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ALTERNATIVES
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Sennheiser HD 400S Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£45Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sennheiser HD 400S 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 400S
6.2/10

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 52% of models
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

8.4

User score

▼Worse than 52% of headphones
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▼Worse than 51%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 66% of models
Score components

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.3

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

8.2

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 66%
8.4

User score

User score
8.4/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 79% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

9.7

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
▲Better than 79%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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 400S

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 66% of models
Score components:

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.3

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

8.2

Calls & Controls

5.6
User score
User score
8.4/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 79% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

9.7

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.4
Popularity
Popularity
9.7/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 90% of models
Popularity:
Sennheiser HD 400S has a popularity score of 9.7 points, which is higher than that of 90% of products in this category.
9.7
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components:

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.3
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
yes
This pair of headphones supports a noise-canceling microphone. 61.1% 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
?
Show more
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
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% 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
over-ear
Weight
217 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 217 g, lighter than 50.3% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
2.5
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 2.5, lower clamp force than 88.3% of headphones and equal to 3.7% of headphones.
Show more

Sennheiser HD 400S vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 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.
  • 1.8 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (2.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    2.5 vs 4.3
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • 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.
  • 17 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 64.8% more popular
    Sennheiser HD 400S is more popular than the average pair of headphones (9.67 vs 5.9).
    9.67 vs 5.87
  • 1.8 lower clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a lower clamp force than the average pair of headphones (2.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    2.5 vs 4.3
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 17 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    120 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 2 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 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.
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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 %
  • 5 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (55 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    55 mm vs 60 mm
  • 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
  • 5 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (55 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    55 mm vs 60 mm
  • 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.

Video reviews

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

9.0
Okunrin Meta
≈ estimated
08/10/2025
Hands-on review · phone call tests and unboxing
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 400S is good enough for phone calls and office use, though its wired cable is the main drawback.
7.0
Babbling Boolean
≈ estimated
25/07/2023
Hands-on review · sound, EQ and microphone tests
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 400S sounds decent for the price, but it is hard to justify over wireless rivals.
9.0
L.D.L. Review
≈ estimated
23/07/2021
Hands-on review · a week of use and editing sessions
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 400S is well made, has balanced sound, and is a worthwhile buy for its price.
9.0
No Theme Reviews
≈ estimated
20/02/2021
Hands-on review · sound, fit and build tests
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 400S offers real value and is an easy recommendation for a portable, fun, Sennheiser-style sound.
9.0
Ajay Karwal
≈ estimated
22/07/2019
Unboxing and hands-on review · sound, calls and fit
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 400S has great sound and comfort, with a few minor drawbacks in the cable and remote.
9.0
MajorHiFi
≈ estimated
03/05/2019
Hands-on review · first impressions and sound tests
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 400S is great value for the money, with good sound for vocal-led music.
Overview video
Overview video
Overview video
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

majorhifi.com
26/04/2019
Listening test · Budget closed-back headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 400S is a great-value, durable headphone whose strong bass and forward vocals suit pop, hip-hop, rock and folk.
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com
17/09/2022
Measurement review · Closed-back headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 400S has deep bass that sounds the same on any amplifier, but a dip near 4 kHz dulls the midrange.
R
reference-audio-analyzer.pro
Unknown
Summary of the review
Sennheiser HD 400S report for a newbie
headphonedungeon.com
04/08/2022
Hands-on review · Budget closed-back headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 400S is a comfortable, clear first pair that is easy to drive from a phone, though it distorts slightly at high volume.
heavysoundslab.com
30/07/2026
Long-term test · Wired gaming headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 400S is a comfortable wired pair that lasted seven years of daily use, suiting gaming, music and gym sessions.
L
leclaireur.fnac.com
19/02/2021
Summary of the review
Sennheiser HD 400S Review: An Affordable and High-Performing Headphone
(Translated)Show original
matosmaestro.com
31/01/2026
Hands-on test · Foldable mobile headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 400S is a light, foldable pair with balanced sound that doesn't tire the ears, but larger ears may not fit.

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sennheiser HD 400S

  • Excellent value for money as an entry-level audiophile option
  • Balanced and detailed sound signature suitable for most genres
  • Lightweight and foldable design makes them highly portable
  • Removable and replaceable cable increases long-term durability
  • Low impedance allows them to be easily powered by smartphones and laptops
  • Strong vocal clarity and mid-range performance
  • Effective passive noise isolation due to closed-back design

What customers don't like about Sennheiser HD 400S

  • Plastic construction can feel somewhat budget or flimsy
  • Clamping force may be too firm for users with larger heads
  • The 2.5mm jack on the earcups requires specific (not universal) cables
  • Inline remote lacks dedicated volume control buttons
  • Bass response might be too restrained for fans of heavy electronic music
  • Small earcup size can be tight or uncomfortable for some users
  • Microphone quality is average and picks up significant ambient noise

Verdict

The Sennheiser HD 400S is a lightweight, 217g closed-back over-ear headphone designed for portability with a foldable frame and a 1.4m detachable cable featuring an inline one-button smart remote. It is highly efficient for mobile use with an 18-ohm impedance and a sensitivity of 120 dB SPL, offering a frequency response of 18 Hz to 20,000 Hz through 32mm dynamic drivers. Main characteristics include a balanced sound signature with slightly elevated bass and clear high-frequency extension that reduces background noise through passive isolation. Pros include its extremely easy driveability from smartphones, durable build with a replaceable cable, and high comfort for long sessions due to soft ear pads. Cons involve a plastic-heavy construction that some find underwhelming, a narrow earcup space that may touch larger ears, and a proprietary 2.5mm locking jack that complicates using third-party cables.

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