Best Sennheiser headphones

Sennheiser is one of a handful of audio monoliths making some of the best over-ear headphones on the market, so knowing where to start in its wide array of headsets can be an overwhelming process. Despite not having the catchiest of model names, Sennheiser headphones are reliable and consistently perform above their price bracket compared to the competition, so much so that they often make our list of the best headphones. So, let’s dig in to help you find the best Sennheiser headphones for your needs.

Why is the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless the best Sennheiser headphones for most people?

Sennheiser upped the ante with the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, a premium set of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones. These cans feel comfortable for extended listening sessions and even for folks with glasses. Good luck draining the very impressive 56 hours and 21 minutes of battery life (with ANC on), but if you do, there’s always an optional wired connection. You even get an airplane adapter for flying.

Through the combination of isolation and ANC, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless reduces the loudness of high-pitched sounds by 75-95%. Low-pitched sounds see about a 75% reduction in volume. Adding to this premium experience is the suite of high-quality Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, or aptX Adaptive.

As is the trend lately with premium headphones, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless uses touch controls. These work well, and you can adjust them to your taste in the app, which has some niceties like an equalizer. Most listeners won’t want to alter the sound much, given that the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless arrives sounding very close to our preference curve. The fact that the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless sells for a bit less than the flagship Sony WH-1000XM5 means it’s not only a great headset with better codecs and battery life but also cheaper. Still, if you need a more affordable headset, look at our next pick.

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless is one of the best value buys on the market

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless has excellent sound quality and brings ANC capabilities for roughly half the cost of other top-end competitors. With their support for aptX and aptX HD, listeners can indulge in high-fidelity audio for prolonged listening, thanks to their lightweight and snug, albeit not overly thick, padding. They boast a robust 46+ hours of battery life, which is near the top of their class, ensuring the music doesn’t stop on even the longest journeys.

On the downside, the ACCENTUM doesn’t feature LE Audio or a TRS jack, limiting some connectivity options. Also, while it provides active noise cancelation (ANC), it may not be the fortress of solitude that commuters in boisterous environments desire. The ANC performs admirably at higher frequencies, effectively silencing 90% of noise above 1kHz, but it doesn’t quite match the prowess of more premium competitors.

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless may not boast the cutting-edge features of its pricier cousins, but it stands out where it counts. These headphones are a compelling pick for those whose priority is a balance between cost, audio fidelity, and day-to-day functionality.

Audiophiles on a budget will love the Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX

The Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX is a budget-friendly pathway to high-end audio. A successor to the venerable Sennheiser HD 650, it boasts similar acoustics at a significantly reduced cost, making it an irresistible choice for audiophiles prioritizing sound quality over frills. Its modest construction, with matte black plastic and metal, doesn’t skimp on durability or aesthetic appeal, satisfying both the eyes and the ears.

Comfort is key with the HD 6XX; its lightweight design and deep velour pads cater to extensive listening sessions without the strain, a boon especially for glasses wearers. Additionally, the open-back design, while not suitable for noisy environments, offers an immersive audio experience indicative of its professional heritage. With a resistance rating of 300Ω and a sensitivity of 103dB/1Vrms, the HD 6XX delivers a clean, neutral-leaning sound profile, minimizing distortion and channel imbalances and presenting music with clarity and fidelity that respects the original recordings.

The Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX is great for those looking to upgrade their home audio experience without breaking the bank. This headset is not about features; it’s about pure performance, and at $200, it punches well above its weight in the audiophile market. While it’s not designed for the mobile listener, those with a stationary setup will be rewarded with audio quality that rivals more expensive headsets.

The Sennheiser HD 650 is a stone-cold classic

The Sennheiser HD 650 is a tried and tested choice for the best studio headphones from the brand. First released in 2003, this model has achieved classic status among audio professionals and enthusiasts alike for its reference-quality sound tuning, premium build, and exceptional comfort over extended listening sessions. The open-back design with distinctive metal grilles provides an expansive, natural soundstage ideal for critical monitoring applications.

The 42mm drivers, tuned by Sennheiser’s Axel Grell, deliver precise sonic reproduction with clear mids and highs, though the bass gently rolls off below 100Hz. Despite being nearly two decades old, the HD 650’s durable construction with replaceable cables has allowed it to remain a benchmark studio reference after all these years. The supremely comfortable fit of the large, padded earcups and adjustable headband minimizes fatigue during long mixing sessions. While pricey at $649, the HD 650 justifies the cost through its audiophile-level resolution and lasting build quality.

Is the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro good for the money?

The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is a studio classic and the only sub-$100 pick here. This set of dynamic, closed-back cans is ideal for studio use and comfortable to wear for extended periods. Considering studio headphones are a category that can get quite expensive, this budget pair does its job pretty darn well.

The headband cushions may look silly, but they promote even weight distribution, and the earpads are breathable, preventing your ears from overheating. The 3.3-meter-long coiled cable offers plenty of leeway for navigating a studio environment; it’s also replaceable, which is a nice touch. Moreover, the earcups rotate and lay flat on the chest when not in use.

Stay home with the Sennheiser HD 599

Not every set of headphones needs to follow you on your commute. Sometimes, you only need a comfortable pair of headphones like the Sennheiser HD 599 to plug in and relax. Sporting a balanced weight distribution and adjustable fit with velour and foam, the HD 599 has a long 3m cable for the times you want to move about or a shorter, 1.2m cable.

Its sound is characterized by a reasonably good treble reproduction and some exaggerations in the low end. For casual music and media consumption, it’s totally fine, but for studio-grade, it is not. The HD 599 having open backs means you won’t want to use it out of your home due to sound leaks and almost no isolation. However, as a set of headphones for milling about the house and watching shows or using your computer without bothering to charge batteries, it’s a solid set.

The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro are excellent studio cans on a budget

The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO stands out as an excellent choice for audio professionals, music producers, and mixing engineers seeking versatile studio headphones. These open-back headphones offer a distinct advantage with swappable velour and fabric ear pads that tailor the sound for producing (velour) or mixing (fabric). The velour pads provide a fun, consumer-friendly sound with boosted bass frequencies, while the fabric pads offer a more neutral reference tuning ideal for critical mixing sessions.

No matter which ear pads you choose, the HD 490 PRO delivers impressive resolution, clarity, and spatial imaging thanks to the open design and Sennheiser’s expertise in reference tuning. Details shine through instrumentation and vocals, with an expansive yet precise soundstage. The lightweight, durable build with swappable parts ensures long-lasting comfort over extended studio sessions. Helpful extras like the included dearVR MIX-SE plugin simulate various acoustic environments for versatile monitoring.

With an approachable $399 price point, the HD 490 PRO brings exceptional sonic performance, customizable comfort, and pro-level features to home studios and budding music producers. Its thoughtful design and execution make it a flexible, high-value choice for aspiring audio engineers on a budget.

Break the bank with the Sennheiser HD 800 S

When it comes to high-end headphones, the Sennheiser HD 800 S is a defining model. At 300g, these are not light but feel comfortable, and the weight is well distributed. Being a set of open-back headphones, they’re not as great at attenuating external noise, but they are one of the best open-back headphones you can get.

Sound quality is simply sublime, with the HD 800 S’s reference-tuned drivers rendering music with astounding clarity, detail, and neutrality across the frequency range. The airy, open soundstage allows instrumentation and vocals to shine, though bass frequencies are slightly restrained. The headphones respond exceptionally well to EQ tailoring to personal preferences.

The plush velour earpads and featherweight suspension headband enable hours of fatigue-free listening sessions. User-replaceable cables with standard and balanced termination options enhance long-term usability. While their open design limits outdoor use, the HD 800 S effortlessly meets the lofty expectations set for elite audiophile cans within a home environment. Expensive but uncompromising, they represent the true endgame for discerning listeners.

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus is a great mid-range pick

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus strikes a good balance as a well-rounded mid-range option for wireless ANC headphones. At $229, it delivers capable active noise cancelation that hushes up to 80% of ambient sounds, making it ideal for commutes or office environments. Battery life is a strength, with an impressive 53 hours of playback on a charge.

While sound quality won’t threaten premium models, the ACCENTUM Plus provides a pleasant listening experience tuned with Sennheiser’s signature accuracy. The default sound profile is nicely balanced, with punchy bass and clear mids, though highs can get a bit sibilant. EQ presets in the companion app allow some customization as well.

The lightweight plastic build keeps things comfortable during long stretches, with plush earpads that work well for glasses wearers, too. User-friendly touch controls, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, and a hard case enhance usability. The ACCENTUM Plus brings Sennheiser’s pedigree down to an accessible price point for those seeking well-rounded, no-frills, noise-canceling cans without overspending. It’s a solid value that gets the essentials right.

The Sennheiser HD 660S is a great set of headphones for indoors

Were it not for the limited use cases of the Sennheiser HD 660S combined with the midrange to expensive price tag, it would be one of our top choices. First off, it sounds great with a frequency response designed for analytical listening. However, the HD 660S is also open-back, meaning you’ll have to listen exclusively in quiet spaces. Sennheiser ships the headset with different cables for optional balanced connections, and the build is good.

For producers, it could be just the ticket for mixing and mastering, with excellent natural-sounding reproduction of instruments. It might be a bit steep in price for niche usability unless that’s your niche.

The MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are the best Sennheiser earbuds

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 represents the pinnacle of the brand’s true wireless earbud lineup. With rich, impactful bass, precise mids, and crisp treble, it achieves an impressively balanced, hi-fi-tuned sound right out of the box, earning stellar results in our MDAQS testing.

Beyond raw audio fidelity, the MOMENTUM 4 package is brimming with features like adjustable EQ, effective ANC, wireless charging, and support for cutting-edge Bluetooth codecs like LE Audio and Auracast. The comfortable, stylish candy bar design with IPX4 protection allows for enjoying immersive sound in nearly any environment. Battery life is also a strength at nearly 8 hours per charge.

Overall, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 combines Sennheiser’s signature sound, noise cancelation, and forward-looking tech in an impossibly compact and elegant form factor that represents the current pinnacle for discerning ears.

Take the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless to the court

Athletes may favor the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless, which does not have ANC but supplies an IP54 against dust and sweat. Out of the box, it sounds good and has one of the best transparency modes we’ve reviewed for anyone exercising outdoors. These buds are an excellent pick for gym goers or folks who are a bit rougher on their buds.

The best Sennheiser headphones: Notable mentions

• Sennheiser HD 450BT ($129 at Amazon): Before the ACCENTUM, these were the budget pick ANC headphones from Sennheiser. They supply high-quality codecs like aptX and aptX Low Latency alongside standard AAC and SBC. You can also plug it in with the optional headphone jack.
• Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee ($149 at Drop): Drop teamed up with Sennheiser to release the HD 58X Jubilee, which is a modern version of a limited edition pair from the past. This also happens to be very similar to the HD 600 and HD 650, with new drivers and a lower 150Ω impedance.
• Sennheiser HD 559: Similar in style to the Sennheiser HD 599, the HD 559 markets itself as the more budget-friendly version with one fewer cable.
• Sennheiser HD 569: Alternatively, if you like the idea of the HD 599 but want a closed-back isolating fit, this might be the set for you.
• Sennheiser HD 600 ($299 at Amazon): They may be very old, but the Sennheiser HD 600 is as sure a bet as they come. Older-model headphones stick around because they perform their function and perform it well. The Sennheiser HD 600 is one of the most venerated headphones in the audiophile space over the last few decades. For good reason, it’s great.
• Sennheiser HD 650 ($399 at Amazon): This expensive set of headphones is a classic for production and audio enthusiasts. It has a neutral frequency response and open-backs.
• Sennheiser HD 350BT ($86 at Amazon): These Bluetooth 5.0 headphones have great sound quality and are very portable, though not the most comfortable headset in the world.
• Sennheiser IE 100 PRO Wireless ($149 at Amazon): Want a pair of earbuds that can go from wired to wireless in just a few seconds? Well, then check out the IE 100 PRO Wireless. With this, Sennheiser even includes its Bluetooth neckband adapter and MMCX earbuds.
• Sennheiser IE 200 ($119 at Amazon): These wired earphones have a consumer-friendly sound and a nice build, striking a balance between price and performance.
• Sennheiser IE 300 ($281 at Amazon): These wired earbuds will please audiophiles with their 7mm Extra Wide Band Transducers. Their sound profile is similar to the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 earbuds, but they have ear hooks and an easily replaceable cable. They’re by no means cheap, but they’re still nice.
• Sennheiser IE 900 ($1199 at Amazon): If you want the cream of the crop when it comes to enthusiast IEMs, the Sennheiser IE 900 are the headphones to beat. It’s certainly a premium pick with the high price, but if you have extra cash to spend, these will never become obsolete.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport ($329 at Amazon): If you are a fitness enthusiast who wants biometric tracking built into your earbuds, these are the best option, but they cost a pretty penny.

What you should know about Sennheiser headphones

Most models are more specialized than general consumer cans, so you’ll need to know more info before you buy. While that doesn’t preclude every option from being a worthy consumer headset, it does mean Sennheiser headphones are a bit more niche than something like Beats.

How should the best Sennheiser headphones sound?

It depends on which headphones you’re looking at. If you’re going for a consumer headset like the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, then you’ll notice the headphones that the treble aligns well with the SoundGuys preference headphones curve with a hint of more bass. Treble notes are typically louder than mids, and Sennheiser seems to under-emphasize a certain treble range (usually from 3-7kHz) as on the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 True Wireless earbuds.

Studio headphones from Sennheiser sound different from consumer ones and have a more neutral bass and midrange response. These frequencies will sound equally as loud or close to it, making it easier to mix audio. There are plenty of reasons why you’d want a studio sound from your headphones and plenty of reasons why you wouldn’t want this. It all depends on your use case, and with most of Sennheiser’s wireless headsets, you can EQ the sound within the Smart Control app.

Do Sennheiser earbuds and headphones need an amp?

Some headphones, like the Sennheiser HD 800 S, can require an amp and DAC combo for optimal functionality, although you can use the HD 800 S without an amp if you need to. When spending upwards of $1000, the last thing you want to do is spend more money on external components. Fortunately, the other picks can skate by sans-amp.

How we choose the best Sennheiser headphones

When it comes to Sennheiser headphones, we know that most interested consumers are looking for the best sound quality they can afford, which is what we kept in mind when picking out each awardee per category.

We did our due diligence and researched top Sennheiser products carefully while taking into account the wide variety of listeners who may be drawn to the company’s products. We understand that few people will need or want the HD 820 but we felt it worth acknowledging the headset’s technological achievements.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

Each writer at SoundGuys has accumulated years of experience reporting on the consumer audio market, and our staff adheres to a strict ethics policy. We don’t use sponsored content on the website at a time when doing so is the norm. SoundGuys’ survival depends almost exclusively on readers enjoying their purchases. We pride ourselves on transparently outlining objective facts while accounting for the subjective experience to contextualize an audio product’s performance. When we do misspeak, we correct and own up to it.

Frequently asked questions about the best Sennheiser headphones