphone and playback - a compact control panel with buttons is located directly on the headphone body. This way you can accept, end or put a call on hold, and repeat the last number. There is a voice dialing function. Four standard profiles are supported: Headset, Hands free, AVRCP and A2DP.
In standby mode, the headphones last a full charge for 360 hours. Full charging time – 3 hours.
Advantages
- wireless and wired connection;
- functionality;
- quality materials;
- premium class;
- high-quality V-shaped sound.
Flaws
- a noticeable percentage of complaints about not the most convenient controls.
Sennheiser HD 25
Rating: 4.8
Now we present to you in our rating a real legend - “those 25th Sennheisers”, which have been recognized and deeply respected among professional DJs for almost 30 years. To be precise, we are, of course, talking about their most recent version, and in total in its history this model has survived six successful technological revisions.
It’s easy to distinguish the newest revision by the manufacturer’s logos on the cups and the resistance indicators printed on the headband. Otherwise, the latest version has undergone only minor improvements, and all the advantages remain unchanged. We will go through them in more detail.
So, the HD 25 line is closed-type on-ear dynamic headphones. They weigh 140 g and are attached via a headband. The cable is connected on one side. They are connected via a standard 3.5 mm mini jack connector, and in addition to it, the kit also includes a 6.3 mm adapter. The cable is quite long - 1.5 m.
The headset reproduces sound in the range from 16 to 22 thousand Hertz. It is characterized by a sensitivity of 120 dB and a resistance of 70 Ohms. Power reaches 200 mW. Harmonic coefficient - 0.3%. Contact pressure - 2.5N.
The striking distinctive features of this model are exceptionally high sound insulation at the level of in-ear headphones. This is achieved thanks to the special shape of the bowls and tight pressing. The latter does not affect comfort during long-term continuous wearing - the ear pads are quite soft and ergonomic.
Another important point is that the headphones are practically “indestructible”. The developers initially laid down an impressive resource, so headsets of previous generations serve their owners for many years, and the latest revision has retained this quality.
Advantages
- very light;
- excellent sound insulation;
- claim to professional class;
- exceptionally high quality sound;
- universal comfortable fit “for any head”;
- unprecedented durability.
Flaws
- no distinct disadvantages were noted.
Sennheiser HD 2.20S
Rating: 4.7
The selection of the rating of on-ear headphones produced by the famous Sennheiser brand is completed by the compact, laconic, comfortable and fairly inexpensive model HD 2.20S. The headset is made in a minimalist design with a predominance of black in non-metallic design elements.
The headphones weigh 257 g - despite their compactness, they are heavier than the previous two, but within reason. They are attached using a headband, have a folding design and when folded take up minimal space. The cable is connected on one side, length – 1.4 meters. The connector is a standard 3.5 mm mini-jack.
The “sound ability” parameters of this model are as follows. Sound reproduction ranging from 18 to 18 thousand Hertz; resistance - 26 Ohm; nonlinear distortion rate (“harmonics”) – 0.5%; sensitivity - 112 dB/V.
The headset's functionality also includes an omnidirectional microphone with a sensitivity of 44 dBV/Pa and the ability to perceive frequencies from 100 to 10 thousand Hertz. The control function is quite minimalistic: sound volume, switching tracks, answering/ending calls on the smartphone. There is a pause button that can pause watching a video on a wearable gadget.
Sennheiser provides an official warranty for this model for a period of 24 months.
Advantages
- thin, compact, folding;
- sound quality;
- hardy and durable;
- the most affordable price in the group.
Flaws
- at volumes starting from medium, the sound penetrates abundantly (in audio chats you can hear yourself).
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
Senheiser wireless headphones are the best full-size headphones in the ranking.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless ($480) are wireless full-size Bluetooth headphones. The sound is at a high level, they fit comfortably, stylish appearance, noise suppression function and the presence of an application - these are the characteristics that allowed us to get into the rating of the best Senheiser headphones.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is perfect for both home and daily use at work or play. They are larger than similar models of the line and competitors, but not so much that it would be embarrassing to appear in public.
- Sound. Perfect music reproduction! And if you connect a high-quality source, you will get unimaginable pleasure;
- Appearance. Beautiful and very high quality headphones from Sennheiser. Unique design and durable materials made of metal and leather;
- Bluetooth connection. There is no constant interference or interruptions, the range is quite large, and it is also possible to connect 2 devices;
- Noise Cancellation (ANC). These headphones can be called one of the best among Senheiser. They make complete silence, but it is still not possible to achieve complete isolation;
- Functionality. There is a good app where you will find many different settings, “smart pause” (playback stops when you remove the headphones) and a sound transparency mode. You can also connect using AAC, aptX, aptX LL.
- Price. Headphones are very expensive. For $480 you can choose many other equally cool options;
- Battery performance. It is less than similar models and is about 17 hours;
- Case. The case is made of fabric and not hard. At most, the case can only protect the headphones from sand.
Review of Sennheiser HD 450BT and HD 350BT wireless over-ear headphones
At CES 2021, Sennheiser brought an update to two of its full-size wireless headphones in the middle and even “very average” price segment - HD 4.40BT and HD 4.50BTNC. Like their predecessors, the new HD 450BT and HD 350BT have almost identical bodies, but differ in configuration and the presence of an active noise reduction system in the older model.
While maintaining the general idea of the product, the developers have made many changes to the new models - from a more strict design to the current version of Bluetooth 5.0, a USB-C port for charging, noticeably increased autonomy, and so on. But it was decided to abandon NFC support, which is quite reasonable in the case of a relatively inexpensive product, since this option is used only when connecting to a new sound source, that is, extremely infrequently.
Such small concessions and the absence of “premium” materials in the design made it possible to create solutions that are interesting in terms of technical characteristics, while maintaining a relatively low cost for branded headphones. Not long ago we talked about the flagship full-size wireless model from Sennheiser - Momentum 3 Wireless. Today we’ll look at the company’s latest product in the mid-price segment.
Specifications
HD 350BT | HD 450BT | |
Declared frequency range | 18 Hz - 22 kHz | |
Speaker diameter | 32 mm | |
Sound pressure level (SPL) | 108 dB | |
Harmonic distortion factor | <0.3% (1 kHz, 100 dB SPL) | |
Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0, wired |
Supported codecs | aptX, aptX LL, AAC, SBC | |
Microphone frequency range | 80 to 6000 Hz (−3 dB) | |
Noise suppression | No | There is |
Charging connector | USB-C | |
Battery capacity | 300 mAh | 600 mAh |
Battery life | up to 30 hours | up to 30 hours with ANC |
Battery charging time | ≈ 2 hours | |
Weight | 238 g | |
Information on the manufacturer's website | sennheiser.ru | sennheiser.ru |
recommended price | 6990 ₽ | 12 990 ₽ |
Packaging and equipment
The headphones are supplied in cardboard boxes with a traditional Sennheiser design in white and blue tones. On them you can find large images of the device and brief characteristics. Inside, the contents of the package are securely held using plastic supports.
The older HD 450BT model includes the headphones themselves, an audio cable for a wired connection to the source, a charging cable via USB-C, a carrying case and documentation.
The HD 350BT package does not include a case or cable for wired connections, which this version does not support.
Design and construction
The design of both models is almost identical, so we will consider in detail only the older of them. The headphones are available in two colors; we tested the HD 450BT in black, and the HD 350BT in white.
The body is made of plastic, very pleasant to the touch. The design is minimalistic, without unnecessary accents and decorative details. The devices turned out to be quite light - only 238 g, which had a positive effect on the comfort of wearing, which we will talk about separately.
At the bottom of the right ear cup there is a microphone hole, a charging socket, a mini-jack connector (3.5 mm) for a wired connection to a source, an LED indicator, and buttons for controlling the headset.
The HD 350BT does not support a wired connection, which is why it does not have a corresponding connector. At the same time, let’s pay attention to the gray color of the ear pads. White might have looked a little better. But gray ones are much more practical.
The earpiece is made of plastic; on its outer surface you can only find the brand name. At the bottom there is a small soft pad.
There is a microphone hole on the outside of the right ear cup. The manufacturer's logo is placed at the place where it is attached to the temple.
The headband is adjustable with a pleasant effort and a soft click, the fixation in each position is reliable.
The power reserve on each side is 3.5 cm. To ensure a more comfortable fit, the cups can swing in a horizontal plane and rotate around their axis at an angle of approximately 10° in each direction.
The headphones are foldable, the cups can be placed inside the headband arc. The hinges, like other structural elements, are made of plastic. Theoretically, this could allow one to doubt the reliability of the folding mechanism, but the experience of using previous models in the line suggests that there is no reason for concern.
The ear pads are quite soft and deep, the speaker hole is covered with fabric. On the inside of the arc above the retractable element you can see the designations of the left and right headphones. But it’s easier to navigate using the control panel, which is located on the right earcup.
The ear pads are removable, under them we see a speaker protected by a plastic grille and some technical information.
The included HD 450BT case is made of fabric and is designed more to protect against scratches and dust than against shocks and other serious impacts.
USB-USB Type-C charging cables are of average quality. No frills in the form of braiding or anything else, just a normal good cable.
The same can be said about the cable with a minijack (3.5 mm). I was pleased that the connector for connecting to the sound source gadget is L-shaped.
Connection
When you turn on the headphones for the first time, they automatically enter pairing mode with the source, which can later be activated by long pressing the power button when turning on the headset. Then everything is simple - we find the device in the corresponding gadget menu, connect it without entering a password or other difficulties. Just in case, we check that the aptX codec is used by default, which is one of the “features” of both devices. The screenshots below show the HD 450BT connection; in the case of the younger model, everything happens exactly the same.
There are no differences in the list of supported codecs, which we received using the Bluetooth Tweaker utility: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX LL - everything is as stated. Plus, for some reason, another codec with an undetectable VendorID, which could not be identified.
The wireless connection was surprisingly stable. When placing the signal source in a trouser pocket under outerwear, short-term interruptions in sound were noted in areas with high levels of radio interference, where the vast majority of tested headsets behave in a similar way. Moving the gadget closer to the headphones almost completely eliminated stuttering.
When you connect an audio cable to the HD 450BT, the Bluetooth module is automatically disabled. Neither the control buttons nor the headset microphone work with a wired connection. But the noise reduction system can be activated. In general, it’s just right for an airplane, but in everyday life it might be a little inconvenient. But the wired connection is made here more just in case than as a regularly used option.
Control
As we saw just above, Sennheiser engineers left a fair number of buttons in the design of the updated headsets, and even added one new one, which is responsible for calling the voice assistant. At a time when many rely on one multifunctional key to control playback, flip through tracks and a couple of other functions, this approach will clearly find its fans. Not everyone likes to control a device using combinations of long, double, and sometimes triple clicks.
To understand the variety of controls, let’s take a photo in which all the buttons are visible and list them from top to bottom so that it corresponds to the direction from the face to the back of the head when placing the headset on the head.
Near the microphone hole there is a power button, which is also responsible for activating the pairing mode and noise reduction (HD 450BT only). Next we see the volume swing, and behind them is a three-position playback control key. Clicking on it pauses the music, and moving forward and backward scrolls through the tracks. And finally, we get to the innovation - a separate button for activating the voice assistant. Next to the power button there is a multi-colored LED indicator showing the operating modes of the device.
Exploitation
The fit of the headphones is comfortable, but not without a number of nuances. For example, the hole in the ear pads is oval-shaped and relatively small - 6 cm in length and only 3.5 cm in width. The auricle does not fit completely into it; there is a slight pressure on the middle part of the helix, which can cause some discomfort. But it appears only after wearing it for a very long time, and not for everyone.
The pressure on the head is minimal, while the fit is very secure. The headphones remain in place even with active movement, including during sports. The ears, of course, get a little hot, but this is a feature of all full-size models. The ear pads are quite soft and deep; the ability to rotate the earcups is quite enough to ensure a snug fit to the head. Accordingly, passive sound insulation is at a good level.
The autonomy of the new HD 450BT and HD 350BT is higher than that of their predecessors and reaches 30 hours. At the same time, the battery of the older model has twice the capacity and provides a claimed 30 hours of operation with the active noise reduction system turned on. Without it, the headphones can work even longer on a single charge.
We did not discharge the headphones during everyday use; that would have taken too much time. We connected them to the source and left them playing music continuously at about 70 percent of the maximum volume. HD 450BT with ANC turned on lasted a little over 26 hours, HD 350BT - about 25 hours. The values turned out to be slightly lower than stated, but at a volume level closer to average they could well have been noticeably higher. In any case, the autonomy of the headphones is impressive - in any case, it will be enough for a couple of days in periodic use. The stated charging time was fully confirmed in practice - about 2 hours.
Software and noise reduction
Sennheiser headphones come with Smart Control software, available for Android and iOS devices. We talked about it in detail when testing the Momentum True Wireless TWS headset, then returned to it again in the review of the full-size flagship Momentum 3 Wireless. In the “advanced” models, the software capabilities are quite varied, in the case of our “strong middle peasant” everything is simpler.
When connecting the HD 450BT, for some reason the program specifies which headset we are using. Next, the user sees a welcome screen and short instructions on how to manage the device. Using the application, you can control the charging level of the headphones, update their firmware, and also adjust the sound using a proprietary equalizer, the features of which we discussed in the reviews mentioned above. The HD 450BT does not have active noise reduction level settings like the Momentum 3 Wireless, which is understandable - after all, the more “advanced” model is almost twice as expensive.
With the younger HD 350BT, the application works almost the same, the only difference is the absence of mention of turning on the active noise reduction system in the mini-instructions at the start.
The HD 450BT's noise reduction is activated only using a button on the headphones themselves and does not have an on-on indication, which is somewhat inconvenient. Its effectiveness can be subjectively assessed as average. It doesn’t work as well as the flagships, but it is quite adequate and better than a number of ultra-budget models from Chinese brands. As with absolutely all devices, ANC is best at suppressing low-frequency noise: the hum of engines, the hum of air conditioners, and so on.
Speech and high-frequency sounds are filtered exclusively by the ear pads. But this does not mean that somewhere surrounded by a large number of people, for example, the ANC system will be useless. On the contrary, if you were not previously familiar with the work of active noise suppressors, you will be surprised how many low-frequency components are present in the usual hum of a cafe or office. And how much easier it is to live and work if you can’t hear them.
Sound and frequency response measurements
Before talking about the sound of headphones, let’s immediately talk about the delay and “out of sync” of sound in videos and games. It is extremely small, but still present. In videos this is completely unnoticeable, but in dynamic games it can cause minor inconvenience. The older HD 450BT has a wired connection for this case, and playing with it is predictably comfortable. We'll talk about their sound first.
As usual, we draw the attention of readers to the fact that the frequency response graphs are provided solely as an illustration to demonstrate the main sound features of the headphones being tested. You should not draw conclusions from them about the quality of a particular model. The actual experience of each listener depends on many factors, ranging from the structure of the hearing organs to the pressing force of the ear pads, which can seriously affect the transmission of the low-frequency range.
The HD 450BT's bass is slightly accentuated, but does not cause a "booming" feeling. The mids are well-developed, vocals are easy to read—in general, the headphones sound quite balanced and interesting. The rise at high levels is not perceived as sharply as it looks on the graph, due to the characteristics of human hearing. However, sometimes there is a desire to tidy up the highs a little in order to get rid of the excessive “clack” of the hi-hats. But this is a matter of taste.
The younger HD 350BT sounds similar. The differences in the graphs below are partly explained by the slightly different positions of the headphones on the measuring stand - it is impossible to position them in an absolutely identical way. By ear, the difference is also not obvious and can be achieved by changing the position of the headphones on the head - in particular, for a slightly better transmission of “deep bass”, it is enough to find a position in which the ear pads fit as closely as possible to the head.
The nature of the sound with a wired connection and activation of noise reduction changes noticeably - in particular, the emphasis on low frequencies is removed. All measurements in the graph below were carried out without changing the position of the headphones on the stand, therefore the changes in the frequency response shown can be considered objective. In the case of a wired connection, they can easily be explained by operating in passive mode with DSP disabled. Which, apparently, is responsible for some increase in the low frequencies.
But something else is interesting - the frequency response graph when active noise reduction is turned on is almost identical to what we see when connected via cable. It can be assumed that the “noise reduction” directly affects the sound minimally, but when it is turned on, the built-in audio processor is deactivated. One of the likely reasons for this behavior is hardware limitations: the SoC used can only do one thing - either adjust the tonal balance or suppress external noise. But this is just a guess.
Results
Sennheiser has once again shown that it feels confident in the mid-price segment. The older model HD 450BT is a good, albeit not ideal, alternative to expensive headphones with active noise cancellation. Yes, there are some questions about its operation - the noise reduction efficiency is average, there is no microphone on the wire... But they are not able to overshadow the fact that the user receives branded headphones with excellent battery life, good build quality, a pleasant, strict design, and good sound by the standards of wireless models. As for the younger HD 350BT, everything is even easier with them. For almost half the price, they offer the same thing minus active noise cancellation and a wired connection, which many users don’t really need. As a result, they will certainly become one of the iconic models in the budget segment, just like their predecessors.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
Review of Momentum True Wireless 2 - the best Bluetooth headphones from Sennheiser.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 ($350) are excellent wireless headphones with excellent sound and modern design from Sennheiser. The sound is truly amazing and one of the best among competitors. Working time is about 4 hours. The accessory is made of high quality and looks expensive, comfortable and fits well in the ears.
These Bluetooth headphones from Sennheiser were produced and launched on the market recently. But in our opinion, they are the best Sennheiser headphones in terms of sound quality.
- Sound. The sound is good and balanced, but the low frequencies fluctuate a little. Detailing is at a high level, but you won’t be able to pump it up with bass;
- Work radius. It is possible to work at a distance of up to 45-50 meters from the source. Excellent indicator!
- Appearance. Made in the best traditions of Sennheiser - very stylish and minimalistic;
- Application. Sennheiser Smart Control has everything you need to operate and configure your headphones;
- Autonomous work. 7 hours (21 hours with the case) is a good indicator for such headphones. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless is one of the best Sennheiser wireless Bluetooth headphones.
- High price. This is not to say that they are worth the money. However, I’m not sure that more budget headphones will be of better quality than the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2. You can find a lot of similar headphones under $250;
- Sound isolation. For some, what they have won't be enough. I would like better insulation;
- Control. It's not easy to get it right the first time. It seems as if the ergonomics were not worked out at all.
The best over-ear headphones from Sennheiser
And finally, the third and most interesting selection in the ranking of the best Sennheiser headphones according to Expertology. These are full-size models, which are clearly not suitable for wearing on the street, but they have technical and other characteristics that overhead models cannot provide, and which plug-in models certainly “didn’t dream of.” These massive and most often multifunctional devices are used in serious work with sound in a professional studio or home mini-studio. They are also often used by avid video game players, especially professional eSports players.
Sennheiser HD 800
Rating: 4.9
Let's start, as expected, with the most expensive and most impressive model - the HD 800. And there really is something to be impressed with. This is the flagship of Sennheiser professional headphones, capable of competing even with full-fledged Hi-End bookshelf speakers.
The headphones are made in a massive case with an expressive modern design. Net weight excluding cable - 330 g. Fastened using a headband. The design uses the most modern composite materials, the ear pads are covered with pleasant velvety microfiber. Contact pressure - 3.4N.
The key technical characteristics of the headphones in terms of sound are as follows. Sound spectrum of frequency reproduction – from 6 to 51 thousand Hz; resistance – 300 Ohm; sensitivity - 102 dB. harmonic distortion (nonlinear distortion) – less than or equal to 0.02%; sound pressure - 105 dB (1 kHz, 1 W RMS). The detachable cable with an oxygen-free copper core is 3 meters long and connects to the headphones on both sides. The connector at the end is a 6.3 mm jack; the kit includes an adapter to a 3.5 mm connector.
In the description of this model, it is worth moving away from dry numbers and emphasizing some points that position the HD800 on the market as a whole. Without the slightest exaggeration, these are one of the best headphones in this class, and the model has received such recognition since its inception in 2009. Huge amounts of money and tens of thousands of hours of research work were invested in creating the model. During their development, several local inventions and innovations were made and patented.
Finally, let us emphasize one more circumstance that speaks volumes about the quality of these headphones. The manufacturer is so sensitive and demanding about this line that it does not trust any of the assembly stages to third-party companies. Each piece is manufactured directly in Germany, in the city of Wedemark - the headquarters of Sennheiser. Each copy undergoes a series of tests and tests individually before reaching the buyer. Moreover, all test results are archived and available on the official Sennheiser website, so each customer can track the results by serial number.
Advantages
- the highest premium class with special privileges during production;
- exceptional quality control with publication of results for each specimen;
- assembly (including manual) directly at Sennheiser headquarters;
- unprecedentedly accurate and rich sound reproduction;
- expressive futuristic design.
Flaws
- no pronounced deficiencies were noted.
Sennheiser HD 650
Rating: 4.8
Now, after being impressed by Sennheiser’s dazzling flagship, you can “exhale” a little, but the next model in our rating will undoubtedly make you impressed with renewed vigor. The HD 650 series, of course, lags far behind the brilliant HD 800, but this is not a drawback, since the model is aimed at a different audience with different goals, and with different financial capabilities.
The headphones are made in a rather laconic but pleasant modern design with a predominant silver theme in the color scheme. Net weight - 260 g. Attached via a headband. The detachable cable, 3 m long, is connected on both sides, as in the case of the HD 800. The ear pads are covered with silk. The voice coil is made of aluminum wire. The design uses materials such as neodymium magnets, Kevlar, and oxygen-free copper. The plug at the end of the wire is for a 6.3 mm jack connector; the kit includes an adapter to the 3.5 mm standard. The connectors are gold plated. Contact pressure - 2.5N.
In terms of sound, this model demonstrates quite outstanding performance. Reproduction of sound in the range from 10 to 41 thousand Hz. Sensitivity - 103 dB, resistance - 300 Ohms. Power reaches 500 mW. Nonlinear distortion – less than or equal to 0.05%.
One of the most common positive characteristics of these headphones from real users is the amazingly smooth frequency response and realistic, “uncolored” sound. Pairs of emitters are selected manually during assembly, and the tolerances are very tight - variability should not exceed 1 dB in both directions. The magnetic system is selected with exactly the same attention - with increased requirements for intermodulation and harmonic distortion. A Kevlar fiber reinforced cable with reduced sensitivity to contact noise is used.
Advantages
- uncolored sound;
- ratio of cost and capabilities;
- extremely smooth frequency response;
- expensive materials in assembly.
Flaws
- targeted claims of a highly specialized nature.
Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Wireless (M2 AEBT)
Rating: 4.7
And the selection of the rating of full-size Sennheiser headphones is completed by the most affordable, but at the same time more than worthy of attention, model. Looking ahead, let's say that this is the only model in the group with wireless connectivity.
The headphones are made in a classic design with a comfortable headband. Net weight - 258 g. Folding design with detachable cable. The hand-embossed genuine leather used in the design gives a pleasant tactile feeling of “things in hand”.
The semi-professional class of the device, closer to the amateur “audiophile” class, allowed the manufacturer to implement some capabilities that the two above-mentioned models “do not have the status of.” We are talking about Bluetooth 4.0 wireless communication, an active noise reduction system, support for NFC technology and a number of other points.
These headphones can already be fully used in conjunction with a wearable gadget, manage tracks and calls (accept, reject, hold, voice dial, repeat last), record surround sound from four built-in omnidirectional microphones. The headphones support four main functional profiles - A2DP, AVRCP, Hands free, Headset and AptX codec.
The headphones can store technical profiles of eight external devices in the built-in memory and work in multi-connection mode with two devices at the same time - for example, a smartphone and a PC/laptop.
In standby mode, the headset operates up to 360 hours; a full charge takes no more than 3 hours.
Advantages
- wireless connection;
- smooth, high-quality, “signature” Sennheiser sound;
- active noise cancellation;
- relatively affordable price (in the context of this class of devices);
Flaws
- When connected wirelessly, noise reduction is not disabled.