Sennheiser HDB 630 review: Premium wireless audio done right

The HDB 630 are Sennheiser’s newest headphones. They are the newest addition to its acclaimed HD series, which consists of fan favourites like the legendary HD 650 and the newer HD 550. The problem with the lineup is that it lacks an audiophile-grade wireless option. Those days are over, because the HDB 630’s party trick is that it’s able to listen to true high-resolution wireless audio from just about any source device, including iPhones.

To make that possible, Sennheiser is including a special wireless transmitter called the BTD 700 with the headphones. This transmitter plugs via USB into a source device and then transmit audio using high-resolution audio codecs such as aptX Adaptive and aptX HD. With this dongle plugged into your device, you can enjoy streaming music using high-resolution codecs that push Bluetooth audio to its very limits. It’s not quite true wireless lossless audio, but the HDB 630 gets remarkably close to wired fidelity. Crucially, the result is a pair of headphones that combine convenience and uncompromising audio quality better than almost anything else at this price point.

Comfort and everyday use 

At first glance, the HDB 630’s design looks eerily similar to the Sennheiser Momentum 4, and that’s because it utilises the exact same basic housing. However, Sennheiser has added several meaningful refinements, including a new leatherette headband for better durability, new anti-fingerprint coating on the earcups, and slightly deeper pads (4.5mm) for enhanced comfort.

These closed-back, over-ear headphones house 42 mm dynamic drivers, which are built in Sennheiser’s Tullamore factory in Ireland, and tuned for neutrality and fine detail. The headphones feel solid and well-constructed, though their aesthetic is rather bland, with a mostly matte black finish complemented by brushed metal accents to differentiate themselves from the Momentum 4.

Weighing 311g, the HDB 630 headphones are slightly bulkier than average and do not fold for storage. This may deter frequent travellers. However, the included carry case is robust and well-padded, making it easy to protect the headphones on the move. The headband padding and leatherette earcups provide a snug, secure fit suitable for multi-hour listening sessions, though, like most other closed-back headphones, they can feel warm in hot environments.

Despite their weight, the HDB 630 headphones are generally comfortable. The clamping force strikes a fine balance between stability and long-term wearability, with minimal pressure points. They are not quite as cloud-like as Sony’s WH-1000XM6, but they remain pleasant enough for hours of listening. Of course, fit is a personal thing and you mileage may vary.

Touch controls on the right earcup handle playback and calls, but their responsiveness is inconsistent. Volume adjustments sometimes register double swipes, and the single-tap play/pause gesture can easily be triggered by accident. The on-head detection feature can be overly sensitive and can pause content even when I’m readjusting the fit. While these quirks are minor, they stand out because I haven’t experienced such issues with competitors like Sony and Apple.

Thankfully, you can turn all these features off in the companion app if you wish. Still, it would be great if a future update allowed finer control instead of just switching them off completely, as that feels like a bit of a waste.

Connectivity and Features

Connectivity on the HDB 630 is excellent. You can listen to them through Bluetooth 5.2, wired USB-C, or even through a traditional 3.5 mm analogue input. When connected to a device through USB-C, the HDB 630 headphones support high-resolution audio of up to 24-bit/96kHz. With the BTD 700 transmitter, the headphones support high-resolution codecs including aptX Adaptive and aptX HD. This means you can get high-quality Bluetooth audio on virtually any platform as long as they have a USB port. This includes devices like iPhones and Macs that do not natively support high-resolution aptX codecs.

While aptX Adaptive and aptX HD are high-resolution audio codecs, they should not be confused with lossless audio. Though they are higher in resolution, they still rely on a lossy compression for transmission. Even so, they offer a good compromise between sound quality, cost, and battery life.

Pairing the dongle and headphones for the first time can be tricky. It is best to refer to the instruction manual for the optimal connection method, but I found that connecting to the HDB 630 headphones via Bluetooth first, then plugging in the dongle to let the mobile app recognise the new path, worked best.

Speaking of apps, the HDB 630 headphones work with Sennheiser’s SmartControl Plus app, which includes parametric EQ and crossfeed functions that are far more advanced than the fixed-band EQ systems found on most rivals. The parametric EQ lets you pinpoint any frequency, adjust its gain, and control its Q-factor for precision tuning. Whether you want to lift the low mids, tame harsh treble, or add more sub-bass, the app gives you studio-grade control. To make the tuning process more intuitive, there’s an A/B testing feature that allows quick comparisons between EQ profiles, as well as a bypass option that disables EQ altogether so you can hear the headphones’ default tuning and fine-tune from there.

The crossfeed feature, inspired by Sennheiser’s legendary HE 1 system, subtly blends the left and right channels to simulate the natural stereo image of loudspeakers, which can help reduce the extreme channel separation often found in older recordings.

If you prefer not to spend time fine-tuning, there are multiple EQ presets to choose from to best suit your preferences. Additionally, there is a “Create with Sound Check” option that automatically builds a custom EQ preset based on your sound preferences.

Other thoughtful software features include “sound zones”, which automatically apply custom EQ and ANC settings based on your location (home, office, commute, etc.), and anti-wind noise reduction, which proved effective during outdoor walks when combined with ANC. Finally, there is also a Find My feature, though it doesn’t actually help you find the headphones. Instead, it shows you the last location of the headphones when it was connected to the phone.

Battery Life

Sennheiser promises up to 60 hours of playback with ANC on, and this figure feels entirely credible. During my commutes or when listening casually throughout the day at high resolution with aptX Adaptive, I achieved around 50 hours of playback. Of course, battery life will vary depending on how often ANC is used and the listening volume, but even then, I easily managed two full days of use.

Fast charging is also supported, providing roughly 6 hours of playback from just 10 to 15 minutes of charging. Practically speaking, it means it’s unlikely you’ll ever find yourself in a situation where these headphones are out of juice.

Audio Performance

What truly sets the HDB 630 headphones apart is the way they sound. Sennheiser’s heritage in professional monitoring shines through clearly. The default tuning is neutral and balanced, emphasising clarity and texture over exaggerated bass or treble sparkle.

Bass is tight, punchy, articulate, and never boomy, though you’ll be able to add extra oomph through the Smartcontrol’s Bass Boost toggle. The midrange is detailed, with vocals presented clearly. There’s a gentle lift in the upper mids that brings voices and instruments forward without making them shouty. Treble is smooth and refined, offering plenty of air and detail without veering into harshness.

While listening to pop tracks on Apple Music, such as Hard Times by Paramore or Speed Demon by Justin Bieber, the headphones showcased strong instrumental and vocal separation. The layered drums and percussion in Hard Times were distinct, with vocals cutting through naturally, while on Speed Demon, the drums maintained energy without overpowering the rest of the mix.

When connected using the BTD 700 dongle with aptX Adaptive enabled, the HBD 630 headphones gain more resolution and openness. The presentation becomes deeper, more detailed, and more spatially coherent. Wired listening through USB-C at up to 24-bit/96 kHz is even cleaner, but the gap between wired and wireless performance has never been closer. Simply put, the HDB 630 headphones deliver class-leading wireless sound quality.

Noise Cancelling and Microphone Quality

While the HDB 630’ headphones’ ANC do not quite match the near-silence of Sony’s WH-1000XM6 or Bose’s latest QuietComfort, it strikes an excellent balance between isolation and sound quality. Even at full strength, the sound signature remains stable, meaning there is no low-end distortion or tonal shift when toggling ANC on or off.

The adaptive Active Noise Cancellation system works as intended, automatically adjusting its intensity based on surrounding noise and user preferences. During bus rides, engine rumbles and background chatter were almost eliminated, though sharp sounds such as tyres screeching during sudden stops can occasionally slip through.

The transparency mode sounds natural and uncoloured, making it easy to hold quick conversations or stay aware of your surroundings without removing the headphones. However, I would advise users not to rely on this mode in busy or crowded environments, as it can sometimes be difficult to discern the direction of sounds while wearing the headphones.

If you plan to take calls with the HDB 630 headphones, note that the microphone quality can vary depending on the connection method. When paired directly over Bluetooth, call clarity is crisp and reliable. Using the BTD 700, however, sometimes introduces slight fuzziness or dropouts during calls. Hopefully, these issues can be resolved through future firmware updates.

Should You Get the HDB 630?

The Sennheiser HDB 630 are the ideal headphones for readers who value the convenience of wireless headphones but do not want to give up the fidelity of wired options. At S$749, expectations are naturally high, but these headphones largely live up to their high price tag.

While competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM6 may offer sleeker touch controls and stronger ANC, and the newly announced Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 boasts more premium materials, the HDB 630 headphones have the clear advantage in sound fidelity. Add the ability to EQ the sound to your preferences and support for high-bitrate codecs, and it’s clear that the HDB 630 are well-rounded premium headphones designed specifically for discerning listeners.

All in all, the Sennheiser HDB 630 is a successful entry into the wireless realm for the company’s fabled HD-series lineage. Not only do they deliver excellent sound, but they’re also backed by a suite of features that rewards enthusiasts who enjoy fine-tuning their listening experience. Battery life is also remarkable. Yes, the touch controls are overly sensitive, and the design is rather plain, but those are minor trade-offs given the sheer quality of the audio and the overall listening experience.

Anyone seeking the convenience of wireless listening without compromising on performance should consider the Sennheiser HDB 630.

Availability and Pricing

The Sennheiser HDB 630 is now available and costs S$749. You can find it on the Sennheiser webstore and the brand’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.