Sennheiser HDB 630 Review: The Best Wireless Headphones Choice

Experience exceptional wireless sound quality with Sennheiser HDB 630's advanced Bluetooth technology and premium features.

When it comes to wireless headphones, no matter how complex the design, a significant factor in their performance boils down to Bluetooth technology. Both the headphones and the source device—be it a smartphone or laptop—must support high-quality Bluetooth codecs to deliver stellar audio. Sennheiser fully understands this, which is why their flagship wireless over-ear headphones, the HDB 630, come packed with a clever little accessory designed to elevate your listening experience.

This nifty addition is a compact adapter that enables your phone or audio device to utilize the same high-quality Bluetooth codec as the headphones themselves. It’s a simple but genius idea that, as I've personally discovered, results in impressive sound improvements. Let’s delve into how this works and why it matters.

Priced at around $500, these headphones aren’t just a luxury—they represent a serious step up in wireless audio quality.

Features That Make a Difference

The sophisticated design of Sennheiser HDB 630 headphones embodies quality and simplicity.

Every Bluetooth audio source supports specific codecs like SBC, which manage how music is compressed, encoded, and decoded for wireless transmission between your device and headphones. The best codecs—aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, and LDAC—preserve much more detail and nuance but aren’t universally supported by all devices.

Key Specifications:

• Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
• Bluetooth Multipoint: Yes
• Battery Life: 60 hours
• Charging Port: USB-C
• Wired Listening: Yes, 3.5 mm and USB-C
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Transparency Mode: Yes
• Finish: Matte black
• Weight: 311 grams

For instance, the iPhone supports only basic codecs like SBC and AAC, which are compressed and lose some audio fidelity. Android phones often fare better but vary widely in codec support; even flagship models like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra only support LDAC and standard aptX, skipping more advanced versions.

MacBooks, like iPhones, prioritize AAC and don’t natively support aptX, while some Windows laptops do. Because both device and headphones must support the same codec for optimal sound quality, you often get limited performance. Enter the Sennheiser solution: the BTD 700 USB-C adapter.

Plug this tiny adapter into your device’s USB-C port, and it unlocks the full potential of aptX Adaptive with your HDB 630 headphones. For example, connect it to an iPhone 15 (with a Lightning-to-USB-C adapter for older models), and suddenly you have adaptive aptX on iPhone—something not otherwise possible. The sound quality boost over AAC is immediately noticeable.

This adapter is tiny and unobtrusive. Once plugged in, it pairs automatically with the headphones, indicated by a white LED that turns purple during music playback. On iPhones, it appears as “Connected” in Bluetooth settings, while on Android, it shows as a “USB” device linked to the HDB 630. The Sennheiser Smart Control Plus app confirms the high-res 24-bit/96 kHz audio priority to ensure you’re getting the best sound.

Testing with an iPhone 16 and an older Samsung Galaxy S21 confirmed the enhanced clarity and crispness when upgrading from AAC or basic aptX to aptX Adaptive—all thanks to this smart adapter. It’s a brilliant demonstration of how better Bluetooth codecs can transform your listening experience, assuming the gear is up to the task.

Sound: A New Benchmark in Wireless Audio

The HDB 630 is truly a masterpiece of sound engineering. Compared to Sennheiser’s earlier flagship, the Momentum Wireless 4, the HDB 630 outshines it in every way—detail, dynamics, and sonic refinement. These headphones deliver a smooth and natural sound full of depth and vibrancy across the frequency spectrum.

Listening to Christine And The Queen’s haunting ballad “Mountains,” the HDB 630 pulls you deep into Eloise Adelaide Letissier’s emotive vocal delivery, capturing the intricate timbres and dynamic nuances with stunning realism.

Piano notes shimmer with rich harmonics, and the drum patterns hit with precision and purpose. While Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM6 still holds emotional sway, its soundstage feels slightly more compressed, with less vocal clarity and punch. Similarly, Bon Iver’s album SPEYSIDE shines brighter on the HDB 630, where string textures and vocal subtleties emerge more distinctly, revealing the delicacy in fingerpicking and alt transitions.

The wider soundstage, precise instrument placement, and separation make dense tracks like Public Service Broadcasting’s Spitfire easier to appreciate. Sennheiser’s commitment to spaciousness never compromises the unity of the music—combining analytical precision with spirited energy for the most engaging wireless listening experience in this price range, adapter or no adapter.

Design and Comfort: Understated Elegance

If you’re expecting flashy aesthetics, prepare to be pleasantly surprised by simplicity. The HDB 630 borrows the clean, minimalistic look of recent Momentum models—big, oval ear cups with no fuss. Their design might look like something a school kid would sketch when asked to draw headphones, but that’s part of their charm.

Sure, if you crave bold style in this premium range, you might lean toward Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or Apple AirPods Max. But if you appreciate subtle elegance, the satin matte finish and solid build quality will win you over.

Comfort is king here. The headphones grip your ears firmly but not too tightly. The soft faux-leather ear cushions block out sound effectively, while the padded headband ensures the relatively hefty 311-gram frame doesn’t weigh you down. You’ll always feel them perched on your head, unlike some ultra-light models like Bose QC Ultra (2nd gen), but even extended wear doesn’t cause discomfort or pressure points.

Sennheiser stays true to practical controls: a single physical button on the right ear cup launches your phone’s voice assistant. While it would be nice if this button toggled transparency mode (which instead activates with a double-tap on the right ear cup), the touch controls cover a large responsive area. Each tap gives audible feedback (which you can disable via app) to avoid accidental inputs—handy when you’re lying down or wearing a scarf.

Ports for 3.5 mm and USB-C are also found on the right ear cup, supporting wired playback using the included 1.2-meter cables. Note that even wired listening requires some battery charge.

Battery life is generous: 60 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) on, dropping to around 45 hours when using the Bluetooth adapter. The companion app adds plenty of functionality beyond sound quality.

Features include auto-wear detection, smart pause, automatic call answering, a comprehensive parametric equalizer, and adjustable noise cancellation settings.

Balanced Noise Cancellation

Truth be told, the HDB 630 is a balanced package. However, when it comes to ANC, they aren’t quite at the very top tier. I’d call their noise cancellation “good” rather than “excellent” in a market where Bose and Sony fiercely compete for absolute silence.

Still, their physical design provides better passive isolation than most competitors. The ANC effectively reduces annoying road noise and engine hum—the low frequencies that usually distract the most in daily commuting.

Turn ANC to max and crank the music, and you’ll feel pretty cut off from the outside world. However, compared to the Sony XM6, the HDB 630 lets through a bit more engine noise and passing cars catch your ear more often. Sony and especially Bose QC Ultra 2 create a more immersive “dead air” sensation between ear cups, making it easier to totally tune out external sounds, particularly during quiet piano pieces at moderate volume.

Price and Value

The raft of new features, improved sound, and a unique Bluetooth adapter justify the higher price compared to the 2022 Momentum Wireless 4, which retailed for about $350.

Sennheiser has shown bold ambition in both design and pricing with the HDB 630. It’s the first wireless model included in the revered 600 “Audiophile” series. Starting price is approximately $500, putting it alongside heavyweights like the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($450), Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 ($449), and Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) ($429).

Verdict: A New Classic in Wireless Headphones

Sennheiser has reclaimed its throne in the noise-canceling headphone market with the HDB 630. This model boldly moves beyond the Momentum line with a more ambitious, refined approach. These headphones raise wireless sound quality to new heights, enhance iPhone and other devices’ audio capabilities, and make premium listening easier and more accessible.

They also deliver on design, features, and noise cancellation to offer a compelling all-around package. For anyone who values sound quality, comfort, and functional excellence, the Sennheiser HDB 630 truly stands out as the best choice among current wireless headphones.

Ratings:

• Sound: 5/5
• Build: 4/5
• Features: 5/5

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FAQ

• What Bluetooth codecs do the Sennheiser HDB 630 support?
  They support SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive for high-quality wireless audio.
• How does the Bluetooth adapter improve sound quality?
  The included BTD 700 USB-C adapter enables aptX Adaptive, unlocking higher fidelity sound on devices like iPhones that otherwise don’t support it.
• What is the battery life with ANC enabled?
  The headphones offer up to 60 hours of playback with ANC on, slightly reduced to 45 hours when using the Bluetooth adapter.
• Are the headphones comfortable for long listening sessions?
  Yes, with soft faux-leather ear cushions and a padded headband, they provide a secure yet comfortable fit even during extended use.
• How effective is the noise cancellation?
  The ANC reduces low-frequency road and engine noise well but isn’t quite as powerful as leading competitors like Sony or Bose.

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