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JBL Tune 520BT 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.

JBL Tune 520BT
Sound6.5
Battery8.5
Value7.5
Sennheiser HD 400
Sound8.5
Value8.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of JBL Tune 520BT vs Sennheiser HD 400
SpecJBL Tune 520BTSennheiser HD 400
TypeOver-EarOver-Ear
Price (USD)$40$77
HearWiki score68 / 100 · Good82 / 100 · Great
Released2023-
Audio
DriverdynamicSennheiser dynamic drivers
Driver size33 mm40 mm
Drivers per side21
Frequency response20-20000 Hz18Hz-20kHz
Impedance32 Ω120 Ω
Sensitivity103 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetooth5.3-
Bluetooth version5.3-
CodecsAAC-
Multipoint pairingNoNo
Battery
Battery life57 h-
Full charge time120 min-
Quick charge5 min = 3 h-
Wireless chargingNoNo
Features
Active noise cancelling-No
Controls-buttons
Design
Weight157 g240 g
Water resistancenonenone
USB-CYesYes
Calls
Microphones11

What reviewers said

JBL Tune 520BT

The JBL Tune 520BT is a budget-friendly wireless over-ear headphone that focuses on marathon battery life and dependable Bluetooth connectivity. It delivers a balanced, clear sound for the price, with a lightweight build and multipoint support, though it skips active noise cancellation and any water resistance. Its long runtime and quick-charge feature make it a practical choice for daily commutes or extended listening sessions.

  • Pro:Excellent 57-hour battery life with quick charge
  • Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
  • Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for seamless device switching
  • Con:No active noise cancellation or water resistance
  • Con:Only AAC codec support (no aptX or LDAC)
  • Con:Plastic build may feel less premium

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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