Sennheiser embraces Alexa for this particular version model of its HD 450 wi-fi noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones. They’re gentle, easy and surprisingly inexpensive…
Execs
- Common voice assistant help
- Light-weight, comfy design
- 30-hour battery life
- Balanced, even efficiency
- Value
Cons
- Handbook controls are fiddly
- Noise cancelling isn’t top-notch
Availability
- UKRRP: £169
- USAunavailable
- EuropeRRP: €199
- CanadaTBC
- AustraliaRRP: AU$299.95
Key Options
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Common voice assistant help Constructed-in Alexa, and helps Google and Siri
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Energetic noise cancellingSupports ANC
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AptX Low LatencyReduced latency with music and movies
Introduction
The Sennheiser HD 450SE headphones on overview are a Particular Version variant of the model’s HD 450BT wi-fi cans. They differ in that they add Amazon Alexa help to Siri and Google Assistant, and consequently are solely accessible through Sennheiser’s internet retailer and Amazon.
Nevertheless, in each different respect the BT and SE editions are a match. Design, options and efficiency are an identical. Battery life at 30 hours on each iterations is formidable, and Bluetooth implementation options aptX Low Latency, for higher gaming and film watching on the go.
They’re additionally aggressively priced in comparison with equally specified rivals. Are these Sennheiser HD 450SE cans the neatest headphones you should buy proper now?
Design
- Light-weight
- Over-ear model
- Handbook controls
If headphones are intrinsically a trend merchandise, the HD 450SE are a staple you possibly can put on with something. Recognisably Sennheiser, they provide the identical uncluttered profile and construct high quality because the model’s cheaper HD 350BT. The earcups are moderately padded, and the headscarf sufficiently cushioned.
They’re additionally on the precise aspect of sunshine, at 238g. A few hours’ use flies by.
The design is over-ear and closed again, and so they fold down into a pleasant bundle that’s simple to stow away. This makes them perfect for commuting and normal journey.
The HD 450SE additionally sport a 2.5mm jack for a wired connection, which gives a helpful backup for these events you’re low on energy or want to attach your headphones to an in-flight leisure system. Energy charging is through USB-C and takes about two hours to totally juice them up.
Options
- Sennheiser Sensible Management app
- Energetic noise cancelling
- AptX Low Latency
Utilizing the Sennheiser Sensible Management app, you possibly can elect to switch Google or Siri because the good assistant default with Amazon Alexa. However whichever your voice assistant of selection, there’s extra to those cans than AI chit-chat. The headphones use strong Bluetooth 5.0 and help AAC, aptX (make sure to associate with an aptX cell system for optimum constancy) and aptX Low Latency, which presents tighter syncing with video materials.
One function lacking, although, is contact pad management. All the things you’ll want is accessed through a button, slider or rocker change on the rim of the precise earcup. There’s a devoted Voice Assistant button in addition to the same old energy, Bluetooth pairing and transport keys.
I’m in two minds about this. There are not any secret swipes and wipes to study, however the ensuing button fest is a bit inelegant.
The much less apparent function attraction is Sennheiser’s Sensible Management app, required to entry particular audio presets or the customisable EQ. The app additionally reveals present battery standing.
Battery life is spectacular, at 30 hours. I discovered I may simply handle a few days between expenses.
Sound High quality
- Easy and refined
- Some lack of treble element
- Sound Test EQ mode
If there’s one phrase that sums up the HD 450SE, it’s stability. With no EQ utilized, these Sennheisers current every little thing with a good hand. They don’t draw back from deep bass, however they by no means sound overly booming. Dialogue readability is sweet, with zero sibilance.
The languid piano, vocals and harmonies of Tears for Fears’ Rivers of Mercy ebb and circulation, exhibiting air and rhythm, whereas Explosions within the Sky’s Wilderness drops deep, confirming a good bass extension, all with out comprising some sharp, synthy jangles.
If there’s a problem, it’s that this sense of equilibrium may end up in tracks congealing, and a scarcity of dynamics and scale. Nonetheless, given these headphone’s higher price range price ticket, we’ll reduce them some slack, and there’s loads of scope to tweak.
The Sennheiser Sensible Management app has presets for Rock, Pop, Dance, Hip Hop, Classical and Film selectable beneath an Equalizer banner. There’s additionally a devoted Podcast mode.
Use the Rock preset and there’s a 3dB raise to the mid band; however go for the Pop preset and there’s a pronounced treble raise. I most popular the latter mode for the riffing pomp of Freeway to Oblivion, by DragonForce, however opted for the previous to optimise bass to go well with the driving beat of Omen by Bullet For My Valentine – so to every their very own.
Utilizing Sennheiser’s Sound Test mode, you possibly can even create a personalised listening expertise, successfully producing a library of EQ presets to your favorite genres.
The HD 450SE do job with small-screen video catch-up. I by no means felt I used to be lacking out on the cinematic motion of Picard (Prime Video, Sequence 2). When the Borg got down to assimilate the Stargazer, there’s a deep ominous rumble, and the soundtrack has tangible widescreen width.
I’ve some reservations concerning the high quality of the noise cancellation right here, although. It really works nicely sufficient with regards to combating normal background banter, but it surely isn’t as sonically isolating as one of the best ANC, as skilled on the higher Sony or Bose headphones. However then Sennheiser is working to a extra inexpensive value.
Newest offers
Must you purchase it?
Should you’re on the lookout for easy-wearing over-ears, with extensive voice assistant help, the HD 450SE are one thing of a steal. Bizarrely, they’re cheaper than their HD 450BT stablemates, that are much less nicely specified. They fold down neatly for simple stowing and have a prodigious battery life.
They’re not the final phrase in noise cancellation, although. If you need cans that may isolate you from the clatter of the each day commute, then you definately would possibly do nicely to spend slightly extra on fashions from Sony or Bose.
Closing Ideas
It’s troublesome to fault the HD 450SE with regards to value and efficiency: they ship on each counts, providing total stage of musicality at cheap value. The middling ANC is finest considered a bonus at this value level.
The addition of Alexa to the 450’s voice assistant help looks like a no brainer, though using a Voice Assistant button and handbook controls strike me as slightly clunky.
By way of design and wearability, these cans additionally rating extremely. They’re gentle and comfy sufficient for sporting over protracted durations.
Total, we price the HD 450SE as nice worth. They provide a stable stage of efficiency, whereas delivering wonderful battery life. Should you’re extra seemingly to make use of them for podcasts, video playback and gaming over music, they warrant an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Trusted Rating
How we take a look at
We take a look at each headphones we overview completely over an prolonged time frame. We use business commonplace exams to check options correctly. We’ll at all times inform you what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to overview a product.
Discover out extra about how we take a look at in our ethics coverage.
Examined over the course of a number of days
Examined with music and video content material
