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Title: Sennheiser HDB 630 review: A sonic marvel with room for improvement

Link: https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sen...

High-resolution audio on the go isnΓÇÖt very convenient. It typically
involves wired headphones and a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) of some
kind, plus your phone or another device to access files or a streaming
service. All of this is necessary since Bluetooth compresses an audio signal
by design, to allow for low-latency transmission and minimize battery draw.
Simply put, wireless headphones havenΓÇÖt been able to meet the demands of
lossless audio, but Sennheiser has come the closest to fulfilling the dream
with its HDB 630 ($500).

Thanks to redesigned drivers, a new acoustic platform and a dongle, the
company offers up to 24-bit/96kHz audio on the HDB 630 ΓÇö depending on your
configuration. You also get above average active noise cancellation (ANC), a
highly customizable EQ, shockingly long battery life and advanced features to
fine-tune the headphones to your liking. For some, the best possible sound is
still only found on pricey setups and open-back headphones. For everyone
else, Sennheiser has provided a taste of the audiophile life in a much more
portable package.

Design

Sennheiser says the HDB 630 ΓÇ£inheritedΓÇ¥ the same chassis from its
Momentum 4 headphones. ThatΓÇÖs unfortunate because my biggest complaint with
that older model's redesign is how cheap it looked compared to previous
entries in the Momentum line. The HDB 630 suffers the same fate, although the
splash of silver on the headband and yokes helps things a bit. Simply put,
these donΓÇÖt look like a set of $500 headphones, and since theyΓÇÖre $150
more than their predecessor was at launch, they really should have a more
premium appearance.

The outside of the right ear cup is still a touch panel where you can swipe,
tap and even pinch to control the HDB 630. I donΓÇÖt recall another set of
headphones with a pinch gesture, and IΓÇÖm still not convinced itΓÇÖs
warranted. The action is used to enable an Adaptive ANC adjustment that
allows you to dial in the amount of noise blocking you need. After the pinch,
sliding a single finger forwards and backwards fine tunes the mix of ANC and
transparency mode. ItΓÇÖs a nice option to have on the headphones themselves,
I just think a triple tap to activate it would be easier to master ΓÇö and
remember.

The only other button on the HDB 630 is for power and Bluetooth pairing.
Unless youΓÇÖre frequently connecting these headphones to a new device, you
might not be reaching for this control very often. ThatΓÇÖs because the HDB
630 goes into standby mode when you take them off before powering down
completely after 15 minutes of inactivity. You can extend that window to 30
or 60 minutes if you prefer. And if the headphones still have battery left,
you can return to active mode by simply putting them back on your head.

Sennheiser is betting youΓÇÖll use the HDB 630 for long listening sessions,
so it outfitted these headphones with soft ear pads and a well-cushioned
headband. The clamping force is adequate for a proper ANC seal, but never
becomes a burden. And despite being around 20 grams heavier than the Momentum
4, this model still feels balanced and doesnΓÇÖt weigh you down.

Sound quality The HDB 630 features new drivers and a specially designed
acoustic system. Billy Steele for Engadget

While the overall design may be familiar, the sound platform for the HDB 630
is completely new. 42mm drivers offer what Sennheiser says is ΓÇ£neutral
sound with lifelike mids, stunning detail and a wide soundstage.ΓÇ¥ In order
to deliver sound quality thatΓÇÖs as close to open-back headphones as
possible, the company overhauled the entire acoustic system, from the drivers
to the baffleΓÇÖs transparent mesh, in the name of balance and clarity. And
since audiophile headphones typically require a dedicated external amplifier
to achieve their full potential, Sennheiser included a BTD 700 USB-C dongle
for high-resolution wireless audio transmission.

When I first put the HDB 630 on, I thought the audio quality was good but not
great. Listening over the standard definition SBC codec produced decent
results, but it wasnΓÇÖt anything to write home about. Once I connected to
the BTD 700 dongle and unlocked 16-bit/48kHz tunes from Apple Music, though,
these headphones really started to impress.

As good as they are, the HDB 630 may not be for everyone. That ΓÇ£neutralΓÇ¥
stock tuning places high emphasis on the midrange, so youΓÇÖll likely need to
make some adjustments to get the bass performance you crave from rock,
electronic, hip-hop and other genres driven by low-end tone. While I concede
the neutral base is a great starting point, and the HDB 630 does indeed
showcase ΓÇ£stunning detail,ΓÇ¥ IΓÇÖd argue SennheiserΓÇÖs promise of ΓÇ£a
wide soundstageΓÇ¥ doesnΓÇÖt always hold true.

These headphones are at their best with more immersive content, like the
TRON: Ares soundtrack from Nine Inch Nails. After a slight adjustment, the
electronic score had the booming bass it needed, offering driving beats that
nearly rattled my brain. All that was layered with rich synths and Trent
ReznorΓÇÖs iconic vocals. The texture and distortion in the instruments came
through in greater detail too, something thatΓÇÖs not as apparent on other
headphones and earbuds.

Switch over to ThriceΓÇÖs Horizons/West and the HDB 630 is a different story.
Transitioning from synth-heavy electronic music to a genre like rock causes
these headphones to lose some of the immersive character they are capable of
delivering. You still get absurd clarity and detail, particularly in Teppei
TeranishiΓÇÖs guitar riffs, but the music sounds slightly flatter and a
little less energetic. ItΓÇÖs not bad by any means, but some genres wonΓÇÖt
envelope you as much as others do.

You can also use the HDB 630 wired over USB-C for lossless-quality audio.
Since a number of competitors also do this, I dedicated the bulk of my
testing to see if SennheiserΓÇÖs wireless dongle is meaningfully different.
Of course, I did my due diligence and tested the wired configuration a few
times, and it should come as no surprise that the HDB 630 sounds just as good
in that setup.

Software, features and accessories There's only one button on the HDB 630.
Billy Steele for Engadget

As I mentioned, the HDB 630 comes with SennheiserΓÇÖs BTD 700 Bluetooth USB
dongle. This enables higher quality streaming than youΓÇÖll natively get from
most devices. With the BTD 700, you can expect aptX Adaptive and aptX
Lossless listening up at rates to 24-bit/96kHz. The dongle also has a 30ms
low-latency gaming mode, (supposedly) enhanced call performance and Auracast
support for streaming to multiple headphones or speakers. The BTD 700 has a
USB-C connector, but it comes with a USB-A adapter if you need it. This
typically costs $60 if you buy it on its own, and since you need it to unlock
the HDB 630ΓÇÖs full potential, itΓÇÖs great to see it included in the box.

The HDB 630ΓÇÖs settings and features are accessible in the Sennheiser Smart
Control Plus app. And for this model, the company is offering a lot more
customization than it does on the Accentum or Momentum headphones. First, the
EQ editing options are more robust thanks to a parametric equalizer, which
allows you to get a lot more detailed with your custom presets. For example,
I was able to add the low-end tone I feel is missing from the stock tuning
for those metal, rock and hip-hop tracks I mentioned before. And unlike a lot
of headphone apps, adjusting the EQ actually improves the sound instead of
just muddying things further.

Another sound-related addition for the HDB 630 is Crossfeed. This allows you
to blend the left and right channels so that it seems like youΓÇÖre listening
to speakers instead of headphones. Unfortunately, you only get two options
here ΓÇö Low and High ΓÇö but the effect certainly enhances the sonic profile
of the HDB 630 at both settings.

Despite the BTD 700 dongleΓÇÖs Mac and Windows compatibility, thereΓÇÖs no
desktop version of the Smart Control Plus app. This means youΓÇÖll have to
change all of your settings with the HDB 630 through your phone before you
pair it with both the dongle and your computer. It would be nice if you could
make EQ adjustments, create new presets and even change Crossfeed levels
without having to reconnect to another device. This also means you canΓÇÖt be
connected to the BTD 700 and both your phone and your computer, since the
dongle takes one of the two available multipoint Bluetooth slots.

Active noise cancellation and call quality The HDB 630 has a very basic
design with lots of plastic. Billy Steele for Engadget

When it comes to ANC performance, IΓÇÖm not entirely sure that the HDB 630 is
better than the Momentum 4. But thatΓÇÖs okay. That previous model brought a
significant improvement compared to SennheiserΓÇÖs older wireless headphones
and the ANC is still quite good here. In fact, it was robust enough to block
my familyΓÇÖs voices during their calls while I worked from home, and since
most headphones struggle with this, thatΓÇÖs no mean feat.

Sennheiser says the BTD 700 dongle will give you improved voice performance
over the headphones alone. Specifically, the accessory should provide
extended range, clearer voice pickup and, according to the company,
ΓÇ£uninterruptedΓÇ¥ calls. In my recorded samples, I think the headphones
themselves sounded slightly better than when I captured my voice while
connected to the BTD 700. However, I noticed a distinct lack of background
noise in both clips, which is helpful in busier environments. IΓÇÖll also
note the overall voice quality isnΓÇÖt pristine, but itΓÇÖs clear enough to
use for work calls ΓÇö even if youΓÇÖre the main presenter.

Battery life

Sennheiser promises that youΓÇÖll get up to 60 hours of battery life on a
charge with the HDB 630. ThatΓÇÖs the same staggering figure the company
claims on the Momentum 4. And yes, thatΓÇÖs with ANC enabled, but youΓÇÖll
only achieve that if youΓÇÖre listening to standard resolution tunes. Based
on my testing with a mix of noise cancellation and transparency mode while I
was listening to music and taking work calls, I have no reason to believe the
companyΓÇÖs numbers donΓÇÖt hold true. If you choose to listen entirely via
the BTD 700ΓÇÖs higher quality output, you can expect up to 45 hours of use
on a charge. ThatΓÇÖs still quite a long time considering a lot of the
competition runs out at around 30 hours ΓÇö and thatΓÇÖs without high-res
music.

Due to all of the signal processing that helps with the acoustic performance
on the HDB 630, they can only be used when theyΓÇÖre turned on. Unlike some
wireless models, you canΓÇÖt use these as wired headphones when the battery
is spent. However, if you find yourself with a completely depleted battery, a
10-minute charge will give you up to seven hours of use. The company
doesnΓÇÖt specify streaming resolution for that number, but I assume itΓÇÖs
at standard definition. Still, youΓÇÖll get a few hours of higher-res music
in that time, which should be enough to get you through a work session,
evening commute or that new album youΓÇÖre dying to play for the first time.

The competition Incredible sound awaits, if you're okay to carry a dongle
around with your headphones. Billy Steele for Engadget

In the realm of flagship headphones, any companyΓÇÖs top-of-the-line model
will set you back $500 these days. I look back fondly on the time when $300-
$350 got you the best Sony had to offer. While the HDB 630 is expensive,
itΓÇÖs also in the same ballpark of what youΓÇÖll pay for the Bose
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ($450), the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($458 currently)
and the AirPods Max ($549). Each of those have their advantages over the rest
of the competition, with the 1000XM6 offering the most complete package
overall. However, when it comes to pure sound quality, neither of those three
are at the top of the heap.

Up until now, that title belonged to the Noble Audio FoKus Apollo. At $650,
those headphones are even more expensive than the HDB 630, but their stock
tuning will appeal to more listeners and the soundstage is wider and more
immersive. ThereΓÇÖs also Bowers & WilkinsΓÇÖ Px7 S3 for a slightly cheaper
$479. It delivers the companyΓÇÖs warm, inviting sound and attention to finer
details. After spending time with the HDB 630 though, these alternatives are
just that ΓÇö alternatives ΓÇö as the new Sennheiser headphones are now my
pick for best overall sound quality.

Wrap-up

I get it: in the current financial climate, $500 is a lot to pay for
headphones (or anything else, for that matter). You can find a number of
perfectly capable sets of ANC headphones for much less given how frequently
things go on sale these days. However, what you wonΓÇÖt find is an option
that gives you anything close to the performance of audiophile-grade, open-
back headphones. ThatΓÇÖs really what Sennheiser is doing here, and the HDB
630 slots nicely into the companyΓÇÖs HD 600 series of high-end cans.

As good as the HDB 630 is sound-wise, I can also appreciate that these
arenΓÇÖt the best headphones for everyone. The companyΓÇÖs Momentum 4 is
still a very capable set of headphones and itΓÇÖs now available for about
$250. If you crave the best sound quality that still offers the convenience
of wireless headphones ΓÇö and youΓÇÖre okay with a few extra steps ΓÇö the
HDB 630 is a worthy investment. Just donΓÇÖt leave home without that dongle.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/sen...
marvel-with-room-for-improvement-150000295.html?src=rss

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