Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

The 7 Best Sennheiser Headphones of 2024 Reviews

Updated
Best Sennheiser Headphones

We've currently tested over 45 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, so we'll update this article as we release new reviews.

Updates

Best Sennheiser Headphones


  1. Best Audiophile Sennheiser Headphones

    The 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 one, you'll need an amp to power them. However, if you can afford it, 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, 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 small head.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Audiophile Sennheiser Headphones

    If you're looking for high-end audiophile headphones without shelling out quite as much as our top pick, check out the Sennheiser HD 598. Compared to the premium Sennheiser HD 800 S, they don't feel as well built due to their cheaper plastic body. They're also more prone to deviations in audio delivery, so it's a good idea to take the time to adjust their fit to your head each time you use them. On the upside, they're very comfortable and won't get tiring to wear during long listening sessions. Unlike the HD 800 S, you don't need a headphone amp to power them. In the box, they come with two removable cables for added utility.

    While their soundstage isn't as immersive as that created by the HD 800 S, it still feels open and natural. They also have a warm sound that delivers extra boom to audio. Vocals and instruments still sound clear, accurate, and detailed, though. If you're looking for headphones with less warmth, consider the Sennheiser HD 600 instead. They're better built and have a flatter bass range, but they don't feel as comfortable.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Audiophile Sennheiser Headphones

    The Sennheiser HD 560S are a more wallet-friendly audiophile alternative to Sennheiser's pricier models. At this price point, there have been some small reductions in overall performance, and they only come with one audio cable, which is a step down from higher-end models that come with two or more cables. Their soundstage doesn't feel as large or spacious as the Sennheiser HD 598, but it's still quite decent overall.

    That said, they retain a similarly decent build quality and can reproduce a bit more low bass than their upper mid-range sibling, which is nice if you're looking for a little more thump and rumble in your sound. Their well-balanced sound also reproduces bright vocals and instruments without becoming piercing. They're comfortable, so you can wear them for long listening sessions without fatigue.

    See our review

  4. Best Budget Audiophile Sennheiser Headphones

    If 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 are closed-back headphones, which is more common at this price point. However, due to their design, their passive soundstage won't be as immersive or spacious as open-backs like the Sennheiser HD 560S. At the same time, this design is good for monitoring live recordings since there's much less sound leakage for mics to pick up, and they block out some mid and high-pitched sounds like ambient chatter.

    These over-ears deliver audio consistently, so you'll get a reliably similar sound each time you use them. Their fairly balanced sound profile reproduces low bass well and won't overwhelm the rest of the mix. Vocals and instruments are present but veiled and dull due to a recessed treble, so cymbals can sound hollow. The headband also feels tight on the head, which can be uncomfortable if you wear glasses or have a long listening session.

    See our review

  5. Best Casual-Use Sennheiser Headphones

    The 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 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 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 have multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously, as well as higher quality aptX Adaptive and aptX HD codec support.

    If you're on board for the premium build quality, app features, and Sennheiser's tuning but prefer the portability of earbuds, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 are worth a look. As expected, the battery life is worse than the over-ears, but otherwise, they share some of the same features, plus an IPX4 rating for water resistance.

    See our review

  6. Best Mid-Range Casual-Use Sennheiser Headphones

    If 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. The over-ear headphones work with USB-C connectivity, wirelessly with Bluetooth multi-device pairing, and come with 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. Try these headphones if you prefer to use buttons rather than the touch controls on the flagship Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless.

    While they have some similar features, the overall comfort and utility of the ACCENTUM don't beat out the MOMENTUM 4, as illustrated by having less plush padding, the absence of a travel case, and no analog connectivity. Another point of departure is that these headphones have ANC, but it's on/off only, and it's not as effective in filtering out low and mid frequencies as the MOMENTUM 4's adaptive ANC. 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 for features like an EQ.

    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. If you want a sampling of flagship features but don't want to fork over the cost, these strike an appealing balance. That said, you may prefer to wait and try the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus from the same range, which are slated for release towards the end of February 2024 and have touch controls, analog support, and aptX Adaptive.

    See our review

  7. Best Budget Casual-Use Sennheiser Headphones

    If you're on a tight budget, Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless give the best bang for your buck. These represent the step up from the standard Sennheiser CX True Wireless model with the addition of ANC. Despite their budget-friendly price, their build quality still feels premium, making these a great pick amongst the best Sennheiser earbuds. Their warm sound profile suits EDM and hip hop, but instruments and vocals sound somewhat dark and veiled. You can adjust their frequency response using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets to suit your taste. The battery lasts about seven hours on a single charge, and they have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when you're not using them.

    While lightweight, the bulky bud design sticks out of your ears. Where they show their price point is in their ANC's performance. These offer an okay noise isolation performance but won't block out as much ambient noise as the latest Sennheiser MOMENTUM line.

    See our review

Compared To Other Brands


  • Great open-back models.
    Sennheiser is one of the few companies to offer a wide variety of open-back headphones at varying price ranges, which helps ensure a spacious, immersive sound.
  • 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 gaming Sennheiser headphones, the Sennheiser Game One Gaming Headset, to the Sennheiser RS 195 RF Wireless, which are home theatre headphones.
  • 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 a planar-magnetic driver that ensures 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 of a passive soundstage. Sennheiser, on the other hand, is best known for its open-back options, which give you a wider 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, these 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, 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, audiophile, and gaming 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 on the pricey end; 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, splash & 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 Sennheiser has also made gaming headphones under their own name in the past, like the Sennheiser Game One Gaming Headset, Sennheiser Communications dissolved their joint venture with Demant (a hearing-based health care company) in 2020, resulting in two different brands: Sennheiser and EPOS. The EPOS brand encompasses gaming and business-related products, including the Game One Gaming Headset. You'll even find co-branded products, like the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X. However, as of September 2023, EPOS Gaming has shut down operations, and it's unclear if Sennheiser will resume manufacturing gaming headsets. That said, you can continue to purchase EPOS | Sennheiser gaming headphones while supplies last.

Recent Updates

  1. 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.

  2. Dec 05, 2023: We've made minor changes to this article's text to ensure it's up-to-date and accurate. However, there hasn't been a change in our recommendations.

  3. Oct 12, 2023: We've added a mention of the Sennheiser Accentum to the Lineup section to ensure it remains accurate and up-to-date.

  4. Aug 14, 2023: We've made minor changes to the text in order to keep this article up to date.

  5. Jun 06, 2023: We've checked our picks for product accuracy and availability. However, our recommendations have remained the same.

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