Sennheiser HD 400S
Sennheiser HD 400S
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MUSIC: Good—7.1/10
CALLS: Very Good—8.2/10
GAMING: Very Good—8.6/10
TV: Good—7.6/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Good—7.6/10
EXERCISE: Poor—4.2/10
AIR TRAVEL: Good—7.0/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Poor—5.3/10
BUILD QUALITY: Very Good—8.5/10
The Sennheiser HD 400S is a budget-friendly pair of closed-back, over-ear headphones released in 2019, with a focus on good sound quality and excellent comfort. They come with a very good built-in microphone, making them suitable for calls and meetings, and have robust build quality. However, they lack wireless capability, active noise cancelling, and app-related features such as equalizer adjustments. Due to their closed enclosure, they provide some degree of noise isolation, although not as effectively as active noise cancelling headphones. Plus, they're not ideal for exercise since they aren't sweatproof. They have a detachable cable, which can be useful for portability and cable management. The Sennheiser HD 400S folds for easier storage and comes with a medium-sized carry case. Their wired connection ensures low latency, making them a good choice for gaming and watching TV or videos. However, the lack of wireless functionality means they're less convenient for on-the-go use compared to wireless options. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Over-ear, closed design
- Detachable cable
- High comfort level
- Good build quality
- Integrated microphone
Cons
- Poor built-in controls
- Not optimized for exercise
- Limited portability
- No wireless option
Ratings by Category
Gaming:4.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is highly suitable for gaming due to its very good mic quality for clear in-game communication and its very good soundstage and imaging that provide an immersive and directional audio experience, which is essential in gaming. Its wired connection ensures low latency, meaning there's no noticeable delay between what's happening on screen and what you're hearing, thereby enhancing gameplay responsiveness.
Calls:4.5
This evaluates the product when used solely to make and receive calls. It takes into account how well the products are able to clearly reproduce the human voice, the quality of the integrated microphones and the battery life, when available, to be able to use them for longer sessions or conferences.
TV & Video:4.3
The Sennheiser HD 400S are good for watching TV and videos because they are wired, ensuring no latency issues which can be common with wireless connections, and they offer very good overall sound quality with a good soundstage that helps in creating an engaging experience.
Podcasts & Audiobooks:4.3
This score evaluates the product when used solely to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It takes into account sound quality and sound signature, to be able to keep voices clear and intelligible. It also considers battery life, when available, and comfort.
Music:4.1
The Sennheiser HD 400S offer a closed, over-ear design which provides a good degree of isolation and a warmer, bass-focused sound that music enthusiasts often appreciate. The headphones are noted for their good overall sound quality and soundstage, lending a more immersive audio experience with a sense of space and instrument separation.
Air Travel:4.0
This score evaluates the product for use on airplanes and other similar kinds of travel. It takes into account noise reduction and portability, including case shape, case size, and weight. It also incorporates the battery life of the product, long-haul comfort, noise reduction (both active and passive), and sound quality. We generally consider wireless products to be more suitable for air travel.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $50 | ||
Brand | Sennheiser | ||
Release Date | January 1, 2019 | ||
Form Factor | Headphones | ||
Connectivity | Wired | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 7.2/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 8.2/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | No | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | ||
Virtual Surround | No | ||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | ||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | ||
Weight | 213 Grams | ||
Microphone style | Integrated | ||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | ||
Shopping
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."
Comparison charts
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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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