My new acquisition of the Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT has me curious about how it compares to others in the same price range. I already compared it to the JBL E65BTNC, so feel free to read that comparison review here. However, now I’m facing it off with another highly regarded wireless, noise-cancelling headphone in the same budget: the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC. So what are the differences between these two headphones and which one is better? Today I’ll try to find out with this Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC vs Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT comparison review.

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC vs Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT Comparison Review

In the Box

Design – Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC vs Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT Comparison Review

Headband

The headbands of the Sennheiser 4.50 BTNC and the Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT are super similar. They are both made of plastic and have a similar shape, although the 4.50 BTNC is a little bit wider. They have the same thickness, although the ANC700BT is more flexible. Additionally, both headbands have similar y-shaped yolk designs. The 4.50 BTNC is better at sound isolating because it clamps tighter on the head, whereas the ANC700BT fits a little more loosely. As a result, the 4.50 BTNC feels more secure, but the ANC700BT feels more comfortable.

Earcups

The earcups of the Sennheiser 4.50 BTNC and the Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT have similar shapes and sizes. Additionally, the ANC700BT has touch controls on the earcups, whereas the 4.50 BTNC has buttons and switches on the bottom of its earcups.

Earpads

Both headphones’ earpads are coated with soft pleather. The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC has thicker and more comfortable earcups to me than the Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT. However, the ATH-ANC700BT has a larger space for bigger ears, so they’re a little bit more versatile for different head shapes and ear sizes.

Noise Cancellation

Both headphones have a similar amount of noise cancellation and excel at blocking out low frequency hums. However, because of the Sennheiser’s fit, the HD 4.50 BTNC had better noise isolation and thus, blocked out more noise.

Bluetooth

Both the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC and the Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT connected quickly and easily to my phone. Additionally, both had exceptionally strong Bluetooth connections, which ranged over 30 feet even without line of site. Lastly, they both sport a 25 hour battery life when both noise cancellation and Bluetooth are being used.

Sound – Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC vs Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT Comparison Review

The low frequencies were strong in both the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC and the Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT. The ANC700BT had better separation between the lows and low-mids. However it was also a bit more scooped in the midrange. As a result, the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC was less clear, but felt a little fuller. The spaciousness of the ANC700BT worked well for all genres. The HD 4.50 BTNC had a more present high-mid response, so vocals felt higher in the mix than the ANC700BT. As a result, it felt better with synthesized instruments that need present vocals like hip-hop, pop, and electronic music. The ANC700BT had a more detailed soundstage and as a result handled more genres of music better.

Overview – Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC vs Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT Comparison Review

In conclusion, both the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC and the Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT are really great pairs of wireless, noise cancelling headphones for a budget. If you prioritize noise cancellation, the HD 4.50 BTNC will be a better option because it has good noise cancellation and better noise isolation. However, if you prefer a clearer sound and especially a more detailed sound stage, you’ll like the ANC700BT better.

The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC and the Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT are available for the best price here:

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC at Audio 46

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC on Amazon

Audio Technica ATH-ANC700BT is available at the lowest price at Audio 46 when you use the discount code “majorhifi” at checkout.

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