We've currently tested over 55 pairs of Sennheiser headphones. They're a well-trusted brand that makes various models for different uses, focusing on open-back, reference-quality headphones. We generally test several Sennheiser headphones yearly, and so far, they're one of the best headphone brands we've tested. We'll update this article as we release new reviews.
Updates
- 08/05/2024 Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee updated
- 07/23/2024 Sennheiser HD 620S reviewed
- 07/11/2024 Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport reviewed
- 06/27/2024 Sennheiser HD 660 S updated
- 05/17/2024 Sennheiser IE 200 reviewed
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Best Audiophile Sennheiser Headphones
Neutral Sound8.6Commute/Travel4.0Sports/Fitness5.5Office4.8Wireless Gaming4.9Wired Gaming6.9Phone Calls1.7Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoThe Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best Sennheiser headphones for audiophiles that we've tested. They have a high price point, which can set them out of reach for most people, and if you don't have an amp, you'll need to get one for the headphones to reach their full potential. However, if you don't mind the investment, these open-back headphones can create a wide, spacious, and natural soundstage that's worth checking out if you want to immerse yourself in audio. The localization of instruments is a highlight of these cans, and their spacious soundstage helps enthusiasts listen critically and pick out elements of a mix.
They have a very well-balanced and neutral sound profile. Although they lack low-bass, like most open-back headphones, their sound has a touch of extra high-bass to add warmth to mixes without overwhelming vocals and lead instruments. The headphones are very well-built and have a very comfortable fit, so they're a good choice if you like to listen to music for hours. However, you may find their ear cups large if you have a smaller head.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Audiophile Sennheiser Headphones
Neutral Sound8.5Commute/Travel4.1Sports/Fitness5.6Office4.8Wireless Gaming4.7Wired Gaming6.8Phone Calls1.6Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoIf you want audiophile headphones that don't cost as much as our top pick, consider the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO. While these open-backs don't boast the same high-quality build and impressive soundstage as our top pick, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, they are a bit lighter and don't need an amp (an additional cost) to operate. This flexibility expands the HD 490 PRO's utility outside of critical listening—making them suitable for playing single-player games on consoles or listening to music in your home office straight from the headphone jack. Additionally, the headphones supply more bass than our top pick, which rolls off considerably more in their low-end.
That said, these versatile open-back headphones work well for critical listening; their balanced sound provides a good amount of boom to kick drums, a relatively even mid-range for balanced keys and lead instruments, and a generally recessed treble to facilitate longer listening sessions with minimal fatigue. However, a shallow peak in the treble can boost the upper harmonics of percussive cymbal hits, making them a tad bright.
Adding value and versatility to your kit, these headphones come with two sets of ear pads that alter the frequency response subtly. A single removable cable is also included, and if you get the Plus version, Sennheiser throws in an extra cable and additional headband padding. Unlike most open-back headphones, these have ear cups that can rotate flat so you can rest them around your neck to chat while mixing music without knocking your chin on them, a nice improvement over more utilitarian designs.
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Best Mid-Range Audiophile Sennheiser Headphones
Neutral Sound8.2Commute/Travel3.8Sports/Fitness5.5Office4.6Wireless Gaming4.5Wired Gaming6.6Phone Calls1.6Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoThe Sennheiser HD 560S are a more wallet-friendly audiophile alternative to Sennheiser's pricier models. At this price point, there are some small reductions in overall performance compared to the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO. Unlike the previous pick, the HD 560S have slightly worse variance in treble response between wears and only come with one set of ear pads. However, they retain a similar level of comfort and build quality. They also come with a rather long removable cable.
Unlike the previous pick, these headphones have a slightly brighter tuning. They reproduce a bit less boom and rumble, but their mids are closer to our target curve, with lead instruments sounding forward and present. Meanwhile, the upper registers emphasize detail and airiness, highlighting sibilants and harmonics in vocals and cymbals. This clarity might be useful for picking out the unique timbre of a piccolo solo but can fatigue sensitive ears slightly sooner. That said, for most media, this tuning produces a clear representation of your tracks. If you're looking for something more for bassy, we'd recommend checking out our next pick, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro 2016.
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Best Budget Audiophile Sennheiser Headphones
Neutral Sound7.7Commute/Travel4.5Sports/Fitness4.7Office5.0Wireless Gaming4.0Wired Gaming6.0Phone Calls1.9Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoIf you're an audiophile who wants to keep spending costs down, we recommend the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro 2016. These use a hardwired cable, so you can't easily replace it, which is normal for budget headphones. Unlike all the other audiophile headphones that have come before this pick, the HD 280 Pro 2016 are closed-back headphones, which is also more common at this price point. While their design limits the immersion and spaciousness of their passive soundstage compared to open-backs like the Sennheiser HD 560S, it's useful for monitoring live recordings since there's much less sound leaking from the headphones for mics to pick up. They also block out some mid- and high-pitched noise like ambient chatter.
Their fairly balanced sound profile reproduces low-bass well for more rumble and won't overwhelm the rest of the mix. Meanwhile, vocals and instruments are present but veiled and somewhat dull due to a recessed treble, so cymbals can sound hollow. The headband can also feel tight on your head, which can be uncomfortable if you wear glasses or listen for prolonged periods. If you're looking for even more bass, the on-ear Sennheiser HD 25 headphones designed for DJs have oodles of low-end emphasis.
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Best Casual-Use Sennheiser Headphones
Neutral Sound7.7Commute/Travel8.0Sports/Fitness7.3Office7.8Wireless Gaming6.0Wired Gaming7.4Phone Calls7.1Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling YesMic YesThe Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are great closed-back headphones for everyday use. If you're always on the go or looking for a wireless design, you'll want to steer clear of most audiophile headphones, which often have to be used in quiet spaces and aren't designed with anything but sound quality in mind. In contrast, these well-built and premium over-ears are packed with features, including an adaptive active noise cancelling (ANC) system that does a good job of blocking background noise, an integrated microphone for calls, and multi-device pairing support. They have a bass-heavy sound profile, which is well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop, but you can adjust their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets.
They have a comfortable fit suitable for long listening sessions and a battery that lasts just over 62 hours continuously. You can even use them wired in a pinch if you run out of battery. However, you can only receive audio via analog, so you can't use their mic. They have full audio and mic support via wired USB, though. They also feature multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously, as well as support for the higher quality aptX Adaptive and aptX HD codecs.
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Best Mid-Range Casual-Use Sennheiser Headphones
Neutral Sound7.4Commute/Travel7.3Sports/Fitness7.2Office7.2Wireless Gaming5.8Wired Gaming7.1Phone Calls6.9Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling YesMic YesIf you don't want to break the bank to get some top-tier features, the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless land in the middle ground for casual use when considering the best Sennheiser headphones we've tested. These headphones work with USB-C connections or wirelessly with Bluetooth multi-device pairing and support the higher quality aptX HD codec (to listen to consistent 24-bit audio). The microphone captures speech and separates your voice from background noise well enough to remain understandable, so you can use the headphones for calls on the go or online meetings.
By default, the sound profile emphasizes low-bass frequencies for added rumble and thump in kick drums, a balanced mid-range for lead instrument playback, and treble roll-off to lend an overall warm sound with some diminished harmonics of vocals and cymbals. They have ANC, but it's not as effective in filtering out low and mid frequencies as the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless' implementation. Still, they can somewhat quiet the ambient din on your commute and perform well at isolating high-pitched sounds like crying babies. Plus, you get the same app with features like an EQ. You might also like that they use buttons instead of touch controls like the MOMENTUM 4.
While they have some similar features, the overall comfort and utility of the ACCENTUM don't beat that of the MOMENTUM 4. They have less plush padding, no case, and no analog connectivity. If that bothers you, it's worth considering the newer and more expensive Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus, which are very similar but support an analog connection and come with a case. That said, the original ACCENTUM are cheaper and offer better value for people who want some flagship features without the MOMENTUM 4's hefty price tag.
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Best Casual-Use Sennheiser Earbuds
Neutral Sound7.1Commute/Travel8.0Sports/Fitness8.3Office7.5Wireless Gaming5.6Wired Gaming5.4Phone Calls7.3Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling YesMic YesIf you're looking to shed the excess weight—opting for earbuds instead of bulky over-ears—the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are the best Sennheiser earbuds we've tested. These headphones are the in-ear companions to the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, mirroring many of their features including ANC and multi-device pairing. That said, the earbuds' smaller profile does come with the tradeoff of lower battery, sporting a 7.3-hour battery life compared to the 62.3 hours on the over ears.
The earbuds' warm sound profile suits EDM and hip hop with their boosted bass, but instruments and vocals lack presence due to the headphones' subdued treble. That said, you can adjust their frequency response to suit your taste using their companion app's 5-band graphic EQ and presets. Their noise cancellation system easily tackles screeching breaks and ambient office chatter—so you can comfortably listen to your favorite tracks without disturbance. They also support aptX Adaptive and aptX HD, giving you access to both low-latency Bluetooth connections and Hi-Res audio.
Thanks to included stabilizer sleeves and an IP54 rating against water splashes and dust, you can also take these buds out for a run even in suboptimal conditions. If you're all in on sports use, you may prefer the Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport, which trade some battery life and ANC performance for improved water resistance and a built-in heart rate monitor.
Compared To Other Brands
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Great open-back models.
Sennheiser is one of the few companies to offer a wide variety of open-back headphones at varying price points, which helps ensure a spacious, immersive sound.
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High audio fidelity.
Sennheiser's lineup typically focuses on quality audio reproduction. Many of their headphones are geared towards neutral sound compared to all-purpose headsets. -
Diverse headphone lineup.
One of the best advantages of such a longstanding company is the multitude of headphones it offers, from the best audiophile headphones, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, to the Sennheiser RS 195 RF Wireless, which are home theater headphones.
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Mediocre noise isolation.
Some Sennheiser headphones block or cancel noise effectively, but unlike other brands like Sony or Bose, they don't have the best isolation for similar headphones. -
Expensive.
Although Sennheiser offers many cheap models, their better-sounding headphones tend to be more expensive than the competition. -
Overlapping models.
Some models in the vast Sennheiser lineup are very similar, with only slight aesthetic changes and minor differences in sound.
Sennheiser vs HiFiMan
HiFiMan and Sennheiser both produce top-of-the-line audiophile headphones that are renowned for their accurate sound but differ in significant ways. While HiFiMan's headphones feature planar-magnetic drivers that contribute to a flatter sound, Sennheiser's headphones feature dynamic drivers, which aren't as prone to imaging issues due to their simpler design. Additionally, HiFiMan only produces expensive high-end audiophile headphones, while Sennheiser produces a wide range of headphones at different price points for both critical listening and casual use.
Sennheiser vs Beyerdynamic
Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser make headphones for audiophiles, but each company is known for a different specialty. Beyerdynamic is best known for its closed-back models, which help passively isolate you from outside noise but don't create as wide a passive soundstage. Sennheiser, on the other hand, is best known for its open-back options, which give you an expansive and more natural-feeling soundstage but leak more audio. Both company's headphones perform well, so the choice comes down mainly to your preferences and requirements for audio leakage. However, Beyerdynamic's audiophile lineup is generally far more affordable than Sennheiser's, making them a great option for the budget-conscious hi-fi enthusiast.
Sennheiser vs Apple
Apple and Sennheiser both offer upper mid-range in-ear headphones with premium features, great build quality, and powerful sound. Their flagship models often perform very similarly, so your ideal headphones may come down to personal preference. While Sennheiser's in-ears often feature more bass than Apple's, they lack Apple's proprietary chips that help seamlessly integrate them with the brand's product ecosystem. The best Apple headphones also support Spatial Audio, which changes the stereo image based on your head's position. If you don't have an Apple device or just don't care about quick pairing, Sennheiser's line of casual-use headphones are comfortable and stable and have comparably good active noise cancellation (ANC) for commutes and busy offices.
Sennheiser vs Bose
Bose and Sennheiser are two headphone manufacturers with great-performing active noise cancellation (ANC) features. Bose's lineup of over-ear and in-ear headphones is renowned for its versatile isolation system that cuts out noise across the entire audible range, making it a go-to for commuters. Sennheiser is a close runner-up to Bose regarding ANC, but not all their models have the same powerful noise cancelling performance. Additionally, Sennheiser's lineup is quite large compared to Bose's. It produces casual-use and audiophile headphones that'll suit many listeners' needs and budgets.
Sennheiser vs Sony
Sony and Sennheiser have extremely diverse headphones that cover a wide range of uses and listener preferences. Both make truly wireless in-ears, Bluetooth noise cancelling over-ears, and audiophile headphones. Their offerings are comfortable and have great noise isolation performance, although Sony's are typically better at blocking out the low-bass from traffic or bus rides. Sony's casual-use lineup also leans more bass-heavy, which can better suit genres like metal and EDM than the neutral sound profile found in most models made by Sennheiser. If you want more from this manufacturer, check out our best Sony headphones article.
Overall, Sennheiser offers a variety of headphones for different uses. Many of its higher-quality models are pricey; however, many of its cheaper models also perform admirably. Sennheiser is easily one of the best for high-end open-back headphones, with some models offering stellar sound quality for audiophiles.
Lineup
Sennheiser has a wide range of headphones that range in price and intended use.
If you're an audiophile, you know this manufacturer as one of the key players in high-end reference headphones. They mainly produce these under one name:
- HD = Open or closed-back dynamic-driven audiophile headphones. Intended for home listening and hi-fi sound.
If you're looking for casual use, Sennheiser has a few sub-categories to suit your preferences:
- Momentum = Flagship in-ear and over-ear wireless closed-back headphones with ANC and a durable build for everyday listening.
- Accentum = Mid-range, over-ear wireless headphones that offer many of the Momentum's features (ANC, long battery life) at a more wallet-friendly price point.
- CX = Mid-range, truly wireless in-ears with a carrying case. Stable enough for sports and commuting, and some models have ANC.
- HD xBT = Low mid-range Bluetooth over-ear headphones without ANC.
Sennheiser also produces models for specialty uses, like the SPORT, which are in-ears with stability fins and an IP54 rating for dust for splash and sweat resistance. They also manufacture a line of TV headphones:
- RS = Over-ear headphones with side controls and a dock for low-latency TV watching.
While the Sennheiser made gaming headphones in the past, like the Sennheiser Game One Gaming Headset, under the umbrella of joint venture Sennheiser Communications with Demant A/S, the collaboration dissolved in 2020. The enterprise and gaming divisions of Sennheiser Communications were folded into the new EPOS brand, retaining products like the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X. However, as of September 2023, EPOS has shut down its gaming branch operations. That said, you can continue to purchase EPOS | Sennheiser gaming headphones while supplies last.
Recent Updates
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We made minor text edits for clarity. After checking stock and prices, there hasn't been a change to our picks.
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Aug 29, 2024 : We checked that our recommendations are all up to date and in stock, but didn't change the picks themselves this time.
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May 31, 2024 : Added the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless as an alternative to the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless and replaced the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 with the new Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 as the earbud alternative to the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless.
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Apr 05, 2024 : The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO have been added as the upper mid-range pick. The Sennheiser HD 560S section has been updated to reflect how they compare to the upper mid-range pick, and the Sennheiser HD 25 was mentioned in the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro 2016 section.
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Feb 05, 2024 : This article has been updated to include the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless as the best mid-range headphones for casual use, and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 are now compared with the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless. Minor text edits have been made throughout the article.
Conclusion
Sennheiser is a big brand with products that range from consumer to professional audio applications. Therefore, it has a wide variety of headphones that are either specific to a certain use or well-rounded enough for everyday casual use. However, their headphones tend to focus more on better sound quality, even in the lower-tiered products, than versatility, offering more models that cater to critical listening or home theater entertainment than sports or travel.
Test Results
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Best Sennheiser Headphones: Main Discussion
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