Sennheiser HD 4.30G Review

A swanky headphone retailing at the competitive price of $99.95, the Sennheiser HD 4.30G has the looks locked down.  But is it all style and no substance, or is the sound worth the squeeze?

Sennheiser HD 4.30G Review

The headphone comes packaged with a removable headphone cable and a warranty booklet.

Featuring an in-line mic and remote optimized for Samsung Galaxy devices, the cable measures 4.6 ft (1.4 m).

Build is decent, utilizing plenty of plastic for a lightweight listening experience.  Yet, these headphones don’t feel flimsy, despite the folding design.

Soft rubber padding on the headband – and pleather padding on the earcups – go a long way in delivering comfort, ensuring you handle those longer listening sessions with ease.

Specs

Frequency Range:  18-22,000 Hz
Impedance:  18 ohms
Sound Pressure Level (SPL):  120 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):  < 0.5%

The specifications at hand display a decent frequency range with a little more low end and a little less high end, but the low impedance and high volume place this squarely in the realm of portable use.  Harmonic distortion is okay – not great, but meh.

Low End

Sennheiser has done a decent job with the low end on the HD 4.30G.  With a decent amount of detail, the real show-stealer is that bass.  With plenty of impact and an equal amount of control, bleeding is nonexistent and the low end remains clean and contrast-y no matter what I throw at it.

Mids

Studying the midrange on this headphone, my ears might be picking up just a shade of distortion, but it’s pretty hard to detect.  In general, there might be a little less detail here than I’d like…but my ears have been somewhat spoiled by higher-end models.  So, for the price, these mids are nothing short of amazing.

High End

I was figuring there had to be a down side to these cans and it turns out I was right.  The high end is a bit lacking in overall detail, as mentioned in the specs.  However, this also means the sound doesn’t get too bright or piercing, and some people may actually prefer that high end – especially in conjunction with the full bass.

Soundstage

Surprisingly good for a bassy, $100 headphone, the soundstage on the HD 4.30G exhibits a real sense of placement and some depth, too.  Of course, the soundstage doesn’t compare to that of hi-fidelity headphone, but it’s a nice inclusion here – especially for those who haven’t yet had a taste of real soundstage.

Overall Impressions

Despite the lacking high end, this headphone still got a ton of review time.  Probably because it was hard to stop enjoying that sweet, sweet bass.  To be sure, there are some drawbacks, but for the most part this headphone is a slam dunk.

Recommendations

If you crave a more even sound, without the ample bass and lacking high end, I would recommend the similarly priced Audio Technica ATH-M40x (without a mic and remote, though).  Or, if you prefer a brighter sound altogether, skip the M40x and opt for the smaller, on-ear Audio Technica ATH-SR5.  Sure, it’s a little more expensive at $149, but the sound is worth it.

Now, on the other hand, if you’re looking for bass, or just a fantastic low end and midrange, the Sennheiser HD 4.30G should definitely be on your list.  Pop fans may miss some detail in the high end, but rockers and hip hop heads are going to love the sound signature.

Final Analysis

The HD 4.30G impresses with an immaculate low end, strong mids, and some flashy good looks.  Provided, there are some down sides, but the headphone is easy to wear and easier to listen to.  And isn’t that what it’s all about?

Please note Sennheiser have the HD 4.30i for Apple iOS devices. Both versions are available in black and white colorways.

Grab the Sennheiser HD 4.30G at the most competitive price from Audio46. Use discount code “majorhifi” during checkout for a percentage off of the listed price of $99.95.

Sennheiser HD 4.30G is also available on Amazon for $99.95.