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Sennheiser HD 450SEImage © Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 450SE

60/ 100
Average
HearWiki score

Priced about right

$99
typical price, USD
Discontinuedupdated price check
Buy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
Sennheiser
Type
Over-Ear
Fit
-
Connection
Wireless
Noise cancelling
Yes
Released
2021

Score breakdownaverage overall

Sound7.2
Noise cancelling4.5
Battery6.3
Calls5.0

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

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.

What works

  • Effective hybrid ANC for the price
  • Long 30-hour battery life with ANC on
  • Clean, balanced sound with good clarity
  • Supports aptX and aptX Low Latency codecs
  • Foldable design with USB-C and multipoint

What doesn't

  • Headband and earcups can feel uncomfortable over time
  • Physical button controls are not very intuitive
  • No water resistance rating
  • Some may find the feature set basic compared to rivals

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - Sennheiser HD 450SE
Driver32 mm dynamic
Driver typedynamic
Driver size32 mm
Drivers per side1
Frequency response18 Hz - 22 kHz
Sensitivity108 dB/mW

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

5 source(s) feeding this product's score.

audioviser.com

90

The reviewer described the HD 450SE as a strong-value ANC headphone with good design, decent comfort, and pleasing sound. Battery life and noise cancellation were also singled out as major strengths.

Read the full review

theeffect.net

98

This review was highly positive, saying the HD 450SE sounds great, has good active noise cancellation, and excellent battery life. The main omission noted was passthrough audio, but the reviewer still considered it good value.

Read the full review

buzz.ie

The reviewer praised the sound quality, Bluetooth connectivity, codec support, and 30-hour battery life, describing the HD 450SE as a strong option with balanced tuning. The main strengths highlighted were clear audio, stable wireless performance, and useful Alexa integration.

Read the full review

hardcoredroid.com

This review judged the HD 450SE to have impressive battery life, but criticized the sound, headband comfort, and controls. The overall conclusion was that it is not worth its price.

Read the full review

laptopmag.com

The reviewer found the HD 450SE to sound good and to offer effective noise cancellation and solid build quality, but said the fit is uncomfortable, the battery life trails some rivals, and the feature set is sparse. Overall, they did not recommend it over similarly priced competitors.

Read the full review

What YouTube reviewers say

Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.

The consensus

Positiveacross 5 videos

Reviewers generally agree that the Sennheiser HD 450SE delivers strong sound quality, especially with EQ, and effective noise cancellation for its price, along with solid build and good battery life.

Reviewers liked

  • Strong sound quality, especially with EQ
  • Effective noise cancellation for the price
  • Good battery life and solid build

Reviewers flagged

  • Small ear cups and strong clamping force cause discomfort for many
  • Controls are small and lack tactile feedback
  • Noise cancellation can glitch occasionally
9:38

Sennheiser HD 4.50 SE | $200 Bluetooth Headset Any Good?

Life Kommando92.9K viewsOct 2018

The reviewer finds the Sennheiser HD 450SE to have good sound quality and effective noise cancellation, but the comfort is a major drawback due to small ear cups and strong clamping force, making it uncomfortable for many users. Despite the solid build and features, the reviewer does not think it's worth the price and plans to return it.

7:48

Best Sounding 'Affordable' ANC Headphones: Sennheiser HD 450SE Review & Unboxing!

TechReflex45.3K viewsFeb 2022

The reviewer finds the Sennheiser HD 450SE to be an excellent value, especially when discounted, offering impressive sound quality (particularly with EQ), decent ANC, good battery life, and a solid build. The main drawback is comfort, with small earcups and high clamping force that may bother users with larger ears or glasses, but overall it's a strong recommendation in its price range.

Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.

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Where it sits in our rankings

The data-driven guides this model qualifies for.