Sennheiser HD 450SE Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones - Black

Sound-wise these are decent but relatively uninspiring. Mids and highs are OK. ANC works pretty well - it dampens the high-end a little but otherwise seems to have no obvious negative impacts. Bass, however, is a problem. I don't know why the numerous other reviews I've read don't mention it, but it's really overblown. Heavy, muddy and overbearing. Fortunately, EQ on the sending device will trim that out and let you hear the true sound quality much more easily, tightening everything up.

Some people don't like EQ at the sound source because it means that device would always have to decode the inbound audio fully, apply EQ etc, then re-encod...view more Sound-wise these are decent but relatively uninspiring. Mids and highs are OK. ANC works pretty well - it dampens the high-end a little but otherwise seems to have no obvious negative impacts. Bass, however, is a problem. I don't know why the numerous other reviews I've read don't mention it, but it's really overblown. Heavy, muddy and overbearing. Fortunately, EQ on the sending device will trim that out and let you hear the true sound quality much more easily, tightening everything up.

Some people don't like EQ at the sound source because it means that device would always have to decode the inbound audio fully, apply EQ etc, then re-encode the result for BlueTooth transmission. If the source music uses a lossy CODEC than that means another lossy compression cycle and will definitely degrade quality. Even with a lossless source, your device is having to work harder to apply EQ so it'll use a tiny bit more energy. Fortunately, Sennheiser have a mobile app that lets you configure some very limited aspects of the headphone operation and this includes a simple low-mid-high EQ. Given the slight lags in slider response, I think that's commanding an in-headphones EQ processor to apply the settings and if so, that's good news - it means you can leave EQ *off* on your sound source, which depending on BlueTooth CODEC in use and CODEC of the original sound data, might mean zero-loss transmission, although now the headphones will of course be using a bit more energy themselves to apply the EQ settings.

These go loud but not crazy loud - noticeably quieter than Beats Solo 3 for example - so if you like ear-bleeding levels of volume they might not be right for you.

Some reviews online criticise these for not having touch controls, but having endured prior headphones with gestures or "click once, twice, three times" features, I'm glad of it. Unlike those other products, where gestures or multiple clicks would often be misinterpreted, the various single-function buttons on the Sennheisers always do what they're meant to. Each one is different in shape and feel, so it's very easy to find the right button with your fingers. If you are left handed it might be more of a chore because all buttons are mounted on the right earcup.

They're quite deep from back of earcup to front, so they stick out sideways from your head a lot and as a result aren't exactly high fashion, but the design is inoffensive and they're fairly light and comfortable. Battery life so far has met or exceeded stated listening time.

Major downside: Comes with a really, *really* awful floppy nylon pouch that won't protect them well at all. Fortunately, Sennheiser have a range of headphones including the 450s which are the same dimensions and are popular, so it's easy to find carefully moulded well-fitting hard cases on places like AliExpress, or just find a hard case that's got enough interior volume for them & job done.

Finally, the packaging is all low-treatment brown cardboard except for some small plastic bags to hold cables. This is a big plus point - none of the usual blister packs, pointless large plastic bags, plastic padding, plastic glossy wrap on the box or other plastic waste.

These HD 450SE headphone are the same hardware as the HD 450BT, but they're sometimes much, much cheaper to buy. I guess Amazon commissioned this 'Special Edition' to push Alexa as the default voice assistant, and nobody wants that? You can change it with the companion app, but you have to sign up to opt out, of course.

The companion app has a 3-band EQ, too, but it's garbage. It cuts off all the high frequencies and only lets you do stupid things with bass. You should skip that and find a better EQ.
If you install a third-party EQ (with plenty of properly labelled bands), you can get these to sound just like Sennheiser's wired studio hea...view more These HD 450SE headphone are the same hardware as the HD 450BT, but they're sometimes much, much cheaper to buy. I guess Amazon commissioned this 'Special Edition' to push Alexa as the default voice assistant, and nobody wants that? You can change it with the companion app, but you have to sign up to opt out, of course.

The companion app has a 3-band EQ, too, but it's garbage. It cuts off all the high frequencies and only lets you do stupid things with bass. You should skip that and find a better EQ.
If you install a third-party EQ (with plenty of properly labelled bands), you can get these to sound just like Sennheiser's wired studio headphones. That's pretty fantastic. I'm really pleased with that.

The ANR is okay. It only works to block low sounds like engine hums. It doesn't seem to affect audio playback quality at all, so it's good enough for peaceful listening on public transport.

Pros:
Excellent sound - rich & detailed - if you add your own EQ.
Comfy, light and portable.
Nice design. No-frills, matt-black, goes with everything.
Well-built, with no creaks or rattles or flimsy bits.
Plenty of battery life.
Can also be used with a regular 3.5mm headphone jack. Comes with a cable.
No weirdness with the noise reduction. It's weak, but it doesn't do anything bad.
Keeps your ears warm.

Cons:
Lousy companion app with an EQ that lets the hardware down.
The cable for wired use has a not-quite-universal 2.5mm jack to plug into the headphone itself. If you wanted to replace it, you might have to try a few to find one that fits.
Hey Alexa, please uninstall Alexa.

Conclusion:
A great bargain (when it's a bargain) that feels like cheating, because (with a better EQ) the sound quality is so much higher than the price suggests.

I bought these headphones from pb tech as I was looking for some wireless headphone with noise cancelling.
The headphones themselves are a decent build, quite sturdy and comfortable.
Unfortunately the build was all that was good about them. The noise cancelling is shit, it works well in quite places but in noisy environments it doesn't work at all.
The speakers aren't very loud so if you like your music loud these aren't for you.
After 3 weeks of having these headphones the left speaker stopped working while using bluetooth. It still worked when I plug it in with the jack but no firmware update fixed them.
I would highly recommend you a...view more I bought these headphones from pb tech as I was looking for some wireless headphone with noise cancelling.
The headphones themselves are a decent build, quite sturdy and comfortable.
Unfortunately the build was all that was good about them. The noise cancelling is shit, it works well in quite places but in noisy environments it doesn't work at all.
The speakers aren't very loud so if you like your music loud these aren't for you.
After 3 weeks of having these headphones the left speaker stopped working while using bluetooth. It still worked when I plug it in with the jack but no firmware update fixed them.
I would highly recommend you avoid these headphones as they are a waste of money and now a pain in my arse.
I ignored the bad reviews when I bought them, I suggest you don't.

The left side doesn't work in Bluetooth mode. After trying to troubleshoot, this brought me to a Reddit page where a lot of people are having the same issues. Not a one off.
These were my first Sennheiser headphones and likely my last. The left side doesn't work in Bluetooth mode. After trying to troubleshoot, this brought me to a Reddit page where a lot of people are having the same issues. Not a one off.
These were my first Sennheiser headphones and likely my last.

Failing to pair on two different phones, couldn't return as they were considered "used" after 2 full days of being off, they then correctly paired - thought cool I'm happy enough now maybe it was a firmware issue and updated. Two months or so later, left side no longer works while using Bluetooth... I brought these since they had APT-X and I didn't want to use wires so this is useless for me. I've reached out for a return - save yourself the trouble if you want these for Bluetooth cause one sided failure is a common problem. Google it for yourself or read a few more reviews on here Failing to pair on two different phones, couldn't return as they were considered "used" after 2 full days of being off, they then correctly paired - thought cool I'm happy enough now maybe it was a firmware issue and updated. Two months or so later, left side no longer works while using Bluetooth... I brought these since they had APT-X and I didn't want to use wires so this is useless for me. I've reached out for a return - save yourself the trouble if you want these for Bluetooth cause one sided failure is a common problem. Google it for yourself or read a few more reviews on here

Prompt delivery, great price and an excellent product.
Good quality sound, easy to connect and use.
Very happy. Prompt delivery, great price and an excellent product.
Good quality sound, easy to connect and use.
Very happy.

By: RachelH864 22/06/24

Verified Owner

Super comfy and great size for my smaller ears. Sound quality is excellent. I wanted something that would be very versatile, that I could equally take phone calls as well as listen to podcasts and music. It was virtually impossible to take a phone call in a moving car or where there was a lot of ambient noise. Fine sitting at home. The microphone seems to distort no matter how quietly you speak. So mixed bag. If you don't need it for phone calls that much then it will be just fine for you. Super comfy and great size for my smaller ears. Sound quality is excellent. I wanted something that would be very versatile, that I could equally take phone calls as well as listen to podcasts and music. It was virtually impossible to take a phone call in a moving car or where there was a lot of ambient noise. Fine sitting at home. The microphone seems to distort no matter how quietly you speak. So mixed bag. If you don't need it for phone calls that much then it will be just fine for you.

Easily as good as the Bose 35 (I haven’t got 45 to compare). Yes the controls take a little bit of learning but it’s not hard. They don’t respond instantly bug you get used to that. Noise reduction is good. Ear pads are great. They fold down small. Easily as good as the Bose 35 (I haven’t got 45 to compare). Yes the controls take a little bit of learning but it’s not hard. They don’t respond instantly bug you get used to that. Noise reduction is good. Ear pads are great. They fold down small.

Quick update – scored a pair of Sennheiser HD 450SE during the PB Black Friday sale, and they are a game-changer.
First off, the sleek black design is an aesthetic win, these headphones are like a cosy hug for your ears, and the noise cancelling is absolutely next level.
Sound quality is impeccable. I'm hearing nuances in my favourite tunes I never knew existed. The bass thumps just right, and the clarity.
If you're on the fence, take the plunge. Quick update – scored a pair of Sennheiser HD 450SE during the PB Black Friday sale, and they are a game-changer.
First off, the sleek black design is an aesthetic win, these headphones are like a cosy hug for your ears, and the noise cancelling is absolutely next level.
Sound quality is impeccable. I'm hearing nuances in my favourite tunes I never knew existed. The bass thumps just right, and the clarity.
If you're on the fence, take the plunge.

Exceeded my expectations Exceeded my expectations

Amazing sound quality
Easy to use. Amazing sound quality
Easy to use.

Comfortable to wear, great sound, good battery life. Controls could be a little better. Comfortable to wear, great sound, good battery life. Controls could be a little better.