Our Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 are alright headphones for mixed usage. Their sound profile is fairly well-suited to most genres, though some may find it lacks a fair amount of detail and brightness. Their thick padding is decently comfortable, though they clamp the head fairly tight - still, this helps them feel very stable. Their 22-hour battery life is great, and their ANC works decently well, though it doesn't help much with the low rumble of bus or plane engines.
- Great battery life.
- Stable fit.
- Tight fit isn't the most comfortable.
- No longer has a dedicated companion app for customization.
- ANC is only decent.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 are okay for neutral sound listening. While their sound profile is fairly well-balanced in the bass range, they're fairly overemphasized in the high-mid range which may cause some instruments and vocals to be honky and harsh. Their treble range is also very recessed, causing a lack of detail and brightness. While they used to have a companion app with EQ settings, Sennheiser has removed this app, and its replacement isn't compatible with these headphones. As with most closed-back headphones, their soundstage is closed and is perceived as being inside the listener's head.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 are decent headphones for commuting or travel. Their 22-hour battery life should easily get you through most flights, and they come with a basic soft case to give them some protection while traveling. Unfortunately, while they have ANC, it doesn't work that well against the low rumble of bus or plane engines. They also may be slightly uncomfortable during extended periods as they clamp the head quite tightly.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 are decent headphones for sports. Like most closed-back over-ears, they don't breathe very well and will likely cause you to sweat more than usual. On the bright side, since they clamp fairly tight on the head, they feel stable and won't move around too much even during somewhat strenuous workouts.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 are decent for office use. They don't leak much at regular or high volumes, and their ANC does a good job of blocking out chatty coworkers. Their 22-hour battery will easily last a few full work days, but unfortunately, they might be slightly uncomfortable after long listening sessions.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 are Bluetooth headphones and aren't recommended for wireless gaming. They aren't compatible with Xbox One or PS4 with a wireless connection. While you can connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled PC, they have high latency and a mediocre microphone.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 aren't recommended for wired gaming. While they plug into the controller of an Xbox One or a PS4, they're audio-only, so you can't speak to your teammates.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 are only okay for phone calls. Like with most Bluetooth headphones, their microphone recording quality is mediocre-at-best, and the person on the other end of the line will have a hard time hearing you in noisy situations. On the upside, you can answer or hang up phone calls with the buttons on the headphones themselves.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Dec 04, 2018: We've updated wired connectivity. The HD 4.50 does not have audio over USB.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 are decent mixed usage headphones but offer slightly fewer features than the similarly-designed Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless. Unfortunately, their build quality isn't as good as some of the other wireless over-ears we've tested, and they're a little tight on the head so they won't be as comfortable as some other options. See our recommendations for the best wireless headphones, the best noise cancelling headphones under $200, and the best noise cancelling headphones.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC are better headphones than the Sony MDR-XB950N1 Wireless. The Sonys have a very dark sound profile and their ANC feature is quite disappointing. On the upside, they have slightly longer battery life, but they take twice as much time to charge as the HD 4.50. The HD 4.50 can also connect to two devices simultaneously.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC and the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless are both decent wireless noise cancelling headphones, though the Anker provide better value if you prefer their sound profile. The Anker are more comfortable, easier-to-use, have a better microphone, isolate more noise, and have longer battery life. However, the Anker's V-shaped sound signature won't be for everyone. That said, while the Sennheiser are less bass-heavy, they can also sound quite harsh and dull.
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC are marginally better than the Sony WH-XB900N. They have a more neutral sound profile, but the XB900N are more comfortable and have a better control scheme. The Sennheisers can be connected to two devices simultaneously and have a better ANC feature as well. On the other hand, the Sonys feel slightly better made and have a dedicated companion app with access to a graphic EQ.
The JBL Live 650 BTNC are slightly better headphones than the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC. The JBL are more comfortable, have better controls, a slightly better-balanced sound profile, and a dedicated companion app with access to a fully parametric EQ. On the other hand, the Sennheiser have slightly lower latency.
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