Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone: A Decent Budget Bluetooth Headphone

The Sennheiser HD 350BT is an affordable wireless headphone aimed at casual listeners looking for good sound without breaking the bank. Let’s take a closer look at what this headphone has to offer.

Overview

The Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone is an over-ear bluetooth headphone from renowned German brand Sennheiser. Key specs include Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, 30-hour battery life, USB-C fast charging, and support for voice assistants.

Key Features

• Hassle-free wireless listening with Bluetooth 5.0
• Marathon battery life up to 30 hours on a single charge
• Quick charging via USB-C port
• Punchy bass and balanced sound signature
• Lightweight folding design for carrying convenience

Design - Understated Style

The Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone sports a low-key design accentuated by the all-black color scheme. The sturdy plastic construction gives it a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Folding the headphones inward transforms them into a compact form for stashing in your backpack on-the-go. While the plastic build keeps it lightweight at just 238 grams, the lack of premium materials results in a plasticky feel. But overall, the pared-down styling focuses on function over flash.

Features - Convenience Features

The Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone packs several convenient features for the price. Bluetooth 5.0 provides stable wireless connection, while codec support for AAC and AptX ensures good audio quality. The 30-hour battery life is impressive, and USB-C charging helps juice it up quickly. Voice assistant support lets you access Siri or Google Assistant with a button press.

Ease of Use - Seamless User Experience

Using the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone is a breeze thanks to thoughtful touches like intuitive on-ear controls, hassle-free Bluetooth pairing, and handy voice assistant access. The ability to fold the headphones makes them easy to pack away when not in use. USB-C charging means you can power up quickly using any compatible charger. And the Sennheiser app lets you tweak sound settings on the fly. Overall, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone delivers a smooth, seamless user experience.

Sound Quality - Surprisingly Good Performance

With its 40mm dynamic drivers and Bluetooth wireless technology, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone produces sound that belies its affordable price. The bass delivers decent thump without muddiness. Vocals and instruments sound natural and well-balanced. And there’s reasonable detail in the higher frequencies. While the soundstage isn’t incredibly spacious, instrumental separation is decent for a wireless headphone. Considering its budget price, the well-rounded audio performance is really quite impressive.

Microphone - Serviceable for Calls

The Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone contains a built-in microphone that gets the job done for voice calls, albeit with some compromises. While callers come through clearly in quiet environments, background noise isn’t blocked out very effectively. The mic also picks up and transmits ambient sounds around you during calls. While the microphone functionality is decent for the price, don’t expect industry-leading performance. But it’s certainly serviceable for the occasional call on the go.

Noise Isolation - Effective Passive Sealing

Thanks to its over-ear design and closed-back configuration, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone provides effective passive noise isolation. The plush earpads form an acoustic seal that blocks out a fair bit of ambient noise around you. This allows you to immerse in your music without cranking up the volume to dangerous levels. That said, some leakage of external noise is still audible. Active noise cancellation would have taken isolation to the next level, but apparently wasn’t in the budget here.

Charging & Battery - All-Day Power

The integrated rechargeable battery delivers an incredible 30 hours of playtime per charge, putting it among the wireless headphone leaders in battery endurance. When juicing up the battery, the USB-C port enables quick charging - a 10-minute plug-in nets you roughly 5 hours of playback. The Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone also utilizes energy-saving Bluetooth 5.0 to minimize drain on the battery. Together these features ensure you can keep listening all day without worrying about the headphones dying.

Connectivity - Seamless Bluetooth Pairing

Connecting to devices is a breeze with the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone thanks to Bluetooth 5.0. It quickly pairs with smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs - you name it. Once paired, it remembers previous connections so you don’t have to re-pair every time. Bluetooth range is pretty solid, allowing you to roam up to 10 meters away from the audio source before dropouts occur. While aptX Low Latency support keeps audio in sync when watching video, a wired connection still works better for lag-free gaming.

Controls - Intuitive On-Ear Buttons

A convenient control panel on the right earcup lets you manage volume, playback, calls, and more. There are tactile buttons to adjust volume up/down, play/pause audio, answer/end calls, and activate voice assistants. An integrated microphone picks up your voice commands. The intuitive button layout enables easy command of the headphones without having to grab your phone.

Build Quality - Sturdy Yet Plastic

Built entirely from plastic, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone doesn’t have the most premium feel but makes up for it with rugged durability. The headband and joints feel sturdy enough to withstand being tossed in a bag. The plastics used in the construction seem like they can put up with a fair bit of flexing and everyday abuse. While frequent fliers may want something more luxurious, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone provides reliable build quality considering the price.

Comfort - Snug Yet Cumbersome Fit

As an over-ear headset, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone offers decent but not exceptional comfort. The earcups and headband are reasonably well-padded. However, some users with bigger ears found the earcups too small for fully comfortable fit. And the strong clamping force creates headaches during marathon listening sessions. While lightweight at just 238 grams, the snug fit might feel restrictive for larger heads. Those blessed with smaller craniums will find the fit more enjoyable.

Use Cases

With its wireless connectivity and marathon battery life, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone is a perfect companion for:

• Listening to music, podcasts, and audio books on your daily commute
• Enjoying immersive sound when working out at the gym
• Jamming to playlists at home without being tethered to your phone
• Watching videos and movies on your tablet with AptX Low Latency support
• Taking hands-free calls while multitasking around the house

User Feedback Analysis - Mostly Positive with Some Complaints

Reviews of the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone are generally positive, with many satisfied customers praising its balanced sound and extensive battery life. As one upbeat user put it, the headphones provide “audio excellence at a great price.” The smooth and natural sound quality exceeds expectations for the low price tag. Several users also call out the whopping 30-hour battery life as a major highlight, allowing you to listen wirelessly for days on end.

However, comfort emerges as a common complaint among less satisfied buyers. Some felt the tight clamping force resulted in aching headaches and ear soreness during longer listening sessions. As one user describes, the small earcups “are a bit uncomfortable, but adjustment lessens this to a degree.” Bigger-eared customers found the earpads too tiny to fit their craniums comfortably.

Noise isolation without active noise cancellation also left something to be desired for certain owners seeking peace and quiet. As one customer explains, “Noise isolation is effective thanks to closed-back design, but some external noise is still audible.” Lack of luxury materials diminished the premium feel for a few reviewers, with one lamenting the “all plastic build looks a bit cheap.”

In summary, while many praise the impressive sound and battery life given the reasonable price, shortcomings like mediocre comfort, cheap materials, and lack of noise cancellation kept the headphones from earning universal acclaim. But for budget-minded shoppers not demanding lavish amenities, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone hits the wireless sweet spot. As one satisfied user proclaimed, this headset is “the best bang for the buck wireless headphones.”

Pros

• Great value for money
• Balanced, smooth sound signature
• 30-hour battery life is class-leading
• Support for latest Bluetooth 5.0 wireless standard
• USB-C fast charging capability
• Lightweight and portable folding design

Cons

• All-plastic build looks a bit cheap
• Mediocre noise isolation without ANC
• Earcups run small for larger ears
• Tight clamping force causes discomfort over time

Price-Performance Ratio

Priced under $100, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone packs great wireless sound and features at an affordable price point. Compared to more premium wireless headphones costing over $200-300, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone delivers an impressive 80% of the performance at a fraction of the price. Overall, it provides excellent value without breaking the bank.

Conclusion - Good Budget Pick with Caveats

Overall, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone is a good bluetooth headphone considering its affordable price. It sounds decent for casual use and has great battery life. However, the mediocre comfort may be an issue for some users. If you have smaller ears and don’t need active noise cancellation, the Sennheiser Consumer AudioHD 350BT Wireless Headphone is a solid budget wireless pick. Those wanting more premium feel and comfort may wish to save up for pricier options.

Specifications

• Bluetooth version: 5.0
• Supported audio codecs: AAC, AptX, AptX Low Latency
• Drivers: unknown, dynamic
• Frequency response: 18-22,000 Hz
• Battery life: 30 hours (may vary by usage)
• Charging port: USB-C
• Charging time: Unknown
• Weight: 238 grams
• Noise cancellation: No ANC, passive isolation
• Voice assistant support: Yes, button access to Siri and Google Assistant

What’s in the Box

The Sennheiser HD 350BT comes with:

• HD 350BT headphones
• USB-C charging cable
• Quick start guide
• Safety guide

How to Use

To get started with your Sennheiser HD 350BT:

1. Charge the headphones fully before first use. Plug in the USB-C cable to charge.
2. Turn on the headphones and enter Bluetooth pairing mode. The LED will flash white.
3. On your phone/device, turn on Bluetooth and select “HD 350BT” from the list of available devices.
4. Play audio from your device. Use the on-ear controls to adjust volume, play/pause, etc.
5. Download the Sennheiser Smart Control app for EQ and sound customization.
6. When not using, fold the headphones inward and power off to conserve battery.