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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sennheiser HD 4 20S Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£70Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sennheiser HD 4 20S Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sennheiser HD 4 20S
5.5/10

Overall score

Score
5.5/ 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 85% of models
Score components

80%

5.5

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 85% of headphones
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 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 79% of models
Score components

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 79%
5.5

Technical score

Technical score
5.5/ 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 71% of models
Score components

52%

6.1

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.7

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 71%
?

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

  • sennheiser-hd-4-20s
sennheiser-hd-4-20s
Where to buy
    N/A~ £70
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 4 20S

Technical score
Technical score
5.5/ 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 71% of models
Score components:

52%

6.1

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.7

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.9

Calls & Controls

5.5
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 4 20S 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
6.9/ 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 79% of models
Score components:

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.9
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
32 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 32 mm, smaller driver size than 74.2% of headphones and equal to 3% 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
18 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 18 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 49.6% of headphones and equal to 3.6% 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
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
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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.
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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.
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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
over-ear
Weight
200 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 200 g, lighter than 54.5% of headphones and equal to 1.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sennheiser HD 4 20S vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 16 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 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.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Wind noise reduction
    This pair of headphones reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 15 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (118 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    118 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 16 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 15 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (118 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    118 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.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Wind noise reduction
    This pair of headphones reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 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.
  • 8 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (32 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    32 mm vs 40 mm
  • 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.
  • 17 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (27 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    27 mm vs 44 mm
  • 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.
  • 5.87x less popular
    Sennheiser HD 4 20S is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 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 travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 5.87x less popular
    Sennheiser HD 4 20S is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 5.7% worse value for money
    Sennheiser HD 4 20S has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.88 vs 7.3).
    6.88 vs 7.27
  • 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.
  • 17 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (27 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    27 mm vs 44 mm
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 8 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (32 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    32 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.
  • 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.

Video reviews

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

9.0
Filippo Fiorenza 1989
≈ estimated
09/11/2018
Hands-on review · unboxing and listening tests across genres
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 4.20s is much more comfortable than the previous model and strongly recommended, though less suited to rock and metal.
7.0
Marco B (maurilio86)
≈ estimated
20/11/2017
Short review · first impressions of design, sound and calls
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 4.20s is decent for casual listening and phone calls, but not a true hi-fi choice.
7.0
Gianluca Bocci
≈ estimated
01/12/2016
Comparison · three Sennheiser models, comfort and sound
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 4.20s is comfortable, isolates well for travel, and has a useful inline mic, but its sound is softer than its siblings.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sennheiser HD 4 20S

  • Excellent value for money and affordable pricing for the brand
  • Lightweight and comfortable for long listening sessions
  • Punchy and well-controlled bass without excessive bleed
  • Clear and accurate midrange, making them good for vocals and calls
  • Highly portable, foldable design with a durable build
  • Surprising soundstage width for a compact closed-back model
  • Good passive noise isolation for loud environments

What customers don't like about Sennheiser HD 4 20S

  • High frequencies can sometimes feel sharp or piercing
  • Ear cushions are known to fall off and can be difficult to re-attach
  • Lacks a detachable cable, which limits repairability
  • Headband adjustments may feel slightly loose or lack strong detents
  • Can make ears feel warm/sweaty during prolonged use in hot weather
  • No carrying case or flight adapter included in the box
  • Integrated cable lacks dedicated volume control buttons

Verdict

The Sennheiser HD 4.20s is a wired, closed-back around-ear headset featuring 32mm proprietary transducers with an 18-ohm impedance and a frequency response of 18 Hz to 20,000 Hz. It delivers a bass-driven yet balanced sound with a sound pressure level of 118 dB and low total harmonic distortion (<0.5%). Key characteristics include a robust, foldable headband for portability and a 1.4-meter single-sided cable equipped with an integrated one-button smart remote and omnidirectional microphone for call and playback control. Main pros include its lightweight design (approx. 217g), excellent ambient noise isolation from plush leatherette ear pads, and strong value for money. However, notable cons include a non-detachable cable, the lack of dedicated volume controls on the remote, and some user reports of the ear pads being difficult to reattach if they come off.

Compare Sennheiser HD 4 20S with other products in the Headphones category

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