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Sennheiser HD 461 Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£70
  • Avg. price in US: ~$90
  • Form factor: over-ear
  • Connectivity: wired
  • Battery life: N/A hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Sennheiser HD 461 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.2

Overall score

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 components:

80.0%

4.6

Technical Score

20.0%

7.7

User score

Good
4.6

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

5.1

Sound

20.0%

3.8

Features

10.0%

7.0

Design

8.0%

2.9

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

4.5

Calls & Controls

Poor
7.7

User score

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 components:

70.0%

7.9

User reviews

30.0%

7.2

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(132)
amazon
4.1
(115)
amazon
3.9
(61)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(132)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(115)
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(61)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

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

  • 1.3
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    5.7

    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

  • 3.8
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    5.7

    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

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Sennheiser HD 461 is a closed-back, over-ear wired headphone designed for mobile use, featuring a frequency response of 17 Hz – 22,500 Hz, a 32 Ω impedance for easy driving, and a high sound pressure level of 112 dB. It is characterized by its bass-heavy sound signature driven by proprietary neodymium magnets and an ergonomic design with soft leatherette ear pads for passive noise isolation. Main pros include its detachable single-sided cable with an integrated 3-button remote and microphone (available in 'i' for iOS or 'G' for Android variants), its lightweight portable build, and its strong low-end performance suitable for modern music genres. However, some users note cons such as a somewhat 'plasticky' build quality, potentially muddy mid-bass, and ear pads that can feel stiff or become hot during extended listening sessions.

Technical Specifications of Sennheiser HD 461

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

5.1

Sound

20.0%

3.8

Features

10.0%

7.0

Design

8.0%

2.9

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

4.5

Calls & Controls

4.6
Sennheiser HD 461 has a technical score of 4.59 points, which is lower than that of 66.6% of products in this category.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

7.9

User reviews

30.0%

7.2

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
(132)
amazon
4.1
(115)
amazon
3.9
(61)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(132)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(115)
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
(61)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

7.7
Sennheiser HD 461 has a user score of 7.73 points, which is lower than that of 66.1% of products in this category.
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.
7.2
Sennheiser HD 461 has a popularity of 7.2 points, which is higher than 63.2% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

5.2

Overall score

40.0%

10

Price

6.7
Sennheiser HD 461 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.7 points, which is higher than 45.2% of products in this category.
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

no
Sennheiser HD 461 does not support active noise cancellation. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
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

40 mm
Sennheiser HD 461 uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.2% of headphones and equal to 53.6% of headphones.
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

1
Sennheiser HD 461 uses 1 drivers, equal to 96% of headphones.
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

17 Hz
Sennheiser HD 461 reaches a lowest frequency of 17 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 53.4% of headphones and equal to 0.9% of headphones.
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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

no
Sennheiser HD 461 does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
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

yes
Sennheiser HD 461 is headset-ready, 84.7% is not. 15.3% of headphones can be used as headsets.
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

1
Sennheiser HD 461 has 1 microphones, more microphones than 25.9% of headphones and equal to 52.2% of headphones.
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

no
Sennheiser HD 461 does not include a boom microphone. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
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

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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

wired
Sennheiser HD 461 supports wired connectivity, equal to 52.6% of headphones.
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
Show more
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

no
Sennheiser HD 461 does not support EQ customization. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
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 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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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

over-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

198 g
Sennheiser HD 461 weighs 198 g, lighter than 56.5% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
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

closed-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 461 vs the average headphone

  • 10 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sennheiser HD 461 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (112 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 461 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (112 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.112 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • In-line controls
    Sennheiser HD 461 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
    What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
    When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.

    Importance: LOW

    Sennheiser HD 461 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    Sennheiser HD 461 has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.1 % 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 461 has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 2,500 Hz higher treble extension
    Sennheiser HD 461 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (22,500 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 461 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (22,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.22500 Hz vs 20000 Hz
  • 10 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sennheiser HD 461 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (112 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    Sennheiser HD 461 has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
  • 2,500 Hz higher treble extension
    Sennheiser HD 461 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (22,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
  • In-line controls
    Sennheiser HD 461 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.

Total
Sound
Calls & Controls
  • No travel bag
    Sennheiser HD 461 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 5 mm tighter earcup width
    Sennheiser HD 461 has tighter earcup width than the average headphone (38 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
  • 3 mm tighter earcup height
    Sennheiser HD 461 has tighter earcup height than the average headphone (57 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
  • No travel bag
    Sennheiser HD 461 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
    What it is: Comes with a protective carrying case or pouch
    When it matters: When protection in transit matters right out of the box.

    Importance: LOW

    Sennheiser HD 461 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 5 mm tighter earcup width
    Sennheiser HD 461 has tighter earcup width than the average headphone (38 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
    What it is: Internal width of the earcup cavity
    When it matters: When earcup fit affects comfort and pressure around your ears.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sennheiser HD 461 has tighter earcup width than the average headphone (38 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.38 mm vs 43 mm
  • 3 mm tighter earcup height
    Sennheiser HD 461 has tighter earcup height than the average headphone (57 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    What it is: Internal height of the earcup cavity
    When it matters: When larger ears need enough space inside the earcups.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sennheiser HD 461 has tighter earcup height than the average headphone (57 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.57 mm vs 60 mm
Total
Design

Graphic comparison of Sennheiser HD 461 and

Attribute category
Attribute
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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
3.9
132 Reviews
amazon
4.1
115 Reviews
amazon
3.9
61 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
132 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
115 Reviews
Amazon_logo.png
3.9
61 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Sennheiser HD 461?

  • Strong, punchy bass response suitable for consumer music preferences
  • Lightweight and generally comfortable for long listening sessions
  • Detachable cable system, which is rare for headphones in this price range
  • Includes an inline microphone and remote for mobile phone calls and music control
  • Good sound isolation due to the closed-back, over-ear design
  • Excellent value for the price compared to other budget models

What customers dislike about Sennheiser HD 461?

  • Mid-range and high frequencies can sound slightly muddy or 'plasticky'
  • Build quality feels somewhat cheap due to the primarily plastic construction
  • Ear pads may feel hot, sticky, or insufficiently plush after prolonged use
  • Adjustment sliders can feel tight or 'muddy' when resizing the headband
  • Low sensitivity means they may not reach high volume levels on lower-powered mobile devices
  • Non-folding design limits portability compared to some competitors

Expert reviews

C
consumerreports.org
Date not listed (Archived)
Sennheiser HD 461 Headphone Review - Consumer Reports

The Sennheiser HD 461 over-ear headphones, rated as offering "fair" sound quality by Consumer Reports, feature strong, impactful bass, a detachable cable, and convenient inline controls. They provide a lightweight, secure fit, making them suitable for spoken dialogue rather than critical music listening. However, the review cites significant acoustic flaws, including boomy mid-bass,...Read more

X
xander51.medium.com
08/01/2018
Sennheiser HD 461 (G/i) Headphones Review

In his review of the Sennheiser HD 461 G/i, Alex Rowe praises the budget-friendly, over-ear headphones for their comfortable design, durable foam ear pads, and a removable cable system. The consumer-focused, punchy, and extended bass is cited as a significant pro for mainstream listeners, providing, as noted, better value than the fixed-cable HD 200 Pro. Conversely, the review...Read more

M
m.alatest.de
N/A
Sennheiser HD 461i / HD 461G Reviews

The Sennheiser HD 461i/461g are closed-back, over-ear headphones featuring distinct inline remotes for iOS and Android, offering a punchy, bass-heavy sound ideal for modern music. Pros include strong passive noise isolation for commuting, a lightweight design with comfortable ear pads, an integrated microphone, and a detachable cable. YouTube· Conversely, critical reviews note a...Read more

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