- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Headphones
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We have currently reviewed over 30 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
- 11/29/2019 Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless reviewed
- 10/21/2019 Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless reviewed
- 07/31/2019 Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee reviewed
- 05/16/2019 Sennheiser IE 40 PRO reviewed
- 05/08/2019 Sennheiser HD 660 S reviewed
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 we've tested so far for audiophiles are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. They're the company's flagship reference-class headphones for high-end audio. They have a remarkably well-balanced sound and a natural soundstage that helps create the ambiance of listening to speakers in a room. Thanks to their comfortable open-back design, they're a great choice if you want open-back headphones that you can enjoy for hours on end in a dedicated listening room. They come at a very steep cost and can't be used outdoors, so they're not for the uninitiated or those looking for casual headphones, but for seasoned critical listeners, they're worth the investment. If you want something a bit more affordable that still has great audio fidelity, then get the Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee, but 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 Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless are the best Sennheiser headphones for casual use we’ve tested. They're a versatile and premium feeling pair of wireless over-ear headphones with a classic retro design. If you're not a fan of their throwback look, the Sennheiser PXC 550-II are similar but with a more modern design, but they don't feel quite as well-built and they don't have a customizable sound profile. The Momentum 3 have a fairly well-balanced sound profile that should be suitable for a wide variety of genres, and you can customize their sound via a parametric EQ through Sennheiser's Smart Control app. Their 18-hour battery life is great and they should be comfortable enough to wear for extended listening periods. Unfortunately, they're a bit expensive for casual headphones, so you may want to consider the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC if you want something more affordable, but they feel less premium and aren't as comfortable. Overall, the Momentum 3 Wireless are a well-rounded pair of headphones that are great for everyday use and are one of the best options that Sennheiser has to offer.
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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 reviewed so far are the Sennheiser RS 195 RF Wireless. They're comfortable open-back headphones that come with a dedicated low-latency wireless transmitter so you can enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows from the comfort of your couch without audio latency. The transmitter also acts as a charging stand and provides a nice spot for you to rest the headphones when not in use. These headphones have an excited sound profile that can help bring out the rumble of action movies and dialogue of your favorite TV show, but some people might find they sound too bright and bass-heavy. The Sennheiser RS 185 RF Wireless have an open-back design with a more balanced, neutral sound, but they're a lot harder to find.
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Best Sennheiser Headphones For Gaming
Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicIf you're looking for a new gaming headset, the best Sennheiser headphones for gaming that we’ve tested so far are the Sennheiser Game One. They're very comfortable headphones that breath decently well thanks to their open-back design, so they should be well-suited for even the longest of marathon gaming sessions. Their wired-only design means that you can easily plug them into the controller of your PS4 or Xbox One, and they'll work with PCs as well, making them a good versatile option if you game on multiple platforms. Their sound profile is well-balanced, and while they're lacking a bit of low-bass, this is common for open-back headphones. Unfortunately, they leak a lot of audio and don't block any background noise. This is to be expected from open-back headphones, but it's something to keep in mind if you tend to game in a noisy environment. On the upside, their boom microphone works very well and your teammates should have no problems hearing you clearly. Overall, if you want a gaming headset with an open and spacious soundstage and tend to game alone in a quiet environment, these are a great option.
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.
Discover our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones and the best wireless TV headphones.
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