Excessive-resolution audio on the go isn’t very handy. It usually entails wired headphones and a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) of some sort, plus your cellphone or one other system to entry recordsdata or a streaming service. All of that is vital since Bluetooth compresses an audio sign by design, to permit for low-latency transmission and reduce battery draw. Merely put, wi-fi headphones haven’t been in a position to meet the calls for of lossless audio, however Sennheiser has come the closest to fulfilling the dream with its HDB 630 ($500).
Because of redesigned drivers, a brand new acoustic platform and a dongle, the corporate presents as much as 24-bit/96kHz audio on the HDB 630 — relying in your configuration. You additionally get above common lively noise cancellation (ANC), a extremely customizable EQ, shockingly lengthy battery life and superior options to fine-tune the headphones to your liking. For some, the very best sound remains to be solely discovered on dear setups and open-back headphones. For everybody else, Sennheiser has supplied a style of the audiophile life in a way more moveable package deal.
Sennheiser/Engadget
Sennheiser strikes nearer to open-back efficiency in a set of closed wi-fi headphones with the HDB 630, however they give the impression of being extra midrange than high-end.
- Excellent sound high quality
- Excessive-res streaming dongle included
- Lossless audio over USB-C
- Extraordinarily lengthy battery life
- Costly
- Fundamental design with a lot of plastic
- Greatest audio efficiency requires further steps
Design
Sennheiser says the HDB 630 “inherited” the identical chassis from its Momentum 4 headphones. That’s unlucky as a result of my greatest criticism with that older mannequin’s redesign is how low cost it seemed in comparison with previous entries within the Momentum line. The HDB 630 suffers the identical destiny, though the splash of silver on the scarf and yokes helps issues a bit. Merely put, these don’t appear to be a set of $500 headphones, and since they’re $150 greater than their predecessor was at launch, they actually ought to have a extra premium look.
The skin of the appropriate ear cup remains to be a contact panel the place you possibly can swipe, faucet and even pinch to regulate the HDB 630. I don’t recall one other set of headphones with a pinch gesture, and I’m nonetheless not satisfied it’s warranted. The motion is used to allow an Adaptive ANC adjustment that means that you can dial within the quantity of noise blocking you want. After the pinch, sliding a single finger forwards and backwards fantastic tunes the combination of ANC and transparency mode. It’s a pleasant choice to have on the headphones themselves, I simply assume a triple faucet to activate it might be simpler to grasp — and keep in mind.
The one different button on the HDB 630 is for energy and Bluetooth pairing. Except you’re ceaselessly connecting these headphones to a brand new system, you may not be reaching for this management fairly often. That’s as a result of the HDB 630 goes into standby mode if you take them off earlier than powering down fully after quarter-hour of inactivity. You possibly can prolong that window to 30 or 60 minutes when you favor. And if the headphones nonetheless have battery left, you possibly can return to lively mode by merely placing them again in your head.
Sennheiser is betting you’ll use the HDB 630 for lengthy listening classes, so it outfitted these headphones with smooth ear pads and a well-cushioned headband. The clamping drive is satisfactory for a correct ANC seal, however by no means turns into a burden. And regardless of being round 20 grams heavier than the Momentum 4, this mannequin nonetheless feels balanced and doesn’t weigh you down.
Sound high quality
The HDB 630 options new drivers and a specifically designed acoustic system.
(Billy Steele for Engadget)
Whereas the general design could also be acquainted, the sound platform for the HDB 630 is totally new. 42mm drivers provide what Sennheiser says is “impartial sound with lifelike mids, gorgeous element and a large soundstage.” As a way to ship sound high quality that’s as near open-back headphones as doable, the corporate overhauled your entire acoustic system, from the drivers to the baffle’s clear mesh, within the title of steadiness and readability. And since audiophile headphones usually require a devoted exterior amplifier to realize their full potential, Sennheiser included a BTD 700 USB-C dongle for high-resolution wi-fi audio transmission.
After I first put the HDB 630 on, I assumed the audio high quality was good however not nice. Listening over the usual definition SBC codec produced respectable outcomes, however it wasn’t something to jot down residence about. As soon as I linked to the BTD 700 dongle and unlocked 16-bit/48kHz tunes from Apple Music, although, these headphones actually began to impress.
Nearly as good as they’re, the HDB 630 might not be for everybody. That “impartial” inventory tuning locations excessive emphasis on the midrange, so that you’ll probably must make some changes to get the bass efficiency you crave from rock, digital, hip-hop and different genres pushed by low-end tone. Whereas I concede the impartial base is a good place to begin, and the HDB 630 does certainly showcase “gorgeous element,” I’d argue Sennheiser’s promise of “a large soundstage” doesn’t at all times maintain true.
These headphones are at their finest with extra immersive content material, just like the TRON: Ares soundtrack from 9 Inch Nails. After a slight adjustment, the digital rating had the booming bass it wanted, providing driving beats that just about rattled my mind. All that was layered with wealthy synths and Trent Reznor’s iconic vocals. The feel and distortion within the devices got here by means of in larger element too, one thing that’s not as obvious on different headphones and earbuds.
Swap over to Thrice’s Horizons/West and the HDB 630 is a special story. Transitioning from synth-heavy digital music to a style like rock causes these headphones to lose a few of the immersive character they’re able to delivering. You continue to get absurd readability and element, notably in Teppei Teranishi’s guitar riffs, however the music sounds barely flatter and rather less energetic. It’s not unhealthy by any means, however some genres gained’t envelope you as a lot as others do.
It’s also possible to use the HDB 630 wired over USB-C for lossless-quality audio. Since quite a few rivals additionally do that, I devoted the majority of my testing to see if Sennheiser’s wi-fi dongle is meaningfully totally different. After all, I did my due diligence and examined the wired configuration just a few occasions, and it ought to come as no shock that the HDB 630 sounds simply nearly as good in that setup.
Software program, options and equipment
There’s just one button on the HDB 630.
(Billy Steele for Engadget)
As I discussed, the HDB 630 comes with Sennheiser’s BTD 700 Bluetooth USB dongle. This allows larger high quality streaming than you’ll natively get from most gadgets. With the BTD 700, you possibly can anticipate aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless listening up at charges to 24-bit/96kHz. The dongle additionally has a 30ms low-latency gaming mode, (supposedly) enhanced name efficiency and Auracast help for streaming to a number of headphones or audio system. The BTD 700 has a USB-C connector, however it comes with a USB-A adapter when you want it. This usually prices $60 when you purchase it by itself, and because you want it to unlock the HDB 630’s full potential, it’s nice to see it included within the field.
The HDB 630’s settings and options are accessible within the Sennheiser Sensible Management Plus app. And for this mannequin, the corporate is providing much more customization than it does on the Accentum or Momentum headphones. First, the EQ enhancing choices are extra strong due to a parametric equalizer, which lets you get much more detailed along with your customized presets. For instance, I used to be ready so as to add the low-end tone I really feel is lacking from the inventory tuning for these metallic, rock and hip-hop tracks I discussed earlier than. And in contrast to plenty of headphone apps, adjusting the EQ really improves the sound as a substitute of simply muddying issues additional.
One other sound-related addition for the HDB 630 is Crossfeed. This lets you mix the left and proper channels in order that it looks as if you’re listening to audio system as a substitute of headphones. Sadly, you solely get two choices right here — Low and Excessive — however the impact actually enhances the sonic profile of the HDB 630 at each settings.
Regardless of the BTD 700 dongle’s Mac and Home windows compatibility, there’s no desktop model of the Sensible Management Plus app. This implies you’ll have to alter all your settings with the HDB 630 by means of your cellphone earlier than you pair it with each the dongle and your pc. It might be good when you might make EQ changes, create new presets and even change Crossfeed ranges with out having to reconnect to a different system. This additionally means you possibly can’t be linked to the BTD 700 and each your cellphone and your pc, because the dongle takes one of many two obtainable multipoint Bluetooth slots.
Lively noise cancellation and name high quality
The HDB 630 has a really fundamental design with a lot of plastic.
(Billy Steele for Engadget)
In the case of ANC efficiency, I’m not totally certain that the HDB 630 is best than the Momentum 4. However that’s okay. That earlier mannequin introduced a big enchancment in comparison with Sennheiser’s older wi-fi headphones and the ANC remains to be fairly good right here. In truth, it was strong sufficient to dam my household’s voices throughout their calls whereas I labored from residence, and since most headphones wrestle with this, that’s no imply feat.
Sennheiser says the BTD 700 dongle provides you with improved voice efficiency over the headphones alone. Particularly, the accent ought to present prolonged vary, clearer voice pickup and, in keeping with the corporate, “uninterrupted” calls. In my recorded samples, I believe the headphones themselves sounded barely higher than after I captured my voice whereas linked to the BTD 700. Nevertheless, I observed a definite lack of background noise in each clips, which is useful in busier environments. I’ll additionally notice the general voice high quality isn’t pristine, however it’s clear sufficient to make use of for work calls — even when you’re the primary presenter.
Battery life
Sennheiser guarantees that you simply’ll stand up to 60 hours of battery life on a cost with the HDB 630. That’s the identical staggering determine the corporate claims on the Momentum 4. And sure, that’s with ANC enabled, however you’ll solely obtain that when you’re listening to straightforward decision tunes. Primarily based on my testing with a mixture of noise cancellation and transparency mode whereas I used to be listening to music and taking work calls, I’ve no motive to imagine the corporate’s numbers don’t maintain true. For those who select to pay attention totally by way of the BTD 700’s larger high quality output, you possibly can anticipate as much as 45 hours of use on a cost. That’s nonetheless fairly a very long time contemplating plenty of the competitors runs out at round 30 hours — and that’s with out high-res music.
On account of all the sign processing that helps with the acoustic efficiency on the HDB 630, they’ll solely be used once they’re turned on. In contrast to some wi-fi fashions, you possibly can’t use these as wired headphones when the battery is spent. Nevertheless, if you end up with a very depleted battery, a 10-minute cost provides you with as much as seven hours of use. The corporate doesn’t specify streaming decision for that quantity, however I assume it’s at customary definition. Nonetheless, you’ll get just a few hours of higher-res music in that point, which ought to be sufficient to get you thru a piece session, night commute or that new album you’re dying to play for the primary time.
The competitors
Unbelievable sound awaits, when you’re okay to hold a dongle round along with your headphones.
(Billy Steele for Engadget)
Within the realm of flagship headphones, any firm’s top-of-the-line mannequin will set you again $500 today. I look again fondly on the time when $300-$350 acquired you the perfect Sony needed to provide. Whereas the HDB 630 is pricey, it’s additionally in the identical ballpark of what you’ll pay for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ($450), the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($458 at present) and the AirPods Max ($549). Every of these have their benefits over the remainder of the competitors, with the 1000XM6 providing the most complete package total. Nevertheless, in relation to pure sound high quality, neither of these three are on the high of the heap.
Up till now, that title belonged to the Noble Audio FoKus Apollo. At $650, these headphones are much more costly than the HDB 630, however their inventory tuning will attraction to extra listeners and the soundstage is wider and extra immersive. There’s additionally Bowers & Wilkins’ Px7 S3 for a barely cheaper $479. It delivers the corporate’s heat, inviting sound and a spotlight to finer particulars. After spending time with the HDB 630 although, these options are simply that — options — as the brand new Sennheiser headphones are actually my choose for finest total sound high quality.
Wrap-up
I get it: within the present monetary local weather, $500 is lots to pay for headphones (or the rest, for that matter). You will discover quite a few completely succesful units of ANC headphones for a lot much less given how ceaselessly issues go on sale today. Nevertheless, what you gained’t discover is an possibility that provides you something near the efficiency of audiophile-grade, open-back headphones. That’s actually what Sennheiser is doing right here, and the HDB 630 slots properly into the corporate’s HD 600 sequence of high-end cans.
Nearly as good because the HDB 630 is sound-wise, I may admire that these aren’t the perfect headphones for everybody. The corporate’s Momentum 4 remains to be a really succesful set of headphones and it’s now obtainable for about $250. For those who crave the perfect sound high quality that also presents the comfort of wi-fi headphones — and also you’re okay with just a few further steps — the HDB 630 is a worthy funding. Simply don’t depart residence with out that dongle.
