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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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Ultrasone HFI 450 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£60Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Ultrasone HFI 450 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

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%

6.3

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.4

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

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £60
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 Ultrasone HFI 450

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%

6.3

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.4

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:
Ultrasone HFI 450 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
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
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% 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
?
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% 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
Ultrasone
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
265 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 265 g, heavier than 68.5% of headphones and equal to 0.8% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Ultrasone HFI 450 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 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.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 6 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (96 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    96 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 21.6% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (265 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    265 g vs 218 g
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 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
    Ultrasone HFI 450 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 5.87x less popular
    Ultrasone HFI 450 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 5.7% worse value for money
    Ultrasone HFI 450 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.
  • 21.6% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (265 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    265 g vs 218 g
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 6 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (96 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    96 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 14 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (96 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    96 dB vs 110 dB
  • 7 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (96 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    96 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 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.
  • 8 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2008 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    July 2008
    2008 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

9.0
Aumkar Chandan
≈ estimated
24/04/2014
Hands-on review · comfort, sound and price tests
Verdict
Ultrasone HFI-450 is recommended as a budget closed-back for collectors, despite a stiff headband and uneven tonal balance.
Not graded
Not graded yet

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Ultrasone HFI 450

  • Excellent instrument separation and clarity for the price point
  • Expansive soundstage for a closed-back headphone design
  • S-Logic technology provides a more natural, 'live' listening experience
  • Lightweight and foldable design makes them portable and easy to store
  • Efficient and easy to drive even without an external amplifier
  • Effective passive noise isolation for studio or home use

What customers don't like about Ultrasone HFI 450

  • Ergonomic issues where ears may rub against the internal metal driver plates
  • Bass can lack punch or impact compared to bass-focused models
  • High frequencies can be perceived as overly bright or fatiguing
  • Fixed, non-detachable cable makes repairs difficult if the wire fails
  • Revealing nature makes low-quality audio files or poor recordings sound worse
  • Reported durability issues with the right channel failing after long-term use

Verdict

The Ultrasone HFI-450 is a closed-back, circumaural hi-fi headphone featuring 40mm Mylar drivers and Ultrasone's proprietary S-Logic Natural Surround Sound technology, which aims to provide a more natural, three-dimensional soundstage while allowing for lower decibel output (up to 40% reduction) to protect hearing. Technically, it offers a frequency range of 20 Hz – 20 kHz, an impedance of 32 ohms, and a sensitivity of 96 dB, making it easy to drive from portable sources without an external amplifier. Its main pros include a lightweight (approx. 265g) foldable design for portability, effective passive noise isolation for studio or home use, and the inclusion of a 3-meter cable with a gold-plated 3.5mm plug. However, potential cons include a non-detachable cable that may be cumbersome for some users and the lack of included accessories like a travel case beyond a soft pouch.

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