- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Headphones
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We've currently tested nearly 30 pairs of Sennheiser headphones. They're a well-trusted brand that makes a wide variety of models for different uses, with a particular focus on open-back, reference-quality headphones. We generally test quite a few Sennheiser headphones each year, so we'll continue to update this article as we release new reviews.
Updates
- 11/25/2020 Sennheiser CX 400BT reviewed
- 11/13/2020 Sennheiser HD 560S reviewed
- 10/02/2020 Sennheiser SC 160 USB-C Headset reviewed
- 08/18/2020 Sennheiser HD 450BT reviewed
- 08/17/2020 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless updated
Best Sennheiser Headphones
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Best Sennheiser Headphones For Audiophiles
Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoNoise Cancelling NoMic NoTransducer DynamicThe best Sennheiser headphones for audiophiles that we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. These open-back over-ears are Sennheiser's flagship reference-class headphones for high-end audio and have a very natural soundstage that will be perceived as large and spacious. Their sound profile is remarkably well-balanced and accurate, making them great if you want to hear your favorite music the way it was meant to be heard. They're very comfortable, so you can enjoy your music for hours without any soreness or fatigue.
Unfortunately, their high price tag means these likely aren't the best choice for casual listeners trying to dip their toes in the audiophile waters. They also require an amp to power them and leak a lot of audio, so they'll be best suited for a dedicated listening room, though this is expected from open-back headphones. If you want something similar that's much more affordable, check out the Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee, though they don't sound quite as immersive.
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Best Sennheiser Headphones For Casual Use
Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best Sennheiser headphones for casual use that we've tested are the Sennheiser Momentum 3. These Bluetooth over-ears feature distinctive looks and premium build quality, with a solid metal frame and memory foam padding lined with genuine leather. They deliver audio quite consistently and have a well-balanced sound profile with just an added touch of bass, which should give your favorite EDM and hip-hop tracks extra kick without muddying vocals or lead instruments. You can also customize your listening experience via audio presets or with a parametric EQ in their companion app. Their three-level ANC system helps them block out an impressive amount of background noise. They also last almost 18 hours on a single charge and offer excellent Bluetooth connectivity, with support for multi-device pairing and compatibility with aptX and aptX-LL codecs for low latency audio.
Unfortunately, these headphones are quite pricey. They also leak quite a bit of audio, so you may disrupt your coworkers if you listen to your music at high volumes in a quiet office. Minor issues aside, these are a solid choice if you're looking for a pair of wireless headphones that can easily deal with everyday use.
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Best Sennheiser Headphones For Home Theater
Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling NoMic NoTransducer DynamicThe best Sennheiser headphones for home theater that we’ve tested are the Sennheiser RS 195 RF. These dedicated home theater headphones have a comfortable, closed-back design that feels premium and well-made. Their transmitter has an optical and a standard 1/8 inch input, so you should be able to easily hook it up to any TV setup, and it doubles as a charging dock for when you aren't using your headphones. They'll likely be fine for a few days, even if you forget to put them on their dock, as their battery lasts 19 hours off a single charge, which is great.
They have an excited sound profile that will provide a bit of extra thump and rumble to movies without drowning out dialogue, though some people may find them a bit too bright and bass-heavy. If you'd rather a more neutral and well-balanced sound, you may prefer the open-back Sennheiser RS 185 RF Wireless, though they're much harder to find, and due to their open-back design, they leak a lot more audio.
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Best Sennheiser Headphones For Gaming
Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best Sennheiser headphones for gaming that we’ve tested are the Sennheiser Game One. These open-back over-ear gaming headphones are very comfortable thanks to their well-padded microfiber ear cups and headband that feel soft and pleasant on the skin. They feel well-made, and thanks to their wired design, they don't require a battery, so you don't have to worry about taking any breaks in your gaming to charge them up. They'll also work with either PS4 or Xbox One, as you simply plug them into the controller of your console.
Their sound profile is very well-balanced and accurate, and thanks to their open-back design, they have a good open soundstage. Their boom microphone is excellent, and your voice will sound clear, full-bodied, and will be very easy to hear, even in noisy environments. Unfortunately, they leak quite a bit of audio and don't isolate any background noise, though this is to be expected from open-back headphones.
Compared to other brands
- Great open-back models. Sennheiser is one of the few companies to offer a wide variety of open headphones at varying price ranges.
- Above-average audio fidelity. Sennheiser's lineup typically focuses on quality audio reproduction. They provide more critical listening headphones than all-purpose headsets.
- Diverse headphone lineup. One of the best advantages of such a longstanding company is the multitude of headphones it offers, which gives you more options to find headphones that suit your tastes and habits.
- Mediocre noise isolation. There are a couple of headphones from Sennheiser that block or cancel noise effectively. However, compared to other brands like Sony or Bose, they don't have the best isolation for similar headphones.
- Expensive. Although Sennheiser offers a lot of 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.
Overall, Sennheiser has a varied lineup of headphones but seem more focused on quality audio reproduction than more versatile or casual designs. A lot of their higher-quality models are also a bit on the pricey end; however, many of their cheaper models also perform admirably. That said, they're easily one of the best when it comes to high-end open-back headphones, with some models offering stellar sound quality for critical listeners.
Lineup
Sennheiser has a wide variety of headphones that range in price and intended use. They do especially well for critical listening headphones with the HD series. Below are the typical uses for the different model names.
- HD = Open or closed headphones designed to deliver great and balanced audio quality.
- Momentum = Versatile and durable headphones for everyday casual use.
- MM = The travel series. Compact and noise isolating headphones to easily carry around on a flight.
- PXC = Also a travel and commuting series but with more full-size over-ear headphones.
- CXC = The in-ear and earbud variation of the travel series. Typically very portable and noise isolating.
Conclusion
Sennheiser is a big brand. Therefore, they have a wide variety of headphones that are either specific to a certain use or well-rounded enough for everyday casual use. However, in general, they tend to focus more on better sound quality than versatility, offering more models that cater to critical listening or home theater entertainment than sports or travel.
Take a look at our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones and the best wireless TV headphones.
Test results
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