The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sennheiser HD 400S headphones, being over-ear and closed-back, offer better sound quality and are more comfortable for long-term use, which makes them suitable for focused music listening and calls or meetings. However, they don't perform as well during exercise due to being less secure and not sweatproof. On the other hand, the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction headphones are designed for activity with a secure fit and sweatproof feature, making them more appropriate for use during exercise, but with a tradeoff in overall sound quality and noise isolation. The bone conduction design allows you to remain aware of your surroundings, which can be safer during outdoor activities. If you prioritize immersive music and call quality, go for the Sennheisers; if you need headphones for active use and situational awareness, the Youthwhisper might be the better choice. 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 Sennheiser HD 400S
Good for music
Very good for phone calls
Very good for gaming
Good for TV and video
Good for air travel
Advantages of the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones
Good for exercise
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.1/10
4.8/10
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for music, while the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is poor.
Gaming
8.6/10
4.9/10
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is poor.
Phone Calls
8.2/10
6.5/10
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6/10
8.2/10
The Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
TV and Video
7.6/10
5.1/10
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for TV and video, while the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3/10
2.5/10
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sennheiser HD 400S is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
8.0 Hours
The Sennheiser HD 400S does not have a battery. The Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$50
$36
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Sennheiser HD 400S has a price of $50 and the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones costs $36.
"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."
"If you're looking for a pair of headphones that can be worn while running or cycling, these Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones are a great alternative to more expensive models. They're lightweight and compact, so they won't get in the way when wearing them while exercising. Plus, they have a built-in microphone so you can take calls during your workout without having to stop and fumble with your phone. The sound quality is great for this style of headphones, and it has many other cool features."
Get a great deal on the Sennheiser HD 400S or the Youthwhisper Bone Conduction Headphones
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
113,900
Recommendations made
17,085
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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.