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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a more immersive sound for music and gaming, the EPOS PC38X would offer you better quality with exceptional clarity, a wider soundstage, and highly rated comfort. It excels in gaming due to its open-back design, though it isn't as portable and offers minimal noise isolation, which could be a downside for use in noisy environments or during commutes. On the other hand, the Sennheiser HD 400S provides more sound isolation due to its closed-back design, which is beneficial if you plan to use them in noisy areas and want some passive noise blocking. It is foldable which makes it more portable, plus it has integrated controls, unlike the PC38X. However, it offers less overall sound quality compared to the PC38X and might not be as satisfying for critical listening or competitive gaming. Consider the price difference as well: the PC38X is more expensive, so if budget is a concern, the HD 400S offers a more affordable option with reasonable performance for everyday use. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
7.1
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Gaming
10.0
8.6
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is very good.
Phone Calls
10.0
8.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is very good.
TV and Video
9.0
7.6
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Sennheiser HD 400S and EPOS PC38X are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sennheiser HD 400S is somewhat better.
Cost
$139
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.6
The EPOS PC38X and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The EPOS PC38X and Sennheiser HD 400S both have very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the EPOS PC38X or the Sennheiser HD 400S
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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