Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless vs HD 4.50 BTNC: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Products

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated May 30, 2025 01:36 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated May 30, 2025 01:51 PM

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Picture

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Picture

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingYes

WirelessYes

TransducerDynamic

MicYes

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingYes

WirelessYes

TransducerDynamic

MicYes

Our Verdict

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC

The Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless are better headphones with more features than the Sennheiser HD 4.50. The PXC 550 have a more comfortable fit, touch-sensitive controls, a longer battery life, a better-balanced default sound profile, and more control over their audio profile and noise cancelling. On the other hand, the HD 4.50 have a slightly better isolation performance, thanks to their tighter over-ear fit.

Variants

PXC 550 Wireless

HD 4.50

Review

See Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Review

See Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Review

Check Price

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

Lock in³

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

Lock in³

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

Lock

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Speech + Pink Noise

Speech + Subway Noise

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

Lock

Lock

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

Lock ft

Lock ft

PC Latency (SBC)

Lock ms

Lock ms

PC Latency (aptX)

Lock ms

Lock ms

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Android Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft

Lock ft

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

PC / PS4 Compatibility

PC/PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PC/PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PC/PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Xbox One Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Standard

PXC 550 Wireless

Standard

HD 4.50

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless vs Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC: Main Discussion

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