Which Sennheiser Headphones Should You Buy? A Breakdown of Their Best Models

Sennheiser's current lineup spans budget to premium, with genuine differences in build quality and sound signature rather than marketing fluff. The CX Plus ANC (£54.99) delivers noise cancellation at entry price, the HD 400S (£89.95) offers reliable wired performance, and the HD 800 S (£1,699.95) is a reference-grade tool for professionals. Each targets a different use case — pick based on your listening environment and budget, not brand loyalty.

Why Sennheiser?

Sennheiser was founded in 1945 in Hannover, Germany, and has spent nearly 80 years building a reputation for neutral, analytical sound tuning rather than bass-heavy consumer profiles. They specialise in headphones that reveal what's actually in your recording — crucial for mixing engineers, music producers, and critical listeners.

What sets them apart: Sennheiser invests heavily in driver engineering and acoustic design. Their HD 800 S uses a custom 40mm dynamic driver with a specific acoustic chamber design that took years to perfect. Even their budget models use decent-quality materials — the HD 400S uses a 32-ohm impedance driver paired with a reinforced headband, not the flimsy plastic you'd expect at £90.

They're also transparent about specifications. Sennheiser publishes frequency response curves (20Hz–20kHz across all three models), cable lengths, and impedance ratings. You're not guessing; you're buying based on concrete data.

Top Picks

Sennheiser CX Plus ANC True Wireless Earbuds — £54.99

Best for: Commuters and office workers who want active noise cancellation without spending £200+.

The newest addition to the range, these true wireless buds combine Bluetooth 5.3 with genuine ANC (active noise cancellation) — not passive isolation. At £54.99, they undercut Apple AirPods Pro (£249) by more than 75% while offering comparable noise reduction in trains and open offices. Battery life is rated at 8 hours per charge, with another 24 hours via the case. The standout: Sennheiser's ANC algorithm is tuned for speech frequencies, so you'll still hear announcements and conversations, but machinery rumble disappears.

Sennheiser HD 400S — £89.95

Best for: Desktop listeners, gaming, and anyone who values wired reliability.

A straightforward over-ear closed-back design with a 1.4-metre cable and 32-ohm impedance. The HD 400S uses a 32mm neodymium driver tuned for a flat response across 20Hz–20kHz. Weight is 190g, making them manageable for long listening sessions. No Bluetooth, no active features — just clean sound isolation and a reinforced headband. The cable terminates in a standard 3.5mm jack, so it's replaceable if damaged. Ideal for recording studios, editing suites, or anyone working at a desk who doesn't want wireless dropouts.

Sennheiser HD 800 S Over-the-Ear Audiophile Reference Headphones — £1,699.95

Best for: Professional mixing engineers, mastering studios, and serious home listeners with high-end audio systems.

This is the reference standard in the £1,500+ category. The HD 800 S uses a custom-designed 40mm dynamic driver with a symmetrical ear cup design that Sennheiser claims eliminates resonances below 20kHz. Frequency response is ruler-flat: 4Hz–45kHz (±0.5dB from 100Hz–10kHz). The open-back design means sound leaks — you can't wear these on public transport — but it delivers uncoloured stereo imaging and a sense of space that closed-back designs physically can't match. Build is bulletproof: stainless steel springs, replaceable pads, a braided cable. If you're comparing headphones in a mixing suite, this is the benchmark other brands measure themselves against.

Quick Comparison

| Model | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |-------|-------|----------|------------------| | CX Plus ANC | £54.99 | Commuting, offices | True wireless with ANC; speech-frequency tuning | | HD 400S | £89.95 | Desktop work, gaming | Flat response; lightweight; replaceable cable | | HD 800 S | £1,699.95 | Professional mastering, critical listening | Open-back; ruler-flat; reference-grade stereo imaging |

What to Look For

• Impedance matters if you're wired: The HD 400S and HD 800 S both have low impedance (32Ω), meaning they work with any device — smartphone, laptop, mixing console — without needing an amplifier. Higher impedance (300Ω+) requires a dedicated audio interface or headphone amp.

• Open vs. closed-back: Closed-back (CX Plus ANC, HD 400S) isolates sound and boosts bass slightly. Open-back (HD 800 S) sounds wider but leaks audio to nearby listeners. Choose closed for noisy environments; open for critical listening in silent rooms.

• Cable length and connectivity: The HD 400S cable is 1.4 metres — fine for a desk, short for a sofa. The CX Plus ANC is wireless via Bluetooth 5.3 with 8-hour battery life. The HD 800 S comes with a 3-metre cable, standard for studio setups.

• Frequency response: All three cover the human hearing range (20Hz–20kHz). Sennheiser's tuning is neutral, so you're hearing the recording as intended, not with artificial bass or treble bumps. Check the published frequency response curve if you're sensitive to bright or dark presentations.

The Bottom Line

The HD 400S at £89.95 is Sennheiser's best value: solid build, flat response, and no gimmicks for everyday listening. If you commute, the CX Plus ANC (£54.99) is a genuine step above budget ANC earbuds. And if you mix music professionally or demand the most transparent sound available, the HD 800 S (£1,699.95) is still the reference standard after a decade on the market. Don't buy based on price alone — choose based on your environment and use case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sennheiser good value for money?

Yes, especially at the budget and mid-tier levels. The CX Plus ANC (£54.99) delivers ANC performance rivalling products 4–5 times its price. The HD 400S (£89.95) offers better build quality and acoustic design than competitor closed-backs at the same price. The HD 800 S is expensive, but it's the professional standard — if you're paying for mastering in a studio, this is what the engineer is using.

Are Sennheiser headphones good for gaming?

Yes, the HD 400S is ideal for gaming. The closed-back design isolates external noise, and the flat frequency response means you'll hear directional audio cues (footsteps, weapon fire) without artificial boosts that can cause listening fatigue. Wired connection eliminates Bluetooth latency. The CX Plus ANC earbuds are fine for casual gaming if you don't mind wireless latency (typically 40–60ms, which matters in competitive shooters but not RPGs).

Which Sennheiser should I buy if I want wireless?

The CX Plus ANC true wireless earbuds (£54.99) are your only wireless option in the current range. They feature Bluetooth 5.3, active noise cancellation, and 8-hour battery life per charge. The HD 400S and HD 800 S are wired by design — Sennheiser avoids wireless in professional-grade headphones because Bluetooth introduces latency and coloration that compromises studio accuracy.

Do these headphones work with all devices?

The wired models (HD 400S and HD 800 S) work with any device with a 3.5mm jack — smartphones, laptops, mixing consoles, turntables. The CX Plus ANC use Bluetooth 5.3, compatible with any modern smartphone, tablet, or laptop. All three are compatible with iOS and Android without proprietary software.