Over-Ear
Philips H8000E
83Outstanding
$68
Full review dataPhilips H8000E vs Sennheiser HD 424: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Philips H8000E comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Philips H8000E - Outstanding overall at around $68.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 424
35Weak
$52
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Philips H8000E leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- Philips H8000E
- Sennheiser HD 424
HearWiki score
83
35
Sound
8.0
4.3
Noise cancelling
7.8
-
Battery
9.8
-
Calls
5.5
-
Value
9.6
-
Price (USD)
$68
$52
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?
Half a step newer
Philips H8000E (2025) against Sennheiser HD 424 (1970). The Philips H8000E edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- H8000E202555 yr newer
- HD 4241970
What differsH8000EHD 424
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Specifications
H8000EHD 424
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $68
- $52
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 35
- Released
- 2025
- 1970
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 16 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 2000 Ω
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- -
- Battery life
- 70 h
- -
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 50 h
- -
- Full charge time
- 120 min
- -
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 8 h
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Voice assistant
- Yes
- -
- Weight
- 260 g
- 180 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Foldable
- Yes
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- -
- Microphones
- 5
- -
What reviewers said
Philips H8000E
With a foldable design, five microphones for calls, and a companion app with EQ, it packs plenty of features for its price point.
- Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Pro:Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint
- Pro:Foldable design with app-based EQ
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:No wireless charging support
- Con:Plastic build may feel less premium
Sennheiser HD 424
The Sennheiser HD 424 is a vintage open-back dynamic headphone known for its remarkably high 2000-ohm impedance and spacious, full-bodied sound. It offers a larger presentation and improved bass detail compared to earlier models, but its demanding electrical load means it truly shines with a dedicated amplifier rather than a portable device. This makes it a compelling choice for retro audio enthusiasts who value a wide soundstage and are willing to pair it with appropriate gear.
- Pro:Spacious, open soundstage
- Pro:Fuller and more detailed bass response
- Pro:Lightweight at 180 grams
- Con:Very high impedance requires powerful amplification
- Con:Not suited for high-volume listening without an amp
- Con:Open-back design offers no noise isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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