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Grado SR60 vs Sennheiser HD 400: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 400 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sennheiser HD 400 - Great overall at around $77.

Score breakdown

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

Grado SR60
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling1.0
Value8.0
Sennheiser HD 400
Sound8.5
Value8.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of Grado SR60 vs Sennheiser HD 400
SpecGrado SR60Sennheiser HD 400
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$69$77
HearWiki score74 / 100 · Good82 / 100 · Great
Released--
Audio
DriverdynamicSennheiser dynamic drivers
Driver size44 mm40 mm
Drivers per side21
Frequency response20Hz-20kHz18Hz-20kHz
Impedance32 Ω120 Ω
Sensitivity98 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetoothnone-
Multipoint pairingNoNo
Battery
Wireless chargingNoNo
Features
Active noise cancellingNoNo
Controls-buttons
Design
Weight-240 g
Water resistancenonenone
Detachable cableNo-
USB-CNoYes
Calls
Microphones-1

What reviewers said

Grado SR60

The Grado SR60 is an affordable wired open-back headphone designed for home listening and critical audio appreciation rather than portable use. It offers a spacious, clear sound with strong value, but its design brings notable trade-offs like weak bass, sound leakage, and limited comfort for long sessions.

  • Pro:Spacious and clear soundstage
  • Pro:Excellent value for the price
  • Pro:Solid build quality
  • Con:Weak bass response
  • Con:Poor noise isolation and sound leakage
  • Con:May feel uncomfortable over long periods

Sennheiser HD 400

These over-ear Sennheiser headphones are built around a neutral, open-back design aimed at studio work, delivering a wide soundstage and detailed, transparent audio for critical listening. They are lightweight and comfortable for long sessions, with a high-impedance driver setup that helps maintain low distortion, though they lack isolation and come without a carry case. Wired connectivity via USB-C and detachable cables adds versatility, but the open-back nature means sound leaks both ways.

  • Pro:Accurate, transparent sound with wide soundstage
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
  • Pro:Detachable cables and USB-C connectivity
  • Con:No included carry case or spare ear pads
  • Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
  • Con:High impedance may require a dedicated amplifier for best results

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

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