Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 400
82Great
$77
Full review dataSennheiser HD 400 vs Soundcore Q30: 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.
Over-Ear
Soundcore Q30
78Great
$50
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sennheiser HD 400
Sound8.5
Value8.0
Soundcore Q30
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls6.0
Value9.0
Specifications
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 400 | Soundcore Q30 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $77 | $50 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | - | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Sennheiser dynamic drivers | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 18Hz-20kHz | 16Hz-40kHz (AUX), 20Hz-20kHz (Bluetooth) |
| Impedance | 120 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 95 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | AAC, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 40 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 60 h |
| Full charge time | - | 120 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 240 g | 260 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | dual noise-detecting microphones with hybrid ANC |
What reviewers said
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
Soundcore Q30
The Soundcore Life Q30 are a budget-friendly pair of over-ear wireless headphones that offer impressive value. They combine strong active noise cancellation with excellent battery life and a customizable sound via an app, making them a standout choice for cost-conscious buyers. While the build and controls are not premium, their performance for the price is hard to beat.
- Pro:Excellent battery life with ANC on
- Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation
- Pro:Customizable EQ via companion app
- Con:Default sound is bass-heavy
- Con:Plastic build feels less durable
- Con:Controls are basic and not very refined
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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