Sennheiser HD 450BT Review: Worth It in 2025? [Pros & Cons]

The Sennheiser HD 450BT wants to change that. It sounds like Sennheiser, but it’s a lot less expensive. It has ANC, which stands for “active noise canceling.” These headphones look great, have USB-C and other modern features, and you can use them for a long time without having to charge them.

We will also compare it to other well-known brands, such as the Sony WH-CH720N. Is this the best active noise cancellation (ANC) you can get for the money? Let’s take a look.

Taking a Closer Look at the Sennheiser HD 450BT

The Sennheiser HD 450BT and the Sennheiser HD 450SE special edition both sound great right away. It was made to sound good without costing too much.

The Best Sound Quality Winner

People know that Sennheiser makes things that sound good. This is true for the HD 450BT. The sound is clear and steady. It can easily play music and podcasts with a lot of bass.

Some competitors make the bass sound better than it is. The Sennheiser HD 450BT, on the other hand, sounds more like what you would hear in real life. People who love music and want to hear it the way the artist meant it to sound will love this. With the Sennheiser Smart Control app, you can change the sound to what you like. Sennheiser has the best studio headphones mixing recording sound quality in this price range.

Comfort: Your Style Should Make You Happy Above All Else

The Sennheiser HD 450BT has the most problems in this area.

This might not be a problem for people with best earbuds small ears. People will say that it’s too tight, though. People say that the clamp is strong and that the ear cups fit over their ears instead of around them. This can make you feel bad and sweat if you listen for a long time.

You should think about this if you want to wear your headphones for a long time. The design isn’t as comfortable or roomy as that of more expensive models or even some of its direct competitors, like the Sony WH-CH720N.

Does ANC Block Out Noise?

Imagine what it would be like if a train, an airplane engine, or an air conditioner were always on. This is where the HD 450BT comes in. It makes the trip to work less stressful.

It doesn’t pick up high-pitched sounds very well, though. People talking, babies crying, and cars honking in the office will still be heard. The Sennheiser PXC 550-II and the Sony WH-1000XM series are the best headphones for blocking out noise. You should know what to expect, but the noise-canceling feature makes it worth the money.

How Easy It Is to Use and Keep Up With

You might need to get used to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones. The right ear cup has a lot of buttons on it.

You can talk to it, change the volume, turn it on and off, and skip songs with a button. You might forget what each button does if you don’t look. You have to get used to the buttons before they work. This could be better because some other headphones’ touch controls don’t always work.

How to Charge It and How Long the Battery Lasts

The battery on the Sennheiser HD 450BT lasts a long time. If you turn on ANC, you can listen to music for up to 30 hours on a single charge. This should be enough for a week of driving to work or a long flight.

It has a USB-C port, which is good. You can use the same cable to charge your laptop and your phone. It takes about two hours to fully charge it.

What Makes the Sony WH-CH720N Different?

Sennheiser HD 450BT

• Comfort: The ear cups are small and fit well. It can hurt for a long time.
• Sound: Fair, just, and right. People who like music will enjoy it.
• ANC: Not too bad. It works well for drones that make low sounds, but not for other sounds.
• Features: AptX Low Latency support is great for video.
• Price: A very low price for a budget.

Sony WH-CH720N

• Comfort: The ear cups are light and have a lot of room inside. Works well all day long.
• Sound: By default, it has more bass. Sounds that are fun and full of life.
• ANC: It’s better than I thought it would be. There are a lot of costly Sony parts inside.
• Battery Life: It can last up to 35 hours with ANC.
• Features: It’s easier to carry and lighter.
• Price: Most of the time, it costs about the same as the Sennheiser.

The Winner

• Comfort: The Sony WH-CH720N
• Sound: What you want is what counts.
• ANC: The WH-CH720N from Sony
• Battery Life: A little Sony WH-CH720N
• Features: Sony’s WH-CH720N
• Price: Tie

The Decision

If you want a clear, neutral sound and your ears are small or you don’t mind a tight fit, the Sennheiser HD 450BT is a good choice.

The Sony WH-CH720N is more comfortable for most people, blocks out more noise, and can connect to more than one device at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sennheiser HD 450BT.

People want to know the most about the Sennheiser HD 450BT and the things that come with it.

How to Use Bluetooth Codecs to Hear Clearly Without Wires

You can use a lot of Bluetooth codecs with the HD 450BT, such as SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Low Latency.

• SBC: For all of them, SBC can be the main codec. It works with everything, but the quality isn’t very good.
• AAC: The sound is better than SBC’s. You need the Sennheiser HD 450BT if you have an iPhone.
• aptX: Many Windows PCs and Android devices use aptX. It sounds like a CD, but it’s better.
• aptX Low Latency: The aptX Low Latency setting is just right. When you see it on a screen, the sound gets to your ears faster. The Sennheiser HD 450BT is great for movies and games because it gets rid of the annoying lag that happens when the sound doesn’t match the lips of the actors. The Sennheiser is better for watching videos because the Sony WH-CH720N doesn’t have aptX Low Latency.

You Can Control Everything with the Sennheiser Smart Control App

There are a lot of things you can do with the HD 450BT app. Here are some of the best:

• Battery Monitoring: Check the battery life to see how much power you still have.
• Content Modes: Some versions of firmware have modes that are better for certain types of content. For example, “Podcast Mode” makes words that are spoken sound better.

The app is easy to use and makes the HD 450 Sennheiser better.

How Do You Make Sennheiser Block Out More Noise?

Sadly, you can’t change how much noise the Sennheiser HD 450BT blocks. You can choose whether or not to turn on the ANC. When you turn them on, the headphones are already on. Be sure to seal your ears well so you can get the most out of the ANC that is already there. The ear cups should fit tightly against your head to block out the most noise. This makes the noise-canceling work better.

What You Usually Find in the Box

• HD 450BT headphones: The main unit
• Simple carry case: A case that is simple to put in
• USB-C charging cable: A USB-C cable can charge it
• 3.5mm audio cable: A 3.5mm audio cable lets you listen to music through wires. This is a great way to get to your seat on the plane or save battery life.
• Documentation: A safety guide and a quick start guide that are like the Sennheiser HD 450BT’s basic manual

Conclusion

We still think the same thing after reading more reviews of the Sennheiser HD 450BT: it’s easy to tell these headphones apart. For a low price, it has great sound and video-watching features. It also blocks out noise well, but it is not easy to wear all day.

If you’re looking for alternatives, consider checking out our guide to the best earphones 2024 or explore our comprehensive review of the 5 best Sony headphones of 2024 for more options in this price range.