Sennheiser HD 400S Review: Balanced Sound, Mixed Mic
One Trustpilot reviewer summed it up bluntly: “Sound – pusher, comfortable, powerful… no faults, especially for this price.” The Sennheiser HD 400S Closed Back Headphone consistently earns a solid reputation across continents, scoring 4.3/5 on Amazon, 4.4/5 on Yandex Market, and 4.5/5 on PCComponentes. Weighted at just 217g and with foldable portability, they promise “German engineered audio clarity” and an “exceptional listening experience.” Based on hundreds of user impressions, this is an 8/10 headphone—strong in sound quality and comfort, but tripped up by build quirks and a mediocre mic.
Quick Verdict: Conditional – great for listeners wanting durable wired headphones with balanced sound, but if mic performance is critical, think twice.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rich, balanced sound with deep bass | Inline mic quality often criticized |
| Lightweight and comfortable long wear | Clamp can feel tight on larger heads |
| Effective passive noise isolation | Cable short for some setups |
| Foldable, portable design | Build plastic feels cheaper than expected |
| Detachable, lockable cable | Headband pressure causes fatigue for some |
| Excellent value at current market prices | Reports of strong smell out of box |
Claims vs Reality
The marketing boldly claims “precision German engineered 32 mm transducers ensure detailed, dynamic sound with exceptional balance and extended bass response.” Digging deeper into user reports, the balance part is generally confirmed, but bass impressions vary. A verified buyer on Trustpilot said: “Basa iz korobki dostatochno, no chtoby on oformilsya nuzhen nebol’shoy progrev” (“There’s enough bass out of the box, but it needs a little break-in to really deliver”). Others noted the bass is clean rather than booming, with Audio46 stating “neither stingy nor indulgent… bass is super clean and controlled.”
Another key claim is “secure over-ear fit reduces ambient noise.” PCComponentes users affirmed the design “isolate[s] well enough to talk on the street without raising your voice,” and Yandex Market reviewers praised its noise suppression in noisy rooms. However, Reddit user feedback warns that “closed-back headphones limit spatial accuracy,” making them less suited to professional-level sound editing.
As for the “one-button smart remote” with call control, here’s where reality diverges. While many use it successfully for media control, multiple owners suspect the microphone may default to their smartphone’s mic instead. One Trustpilot buyer said, “On the mic, friends in Discord wanted to shoot me – dull sound, awful.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Sound quality is the consistent hero. Reddit users appreciated “decent midrange clarity and separation which helps with dialogue editing” and balanced tuning that works across genres. PCComponentes feedback calls it “gran calidad de sonido” (“great sound quality”), and Fakespot’s analysis notes “some customers are pleased with its high-fidelity audio quality… better than their previous expensive headphones.” This clarity benefits casual listeners, movie watchers, and gamers alike—one Yandex user described how “diapason nizkikh i vysokikh chastot proslyshivayetsya otlichno vvezde” (“range of lows and highs is great everywhere”).
Comfort and portability form the second pillar of praise. At just 217 grams, they’re light enough for hours-long sessions. A verified Fakespot reviewer wrote: “Comfortable fit… worn for extended periods without discomfort.” The foldable headband earns travel-friendly points—Trustpilot users liked that “duzhka… skuchivaetsya bez problem” (“the headband twists without problems”).
Noise isolation is another shared win. A Yandex Market buyer noted how in a “noisy room – almost nothing is heard” when wearing them. Gamers point out immersion benefits, as exterior noise fades allowing focus on in-game audio cues.
Common Complaints
Mic quality sits at the top of complaints. On Trustpilot, “mic… dull sound, awful” was echoed by Quora reports of “el micrófono deja mucho que desear” (“the microphone leaves much to be desired”). For gaming or conference calls, a separate dedicated mic may be necessary.
Headband pressure is the second major complaint. Several users with larger heads report clamp force discomfort over time. Fakespot notes: “Not great for larger heads… material on underside of the headband sucks.” PCComponentes comments mention initial tightness, especially for those used to open-back designs.
Short cable length is a practical problem for studio setups or desktop positioning. While the listed 1.4m cable is accurate, a Yandex Market reviewer warned, “This may not be enough; will need an extender.”
And then there are oddities like the “very strong chemical smell out of the box” from one Fakespot reviewer, and the “clip on the wire forever falling off” complaint on Trustpilot—small but irritating daily issues.
Divisive Features
Bass tuning divides listeners. Some love its depth—Trustpilot users said “bass is deep… better than my older IE 80 Pro”—while others find it understated, especially for electronic genres. Reddit also flagged slightly elevated bass and treble as potentially masking subtle mix details.
Build quality perception is mixed. Many praise its mat finish and durable folding mechanism, but others compare the plastic headband unfavorably to premium models. A Fakespot reviewer summarized: “Plastic headband… but in this price range I can’t complain.”
Trust & Reliability
Scam concerns are minimal; Fakespot’s deception analysis found “over 80% high-quality reviews present.” Brand trust is strong—multiple Reddit users mention defaulting to Sennheiser due to past reliability: “These Sennheisers stood out in that price range… I do trust the brand.”
Long-term durability stories are encouraging. PCComponentes owners report daily use for up to two years with no material peeling, unlike cheaper headsets they’ve owned. Yandex Market feedback also states “for two years… quality remains excellent.”
Alternatives
Alternatives mentioned by the community include Sony and Audio-Technica, preferred by some Redditors for studio work due to better spatial accuracy. However, these options often exceed the HD 400S’s current sub-$70 price point. Gamers who prioritize mic quality might look at gaming-specific headsets, though they often sacrifice the HD 400S’s audio fidelity.
Price & Value
Pricing shows steep variance: Amazon lists at $65 USD (often with minor discounts), eBay has new units from $29.99 to around $69. Used open-box demos can dip below $35. Resale listings across eBay indicate steady demand, with folding travel-friendly design boosting second-hand value. Quora reviewers call them “excellent price-quality balance,” making them appealing for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want sound compromise.
Buying tip from Yandex Market users: pair with a cable extender for desktops, and don’t judge bass until after a short break-in period.
FAQ
Q: Is the microphone good enough for gaming or streaming?
A: Most user reports say no—it works for basic calls but sounds “dull” and “awful” on Discord. Serious gamers or streamers should use a separate mic.
Q: Do they work well for professional audio editing?
A: For casual editing, yes, thanks to midrange clarity. For professional mixing, closed-back design limits spatial accuracy, as noted by Reddit users.
Q: Will they fit larger heads comfortably?
A: Fit is secure but clamp force can cause discomfort on larger heads. Several reviewers suggest loosening gently over time.
Q: How effective is the noise isolation?
A: Passive isolation is strong enough for street calls or noisy rooms, repeatedly praised across Yandex Market and PCComponentes.
Q: Is the cable replaceable?
A: Yes, the detachable cable uses a lock mechanism. Some worry about finding an exact replacement due to its unique connector size.
Final Verdict: Buy if you want a wired, portable, comfortable over-ear headphone with dependable Sennheiser sound under $70, especially for music, movies, and casual gaming. Avoid if high-quality mic performance or ultra-loose fit are must-haves. Pro tip from the community: give the bass a week of play to reach full character.
