Sennheiser

Sennheiser – a family business from Lower Saxony with worldwide success

The audio specialist Sennheiser, based in Wedemark near Hanover (Germany), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of headphones, microphones and wireless transmission technology, with its own factories in Germany, Ireland and the USA.

Sennheiser History

The history of audiophile sound begins with the HD 414. The world’s first open back headphones revolutionised the headphone market in 1968. To this day, the HD 414 remains one of the best-selling headphones in the world, with over 10 million units sold.

Another milestone follows when Sennheiser engineers combine the principle of open back headphones with the principle of electrostatic sound transducer technology for the first time. In 1977, Sennheiser presents the Unipolar 2000 and delights the experts. The underlying principle is once again an innovation in the audio world: in the electrostat, high voltage is applied to two grid-shaped electrodes. As with loudspeakers, this deflects a coated foil membrane in time with the music. This enables extremely fine resolution and a low distortion factor.

In 1991, the electrostatic Orpheus HE 90/HEV 90 stood out from a veritable flood of new headphones. With no less a claim than to build the best headphones in the world, the Sennheiser developers had once again gone to work and exceeded the expectations of the audio industry with this electrostat and its impressive tube amplifier. Two platinum-coated membranes oscillate between gold-coated glass electrodes. A 500-volt tube amplifier provides sufficient voltage for the Orpheus to develop its full sonic potential. Due to its extremely elaborate workmanship, the Orpheus is limited to 300 copies. To this day, the legendary headphones remain the benchmark for audiophile listening and all high-end models developed by audio specialist Sennheiser.

How good are Sennheiser headphones?

Sennheiser headphones are still among the best headphones you can buy in the consumer sector. The current Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 headphones (to the review) are among the best true wireless in-ears with noise cancelling (check our best of list).

Those who prefer bigger should take a closer look at the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (to the review). These comfortable headphones with adaptive noise cancelling are also among the best over-ears in this price range.

However, the manufacturer also offers a wide portfolio of TV headphones. From in-ear (Sennheiser TV Clear – to the review) to over-ear models (Sennheiser RS 120-W – to the review), these TV specialists are among the best TV headphones on the market.

What are the best headphones from Sennheiser?

If you want to know which Sennheiser headphones are the best, you should check our best list: “The best Sennheiser headphones”“ checken:

→ The best Sennheiser headphones

Latest Tests: Sennheiser

5 years ago Ulf Kaiser

Sennheiser IE 300

4 / 5

With the IE 300 model, Sennheiser launches a wired in-ear headphone in the around 300 euros price range, aimed at buyers who are looking for a compact solution for mobile use with superior sound quality. The product is technically positioned between the Pro models IE 100 and IE 400 Pro, but is listed in the audiophile consumer section of the manufacturer's website. In addition to the high-quality, lightweight construction, they claim that the premium drivers provide a sonic bonus.

5 years ago Peter Schloßnagel

Sennheiser HD 250BT

4.1 / 5

Sennheiser promise top technology for not much money with the HD 250BT: battery life of up to 25 hours, sound adjustments via an app and modern audio codecs for perfect picture-sound synchronisation. They're aiming to deliver premium features for less than 70 euros. Will they succeed with this device?

6 years ago Peter Schloßnagel

Sennheiser HD 300

4.4 / 5

If you're looking for uncomplicated headphones that aren't too bulky, are also extremely lightweight but have a great sound, you might have found an ideal match with the Sennheiser HD 300.

6 years ago Ulf Kaiser

Sennheiser HD 820

4.6 / 5

With the HD 820, Sennheiser has followed the outstanding HD 800 S with a top-of-the-range closed model for a particularly demanding clientele.

6 years ago Ulf Kaiser

Sennheiser HDV 820

4.6 / 5

With the HD 800 S and HD 820 models, Sennheiser offers first-class headphones aimed at demanding music lovers. Naturally, the corresponding headphone amplifier is not missing from the range of products offered by the Lower Saxony-based manufacturer: The HDV 820 is housed in a stylish, flat, black anodised casing with an internal power supply unit and so visually it is a matching partner to the HD 800 S.

6 years ago Ulf Kaiser

Sennheiser HD 800 S

4.6 / 5

With the exception of the Orpheus HE-1, the HD 800 S is the top model among Sennheiser's open headphones. The successor to the HD 800 from 2009 is available both in the regular version tested here in black and in a technically identical Anniversary Edition in stylish matt gold which is limited to 750 units - and available for the same price.

6 years ago Ulf Kaiser

Sennheiser HD 559

4.1 / 5

The HD 559 is the most affordable headphone in Sennheiser's HD-5 series. The manufacturer, from near Hanover, recommends a retail price of 99 Euros and classifies these headphones for home use, but also places them as an entry-level model in the audiophile class.

6 years ago Peter Schloßnagel

Sennheiser BT T100

4.3 / 5

Connecting Bluetooth headphones to your TV or home stereo system can sound easier than it actually is. Especially when it comes to synchronicity between picture and sound, it becomes apparent that classic wired headphones still can't be topped. Sennheiser wants to change that for good and with the BT T100 adds a Bluetooth transmitter in its range that seeks to minimise the picture-sound offset thanks to Qualcomm aptX Low Latency Codec. Will this “strike a blow for freedom" and succeed on the sofa at home?

6 years ago Ulf Kaiser

Sennheiser HD 560S

4.5 / 5

The Sennheiser HD models have always been synonymous with excellent, well-balanced sound quality and an attractive price-performance ratio. The current HD 560S model marks a shift into the audiophile section in the Sennheiser headphone range. Interestingly, according to the manufacturer, the Sennheiser HD 560S does not really belong to the HD 500 series, but rather wants to emulate the 600 series in terms of tuning and sound performance.