At a look
Knowledgeable’s Ranking
Execs
- Nice sound and aggressive value
- Agency, sturdy bass
- Comfy, light-weight design
- Constructed-in mic for voice calls
Cons
- Wired solely, with no Bluetooth
- No noise-cancellation
Our Verdict
There are not any digital options similar to noise-cancellation or Bluetooth, however the HD 400U gives excellent sound high quality at a aggressive value. The light-weight design is comfy to put on, and its USB-C connection helps lossless and high-res audio on Apple Music and different streaming companies.
Worth When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Greatest Pricing At the moment
Worth When Reviewed
$99.95
Greatest Costs At the moment: Sennheiser HD 400U
$99.95
$99.99
Sennheiser’s new HD 400U wired headphones present that you just don’t have to lay our a fortune to take pleasure in high-quality sound. Priced at $99.95/£69.99, the over-ear headphones use a USB-C wired connection that delivers what Sennheiser calls “pure, uncompressed audio,” supporting lossless and high-resolution music as much as 24-bit/96kHz on companies similar to Apple Music.
Regardless of the modest value, the HD 400U delivers spectacular sound high quality, sturdy bass and a light-weight, comfy design, making it an inexpensive possibility for listeners who need the very best audio high quality from trendy streaming companies.
Wired headphones could really feel like a throwback within the age of wi-fi earbuds, particularly since Apple eliminated the three.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016 — a transfer that helped speed up the rise of Bluetooth gadgets similar to AirPods. Whereas wi-fi headphones have dominated ever since, Bluetooth audio nonetheless depends on information compression, which suggests it may’t ship true lossless sound. As streaming companies similar to Apple Music more and more provide lossless and high-resolution audio, wired headphones just like the HD 400U are having fun with one thing of a comeback amongst listeners who need the very best sound high quality.
USB-C and Lossless Audio Assist
The HD 400U features a USB-C cable that works with latest Macs, iPhones and different USB-C gadgets, permitting listeners to take pleasure in lossless and high-resolution audio with out spending tons of of {dollars} on premium fashions similar to Apple’s AirPods Max, which price $549/£499. As an alternative, Sennheiser focuses on the necessities: a snug, light-weight design and powerful sound high quality at an inexpensive value.
Design & Consolation
Padded earpieces and the light-weight design make sure that the HD 400U is comfy to put on for hours at a time. The headphones weigh simply 217g — far lighter than the 386g AirPods Max — and the thick padding helps cut back strain throughout lengthy listening classes.
The design itself is simple and sensible. The headphones are produced from matte-black plastic, which doesn’t really feel as premium as metal-clad rivals just like the AirPods Max however ought to be sturdy sufficient to outlive life in a backpack. The earcups fold flat for simpler storage, and Sennheiser features a cloth carrying pouch.
Options and Limitations
In fact, the low value does imply that the HD 400U lacks some options that sure customers might want. There’s no Bluetooth possibility and no noise-cancellation, and the headphones don’t embrace a devoted quantity management, so that you’ll want to regulate quantity in your telephone or different gadget. Nevertheless, the cable does embrace easy inline controls, with a microphone for voice calls and a single button for Play/Pause and dealing with incoming calls.
Sound High quality
Most significantly, Sennheiser will get the fundamentals proper, with sound high quality that’s spectacular for headphones costing lower than $100. Cheaper headphones usually wrestle with bass, however the HD 400U – with a frequency response of 18–20kHz – handles the bouncing bass that opens Unhealthy Man by Billie Eilish with an enormous, agency thud that instantly will get your physique swaying. The deep, reverberating bass pulse later within the monitor provides a sinister edge as Billie whispers, “you mentioned she’s afraid of me?”
Crucially, the bass doesn’t overwhelm the remainder of the combination. The finger snaps reduce crisply by the bass and drums, whereas Billie’s whispered vocals retain a easy, velvety tone.
Switching to the sonic chaos of Planetary Go! by My Chemical Romance presents no issues both. It’s a dense monitor, with heavy rock guitars colliding with digital keyboards, but the HD 400U retains every factor clear and distinct. The chopping guitar riffs have actual punch, whereas the fizzing EDM keyboards burst with vitality.
Ought to You Purchase The Sennheiser HD 400U?
When you want noise-cancellation or the pliability of Bluetooth, you’ll have to look elsewhere. However for those who merely need an inexpensive pair of wired headphones that delivers high-quality sound, the HD 400U affords glorious worth for cash. The light-weight, comfy design additionally makes it possibility for lengthy journeys – particularly for the reason that wired connection means there’s no battery to fret about.
