Sennheiser PXC 250 II Review | 93 Data compared

The Sennheiser PXC 250-II is a lightweight and highly portable pair of on-ear headphones that fold up like sunglasses and come with a protective case and an airplane adapter. Priced around $150, they deliver impressive audio performance characterized by exceptionally low distortion and a decent, relatively consistent frequency response that even improves slightly in the low end when active noise cancellation (ANC) is turned on. While initial testing revealed slight discomfort, the headphones prove to be incredibly comfortable during extended use due to their soft padding and featherlight build that minimizes head pressure. However, the headphones suffer from several design and performance flaws, most notably a lackluster ANC feature that only blocks low-frequency droning while generating unwanted mid-range noise. They also struggle heavily with sound leakage, meaning audio can easily be heard by others in quiet environments. Additionally, the thin construction raises durability concerns, and the awkward cable ergonomics present an annoyance. The in-line control pendant sits too high up the five-foot cord to rest comfortably in a pocket, and its over-sensitive volume slider easily shifts with simple pocket friction.

The Sennheiser PXC 250-II is an on-ear, active noise-canceling headphone model that offers decent middle-weight performance for its $260 list price, sitting as a more affordable alternative to higher-end competitors. A standout feature of its design is its highly portable, foldable, and collapsible structure that easily fits into an included compact nylon carrying case. It is praised for having an articulate and lush frequency response that makes orchestras, rock kick drums, and basses sound beautiful at moderate volumes, alongside crisp and clear mids and highs. Furthermore, it boasts the significant advantage of working in passive mode, allowing users to continue listening to music without active noise cancellation, which helps save the 50-hour battery life provided by a standard, non-rechargeable battery. However, the headphones come with several design and performance trade-offs that keep them at an average 3.0-star rating. In terms of audio performance, the pair does not get exceptionally loud, and it suffers from noticeable sound distortion at maximum volumes on deep, bass-heavy tracks. Its active noise cancellation is also less effective than premium alternatives, failing to lower train rumbles...

The Sennheiser PXC 250-II headphones win a prize for their sleek, compact, and highly portable design that is great for your daily commute. They feature a strong steel headband, so you do not have to worry about breaking them despite their dainty look. A major pro is their ability to deliver good sound detail and clear instrument separation. However, the noise-cancelling feature is only average and does not perform much better than cheaper rivals. On the downside, these headphones are just not very fun to listen to due to unequal and uneven dynamics. The sound is heavily biased towards vocals, which works well for slow, haunting tracks but lacks the drama needed for rock music. Tested at a price of £140, they fail to deliver an exciting audio experience. In short, the main pros are high portability and good detail, while the main cons are average noise-cancelling and boring sound dynamics.

The Sennheiser PXC 250-II headphones are compact, lightweight on-ear headphones praised for their excellent sound leakage control and great audio reproduction, making them a good choice for keeping music contained. While their foldable, portable design is a major benefit, the review cites poor comfort due to small, thinly padded ear cups and a flimsy build quality as key downsides. Technically, the headphones feature an above-average, neutral sound profile but lack deep bass and provide a poor, narrow soundstage. Furthermore, the active noise cancellation (ANC) is ineffective against ambient noise, and the overall performance is hampered by a cumbersome, in-line control module.