Sennheiser PC 350 SE Review
Verdict
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Great noise isolation
- Superb noise cancelling mic
- Robust and comfortable
- Carry case
Cons
- Mic not removable
- Can feel tight
- No cable management system
Key Specifications
- Review Price: £169.99
- Noise-blocking closed design
- Noise-cancelling microphone
- Protective carry case
- On-headset controls
Introduction
First reviewed: 12/04/2013
Gaming headsets such as the Sennheiser PC 350 SE we have here are strange beasts. After all, most people prefer to not have perfect acoustic clarity when being told how well their mother performed in the bedroom the previous night by someone they’ve never met.
Trash-talking juvenile online gamers aside, high-end gaming headsets provide a host of benefits that can aid the avid gamer and truly immerse them in their virtual world of choice, be it a dragon-infested fantasy realm or a war-torn city. But does the Sennheiser PC 350 Second Edition headset really warrant its £170 price tag?
Next read our review of the 2014: Sennheiser G4ME One headset
Don’t expect high-end headphone design aesthetics here. The Sennheiser PC 350 SE don’t fare well compared to headphones that focus as much on looking stylish as they do on sound quality. There’s a fair bit of plastic on show too, even though it is premium quality soft-touch plastic.
The ear cups are made of a combination of plastic and ridged gun-grey aluminium, but even this looks like it might not be metal until it’s touched. Robust hinges allow the around-the-ear ear cups to fold neatly and be stored in the well-made protective carry case.
The microphone is fastened to the left cup on a thick stalk of bendable plastic.
It’s brilliantly stable. Just find the perfect location for it and it will stay in position during even the most intense gaming sessions.
The mic’s party piece is that it folds all the way up so is totally out of the way when listening to music. Move the mic to a 75-degree angle and a faint click signifies that mute has been enabled, which is a nice touch. Unfortunately the microphone is not removable, which means you’ll look like a bit of a plum on the bus if you want to use the headset to listen to music on your daily commute.
The braided fabric cable solves the dreaded cable knotting issue that plagues some headsets and is plenty long enough at 3m, ending in a 3.5mm audio and another 3.5mm microphone jack. However, the length of the cable and the lack of any type of cable management system (a small piece of Velcro really doesn’t count), does cause some issues and so you can expect to have to do a bit of MacGyvering to keep the cable the required length for your needs.
On a more positive note, there’s a nice touch on the right-hand ear cup. What looks like a simple Sennheiser logo doubles up as a volume controller. Turn it clockwise or anticlockwise and you can get it to exactly the right levels without having to looks for the usual clunky controllers found on most headset cables.
At 312g the Sennheiser PC 350 SE headset is not exactly light. Place it on your noggin though and the weight soon disappears. The ear cups and headband distribute the bulk evenly, allowing for hours of comfortable gameplay. Huge earpads made from decent quality leatherette-covered memory foam enclose you ears entirely and mould around the head. This efficiently plugs all gaps that might let sound leak.
Some might find the fit a little too snug though, and we found ourselves getting a little hot after wearing them for more than a few hours. This is a common occurrence with over-ear headsets and taking them off for a few minutes or even giving them a readjustment quickly alleviates discomfort.
Sennheiser PC 350 SE – Sound Quality
Great sound quality has become almost synonymous with Sennheiser headphones and the PC 350 SE headset doesn’t disappoint. They feature something called “Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement”. Yes that’s right, “Eargonomic”. Thankfully we can forgive Sennheiser the terrible pun because the headphones are very well balanced and bring near-perfect stereo imaging. It’s unlikely you’ll notice anything untoward while gaming or listening to anything other than hardcore trance.
This is an analogue headset, which means your computer’s sound card will need to do all the audio processing, however the PC 350 SE behaves well even if you have a basic PC set-up. At high volumes the treble remains clear and there is absolutely no sign of rattle or buzz, even with the deepest bass.
Even though the Sennheiser PC 350 SE do not possess active noise cancelling, that the set fits so snuggly means that it does a great job of keeping out external noise.
Even minute sounds of footsteps far away are still audible even with external background noise.
The headset coped particularly well with Max Payne 3. The loud background music sounded clear but none of the sound effects and noises were drowned out by it. Gangsters barking orders could easily be heard and their general direction pinpointed. Furthermore, the glorious explosive cacophony of Battlefield 3 was well-conveyed, leading to a very immersive experience.
Keeping noise in can be as important as keeping noise out for some gamers. You don’t want to be annoying others while playing but you also don’t want others to potentially overhear tactics during a LAN session. The Sennheiser PC 350 SE truly excels in this regard. The closed design means almost all sound is kept within the earcups, even at very high levels.
Sennheiser PC 350 SE – Microphone
We’ve already mentioned that the microphone can’t be detached from the Sennheiser PC 350 SE headset. Fortunately that is the only weakness in what is otherwise a superb mic.
Exceptional noise cancellation means that only the loudest ambient noises will disrupt gaming companions. We had to get background noise to uncomfortable levels before the mic picked anything up. Voice transmission is crisp and clear and the boom is infinitely adjustable to get the levels just right.
Verdict
The Sennheiser PC 350 SE’s lack of removable microphone means it’s not as adaptable as it could be, and the faux leather ear-cups can get hot after a few hours of gaming. In every other respect, however, this Sennheiser headset is excellent. Audio quality and noise isolation is great and the microphone is truly special. If you’re looking for a headset which will immerse you into a game even if you’re in a noisy environment then the PC 350 SE is a great, if slightly pricey, choice.
Score in detail
-
Value 7
-
Design & Features 6
-
Mic quality 9
-
Sound Quality 8
By Evan Kypreos
Contact via Twitter
Contact via linkedin
Editor-in-chief
Evan Kypreos was Editor of Trusted Reviews between 2012 and 2018.
He has written for Time.com, Ideal Home and NME, as well as Trusted Reviews.
Born with an interest in technology and all things…
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2004, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Sennheiser PC 350 Special Edition High Performance Review
Sennheiser gaming headset review. Updated 2023 Amazon pricing, audio specs, and review — using scores built around ratings such as volume control, material quality, sound quality, battery life and noise cancellation. Are these Sennheiser headphones right for a PC gamer?
Should you buy the Sennheiser PC 350 Special Edition High Performance?
PCGameBenchmark has reviewed pretty much every PC gaming headset available on Amazon. We’ve ignored some of the smaller and generic brands. We’ve filtered to only show the best gaming headsets wireless and wired available to buy right now — this Sennheiser gaming headset made our 2023 list.
Now’s a great time to buy a new PC gaming headset. So many games are enhanced with great audio, there are always Sennheiser deals to be had (no need to wait for Black Friday 2023) and there’s a massive range to chose from. High quality sound is super important when you’re playing and the speakers built into gaming monitors are pretty rubbish.
If you’re looking to hear someone creep up on you in Fortnite or love the bass on Apex Legends, you need a proper immersive audio experience and the privacy that brings.
This headset weighs 1.55 lb (0.7 kg).
PCGameBenchmark ratings are built up from the scores the Amazon community give the most important aspects of a PC gaming headset. We merge those scores to create a percentage rating.
Check out best deals on cheap gaming headsets and the latest deals on Amazon.
Sennheiser PC 350 Special Edition High Performance
PCGameBenchmark Rating: 82%
| Best Price: | $179.99 |
|---|---|
| You Save: | $50.4 (28%) |
Check latest prices
Network N earns commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon Associates and other programs.
Sennheiser PC 350 Special Edition High Performance Specs
Weight |
1. 55 lb (703.07 g) |
|---|---|
Dimensions (L x W x H) |
23.11 cm x 6.35 cm x 23.62 cm 9.1 in x 2.5 in x 9.3 in |
Brand |
Sennheiser |
Model Number |
PC 350 SE |
| Best Price: | $179.99 |
|---|---|
| You Save: | $50.4 (28%) |
Check latest prices
Network N earns commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon Associates and other programs.
Sennheiser PC 350 Special Edition High Performance Features
- Sennheiser’s «Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement» technology delivers ultimate sonic accuracy and clarity by channeling signals directly into your ears.
- Closed back, circumaural earcups provide isolation from environmental sounds so you can focus on the game.
- Full size, ear cups fitted with ultra-comfortable velour ear pads are ideal for long gaming sessions.
- Pro quality, boom mounted microphone provides crystal clear conversations and automatically mutes when the boom is raised. Two year parts and labor warranty.
- This gaming headset is compatible with any PC — either a laptop or desktop — that has two 3.5 mm jacks. NOT compatible with Macbook Pro.
Sennheiser PC 350 Special Edition High Performance DEALS — BEST prices
| Best Price: | $179.99 |
|---|---|
| You Save: | $50.4 (28%) |
Check latest prices
Network N earns commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon Associates and other programs.
Other Sennheiser gaming headsets
Here are a few other options…
Good
Sennheiser U 320 Multi-Platform Review
74% Rating
$129.97
Better
Sennheiser Game ONE Review
82% Rating
$139.88
You save: $61.55 (44%)
Best
Sennheiser PC 5 Chat Review
100% Rating
$39.99
Latest Gaming Headset Reviews
- Sony-INZONE H9 Wireless Noise Canceling Review
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Xbox Multi-System Review
- SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless Review
- Razer Barracuda X Wireless Multi-Platform Gaming and Mobile Review
Gaming Laptop DealsRate my PC
Game System Requirements: Trending
Hogwarts Legacy System Requirements
GTA 5 System Requirements
FIFA 23 System Requirements
Dead Space System Requirements
Valorant System Requirements
Elden Ring System Requirements
Call of Duty: Warzone 2 System Requirements
Sons of the Forest System Requirements
Red Dead Redemption 2 System Requirements
Fortnite System Requirements
CSGO System Requirements
Minecraft System Requirements
Forspoken System Requirements
Cyberpunk 2077 System Requirements
Microsoft Flight Simulator System Requirements
Star Citizen System Requirements
Genshin Impact System Requirements
Hi-Fi RUSH System Requirements
PUBG: Battlegrounds System Requirements
The Sims 5 System Requirements
Review of Sennheiser HD 450BT and HD 350BT wireless over-ear headphones
At CES 2020, Sennheiser brought an update to two of its full-size wireless headphones in the medium and even “very average” price segment — HD 4.
40BT and HD 4.50BTNC. Like its predecessors, the new HD 450BT and HD 350BT received almost identical cases, but differ in packaging and the presence of an active noise reduction system in the older model.
Keeping the general idea of the product, the developers have made a lot of changes to the new models — from a more strict design to the current version of Bluetooth 5.0, a USB-C port for charging, noticeably increased autonomy, and so on. But it was decided to abandon NFC support, which is quite reasonable in the case of a relatively inexpensive product, since this option is used only when connected to a new sound source, that is, extremely infrequently.
Such small concessions and the absence of «premium» materials in the design made it possible to create solutions that are interesting in terms of technical characteristics, while maintaining a relatively low cost for branded headphones. Not so long ago we talked about the flagship full-size wireless model from Sennheiser — Momentum 3 Wireless.
Today we will look at the latest product of the company in the middle price segment.
Specifications
| HD 350BT | HD 450BT | |
|---|---|---|
| Declared frequency range | 18 Hz — 22 kHz | |
| Speaker diameter | 32 mm | |
| Sound pressure level (SPL) | 108 dB | |
| THD | <0.3% (1kHz, 100dB SPL) | |
| Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 wired |
| Supported codecs | aptX, aptX LL, AAC, SBC | |
| Microphone frequency range | 80 to 6000 Hz (−3 dB) | |
| Squelch | no | yes |
| Charging connector | USB-C | |
| Battery capacity | 300 mAh | 600 mAh |
| Autonomy time | up to 30 hours | up to 30 hours with ANC |
| Battery charging time | ≈ 2 hours | |
| Weight | 238 g | |
| Information on the manufacturer’s website | sennheiser. ru |
sennheiser.ru |
| Recommended price | 6990 ₽ | 12990 ₽ |
Packing and contents
Headphones are delivered in cardboard boxes with traditional Sennheiser design in blue and white. On them you can find large images of the device and brief characteristics. Inside, the contents of the package are securely held with plastic cradles.
The high-end HD 450BT includes the headphones themselves, audio cable for wired connection to the source, USB-C charging cable, carrying case and documentation.
The HD 350BT package does not include a hard case or cable for wired connection, which this version does not support.
Design and construction
The design of both models is almost identical, so we will consider only the older one in detail. The headphones are available in two colors, we tested the HD 450BT in black, and the HD 350BT in white.
The body is made of plastic, very pleasant to the touch.
The design is minimalistic, without unnecessary accents and decorative details. The devices turned out to be quite light — only 238 g, which had a positive effect on wearing comfort, which we will talk about separately.
At the bottom of the right cup there is a microphone hole, a charging socket, a mini-jack connector (3.5 mm) for a wired connection to a source, an LED indicator, and buttons for controlling the headset.
HD 350BT does not support a wired connection, because it does not have a corresponding connector. At the same time, pay attention to the gray color of the ear pads. White might look a little better. But gray is much more practical.
The shackle is made of plastic and only the brand name can be found on its outer surface. At the bottom of it is a small soft pad.
There is a microphone hole on the outside of the right cup. The manufacturer’s logo is placed in the place where it is attached to the shackle.
The headband is adjustable with a pleasant effort and a soft click, the fixation in each of the positions is reliable.
Power reserve on each side — 3.5 cm. To ensure a more comfortable fit, the cups can swing in a horizontal plane and rotate around their axis at an angle of approximately 10 ° in each direction.
Headphones are foldable, cups can be placed inside the headband. The hinges, like other structural elements, are made of plastic. Theoretically, this could make it possible to doubt the reliability of the folding mechanism, but the experience of using previous models of the line suggests that there are no reasons for concern.
The ear pads are quite soft and deep, the speaker hole is covered with a cloth. On the inside of the arc above the retractable element, you can see the designations of the left and right earpiece. But it’s easier to navigate through the control panel, which is located on the right cup.
The ear pads are removable, underneath we see a speaker protected by a plastic grille and some technical information.
The included HD 450BT case is made of fabric and is designed to protect against scratches and dust rather than shock and other severe impacts.
USB to USB Type-C charging cables are of average quality. No frills in the form of a braid and other things, just a normal good cable.
The same can be said about the mini-jack cable (3.5 mm). I was pleased that the connector for connecting to the gadget-source of sound has an L-shaped shape.
Connecting
The first time you turn on the headphones automatically go into source pairing mode, later you can activate it by long pressing the power button when you turn on the headset. Then everything is simple — we find the device in the corresponding menu of the gadget, connect it without entering a password and other difficulties. Just in case, we check that the aptX codec is used by default, which is one of the «chips» of both devices. The screenshots below show the HD 450BT connection, in the case of the younger model, everything happens in exactly the same way.
There are no differences in the list of supported codecs, which we received using the Bluetooth Tweaker utility: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX LL — everything is as stated.
Plus, for some reason, another codec with an undetectable VendorID, which could not be identified.
The wireless connection was surprisingly stable. When the signal source was placed in a trouser pocket under outerwear, short-term sound interruptions were noted in places with an increased level of radio interference, where the vast majority of tested headsets behave in this way. Moving the gadget closer to the headphones almost completely eliminated «stuttering».
Connecting the audio cable to the HD 450BT automatically turns off the Bluetooth module. Neither the control buttons nor the headset microphone work with a wired connection. But the noise reduction system can be activated. In general, just right for an airplane, but in everyday life it can be a little inconvenient. But the wired connection is made here more just in case than as a regularly used option.
Control
As we have already seen a little higher, Sennheiser engineers left a fair number of buttons in the design of the updated headsets, and even added one new one, which is responsible for calling the voice assistant.
At a time when many manufacturers tend to «hang» on one multifunction key and playback control, and flipping tracks and a couple of other functions, this approach will clearly find its fans. Not everyone likes to control the device using combinations of long, double, and sometimes triple clicks.
To understand all the variety of controls, let’s take a photo that shows all the buttons and list them from top to bottom, so that they correspond to the direction from the face to the back of the head when the headset is placed on the head.
Near the opening of the microphone is the power button, which is also responsible for activating the pairing mode and noise reduction (HD 450BT only). Next, we see a volume swing, and behind them — a three-way playback control key. Pressing it pauses the music, and moving forward and backward scrolls through the tracks. And finally, we get to the innovation — a separate activation button for the voice assistant. Next to the power button is a multi-colored LED indicator that shows the operating modes of the device.
Operation
The fit of the headphones is comfortable, but not without a number of nuances. For example, the hole in the ear pads is oval and relatively small — 6 cm long and only 3.5 cm wide. The auricle does not fit completely into it, there is a slight pressure on the middle part of the curl, which can cause some discomfort. But it appears only when worn for a very long time, and not for everyone.
The pressure on the head is minimal, while the fit is very secure. Headphones stay in place even during active movement, including during sports. The ears, of course, get a little hot, but this is a feature of all full-size models. The ear pads are quite soft and deep, and the headphone cups have enough rotation to ensure a snug fit to the head. Accordingly, passive sound insulation is at a good level.
The autonomy of the new HD 450BT and HD 350BT is higher than that of their predecessors, reaching up to 30 hours. At the same time, the battery of the older model has twice the capacity and provides the claimed 30 hours of operation with active noise reduction turned on.
Without it, the headphones can work even longer on a single charge.
We did not discharge the headphones in everyday wear mode — it would take too much time. We connected them to the source and left them to play music continuously at a volume of about 70 percent of the maximum. The HD 450BT with ANC enabled lasted just over 26 hours, the HD 350BT about 25 hours. The values turned out to be slightly lower than declared, but at a volume level closer to the average, they could well have been noticeably higher. In any case, the autonomy of the headphones is impressive — for a couple of days in the occasional use mode, it will be enough in any case. The claimed charging time is fully confirmed in practice — about 2 hours.
Software and noise canceling
Sennheiser headphones come with Smart Control software available for Android and iOS devices. We talked about it in detail in testing the Momentum True Wireless TWS headset, then returned to it again in the review of the full-size Momentum 3 Wireless flagship.
In the «advanced» models, the software capabilities are quite diverse, in the case of our «strong average» everything is simpler.
When HD 450BT is connected, for some reason the program specifies which headset we are using. Next, the user sees a welcome screen and a small instruction on how to manage the device. Using the application, you can control the level of charging of the headphones, update their firmware, and also adjust the sound using a proprietary equalizer, the features of which we discussed in the reviews mentioned above. Active noise reduction level settings like Momentum 3 Wireless for HD 450BT are not provided, which is understandable — after all, a more “advanced” model is almost twice as expensive.
With the younger HD 350BT, the application works almost the same, the only difference is the lack of mention of turning on the active noise reduction system in the mini-instructions at the start.
HD 450BT noise cancellation is activated only with a button on the headphones themselves and does not have an on indication, which is somewhat inconvenient.
Its effectiveness can be subjectively assessed as average. It does not work as well as the flagships, but it is quite adequate and better than a number of ultra-budget models from Chinese brands. As in absolutely all devices, ANC suppresses low-frequency noises best: the hum of engines, the hum of air conditioners, and so on.
Speech and high-frequency sounds are filtered exclusively by the ear cushions. But this does not mean that somewhere surrounded by a large number of people, for example, the ANC system will be useless. On the contrary, if you were not familiar with the work of active noise cancelers before, you will be surprised how many low-frequency components are present in the usual hum of a cafe or office. And how much easier it is to live and work if they are not heard.
Sound and frequency response measurements
Before talking about the sound of headphones, let’s immediately talk about the delay and «out of sync» of sound in video and games. It is extremely small, but still present.
In the video, this is completely imperceptible, but in dynamic games it can cause slight inconvenience. The older HD 450BT has a wired connection for this case, it is predictably comfortable to play with it. Let’s talk about their sound first.
Traditionally, we draw the attention of readers to the fact that the frequency response graphs are given solely as an illustration, which allows us to demonstrate the main features of the sound of the tested headphones. You should not draw conclusions from them about the quality of a particular model. The actual experience of each listener depends on many factors, ranging from the structure of the hearing organs to the pressure of the ear cushions, which can seriously affect the transmission of the low frequency range.
The bass of the HD 450BT is slightly accentuated, but does not cause a feeling of «buzz». The mids are worked out, the vocals are well read — in general, the headphones sound quite balanced and interesting.
Rising at high is not perceived as sharply as it looks on the graph, due to the peculiarities of human hearing. However, sometimes there is a desire to turn the treble down a little to get rid of the excessive “click” of the hi-hats. But here it is a matter of taste.
The younger HD 350BT sounds similar. The differences in the graphs below are partially explained by the slightly different position of the headphones on the measuring stand — it is impossible to arrange them in an absolutely identical way. By ear, the difference is also not obvious and can be achieved by changing the position of the headphones on the head — in particular, for a slightly better transmission of “deep bass”, it is enough to find a position in which the ear pads fit as tightly as possible to the head.
The character of the sound with a wired connection and the activation of noise reduction noticeably changes — in particular, the emphasis on low frequencies is removed. All measurements in the graph below were carried out without changing the position of the headphones on the stand, so the changes in the frequency response shown can be considered objective.
In the case of a wired connection, they are easily explained by working in passive mode with the DSP disabled. Which, apparently, is responsible for some rise in the low frequencies.
But something else is interesting — the frequency response graph when active noise reduction is turned on is almost identical to what we see when connected via cable. It can be assumed that the “noise reduction” directly affects the sound minimally, but when it is turned on, the built-in sound processor is deactivated. One of the likely reasons for this behavior is hardware limitations: the SoC used can only do one thing — either adjust the tonal balance or suppress external noise. But this is just a guess.
Results
Sennheiser has once again shown that it is confident in the middle price segment as well. The older model HD 450BT is a good, if not ideal, alternative to expensive headphones with active noise cancellation. Yes, there are some questions about its work — the noise reduction efficiency is average, there is no microphone on the wire .
.. But they are not able to overshadow the fact that the user receives branded headphones with excellent autonomy, solid build, nice strict design, good sound by the standards of wireless models. As for the younger HD 350BT, it’s even easier with them. For almost half the cost, they offer the same thing, minus active noise cancellation and wired connectivity, which many users don’t really need. As a result, in the budget segment, they will surely become one of the iconic models, like their predecessors.
Sennheiser HD 350 and 450 BT wireless headphones review
Sennheiser has updated its popular full-size Bluetooth headphones. HD 4.50 BTNC and HD 4.40 BT were replaced by HD 450 BT and HD 350 BT. In this review, we will get acquainted with the new products in more detail and try to answer the question: is it possible to enjoy high-quality Sennheiser branded sound in mobile mode?
Zmist
- 1 Design and ergonomics
- 2 Controls and connectors
- 3 Features and sound
Design and ergonomics
The Sennheiser HD 350 and 450 BT are over-ear headphones.
Design compared to its predecessors has not changed dramatically. Both models are available in two colors: black and white.
The appearance of the Sennheiser HD 350 and 450 BT is simple and minimalist, but the headphones look good. Most of their parts are made of plastic, and soft-touch coating is applied in places of frequent contact with the palms, which delivers a pleasant tactile sensation.
The headband has a flexible base and seems to be the last thing that can break in headphones, the margin of safety is so impressive.
On both sides, the outer surface of the arcs, placed logos and mention of the brand. On the inside there is a shock-absorbing rubber-coated insert and channel letters.
The ear pads are made of high quality artificial leather. They are removable and after they become unusable, and this will happen sooner or later, they can be replaced with new ones.
Small bowls, infinitely adjustable. All the main controls are located on the right earpiece, but more on them below.
The design of the headset is foldable, which will undoubtedly come in handy during transportation. It has small dimensions and when folded, the headphones take up little space, they fit into a “banana” of standard sizes without any problems.
The weight is small and is approximately 238 g. The headset sits comfortably, does not move out with sudden movements of the head. The ear pads tightly envelop and for owners of large ears, this can cause discomfort during prolonged wear. If desired, you can adjust the height of the headband arc. Headphones on the head look nice and not bulky.
Controls and connectors
The controls are too close to each other, and at first you can’t find the right button quickly. In such cases, touch control is pleasantly recalled, which, unfortunately, was not “brought” here. After a while, the location is quickly remembered and the buttons become quite convenient to use.
On the right earpiece: voice assistant activation button, multifunctional button for music playback and calls, volume control, USB Type-C socket for charging, analog audio cable input (only in the older version 450 BT), LED indicator status, headphone on/off button and ANC active noise reduction system (only the older version is equipped).
Also on the right earpiece there are slots for microphones, one of them was brought to the outside of the bowl.
Features and sound
Headphone frequency response from 18 Hz to 22,000 Hz. The headset communicates with the main device via the Bluetooth 5.0 protocol and supports audio codecs: SBC, AAC, AptX, AptX Low Latency.
The battery capacity of the older model is 600 mAh, the younger one is 300 mAh.
In continuous play mode, the headset can operate up to 30 hours. The older model with active ANC will last the same amount. This is slightly more than its predecessors. The headphones are fully charged in two hours. The younger HD 350, due to the smaller battery capacity, charges a little faster.
The older model can be used in both wireless and wired modes. This feature makes the Sennheiser HD 450 BT more versatile. For example, a user can use the headset in mobile mode to listen to entertainment content, and at home or in the office connect it to a desktop PC for work.
The Sennheiser HD 350 and 450 BT are not neutral high-quality headphones, but that’s not to be expected from a wireless headset in this price range. The sound in the headphones is dense, rich in bass, not very clear, but overall of good quality. It is more suitable for those who listen to music, in the bass region of which there are basic rhythmic structures. Those who like to listen to classical music or prefer acoustic jazz will find an excess of bass here and complex music will no longer sound so interesting. The middle does not sound perfect, and often you want to take it up a little.
Fortunately, this can be done in a proprietary mobile application. The equalizer in the Sennheiser Smart Control allows you to quickly adjust the sound. After simple manipulations, the nature of the sound can be significantly transformed for the better and it becomes clear.
Although the headset is closed, you should not count on excellent isolation from external sound sources.
If you often have to use headphones while traveling, then you will have to look at the older version, where the ANC work, although not ideal, still cuts off a significant part of the monotonous noise.
The quality of communication with the main device is at an excellent level, no interference or desynchronization was detected during operation. The voice for interlocutors through the microphone sounds legible, but there are complaints about the remoteness in the nature of the sound. However, this is inherent in all headsets of this type.
4
ITC.UA score
Pros:
nice design, quality build and materials, good sound (for its price range), the ability to choose between basic and universal models with ANC
Cons:
lack of touch controls, not the best “middle”, high price for the older model (taking into account the cost of the younger one)
Conclusion:
The Sennheiser HD 350 and 450 BT models are a worthy continuation of the already beloved wireless line.
