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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are a good option if you're looking for something more affordable, wireless, and portable with decent call quality. They are optimized for Apple devices and support wireless charging, but they provide less sound isolation and are not the best for gaming or watching TV. Alternatively, the Sennheiser HD600 offers superior sound quality and comfort, with an open-back design that's great for critical listening and a wide soundstage. However, they are bulkier, more expensive, and require a wired connection, making them less convenient for on-the-go use or during exercise. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD600
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.1
9.3
The Sennheiser HD600 is excellent for music, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.
Gaming
5.4
7.0
The Sennheiser HD600 is good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
5.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD600 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
7.9
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser HD600 is good.
TV and Video
5.5
8.9
The Sennheiser HD600 is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD600 does not have a battery.
Cost
$179
$350
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Sennheiser HD600 costs $350.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Sennheiser HD600 are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Sennheiser HD600 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Sennheiser HD600 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Sennheiser HD600 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $350 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | January 1, 1997 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Sennheiser HD600
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Jean Mouchet | September 2021
"The HD600 are state-of-the-art headphones with high sound quality and remarkable value, among most of the offerings in today’s time."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Sennheiser HD600
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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