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Sennheiser HD 461 Review | 93 Data compared

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

Sennheiser HD 461 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 461
6.1/10

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 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 57% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

7.6

User score

â–¼Worse than 57% 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 51%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 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 61% of models
Score components

52%

6.4

Sound

20%

4.3

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.1

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 61%
7.6

User score

User score
7.6/ 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 70% of models
Score components

70%

7.9

User ratings

30%

6.9

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 70%
  • sennheiser-hd-461
sennheiser-hd-461
Where to buy
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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 461

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 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 61% of models
Score components:

52%

6.4

Sound

20%

4.3

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.1

Calls & Controls

5.7
User score
User score
7.6/ 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 70% of models
Score components

70%

7.9

User ratings

30%

6.9

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.6
Popularity
Popularity
6.9/ 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–² Better than 63% of models
Popularity:
Sennheiser HD 461 has a popularity score of 6.9 points, which is higher than that of 63.2% of products in this category.
6.9
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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
Score components:

70%

6.1

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
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% 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
17 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 17 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 53.2% of headphones and equal to 0.9% 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
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% 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
?
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
198 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 198 g, lighter than 56.4% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sennheiser HD 461 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 10 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (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
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (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
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 10 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (112 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    112 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (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
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 6 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (38 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    38 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.
  • 3 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (57 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    57 mm vs 60 mm
  • 4.9% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 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
    Sennheiser HD 461
    the average pair of headphones
    Sennheiser HD 461 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.63 vs 8).
    7.63 vs 8
  • 4.9% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 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
    Sennheiser HD 461
    the average pair of headphones
    Sennheiser HD 461 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.63 vs 8).
    7.63 vs 8
  • 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.
  • 6 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (38 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    38 mm vs 44 mm
  • 3 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (57 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    57 mm vs 60 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.

Video reviews

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

8.0
Audio46 en Español
≈ estimated
16/10/2015
Hands-on review · comfort, bass, cable and microphone
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 461 is comfortable and good value for casual listeners, but not the pick for balanced studio sound.

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

xander51.medium.com
08/01/2018
Hands-on test · Budget headphones
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 461 is a comfortable, bassy budget pair with a removable cable for phones, though its muddy low end and bare extras hold it back.
C
consumerreports.org
Date not listed (Archived)
Summary of the review
Sennheiser HD 461 Headphone Review - Consumer Reports

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 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 don't like 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

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.

Compare Sennheiser HD 461 with other products in the Headphones category

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