- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Headphones
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We've currently tested over 40 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
- 01/27/2022 Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless updated
- 10/22/2021 Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless reviewed
- 08/30/2021 Sennheiser HD 599 updated
- 08/11/2021 Sennheiser CX True Wireless reviewed
- 05/06/2021 Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 updated
Best Sennheiser Headphones
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Best Sennheiser Headphones
Neutral Sound7.6Commute/Travel7.6Sports/Fitness7.2Office7.4Wireless Gaming6.0Wired Gaming7.5Phone Calls7.3Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best headphones from Sennheiser that we've tested are the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless. These well-built over-ears offer versatile performance, whether you're commuting to work, listening to audio at home, or busy at the office. They have an ANC system that can block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines as well as ambient chatter. Their battery lasts for about 17 hours of continuous use, and they support aptX and aptX-LL codecs for better sound quality and lower latency. Out of the box, their bass-heavy sound profile adds extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes, which makes them well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop. Their app also features a parametric EQ and presets for sound customization.
However, their soft carrying case may not completely protect them from accidental drops and bumps. If you're looking for headphones that come with a hard case, the Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless offer similar performance, although they aren't as well-built. Additionally, their app doesn't include an EQ for sound customization, although it does offer a few presets.
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Best Sennheiser Earbuds
Neutral Sound6.6Commute/Travel7.6Sports/Fitness8.2Office6.8Wireless Gaming5.4Wired Gaming5.3Phone Calls6.2Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling YesMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best Sennheiser earphones that we've tested are the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless. They're the upgraded variant of the Sennheiser CX True Wireless and come with active noise cancelling (ANC). Their warm sound profile is suitable for genres like EDM and hip-hop. It's not as well-balanced as our top pick, and instruments and vocals may sound somewhat dark, but you can adjust their sound to suit your taste using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. They last for about seven hours of continuous use and are equipped with an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when you're not using them. They're also well-built and lightweight but somewhat bulky and stick out of your ears a bit.
Unfortunately, their ANC system only offers an okay noise isolation performance, and it may not be enough to block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines. While they also have a lightweight fit, their bulky design sticks out of your ear a bit, which could bother some users. However, if you prefer an earbud design for portability, they're worth considering.
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Best Sennheiser Audiophiles Headphones
Neutral Sound8.5Commute/Travel4.0Sports/Fitness5.5Office4.7Wireless Gaming4.8Wired Gaming6.9Phone Calls1.7Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoWireless NoMic NoThe Sennheiser HD 800 S are the best audiophile headphones from Sennheiser that we've tested. These open-back headphones can create a wide, spacious soundstage, and sound seems to come from speakers around you rather than inside your head. They have a very well-balanced and neutral sound profile. Although they lack low-bass, like most other 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, which can be uncomfortable. To get the most out of these headphones, you also need to use an amp to power them, which can be an additional expense if you don't already have one. If you're looking for more affordable open-back audiophile headphones, the Sennheiser HD 560S or the Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee are solid alternatives. However, their passive soundstages don't seem as immersive.
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Best Sennheiser Home Theater Headphones
Mixed Usage5.6Neutral Sound6.6Commute/Travel5.6Sports/Fitness4.4Office6.1Wireless Gaming5.8Wired Gaming4.4Phone Call2.1Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling NoMic NoTransducer DynamicIf you're planning to use your headphones more for movies than for music, the Sennheiser RS 195 RF Wireless are the best option that we've tested from this manufacturer. These dedicated home theater headphones are well-built and comfortable. They come with a specialized receiver dock that plugs directly into most TV sets and offers low latency, meaning you can watch a movie without worrying about the cable reaching your couch or having audio syncing issues. Thanks to their bass-heavy sound profile, you can feel the thump and rumble in action-packed scenes, and dialogue is still clear and present. Also, with 24-hour continuous battery life, they can last through a movie marathon without needing a recharge.
However, they're powered by rechargeable AAA batteries and can take more than eight hours to charge up, depending on the age and wear of the rechargeable batteries. They also struggle to block out background noise, which may be distracting if you're watching TV in a lively environment, and they leak some sound, so if you're listening at loud volumes, other people nearby can hear your audio.
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Best Sennheiser Gaming Headphones
Neutral Sound8.0Commute/Travel4.1Sports/Fitness5.7Office5.5Wireless Gaming5.8Wired Gaming7.8Phone Calls6.9Type Over-earWireless NoNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicEnclosure Open-BackThe best headphones from Sennheiser for gaming that we've tested are the Sennheiser Game One Gaming Headset. These open-back gaming headphones create a spacious, natural soundstage, which can help make your gameplay more immersive. Their warm sound profile can help emphasize sound effects while keeping dialogue and instruments clear and accurate. Their boom mic can capture your voice very well, even in noisy environments, which is nice if you like to game with friends. Thanks to their wired design, they offer a latency-free connection, and their very comfortable fit means you can game for long periods without experiencing fatigue.
Their open-back enclosure means they block out virtually no ambient sound and leak a lot of audio, so they're best suited for use in a quiet environment, like at home. They're a good option for gaming if you like wired headphones and want an immersive listening experience. Unlike many gamer-oriented headphones we've tested, they don't have companion software or any customization options for their sound profile or microphone.
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 headphones geared towards neutral sound than all-purpose headsets.
- Diverse headphone lineup. One of the best advantages of such a longstanding company is the multitude of headphones it offers, giving you more options to find headphones that suit your tastes and habits.
- Mediocre noise isolation. Some Sennheiser headphones block or cancel noise effectively. Compared to 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.
Overall, Sennheiser offers a variety of headphones for different uses. Many of their higher-quality models are on the pricey end; however, many of their cheaper models also perform admirably. They're easily one of the best when it comes to high-end open-back headphones, with some models offering stellar sound quality for audiophiles.
Lineup
Sennheiser has a wide variety of headphones that range in price and intended use. They do well for critical listening headphones with the HD series. Below are the typical uses for the different lines.
- CX = Truly wireless in-ears designed with casual use in mind.
- CXC = The in-ear and earbud variation of the travel series. Typically very portable and noise isolating.
- 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.
- RS = Home theatre over-ear headphones that come with a wireless transmitter.
Recent Updates
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May 31, 2022: Verified that picks represent the best recommendations in their categories and that the products are in stock.
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Mar 02, 2022: We've checked our picks for product accuracy and availability. There hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
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Nov 30, 2021: Replaced the Sennheiser CX True Wireless with the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless as the CX Plus offer active noise cancelling (ANC).
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Sep 01, 2021: Added the Sennheiser CX True Wireless as the 'Best Sennheiser Earbuds'.
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Jul 08, 2021: Verified that the recommended products are in stock and updated text. No changes made to product picks.
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, 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.