Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ “The Gospel
According to the Other Mary,” sound excellent through the HD 450BT. Lower-
register instrumentation is pushed forward in the mix, but subtly. Purists may
not love it, but it gives the mix a little more richness at times, and never takes
away from the crisp, clear presence of the higher-register brass, strings, and
vocals. These are the rare headphones that boost bass subtly and maintain an
ideal balance throughout, without the mids sounding scooped.
For the price, the headphones deliver audio beyond expectations—there may be
EQ in the app, but it’s not likely going to be necessary for most users to reach
for it. Out of the box, there’s bass depth, balance, and clarity. Sure, the sound
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EQ can get you close.
CONCLUSIONS
Sennheiser’s HD 450BT headphones are easy to operate, comfortable to wear,
and most importantly, they sound great. Compared with the identically priced
Sony WH-CH710N, they deliver slightly better ANC and far better audio
performance. We’re fans of the $270 Marshall Mid ANC, which can now be
found for closer to $200, though again we give an edge to the HD 450BT. If you
want the best ANC on the market, the aforementioned Bose Noise Cancelling
Headphones 700 are still the best option, but they’re double the price. For
$200, Sennheiser’s HD 450BT headphones are a steal, making them our new
favorite budget-friendly pair, and earning our Editors’ Choice.
TIM GIDEON
PC MAGAZINE DIGITAL EDITION (^) I SUBSCRIBE (^) I JULY 2020