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Sennheiser HD 238 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sennheiser HD 238 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

4.9/10

Overall score

Score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

80%

4.9

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 98% of headphones
6.4

Value for money

Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

70%

4.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 93%
4.9

Technical score

Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components

52%

5.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.4

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 94%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £90
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sennheiser HD 238

Technical score
Technical score
4.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
Score components:

52%

5.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.4

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

4.9
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Sennheiser HD 238 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components:

70%

4.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.4
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
36 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 36 mm, smaller driver size than 72.8% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
16 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 16 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 54.1% of headphones and equal to 4.2% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Sennheiser
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
106 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 106 g, lighter than 78% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
8.9
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 8.9, higher clamp force than 99.1% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
Show more

Sennheiser HD 238 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 12 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 51.4% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (106 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    106 g vs 218 g
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 13 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (57 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    57 mm vs 44 mm
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 3,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 11 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 51.4% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (106 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    106 g vs 218 g
  • 13 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (57 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    57 mm vs 44 mm
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 12 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 3,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 11 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 4 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (36 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    36 mm vs 40 mm
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 4.6 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (8.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    8.9 vs 4.3
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 13.1% worse value for money
    Sennheiser HD 238 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.42 vs 7.3).
    6.42 vs 7.27
  • 13.1% worse value for money
    Sennheiser HD 238 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.42 vs 7.3).
    6.42 vs 7.27
  • 5.87x less popular
    Sennheiser HD 238 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 4.6 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (8.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    8.9 vs 4.3
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 4 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (36 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    36 mm vs 40 mm
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 7 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2009 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    June 2009
    2009 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

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Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

cnet.com
27/04/2012
Review · Budget on-ear headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 is a comfortable, warm-sounding on-ear pair that is good value while stock lasts, since the model has been discontinued.
theheadphonelist.com
10/06/2014
Long-term review · Portable open headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 is very comfortable and detailed for an open portable, but it sounds muffled and boomy without an amp and gives little isolation.
hometheaterhifi.com
25/06/2009
Long-term review · Portable hi-fi headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 is a comfortable, detailed portable pair, but its open design blocks no noise and it needs an adapter for hi-fi receivers.
au.pcmag.com
14/06/2013
Lab test · On-ear headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 gives balanced bass and crisp highs for the money and is comfortable, but it leaks sound and can hiss on some vocals.
headfonics.com
03/04/2011
Review · Portable open headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 is a comfortable open portable with warm, detailed vocals, but its flimsy-looking plastic body and sound leakage are the trade-offs.
positive-feedback.com
01/09/2009
Hands-on test · Open-back on-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 is a light, open-sounding on-ear headphone that is clean and engaging for the price, but it needs high volume on an iPod.
uk.pcmag.com
14/06/2013
Lab test · Balanced on-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 gives rich, balanced bass and a comfortable on-ear fit, but its sound leaks to people nearby at moderate to high volumes.
H
head-fi.org
05/05/2010
Summary of the review
Sennheiser HD 238 Stereo Open Aire Headphone - Reviews
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com
04/09/2013
Measurement review · Open on-ear
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 sounds warm and enjoyable, but its presence-range treble and narrow 3kHz peak can sound edgy, and its dynamics are limited.
kopfbox.de
03/11/2013
Personal review · Open portable headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 Precision is sharper and punchier than the PX100 for fast rock and metal, but its thin cable is a weak point for travel.
hifitest.de
28/03/2012
Comparison test · Hi-Fi headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238i adds liveliness to smartphone sound with lifted bass and treble, but its velour pads can get uncomfortable over long use.
M
maclife.de
11/05/2011
Summary of the review
User Review: Sennheiser HD 238i Precision
(Translated)Show original
lesnumeriques.com
29/07/2010
Full review · Portable headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 238 is comfortable and balanced for travel, but its weak cable connector and poor isolation let it down on busy streets.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sennheiser HD 238

  • Excellent value for the money, offering highly detailed audio for its price point.
  • Very lightweight and comfortable on the ear, even during long listening sessions.
  • Presents a smooth, warm, and non-fatiguing sound signature with strong, deep bass.
  • Features an open-back design that delivers a spacious and natural soundstage.
  • Ear cups fold flat, making it easier to slip into bags or backpacks.

What customers don't like about Sennheiser HD 238

  • Open-back design leaks audio and provides virtually no isolation from outside noise.
  • The build relies heavily on plastic, which can make the structure feel somewhat cheap or flimsy.
  • Lacks a detachable cable, and the non-removable cord is noted to be quite thin.
  • Treble extension is rolled off, causing the sound to lack sparkle or brightness.
  • Light clamping force makes them susceptible to sliding off with sudden head movements.

Verdict

The Sennheiser HD 238 is a lightweight, open-back on-ear headphone designed for portable use, featuring 36mm neodymium drivers and a frequency range of 16Hz to 23kHz. It has a nominal impedance of 32 Ohms and a sensitivity of 114dB, making it easy to drive with mobile devices, though its balanced frequency response and punchy bass benefit from a dedicated amplifier. Main pros include its comfortable, low-clamping 102g design, replaceable ear pads, and a natural, spacious soundstage ideal for critical listening on the go. However, as an open-air model, it suffers from poor noise isolation and significant sound leakage, while some users find the mostly plastic build to be somewhat flimsy and the highs prone to sibilance at higher volumes.

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