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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for headphones with a microphone that delivers high-quality communication, particularly for gaming where clear voice chat is crucial, the HyperX Cloud II would serve you better. However, if your primary use is listening to music and you prefer a more balanced sound with slightly better soundstage, the Sennheiser HD 400S could be preferable. Keep in mind that Sennheiser's model might not match the HyperX in terms of microphone quality for calls and game chats. For durability and build, both models are quite solid, but for portability, the Sennheiser has a foldable design making it more travel-friendly. Neither model features wireless or active noise canceling, so if those are important to you, you may want to consider other options. Choose HyperX Cloud II for gaming and communication, or opt for the Sennheiser HD 400S for a focus on music listening and portability. 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 HyperX Cloud II
- The HyperX Cloud II has no clear advantages over the Sennheiser HD 400S.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.7
7.1
The HyperX Cloud II and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for music, though the HyperX Cloud II is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.5
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and HyperX Cloud II are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sennheiser HD 400S is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The HyperX Cloud II is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is poor.
Cost
$93
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The HyperX Cloud II has a price of $93 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
Build Quality
10.0
8.5
The HyperX Cloud II has best in class build quality, while the Sennheiser HD 400S has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.6
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and HyperX Cloud II are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
7.6
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S and HyperX Cloud II are both good for TV and video.
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How the HyperX Cloud II and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HyperX Cloud II | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$93 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HyperX | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2015 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 317.5 Grams | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HyperX Cloud II
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Rhys McIntyre | December 2022
"My overall impression of the HyperX Cloud II gaming headset is overwhelmingly positive. In my opinion, this is one of the best mid-priced gaming headsets currently on the market.Solid sound quality, superior comfort, and a sleek, lightweight design – this headset delivers all of the important aspects that a gaming headset should."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Dig into reviews and images
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 HyperX Cloud II or the Sennheiser HD 400S
About HyperX
Starting originally as a high-performance and gaming line of memory modules within Kingston and later acquired by HP, HyperX is a dedicated esports and gaming division focused on developing peripherals, microphones and headsets. Providing budget-friendly, comfortable and highly functional products, HyperX has become the go-to for many gamers around the world, resulting in sales of over 20 million headsets throughout the years.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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