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The Best Sennheiser Headphones in 2024

Last updated: 4 months ago
7 min read

Here are the best Sennheiser headphones to get right now.

We test and evaluate headphones using a standardized 9-point methodology. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Rating Price Back design Connection More info
Sennheiser HD 800 S Best overall
Sennheiser HD 800 S
4.6
Under $1450
Open-back
Wired 3.5mm, 6.3mm, & 4.4mm balanced
4.4
Under $320
Closed-back
Bluetooth 5.0 & Wired 3.5mm
3.6
Under $300
Closed-back
Bluetooth 5.3
Sennheiser HD 600 Best reference
Sennheiser-HD-600-s
4.8
Under $330
Open-back
Wired 3.5mm & 6.3mm
Sennheiser GSP 670 Best for gaming
Sennheiser GSP 670 wireless gaming headset
3.8
Under $320
Closed-back
Wireless 2.4 GHz & Bluetooth
Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless Noise-cancelling alternative
Sennheiser PXC 550 II Wireless headphones
4.3
Under $200
Closed-back
Bluetooth 5.0 & Wired 3.5mm
Sennheiser HD 560 S Best neutral
Sennheiser HD 560 S
4.6
Under $180
Open-back
Wired 6.3mm
Sennheiser HD 559 Best affordable
Sennheiser HD 559
4.4
Under $100
Open-back
Wired 6.3mm
Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Best for studio
Sennheiser HD280
4.6
Under $100
Closed-back
Wired 3.5mm & 6.3mm
Sennheiser HD 206 Best cheap
Sennheiser HD 206 wired headphones
4.3
Under $40
Closed-back
Wired 3.5mm
CONTENTS (show more)

    Is Sennheiser a Good Brand?

    Sennheiser has a long history of making high-quality audio equipment, including $10 to $1000 pairs of headphones, with a reputation for high audio quality and durability. Their top-range offering is an insanely expensive electrostatic headphone and amplifier combo, Sennheiser HE-1, for an eye-watering $59.000.

    Sennheiser headphones and microphones have been used in a professional environment for years. They’re dependable, durable, and offer top-notch performance.

    It’s no wonder Sennheiser makes some of the best headphones for music lovers. Many of their products are considered classics by the audiophile community.

    You can expect superb audio experience across the board, but, you’ll have to pay a premium.

    Nevertheless, if a smooth, rich, and warm sound is what you desire, you can’t go wrong with the best Sennheiser headphones.

    Similar guide:

    The Best Sennheiser Headphones

    1. Sennheiser HD 800 S

    1st-place Best Overall
    Sennheiser HD 800 S

    The HD 800 S Sennheiser headphones are a piece of art, both in sonic performance and design.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired – 3.5mm, 6.3mm, & 4.4mm balanced
    Driver size icon Driver size: 56mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 4-51.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Back desgn: Open-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 300 Ohm | Weight: 330g | Cable length: 3m | Features: /
    • Outstanding audio quality
    • Big soundstage with good imaging
    • Robust construction
    • Expensive

    These Sennheiser headphones have incredibly precise sound and a massive soundstage, accompanied by accurate imaging.

    HD 800 S are the best pick if you want sublime audio quality. They display breathtakingly accurate sound with incredible detail retrieval.

    Thanks to the open-back design, the soundstage is massive, with surprisingly accurate imaging.

    While these are amazing audiophile headphones, they’re quite power-hungry, so you have to plug them into a headphone amp to achieve optimal performance.

    Sennheiser pays a lot of attention to its products in terms of design. While HD 800 S sometimes look like a futuristic spaceship, you can’t argue that they don’t look premium.

    They are made out of aluminum and plastic, which keeps the weight down. Even padded earcups perfectly contour the ear shape for maximum comfort.

    Apart from being sturdy, their cables are also removable. That comes in handy if you want to try out different wires and connections to improve the already amazing sound quality.

    For world-leading premium headphones, check these out.

    Or check the best audiophile headphones.

    2. Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless

    wireless Best Wireless
    Sennheiser Momentum 3

    Exquisite build with quality materials such as steel and leather. The new Sennheiser Momentum Wireless high-end headphones attract many looks.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 6-22.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 17h | Wireless range: n/a | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency | Water resistance: No | Features: ANC, Transparent Hearing, mobile app, EQ, Tile tracker
    • Great sound quality
    • Comfortable with leather earpads
    • Foldable, travel-friendly design
    • Good ANC performance
    • Pricey
    • Average battery life

    The sound profile is a bit bass-forward out of the box, but you can tame them using EQ. Overall, the sound quality is fantastic, with excellent authority across the frequency response.

    They can please both audiophiles and bassheads alike, which you can’t say about many headphones.

    Their high price point is justified by quality construction made of stainless-steel adjustment sliders and thick, leather earpads that feel like clouds on your ears.

    Momentum 3 Wireless also come with active noise cancellation, which ranks pretty high compared to the competition.

    You can access many other functions from the mobile phone, like equalizer, Transparent Hearing, and volume control.

    If you’re concerned about portability, you can fold the wireless Sennheiser headphones into a carry case to save space.

    See other noise cancelling headphones.

    3. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

    true-wireless Best True Wireless
    Sennheiser True Wireless Momentum 3 earbuds

    The 3rd generation of Sennheiser true wireless earbuds come with a sleeker design, active noise cancellation, longer battery life, and amazing sound quality.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.3
    Driver size icon Driver size: 7 mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 5 Hz to 21,000 kHz
    Type: True wireless | Battery life: 7h + 28h in case | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Qi wireless charging | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | Water resistance: IPX4 | Features: ANC, Ambient sound mode, companion app, EQ
    • Amazing sound
    • Comfortable and stable
    • Sweatproof with IPX4 rating
    • Wirelessly charging case
    • Case has no outside battery indicator
    • Mediocre ANC for the price
    • Annoying voice prompts

    One of the best-sounding true wireless earbuds. Momentum True Wireless 3 provide a refined, dynamic, and detailed listening experience. The soundstage is also quite big for in-ear headphones.

    The Sennheiser earbuds are small, lightweight, and offer excellent comfort for long listening sessions. They’re also more suitable for sportspeople who want to bring their music to the gym.

    Their battery life can last up to 7 hours on a single charge (without ANC), and they support Qi wireless charging, too. You don’t have to worry if they get sweaty since they come with an IPX4 rating of water resistance.

    When you connect them with a Sennheiser app, you can access features like EQ, High-End Tuning, Transparent Hearing, smart control customizer, and ANC.

    For the most portable option, check the Sennheiser Momentum TWS 3.

    Also, check the older version, which is a solid choice at a lower price: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 review

    Related:

    4. Sennheiser HD 600

    trophy Best reference
    Sennheiser HD 600

    An indisputable classic among the audiophile community. Despite their age, Sennheiser HD 600 are still considered a reference to many other headphones.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired 3.5mm & 6.3mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: Over-ear | Back design: Open-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 300 Ohm | Weight: 9.17 oz (260g) | Cable lenght: 9.8 feet (3m) | Features: /
    • Reference for neutral sound
    • Lifelike vocal rendition
    • Comfortable fit with velour earpads
    • Durable construction that is fully repairable
    • Needs an amp for optimal performance
    • Small soundstage

    These audiophile headphones are a benchmark of neutrality and well-balanced sound. Every frequency range is presented faithfully, with a focus on lush, natural sound and vocals.

    Being open-back, they lack sub-extension but remain punchy and accurate. The soundstage is relatively small. Instead, you get very precise imaging.

    Despite the overall plastic construction, the build is excellent. These Sennheiser headphones feel sturdy from top to bottom, and you can replace every single part if necessary. You can change the headband padding, metallic mesh sides, earpads, wires, and more.

    Speaking of ear pads, they’re huge and comfy, which makes them incredibly comfortable. Ear cups are fully open, and you can see the driver straight through.

    5. Sennheiser GSP 670

    trophy Best for gaming
    Sennheiser GSP 670 wireless gaming headset

    A top Sennheiser gaming headset with comfortable ear cushions and a high-quality microphone.

    Connection icon Connection: Wireless 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 20h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: n/a | Water resistance: No | Surround sound: 7.1 Surround Sound | Features: Intelligent battery managment, multipoint support
    • Robust build quality
    • Great sound with good amount of details
    • Quality microphone
    • Not the best connection range
    • May not fit all heads

    The best Sennheiser headphones for long wireless gaming sessions with excellent battery life.

    The sound profile is excellent for both game audio and music listening. Overall clarity is top-notch, making these headphones much more detailed than other gaming headsets. With them, you can easily hear footsteps and other environmental sounds.

    Sennheiser GSP 670 are chunky yet robust premium headsets. They work best with PC, but you can also use them with PS5 (unfortunately, no Xbox One) and a smartphone (via Bluetooth connection).

    Earpads are big enough to fit your ears, which prevents them from causing ear fatigue during a long gaming session. The gaming headphones support 7.1 virtual surround sound, which you can enable via a PC app.

    A nondetachable flip-to-mute boom mic is of high quality, picking your voice prompts nicely and cleanly.

    For a wired gaming option, consider the GSP 600 or the Sennheiser Game One.

    Check more premium headsets in the best gaming headsets guide.

    6. Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless

    anc Noise-cancelling alternative
    Sennheiser PXC 550 II Wireless

    Although not as cool as other Sennheiser models, these Bluetooth headphones offer excellent sound quality and active noise cancellation.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 / 3.5mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: 32mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 17-23.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 20h (ANC + wireless), 30h (ANC + wired) | Wireless range: n/a | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 3h + quick charge – Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency | Water resistance: No | Features: ANC, Transparent Hearing, Smart Pause, companion app, foldable design
    • Great ANC performance
    • Good sound quality
    • Useful mobile app
    • Foldable, lightweight design
    • Pricey
    • Micro-USB instead of USB-C

    With the help of 32mm drivers and a wide array of Bluetooth codecs (SBC, AAC, aptX, AptX Low Latency), these Sennheiser headphones produce an accurate, almost flat sound with tons of details.

    These active noise-cancelling headphones might be a bit boring to those who prefer a punchier sound from brands like Beats. However, an audiophile will appreciate their neutral signature.

    They feel nice in hand, with brushed plastic, much like Sony WH-1000XM4. Because of plastic, the PXC 550-II Wireless are lightweight.

    Sennheiser made them excellent for commuters, with a foldable design and active noise cancellation.

    Speaking of that, ANC works effectively, eliminating most of the annoying room noise around you.

    7. Sennheiser HD 560 S

    trophy Best neutral
    Sennheiser HD 560 S

    Surprisingly, one of the most neutral Sennheiser headphones costs below $200.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired – 6.3mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: 38mm (36mm diaphragm)
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 6-38.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Back design: Open-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 120 Ohm | Weight: 8.46 oz (260g) | Cable length: n/a | Features: E.A.R. tech
    • Exceptional neutral sound
    • Comfortable
    • Big soundstage
    • Velour earpads
    • Detachable cable
    • Can get sibilant at times

    If you seek superb neutrality for a relatively affordable price, the HD 560 S are the way to go. They even have a good bass response, despite their open design.

    One minor annoyance is that the top end can be a bit bright, and you might expect some sibilance. At least the soundstage is wide and ready to boost the musical and gaming experience.

    Thankfully, the rest is great. Sure, the physical build is primarily plastic, but that keeps the weight down. Add big over-ear velour earpads, and you get one of the most comfortable headphones out there.

    Inside the box, you get a detachable cable with a 6.3mm jack.

    8. Sennheiser HD 559

    dollar Best affordable
    Sennheiser HD 559 wired headphones

    Well-rounded audiophile headphones with the right mix of sound quality and comfort.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired – 6.3mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: 38mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 14-26.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Back design: Open-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 50 Ohm | Weight: n/a | Cable lenght: 118 inch (3m) | Features: /
    • Open-back design with a spacious soundstage
    • Very comfortable
    • Strong bass from 38mm drivers
    • 2-year warranty
    • Minor bass distortion at high volume levels
    • Supplied cable only has a 6.3mm straight plug, no adapter included

    These Sennheiser headphones can portray a vast soundstage thanks to a special E.A.R (Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement) design. That makes them excellent for listening to live recording and gaming.

    Overall, the sound signature is relatively warm and dark, which makes them very laid-back and non-fatiguing.

    Sennheiser HD 559 are among the best headphones under $100 thanks to their comfort. Lightweight construction and nicely padded cups make for an enjoyable listening experience, no matter how long you wear them.

    HD 559 open-back headphones have velour earpads, preventing your skin to feel hot and becoming sweaty. Also, cups are big enough to fit your whole ear inside.

    The included cable is detachable, and it ends with a 6.3mm jack.

    9. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO

    trophy Best for studio
    Sennheiser HD 280 PRO wired headphones

    Anyone looking for an excellent pair of mastering studio headphones should consider the Sennheiser HD280 Pro.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired – 3.5mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 8-25.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 64 Ohm | Weight: 10.1 oz (285g) | Cable lenght: 118 inch (3m), 51 inch when coiled | Features: /
    • Excellent noise isolation
    • Professional build quality
    • Heavy-duty design
    • Great for monitoring at low volume
    • Heavy coiled cable can strain connectors
    • Padding and fit can be too tight for larger head sizes

    The HD 280 Pro don’t try to enchant you with fun sound. Instead, they prefer to surgically pick out the details in the studio environment, ensuring that no error ends up in the final mix.

    These can still be fun for listening to music or watching movies since they can reach incredibly low into the sub-bass frequencies.

    You find a fair amount of padding on all the necessary spots, especially on the ear pads.

    Because of leatherette pads, these create an airtight seal, which significantly reduces sound leakage.

    These studio headphones are made for heavy-duty work, with rigid plastic construction, thick cables with robust strain reliefs, and a collapsible ear cup design.

    If you want the best Sennheiser headphones for a studio, these are it.

    There are similar headphones for the same price tag. See the best Bluetooth headphones under $100.

    10. Sennheiser HD 206

    dollar Best cheap
    Sennheiser HD 206 wired headphones

    The most popular and best Sennheiser headphones among news media workers. They’re inexpensive, relatively durable, comfy, and sound pretty good.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired – 3.5mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 21-18.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 24 Ohm | Weight: 5.8 oz (165g) | Cable length: 118 inch (3m) | Features: /
    • Clean sound for the price
    • Affordable
    • Lighweight and comfortable fit
    • They're officially discontinued

    The sound profile from a single driver is in one word: clear. You can hear a decent amount of low-end, clean midrange frequencies, and a smooth treble. Also, you get a good sense of the soundstage (despite a closed-back design).

    While they’re not the pinnacle of design, they’re still reliable over-ear headphones that do the job. Thanks to their lightness, though the padding isn’t excessive, you can wear them for many hours.

    Moreover, you get a 6.3mm audio adapter and a generous 2-year warranty. Their impedance is only 24 ohm, which means you can drive them from all kinds of sources.

    If you need cheap headphones to do a bit of editing, listen to podcasts, or attend online classes, these are a fantastic option.

    What Are the Differences Between Model Names?

    As with many other brands, Sennheiser also uses different model names to distinguish between lineups. That way, you can easily see what specific headphones are meant for. To name a few:

    • HD: This indicates audiophile and professional headphones. They come in both open and closed-back designs. They usually have a very accurate frequency response that is close to neutral.
    • Momentum: These are more consumer-oriented headphones with a sound signature to please the masses. These are usually closed-back headphones tuned to output punchy, deep bass while also sounding Hi-Fi.
    • PXC: Perfect headphones for regular commuters and business travelers. These are usually over-ear headphones with either ambient noise-isolating properties or active noise cancellation.
    • CX: Consumer-based in-ear earbuds suitable for music listening, traveling, sports, and background noise isolation.
    • IE: High-end in-ear monitors with audiophile-grade sound quality. So far, they’re all wired.

    Are Sennheiser Headphones Durable?

    In most cases, yes. Even though they’re usually made of plastic, Sennheiser headphones appear quite sturdy, especially full-sized ones.

    The best thing about Sennheiser headphones is that you can often replace parts that deteriorate. That way, if something breaks or wears down, you can easily fix it.

    But there have been more reports of Sennheiser wireless earbuds breaking down and not living up to the high-quality promises consumers expect from the brand. The Amazon rating of Momentum TWS 3 is only 3.6, with many reviews claiming bad build quality, which points to a broader problem.

    Does Sennheiser Have the Best Audio Quality?

    While many people associate the brand with audiophile-grade products, it’s hard to objectively crown them as the best of the best.

    Sound is very subjective, as one audiophile will love Sennheiser headphones while another will hate them. The key is to find the ones that suit your taste.

    Generally, they have many renowned models, especially in the audiophile community. But when it comes to consumer headphones, other brands are more popular.

    Why Trust HeadphonesAddict?

    At HeadphonesAddict, we provide honest headphone tests through a rigorous methodology and a transparent process. See how we test here. We put a lot of effort into personally testing and measuring each pair so we can make educated recommendations.

    More reasons to trust us:

    • We test headphones ourselves on 9 key points (less for wired models).
    • We measure frequency responses, ANC, passive isolation, battery life, and compare EQ presets.
    • We don’t take money for tests and reviews.
    • We don’t delete or edit “bad reviews.” Even when brands ask us to. If the headphones sound bad or have other faults, we tell you without embellishment.

    Last update: Added Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

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