Sennheiser HD 400U Overview: Inexpensive wired headphones with Lossless USB-C audio

Finest Costs Right this moment: Sennheiser HD 400U

Sennheiser’s new HD 400U wired headphones present that you just don’t must lay our a fortune to get pleasure from high-quality sound. Priced at $99.95/£69.99, the over-ear headphones use a USB-C wired connection that delivers what Sennheiser calls “pure, uncompressed audio,” supporting lossless and high-resolution music as much as 24-bit/96kHz on companies equivalent to Apple Music.

Regardless of the modest worth, the HD 400U delivers spectacular sound high quality, robust bass and a light-weight, snug design, making it an reasonably priced possibility for listeners who need the absolute best audio high quality from trendy streaming companies.

Wired headphones might really feel like a throwback within the age of wi-fi earbuds, particularly since Apple eliminated the three.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016 — a transfer that helped speed up the rise of Bluetooth units equivalent to AirPods. Whereas wi-fi headphones have dominated ever since, Bluetooth audio nonetheless depends on information compression, which implies it might probably’t ship true lossless sound. As streaming companies equivalent to Apple Music more and more supply lossless and high-resolution audio, wired headphones just like the HD 400U are having fun with one thing of a comeback amongst listeners who need the absolute best sound high quality.

USB-C and Lossless Audio Help

The HD 400U features a USB-C cable that works with latest Macs, iPhones and different USB-C units, permitting listeners to get pleasure from lossless and high-resolution audio with out spending lots of of {dollars} on premium fashions equivalent to Apple’s AirPods Max, which value $549/£499. As an alternative, Sennheiser focuses on the necessities: a cushty, light-weight design and robust sound high quality at an reasonably priced worth.

Design & Consolation

Padded earpieces and the light-weight design be sure that the HD 400U is snug to put on for hours at a time. The headphones weigh simply 217g — far lighter than the 386g AirPods Max — and the thick padding helps cut back stress throughout lengthy listening periods.

The design itself is simple and sensible. The headphones are constituted of matte-black plastic, which doesn’t really feel as premium as metal-clad rivals just like the AirPods Max however ought to be sturdy sufficient to outlive life in a backpack. The earcups fold flat for simpler storage, and Sennheiser features a cloth carrying pouch.

Options and Limitations

After all, the low worth does imply that the HD 400U lacks some options that sure customers might want. There’s no Bluetooth possibility and no noise-cancellation, and the headphones don’t embody a devoted quantity management, so that you’ll want to regulate quantity in your telephone or different system. Nevertheless, the cable does embody easy inline controls, with a microphone for voice calls and a single button for Play/Pause and dealing with incoming calls.

Sound High quality

Most significantly, Sennheiser will get the fundamentals proper, with sound high quality that’s spectacular for headphones costing lower than $100. Cheaper headphones usually wrestle with bass, however the HD 400U – with a frequency response of 18–20kHz – handles the bouncing bass that opens Unhealthy Man by Billie Eilish with an enormous, agency thud that instantly will get your physique swaying. The deep, reverberating bass pulse later within the observe provides a sinister edge as Billie whispers, “you mentioned she’s frightened of me?”

Crucially, the bass doesn’t overwhelm the remainder of the combo. The finger snaps reduce crisply by the bass and drums, whereas Billie’s whispered vocals retain a clean, velvety tone.

Switching to the sonic chaos of Planetary Go! by My Chemical Romance presents no issues both. It’s a dense observe, with heavy rock guitars colliding with digital keyboards, but the HD 400U retains every component clear and distinct. The chopping guitar riffs have actual punch, whereas the fizzing EDM keyboards burst with vitality.

Ought to You Purchase The Sennheiser HD 400U?

In the event you want noise-cancellation or the flexibleness of Bluetooth, you’ll must look elsewhere. However for those who merely need an reasonably priced pair of wired headphones that delivers high-quality sound, the HD 400U presents wonderful worth for cash. The light-weight, snug design additionally makes it possibility for lengthy journeys – particularly for the reason that wired connection means there’s no battery to fret about.