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Sennheiser HD 239 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£80
Avg. price in US: ~$100
Form factor: on-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Sennheiser HD 239 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

4.3

Poor

3.5

Poor

7.3

Very good

2.1
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
1.7
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
8.0
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
2.7
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
4.5
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
8.0
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

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Best rankings

Verdict

The Sennheiser HD 239 is an open-back, supra-aural (on-ear) wired headphone featuring an advanced acoustic system with powerful neodymium magnets and lightweight DuoFol diaphragms designed for lifelike stereo sound. Technical specifications include a frequency response of 16 Hz – 23,000 Hz, a low impedance of 32 Ohms for easy driving by portable devices, and a sound pressure level (SPL) of 114 dB. Its main characteristics include a foldable design for portability, a 1.4m single-sided OFC cable with a 3.5mm plug, and exchangeable earpads for enhanced durability. Key pros are its balanced and precise high-fidelity audio, wide soundstage, and lightweight construction that ensures comfort during extended listening sessions. Main cons include lack of noise isolation due to the open-back design, making them unsuitable for noisy environments, and potential sound leakage that may disturb those nearby.

Technical Specifications of Sennheiser HD 239

Overall score

4.3

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Popularity

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.

Sound

2.9

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

2.9

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

N/A

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Connectivity

6.2

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

2.7

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

1.0

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

8.2

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Sennheiser

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

on-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

open-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Sennheiser HD 239 vs the average headphone

Why is Sennheiser HD 239 better than the average headphone?

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12 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
53.2% lower weight
Sennheiser HD 239 is lighter than the average headphone (102 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Sennheiser HD 239 is lighter than the average headphone (102 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.102 g vs 218 g
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Sennheiser HD 239 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sennheiser HD 239 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
Open-back design
Sennheiser HD 239 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones use an open-back housing that lets air and sound pass through more freely than a closed design.
When it matters: When you listen in quiet places and care more about spacious sound than blocking outside noise or preventing sound leakage.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sennheiser HD 239 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
Boom microphone included
Sennheiser HD 239 includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.
Importance: LOW
Sennheiser HD 239 includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
3,000 Hz higher treble extension
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.23000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
11 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher sound pressure level than the average headphone (114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
What it is: Output loudness level of the headphones, usually measured in dB. It helps compare how loud a model can play under similar conditions.
When it matters: When you need a rough idea of how loud the headphones can get before you pair them with a weaker source.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=108 dB SPL
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher sound pressure level than the average headphone (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
53.2% lower weight
Sennheiser HD 239 is lighter than the average headphone (102 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Open-back design
Sennheiser HD 239 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
12 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (114 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
3,000 Hz higher treble extension
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (23,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
11 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher sound pressure level than the average headphone (114 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Sennheiser HD 239 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
Boom microphone included
Sennheiser HD 239 includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.

Calls & Controls

Why is Sennheiser HD 239 worse than the average headphone?

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Tangle-prone cable
Sennheiser HD 239 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
No passive noise reduction
Sennheiser HD 239 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
8 mm smaller driver size
Sennheiser HD 239 has smaller driver size than the average headphone (32 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
0.2 % higher distortion
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
1 fewer microphones
Sennheiser HD 239 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
No voice assistant support
Sennheiser HD 239 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
6 years older release date
Sennheiser HD 239 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
November 2011
No passive noise reduction
Sennheiser HD 239 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones reduce outside noise through physical sealing, fit, and materials rather than active electronics.
When it matters: When you want better isolation from fit and seal alone, even with ANC turned off or not available.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sennheiser HD 239 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
No voice assistant support
Sennheiser HD 239 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.
Importance: LOW
Sennheiser HD 239 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
8 mm smaller driver size
Sennheiser HD 239 has smaller driver size than the average headphone (32 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sennheiser HD 239 has smaller driver size than the average headphone (32 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.32 mm vs 40 mm
1 fewer microphones
Sennheiser HD 239 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2
Sennheiser HD 239 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.0 vs 1
0.2 % higher distortion
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
What it is: Percentage of harmonic distortion in audio output
When it matters: When cleaner sound reproduction matters at louder volumes.
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=1%
Sennheiser HD 239 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.0.5 % vs 0.3 %
Tangle-prone cable
Sennheiser HD 239 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
What it is: Cable designed to resist tangling
When it matters: When you often carry wired headphones in a bag or pocket.
Importance: LOW
Sennheiser HD 239 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
12.4% worse value for money
Sennheiser HD 239 has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.00 vs 6.736).
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.
Sennheiser HD 239 has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.00 vs 6.736).6 vs 6.74
6 years older release date
Sennheiser HD 239 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
November 2011
What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2020
Sennheiser HD 239 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2011 vs 2017

Calls & Controls

Graphic comparison of Sennheiser HD 239 and

Attribute category

Attribute

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Sennheiser HD 239?

Extremely comfortable for long listening sessions due to lightweight design and soft ear cushions
Natural and balanced soundstage characteristic of an open-back design
Surprising amount of tight, well-controlled bass for open-air headphones
Non-fatiguing audio profile makes them suitable for extended daily use
Portable and convenient with earcups that rotate 90 degrees to sit flat

What customers dislike about Sennheiser HD 239?

Lacks noise isolation, allowing environmental sound in and music to leak out
Build materials feel somewhat cheap and plastic-heavy for the price point
Non-replaceable, thin audio cable that is prone to damage and difficult to repair
Treble can occasionally feel slightly recessed or 'gritty' without manual EQ adjustment
Underpowered when used directly with some mobile devices without an external amplifier

Expert reviews

head-fi.org

12/06/2012

Sennheiser HD 239 Headphones Black - Reviews - Head-Fi

The Sennheiser HD 239 on-ear, open-back headphones are described as offering a highly balanced and neutral sound signature with surprisingly deep bass for their size. They are praised for being lightweight and comfortable for long listening sessions, featuring a stylish black design. However, the headphones are criticized for their entirely plastic, budget-feeling construction and a...Read more

head-fi.org

20/07/2013

Bose OE & Sennheiser HD 239 Review/Comparison - Head-Fi

The Head-Fi review compares the Bose OE and Sennheiser HD 239, highlighting the Bose's superior, durable build with memory foam earpads and a hard case, whereas the Sennheiser features cheaper, plastic-heavy construction. While the Bose provides high comfort, it is prone to overheating; conversely, the Sennheiser lacks passive noise isolation due to its open-back design....Read more

01net.com

14/10/2011

HD 239 Review: An unassuming headset with genuine audio quality", "HD 239 Review: Modest looks, but real audio quality

The Sennheiser HD 239 is an open-back, supra-aural (on-ear) headphone that balances a modest, lightweight design with surprisingly high-quality audio performance. Weighing only 104 grams, it is praised for its exceptional comfort and ergonomic fit, featuring rotating earcups that make it convenient for transport or single-ear monitoring. During testing, the headphones delivered...Read more

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