When deciding what would be the best Sennheiser headphones to buy, it’s important that you take the time to get to know each of the different models. Sennheiser is one of the leading brands of headphones on the market.
They have produced numerous models that have gotten positive feedback from customers online. In fact, some of the best-rated headphones online are from Sennheiser. If you need a reliable pair of headphones that are guaranteed to last for a long time, the Sennheiser brand is worth checking out.
Established in 1945, Sennheiser started by manufacturing microphones before venturing into other aspects of the audio industry. In fact, they claim to be the first company to produce open-backed headphones.
Nowadays, Sennheiser has a wide range of headphones suitable to users of all kinds. Whether you’re in need of sporty earbuds to use in the gym or a pair that’s suitable for traveling, Sennheiser will have something for you.
Given the wide range of Sennheiser headphones available, it can be difficult to decide what to buy. This is why we came up with this guide. Aside from offering tips on how to choose the best Sennheiser headphones, we have also included Sennheiser headphones reviews to give you an idea on which models are worth checking out.
In our review, we’ve covered different modes of Sennheiser headphones in different price ranges suitable to the needs of different users.
Sennheiser Headphones Comparison Table
Things to Look for When Shopping for the Best Sennheiser Headphones
Sennheiser is known for making headphones of premium quality. It’s clear that the company has given utmost importance to sound quality when producing their products. Some models feature more treble and bass, while others come with both.
Aside from having the best sound quality, the Sennheiser headphones are extremely comfortable, especially the models with an open-back design. Plus, most headphones have long battery life. So even if you use Bluetooth connectivity, the battery life won’t get affected.
To guide you into choosing the best Sennheiser headphones, take a look at the factors below:
Type of Audio
The type of audio that you will be listening to should be an important consideration when choosing the right Sennheiser headphone to buy. When you need a pair of headphones for recording and mixing, you should opt for a model with neutral or balanced frequency response.
This is also something worth considering when looking for the best Sennheiser headphones for gaming. Emphasized highs and mids are suitable for instruments used in center stage. These headphones are capable of cleaning dialogues from movies as well as the vocals on metal, pop, and rock music.
Sound Quality
If your headphones produce poor sound quality, then it defeats the purpose of having one. Whether you use it to listen to your favorite tracks or communicate through your mobile phone, it’s important that you choose a model with good sound quality.
No matter how good looking your headphones are, if they don’t produce the best sound quality, they are useless. Thankfully, Sennheiser is known to produce headphones that are capable of producing the best sound quality, whether in terms of soundstage, dynamic range, or response.
Impedance
There are some manufacturers that don’t provide the specs of their headphones, which is why some buyers miss out on impedance. This is actually an important feature. Impedance has to do with the amplification that’s required to produce the sound as well as how much sounds you’re able to squeeze from them.
In general, headphones with low impedance will work best for tablets and smartphones. Impedance also corresponds with resistance. Therefore, if the impedance is high, you’ll be applying less demand for current. The downside of this is that you’ll end up generating low volume even with the same level of power.
Thus, you will end up turning up the volume. If you’re getting a pair of headphones for consoles, laptops, or computers, the medium impedance should be fine. Headphones with high impedance might require dedicated amplification to be able to work at an optimum level.
Isolation
Isolation is the headphone’s ability to prevent outside noises from getting into your ears. This allows you to listen to your music without any interruption. While this might seem similar to an active noise cancellation feature, isolation is actually different.
The latter relies on a microphone in picking up sounds around you and will produce an inverse sound wave that cancels these sounds out. Such a feature is known in physics as destructive interference.
Amp/DAC
The choice between the amp and DAC will pretty much depend on the type of headphones that you have. Contrary to what many people think, your headphones won’t be able to produce better sounds if they come with the best AMP or DAC setup.
This will actually depend on other factors. However, if you’re wondering whether it’s necessary to get a DAC, the answer is no, except if the source unit is old. Then getting a DAC that can handle whatever you listen to should be fine.
Soundstage
Soundstage refers to the ability of the headphones to replicate spatial cues within a room. Basically, this determines how good the headphones are in tricking you into believing that the sounds come from certain directions.
The soundstage will vary from one pair of headphones to another, although in general, over-ear headphones can achieve this better than the in-ears, which are usually smaller.
That’s because, with over-ear headphones, the sound can bounce around your ear before it reaches your eardrums. The earbuds pump sound directly towards your ears so there’s not enough room for the sound to be able to move around.
Wired or Wireless
Going for wired or wireless headphones will pretty much depend on your personal taste and preferences. Your budget is also worth looking into when it comes to this. Also, if you don’t have the tolerance to charge them, you might as well go for wireless models.
But if you need to use the headphones for mixing, producing, and recording music, then wired versions are what you should go for. Travelers or those who are always on the go can benefit more from using wireless headphones.
Comfort
Comfort is absolutely crucial but you don’t have to worry about this with Sennheiser headphones because all their models are very comfortable. There are some outliers, but in general, most of the headphones are comfortable to use even for a long period of time.
What You Should Know About Over-Ear Headphones
The circumaural models are those headphones that are worn around the ears and can either be referred to as closed or open to emphasize their degree of isolation from and to the sounds in the surrounding. Its alternative model is called the supra-aural. This model of headphones rests on the ear and remains open.
These headphones are so large that they wrap around completely into your ear without really squeezing it. Thus, you can wear these headsets for several hours without feeling any discomfort. The biggest advantage of using these headsets is ease of use. Plus, it minimizes sweating and offers excellent insulation.
In fact, these headsets won’t leave any space between the outside and your ear since they just rest right on your temple and neck. The headsets are mostly preferred due to the excellent quality of audio that they produce. They are usually perfect for gaming and for those who need to listen to sounds from a Hi-Fi system or TV.
Best Sennheiser Headphones for Music or Gaming
Sennheiser has produced a lot of great models of headphones but the headphones below are truly the best in terms of sound quality and other factors. So, if you’re in the hunt for the best Sennheiser headphones to buy, you better check them out.
1 – Sennheiser HD 599 SE Around-Ear Open Back Headphone
The Sennheiser HD 599E Around-Ear Open is an upgraded version of the HD 598 although it hasn’t changed much in terms of the design. One distinct difference is the headband, which was improved slightly and now comes with better padding, offering a more superior look and feel.
The headphone’s ear cups have also undergone minor changes and now come with metal around the cups, although the plastic grill seems cheaper compared to its predecessor. But aside from the silver branding, it’s hard to tell the difference between the HD 599 and HD 598.
When it comes to comfort, the Sennheiser HD 599 doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s one of the most comfortable headphones from this list. It comes with well-padded and large oval-shaped ear cups that will fit comfortably around your ears.
The headphone’s padding has a microfiber coating that feels soft once it gets into contact with your skin. In addition, the headband is thoroughly padded and isn’t too loose or too tight on your head.
As for the performance, this pair of headphones offers consistent performance across multiple platforms and it has a relatively spacious soundstage. However, the imaging and distortion performance needs improvement since they sound somewhat muddy during the high-bass and low-mid area.
Pros:
Available in two color options
Comes with two cables
Comfortable extra-large ear pads
Excellent frequency response of 12 to 38,500 Hertz
Premium made components
Well-padded headband
Cons:
The sound quality needs improvement
2 – Sennheiser HD 800 S Reference Headphone System
When it comes to sound quality, the Sennheiser HD 800 S Reference Headphone System is definitely excellent. This open-back headphone plays music extremely well allowing you to enjoy your favorite tracks with utmost clarity.
The bass of the HD 800 rolls off pretty nicely and doesn’t tend to get overemphasized at the upper bass, although not too much that other people can hear. The soundstage of this pair of headphones is truly impressive, thanks to its open-back design.
Furthermore, this headphone’s dynamic range is outstanding. Perhaps the only downside with choosing this Sennheiser headphone is that you’ll have to pay for a separate amplifier. While it’s not necessary, you may have a hard time setting the headphone to an appropriate volume without the amp.
Another thing to note about this model is that the connector is proprietary. Therefore, if Sennheiser decides to stop making this cord, then this headset will be deemed useless in case the cable breaks.
Pros:
Excellent dynamic range and soundstage
Outstanding frequency response
Impressive fit and design
Cons:
The amplifier must be purchased separately
3 – Sennheiser HD 569 Closed Back Headphone
When it comes to the best Sennheiser headphones for gaming, the Sennheiser HD 569 is worth a try. This pair of headphones comes with interchangeable cables. One ends at ¼ inch stereo plug while the other ends at a 3.5 mm stereo plug.
In addition, this model comes with a warranty booklet, which is really impressive. Built entirely of plastic, the HD 659 has a rigid design and doesn’t look cheap or awkward to wear. Its headband comes with thick foam padding with ear cups which makes it very comfortable for the wearer.
This headphone’s frequency range is moderately standard although it has more details at the low end compared to what you’ll find in other headphones. Its low impedance of only 23 ohms is pretty odd, yet it’s a great welcome feature for this model.
It’s the only headphone that has such low impedance. The volume that this unit produces is somewhat loud enough for a 5-series headphone. Furthermore, its distortion is lower compared to the more expensive models.
Offering good detail and a strong impact on bass, not to mention ample control, the headphone’s lower end remains accurate and clean, but with only enough energy to keep things going.
Pros:
Around ear, closed-back design
Comes with a 3-meter detachable cable and 6.3-millimeter jack
Covered with a 2-year warranty
The soft and replaceable ear pads offer enhanced comfort
Cons:
Doesn’t offer enough comfort
4 – Sennheiser HD 25 Professional DJ Headphone
The Sennheiser HD 25 Professional Headphone is certainly one of the best Sennheiser headphones out there, thanks to its great features. In fact, this particular model is available in three varieties – the HD25 original, HD25 lite, and HD25 plus.
These headphones are lightweight and won’t lead to fatigue when worn for a long time. It offers enough adjustability features, which means it can fit different sizes of head, ears, etc. Comfort is definitely not an issue with this model.
The HD 25 comes with a 10-feet cable, which truly reliable. Even though the sound it produces is moderately balanced at the midrange as well as in high frequencies, the bass definition is not too bad at all. Since the ear cups of these headphones rotate, you’ll be able to also use it for one-ear mixing.
Sure, this model isn’t the most durable out there, but it’s excellent for both outdoor and indoor use. Its noise cancellation feature makes this model suitable for testing audio equipment and monitoring music in a loud environment.
Pros:
Excellent noise canceling feature
Lightweight and comfortable
Long and detachable cable
No-frill design and simple functionality
Rotating earcups
Cons:
The headband could use some improvements
5 – Sennheiser HD 650 Open Back Professional Headphone
Out of all the Sennheiser headphones reviews online, one of the models that stands out is the Sennheiser HD 650.
This unit has an incredible frequency response of up to 41,000 HZ, which produces lots of sparkle during high frequencies. What’s also great about this pair of headphones is that it comes with an overall harmonic distortion that’s less than the standard 1%. This model is rated at around 0.05% THD.
The cable that comes with this pair of headphones has a decent length of 9.8″ and has a somewhat rugged feel. This could add some weight to the headphone, yet it’s detachable so there should be no issues. If you want to improve convenience by using this headset, you have the option to swap it for another cable.
The headphone’s voice coil is made from light aluminum that helps to further improve its response time as well as its acoustic clarity. These headphones are somewhat indestructible and are able to play loud music, for as long as you’re using the proper amplifier.
Pros:
Clear and natural sound
Detachable cable
Large earcups
Massive THD reduction
Premium drivers
Cons:
You will need to get separate amplifiers to get the most out of these headphones
6 – Sennheiser RS 175 RF Wireless Headphone System
The Sennheiser RS 175 Wireless Headphone is somewhat similar to the RS 165, except for some minor changes. For one, these headphones are somewhat weightier and have a fairly different texture at the back of the ear cups.
In addition, these headphones come with an additional button that will activate the surround sound system at the headphones’ right ear cup. These headphones have a decent built and are comfortable enough to wear. Unfortunately, they are not that stable for outdoor use.
The RS 175 has a similar form as the RS 165 as well as the other headphones in the RS series. These headphones are equipped with a transmitter stand, which can also serve as a dock or charging station.
Compared to the RS 165, the RS 175 is somewhat bulky and is not reliable for use in the outdoors. The Sennheiser RS 175 has a decent and sturdy built. In addition, its headband is somewhat flexible and is integrated with a metal frame. Furthermore, the ear cups of this unit are fairly dense.
Pros:
Compact and ergonomically designed headphones
Digital input is greater than 90 dBA
Easy to set up
Equipped with a digital wireless system
The frequency response is 17 22,000 Hz.
The range is up to 100 m
Cons:
Some might find it pricey!
7 – Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Closed Back Headphone
This Sennheiser wireless headphones review wouldn’t be complete without including the Sennheiser HD 598 C. It’s truly one of the best headphones on the market. The ear cups of this model are closed when compared to the open model, however, the overall build quality is somewhat similar.
This pair of headphones is somewhat bulky, yet it’s durable and decent enough for daily use. The unit comes with inline controls that will allow you to pause, play, or skip the music.
However, it will not allow you to change volume, which can be frustrating for other users. The ear cup’s different padding is not as comfortable as the H 598 although it isolates better.
The Sennheiser 598 C is truly comfortable to wear. However, they are not that padded compared to the other 598 models. The padding that was used for this model’s ear cups is somewhat stiffer, which makes it tighter when worn.
The overall build quality of the Sennheiser HD 598 is more than the average although it’s somewhat weak on the joints. Its headband is integrated with a metal frame and is durable enough to handle pressure applied to it. However, it comes with thin swivel hinges that have the tendency to get damaged easily.
Pros:
Can be used for almost all types of audio devices
Comes with two cable options
Its 35 mm plug allows the headphone to be used with portable devices
Premium design audiophile-grade over-ear headphones
The frequency response is up to 28,000 Hz.
Cons:
It is wired, which might limit distance use
8 – Sennheiser HD 660 S – HiRes Audiophile Open Back Headphone
The Sennheiser HD 660S is a good pair of headphones that we would recommend for gamers. In fact, if you’ve come across Sennheiser PC37X reviews, you’ll find that this model is being compared to the PC37X, which is the most suitable pair of headphones for gaming.
However, this model is somewhat expensive and may not appeal to those who are in a budget. But if you’re really serious about gaming, this model is worth investing in! Offering low harmonic distortion with hand-selected transducers, this pair produces excellent sound quality.
The handling of outside noise is pretty good, plus the sounds produced are natural and clear, thanks to the open-back design. When it comes to comfort, these headphones don’t disappoint. You’ll also get two cables with every purchase. There are also two adaptors of different sizes.
Pros:
Comes with 2 cables and 2 adaptors
Outstanding sound quality
Produces extremely low harmonic distortion
Cons:
Some users have complained that this model causes headache
9 – Sennheiser HDR120 Supplemental HiFi Wireless Headphone
The Sennheiser HDR120 is among the most affordable Sennheiser headphones yet it comes complete with TR 120 II wireless transmitter, as well as extra headphones for the RS 110 and 120 Systems. Furthermore, this wireless headphone can function as a supra-aural, stereo, or open wireless RF headphone.
The transmitter of this Sennheiser headphone model comes with a neat cradle that can make for an ideal storage and charging hub. Setting up this headphone is easy. You just need to plug the transmitter to the audio device, turn it on, and you can enjoy listening to your favorite tracks!
The Sennheiser HDR 120 Headphone is very lightweight so it’s comfortable enough to wear even for a long time. It has an impedance of 24 ohms and can be connected to an additional headphone that’s compatible with it. Above all, this headphone is covered under a 2-year limited warranty.
Pros:
Comes with extra wireless Headphones for RS 110 and RS 120 System
Analytical sound reproduction with a strong bass response
Can be used for all kinds of music including TV applications
Very lightweight and comfortable to wear
Cons:
The longevity of the battery is not the best among the bunch
10 – Sennheiser HD 600 Open Back Professional Headphone
When looking for the best Sennheiser headphones for music, the Sennheiser HD 600 is worth checking out. However, since this is an open-back headphone model, it’s only recommended to be used inside your home or while you’re working in your studio.
That’s because the music will leak and the people around you will be able to hear whatever it is that you’re listening. Nevertheless, the Sennheiser HD 600 delivers an incredible performance, thanks to its exceptional sound stage and dynamic range, even without an amp.
As mentioned, the Sennheiser HD 600 is an open back headphone so you can’t use it in public. But the good thing about this device is that it has an extremely wide soundstage with remarkable dynamic range. Its frequency response is what you would expect from open-back headphones.
The treble and midrange of this headphone are flat and neutral. However, the bass is somewhat underwhelming. This is mainly due to its open-back design, which will prevent the bass from bouncing back. Furthermore, the design can lead to bass roll-off and that means you could lose lots of rumbles and thump at a low bass.
Pros:
Great comfort
Impressive dynamic range
Superb sound stage
Cons:
The bass response is somewhat underwhelming
Types of Headphones
Here are the main types of headphones:
Circumaural
This particular headphone can come in the form of open-backed or closed backed. Circumaural refers to the way the headphones cup your ears. Sometimes, these models are called “over the ear.” When you put these headphones on, the padding encircles the ear and creates a seal.
Circumaural headphones are comfortable to wear and the closed-back versions offer isolation from outside sounds while preventing any sounds from the headphone to leak out. These headphones are ideal for recording and are recommended for DJs who have to listen to music in a setting with very loud sounds in the background.
Supra-Aural
Supra-aural headphones are somewhat similar to circumaural headphones but instead of encircling the ears, these headphones sit right into your ears. Usually, they are lighter so they are more comfortable to wear.
However, these headphones won’t seal well into your ears so they have the tendency to fall off and they are also not that effective in isolating sounds.
Semi-Open
Semi-open headphones fall between the closed back and fully open design. Although sound leakage may occur, there will be less leakage compared to the open back.
The semi-open headphones provide a more realistic stereo field and with low distortion. These headphones are usually used in a recording environment that has no microphones that could pick up any of the leaking sounds.
Open Air
Also known as the open back headphone, these headphones are either supra-aural or circumaural. However, the back part of the earpiece is usually open and allows sound to freely flow in both directions. Since the open-air headphones are non-isolating, these devices are not recommended for recording purposes.
When used by a professional singer, the sound could leak and the microphone will pick up the sounds and that could affect the overall result. But the good thing about these headphones is that they produce an open and airy sound and they are pleasant to the ears.
Studio Headphones
Fitting your studio with plenty of headphones to use for recording a full band could require a considerable amount of investment. In some instances, a headphone amplifier is required in order to amplify and then distribute mix signals to each and every musician.
Closed or Sealed
Sealed or closed headphones offer the best isolation. In this design, the back portion of the earpiece is totally closed off, and along with a good seal on the ear, it keeps the sound from escaping in any direction.
This particular headphone is more suitable for monitoring music in a loud environment. It’s also great for recording since it keeps the sound from leaking.
START UP - $ 29
Sennheiser HD 660 S - HiRes Audiophile Open Back Headphone
START UP - $ 29
Sennheiser HDR120 Supplemental HiFi Wireless Headphone
Conclusion
If you need a headphone for professional use, whether you’re a DJ or a recording artist, you definitely should invest in the best. The Sennheiser HD 800 S Reference Headphone System is highly recommended when it comes to this. This open-back around-ear pair of headphones come complete with all the features that a professional needs.
It features an innovative absorber technology that helps minimize unwanted frequency response and has a unique ear cup design that’s capable of directing the sound waves towards the ears in a slight angle. Therefore, when it comes to the best Sennheiser headphones, we couldn’t recommend this model enough!
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