Alienware Pro Wireless vs Sennheiser HD 450SE: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Alienware Pro Wireless comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Alienware Pro Wireless - Outstanding overall at around $125.

Over-Ear

Alienware Pro Wireless

86Outstanding

$120

Full review data

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Alienware Pro Wireless leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Alienware Pro Wireless
Sennheiser HD 450SE

HearWiki score

Sound

8.7

7.2

Noise cancelling

8.1

4.5

Battery

9.1

6.3

Calls

8.7

5.0

Value

8.6

Price (USD)

$120

$99

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Mixed generations

Alienware Pro Wireless (2024) against Sennheiser HD 450SE (2021). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Alienware Pro Wireless brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, while the Sennheiser HD 450SE answers with Top codec aptX against SBC. The Sennheiser HD 450SE answers on convenience features: it adds Multipoint pairing.

Pro Wireless20243 yr newer
HD 450SE2021

What differsPro WirelessHD 450SE

Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.0
Top codec: SBC; aptX
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes

Level on: USB-C, Transparency mode.

Specifications

Pro WirelessHD 450SE

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $120; $99
HearWiki score: 86; 60
Released: 2024; 2021
Availability: Still sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 50 mm driver; 32 mm dynamic
Driver type: -; dynamic
Driver size: 50 mm; 32 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz; 18 Hz - 22 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; -
Sensitivity: -; 108 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.0
Codecs: SBC; SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Battery life: 70 h; 30 h
Battery life (ANC on): 35 h; 30 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
Quick charge: 15 min → 6 h; 10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: -; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: -; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: -; No
Controls: -; buttons
Voice assistant: -; Alexa, Google Assistant
Weight: 310 g; 238 g
Water resistance: -; none
Foldable: -; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: leatherette; -
Clamp force: 365 g; -
Connector: -; 2.5 mm balanced
Model code: -; 509280
Microphones: 2; 2
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: AI ENC; -

Specification comparison of Alienware Pro Wireless vs Sennheiser HD 450SE
Spec	Alienware Pro Wireless	Sennheiser HD 450SE
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$120	$99
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	60 / 100 Average
Released	2024	2021
Audio
Driver	50 mm driver	32 mm dynamic
Driver type	-	dynamic
Driver size	50 mm	32 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 40 kHz	18 Hz - 22 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	-
Sensitivity	-	108 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.0
Codecs	SBC	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Battery
Battery life	70 h	30 h
Battery life (ANC on)	35 h	30 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Quick charge	15 min → 6 h	10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	-	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	-	No
Controls	-	buttons
Voice assistant	-	Alexa, Google Assistant
Design
Weight	310 g	238 g
Water resistance	-	none
Foldable	-	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	leatherette	-
Clamp force	365 g	-
Connector	-	2.5 mm balanced
Model code	-	509280
Calls
Microphones	2	2
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	AI ENC	-

What reviewers said

Alienware Pro Wireless

Its leatherette pads and moderate 310g weight aim for comfort during long sessions, while the 2.4GHz wireless option and USB-C charging add versatility for desk and on-the-go use. Sound quality is generally strong, but the microphone performance and a single SBC codec limit keep it from being a flawless all-rounder.

Pro:Excellent battery life, especially with ANC off
Pro:Comfortable leatherette ear pads for long wear
Pro:Active noise cancellation and transparency mode included

Con:Microphone quality is underwhelming for the price
Con:Only SBC codec support limits high-res wireless audio
Con:No multipoint connection for seamless device switching

Sennheiser HD 450SE

The Sennheiser HD 450SE is a wireless over-ear headphone offering hybrid active noise cancellation, a 30-hour battery, and support for aptX Low Latency codecs. It delivers a balanced, clear sound signature and solid build quality, but comfort and control ergonomics may not suit everyone. With multipoint Bluetooth 5.0 and a foldable design, it's a feature-rich option at a budget-friendly price, though its overall value depends on your tolerance for its fit and button layout.

Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
Pro:Long 30-hour battery life with ANC on
Pro:Clean, balanced sound with good clarity

Con:Headband and earcups can feel uncomfortable over time
Con:Physical button controls are not very intuitive
Con:No water resistance rating

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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