Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso vs Sennheiser HDB 630 | TechTalkTown
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso vs Sennheiser HDB 630
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso
Audio-Technica
8.1
The studio-monitor icon, in a 10th-anniversary suit
Sennheiser HDB 630
Sennheiser
8.5
The best-sounding wireless headphone — if ANC isn't your priority
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso
What Reviewers Agree On
The Enso is a 10th-anniversary special edition built on the unchanged ATH-M50x platform — same 45mm driver, same closed-back design, returning to a classic all-black look with a white circular 'Enso' brushstroke
Delivers the M50x's signature punchy, detailed, fun sound that made the line famous — engaging for music, content creation and casual gaming
Fully passive wired headphone: no battery, no Bluetooth and no ANC, so it never needs charging and works with virtually any source
Comfortable for multi-hour sessions thanks to memory-foam pads, a secure-not-tight clamp and 90-degree swivelling ear cups for one-ear monitoring
Solid, proven build with detachable cables — a damaged cable can be swapped rather than replacing the whole headphone
Pros & Cons
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso
Pros
The Enso is a 10th-anniversary special edition built on the unchanged ATH-M50x platform — same 45mm driver, same closed-back design, returning to a classic all-black look with a white circular 'Enso' brushstroke
Delivers the M50x's signature punchy, detailed, fun sound that made the line famous — engaging for music, content creation and casual gaming
Fully passive wired headphone: no battery, no Bluetooth and no ANC, so it never needs charging and works with virtually any source
Comfortable for multi-hour sessions thanks to memory-foam pads, a secure-not-tight clamp and 90-degree swivelling ear cups for one-ear monitoring
Detailed Comparison
Sound Quality
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso
The Enso inherits the M50x's signature sound completely — a punchy, detailed, slightly V-shaped tuning that is fun and engaging for everyday listening but not perfectly neutral for critical mixing. The 45mm driver is unchanged from the standard model.
The Enso still delivers the punchy, detailed sound that made the M50x famous — its signature has not been retuned for the anniversary edition.
It delivers an impactful and fun sound that many people love for listening, but that same punchy tuning can compromise neutrality when you need accuracy.
The tuning is mildly V-shaped — fairly accurate bass with a slightly 'fun' lift and a treble emphasis that spices up female vocals, which is actually useful for catching flaws in audio engineering.
RTINGS measures decent reproduction accuracy with a generally balanced response — clear, natural vocals and instruments and low enough harmonic distortion that even trained listeners won't notice timbral coloration.
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Easy to drive at 38 ohms — reaches full, satisfying volume straight from a phone or laptop with no separate amp required
Deal Breakers
Nothing about the sound, drivers or build has actually changed from the standard M50x — the Enso is a cosmetic anniversary edition, not an upgrade
The punchy V-shaped tuning is not perfectly neutral, so it can misrepresent elements for critical mixing and mastering
The closed-back pads trap heat and the vinyl wrap can feel tight, so ears get warm over long sessions and glasses-wearers may find the clamp uncomfortable
The bundled drawstring pouch only guards against scrapes — there's no proper protective hard case for travel
Sennheiser HDB 630
What Reviewers Agree On
Best-sounding wireless headphone in its class — a warm-neutral, natural HD 600-style tuning that reviewers rank above the Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QC Ultra and AirPods Max
Class-leading 50-60 hour battery life with ANC on (independently measured at ~54 hours), with a 10-minute quick charge returning ~7 hours and a ~1.5-2 hour full charge
True hi-res wired and USB-C listening at 24-bit/96kHz, plus an included BTD 700 dongle that delivers aptX Adaptive to any device — solving the iPhone/Windows codec gap in hardware
An exceptionally deep companion app with a 5-band professional parametric EQ (adjustable frequency, Q and shelves) that reviewers call the best EQ in any wireless headphone
Sound stays consistent as the battery drains and the headphone runs equally well wired, wireless or via the dongle — genuine flexibility for audiophiles
Good all-day comfort with plush, beefed-up padding and a folding, travel-friendly design
Deal Breakers
Active noise cancellation is the weakest of the premium flagships — clearly outclassed by Sony, Bose and Apple, especially on mid-frequency chatter and low rumble
The build is largely plastic and feels under-built for a $500 headphone, with reviewers wishing for metal in the headband or cups
Ear pads are not the most spacious — larger ears touch the inside, and the clamp can require a break after about two hours for some wearers
Microphone and call quality are mediocre, with the mic optimized only to ~10kHz so even the BTD 700 dongle's wideband codec brings little improvement
Touch controls are the slowest-responding of the premium pack, and some early units had touchpad/wear-detection bugs in multipoint mode
Solid, proven build with detachable cables — a damaged cable can be swapped rather than replacing the whole headphone
Easy to drive at 38 ohms — reaches full, satisfying volume straight from a phone or laptop with no separate amp required
Cons
Nothing about the sound, drivers or build has actually changed from the standard M50x — the Enso is a cosmetic anniversary edition, not an upgrade
The punchy V-shaped tuning is not perfectly neutral, so it can misrepresent elements for critical mixing and mastering
The closed-back pads trap heat and the vinyl wrap can feel tight, so ears get warm over long sessions and glasses-wearers may find the clamp uncomfortable
The bundled drawstring pouch only guards against scrapes — there's no proper protective hard case for travel
Sennheiser HDB 630
Pros
Best-sounding wireless headphone in its class — a warm-neutral, natural HD 600-style tuning that reviewers rank above the Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QC Ultra and AirPods Max
Class-leading 50-60 hour battery life with ANC on (independently measured at ~54 hours), with a 10-minute quick charge returning ~7 hours and a ~1.5-2 hour full charge
True hi-res wired and USB-C listening at 24-bit/96kHz, plus an included BTD 700 dongle that delivers aptX Adaptive to any device — solving the iPhone/Windows codec gap in hardware
An exceptionally deep companion app with a 5-band professional parametric EQ (adjustable frequency, Q and shelves) that reviewers call the best EQ in any wireless headphone
Sound stays consistent as the battery drains and the headphone runs equally well wired, wireless or via the dongle — genuine flexibility for audiophiles
Good all-day comfort with plush, beefed-up padding and a folding, travel-friendly design
Cons
Active noise cancellation is the weakest of the premium flagships — clearly outclassed by Sony, Bose and Apple, especially on mid-frequency chatter and low rumble
The build is largely plastic and feels under-built for a $500 headphone, with reviewers wishing for metal in the headband or cups
Ear pads are not the most spacious — larger ears touch the inside, and the clamp can require a break after about two hours for some wearers
Microphone and call quality are mediocre, with the mic optimized only to ~10kHz so even the BTD 700 dongle's wideband codec brings little improvement
Touch controls are the slowest-responding of the premium pack, and some early units had touchpad/wear-detection bugs in multipoint mode
The frequency response runs slightly conservative below 100Hz and rolls off more than ideal below 40Hz, giving a flatter, studio-leaning curve rather than a deep sub-bass.
If you're after completely faithful reproduction for mixing, mastering or critical listening, the M50x's big bass plus crisp treble flavour can misrepresent certain elements of a recording.
Audio Science Review notes it takes a little modding — aftermarket velour pads and EQ — to get the full potential out of the M50x, but the result is worth the effort.
Sennheiser HDB 630
The HDB 630's headline strength. Reviewers describe a warm-neutral, natural HD 600-series tuning with a standout midrange, an open and spacious soundstage for a closed-back, and enough neutrality to make it the most EQ-friendly wireless headphone on the market. The consensus is that it is the best-sounding wireless headphone at $500.
Crinacle calls it the best-sounding premium wireless headphone available today — nothing is over- or under-emphasised, everything just sounds natural and 'normal'.
The Headphone Show says that even without touching the app or EQ, the HDB 630 is the best-sounding wireless noise-cancelling headphone in its price range.
GadgetryTech calls it the best-sounding active Bluetooth headphone they've ever heard out of the box — tuned better than most or all closed-back Bluetooth headphones.
The tuning carries classic HD 600-series traits — a warm-neutral balance and a great midrange — though one reviewer flags a slightly slow bass.
The midrange is the standout of the tuning, and Picky Audio named the HDB 630 best-sounding headphone of 2025 for its rare balanced tuning.
There is a slight forward character in the 1-2kHz midrange and a low-treble forwardness around 3-4kHz; the bass stands out in good ways without being a bass-boost machine.
Joshua Valour says soundstage width, placement and fidelity keep up with the best closed-backs, though they still can't match the best open-backs for soundstage.
A Reddit owner describes it as the most crystal-clear, almost open-back-sounding closed-back headphone they have ever heard, and was surprised by the soundstage.
Soundnews estimates soundstage and depth improved by roughly 20-25% over the Momentum 4.
Dissent: an older review of a different Sennheiser model warns the brand's bass-heavy tunings aren't ideal for classical or vocal music — but HDB 630 reviewers consistently describe a far more neutral, balanced signature.
Comfort & Design
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso
The Enso's headline change is purely cosmetic: an all-black finish with a single white circular 'Enso' brushstroke marking 10 years of the M50x. Underneath, it is the same plastic-and-metal closed-back build — comfortable for a couple of hours, with swivelling cups and a flimsy pouch.
The Enso marks the 10-year anniversary of the M50x with a fresh minimalist design — an all-black finish with a styled swirling accent that honours Japanese artistry.
Audio-Technica describes the Enso as a return to the original sophisticated all-black colourway after years of varied limited-edition designs, with the circle reflecting both that return and the iconic rings on the M50x.
The build itself doesn't change much for the Enso — it keeps the same swivelling ear cups and the proven M50x construction.
The mainly plastic body with metal-notched headband adjustments looks spectacular in its matte finish, with hinges that let the closed-back cups fold down for storage.
The memory-foam pads feel stiff initially but break in with use; clamping force is secure rather than overly tight, and it fits comfortably for a couple of hours.
The closed-back design, while excellent for isolation, can make the M50x feel a bit tight for some users, and the vinyl pads retain heat over long sessions.
The robust design includes 90-degree swivelling ear cups for easy one-ear monitoring — a practical touch for DJs, producers and engineers.
The included vinyl drawstring pouch mainly guards against surface scrapes — cheaper headphones often ship with better protective cases.
Hands-on with the limited edition: the soft pleather on the headband and ear cups feels great and the build quality looks genuinely solid in person.
Sennheiser HDB 630
At ~311g the HDB 630 has plush, beefed-up padding and folds for travel, and most reviewers find it comfortable for long sessions with a lighter clamp than the Momentum 4. The recurring criticism is the mostly-plastic build, which several reviewers say feels under-premium for a $500 headphone, and ear pads that are not the most spacious for larger ears.
At 311g (up from the Momentum 4's 295g) the extra mass is barely noticeable and comes from significantly beefed-up padding.
The Headphone Show finds the HDB 630 more comfortable than the Momentum 4 because the clamp force is lighter and the headband distributes pressure more evenly.
Picky Audio notes the ear pads still aren't the most spacious — ears touch the inside — but says it's easy to get used to and wear either headphone for long periods.
One comparison reviewer found the HDB 630 needs a short break after about 2 hours of wear, where the lighter 263g Bose QC Ultra can be worn for hours without one.
Wired & Hi-Res Listening
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso
The Enso is a fully passive wired headphone — no battery, no Bluetooth, no ANC. Its 38-ohm load drives easily from any device, the detachable cables can be swapped if damaged, and the wired link means zero latency and total reliability.
The Enso ships with two detachable cables — one straight and one coiled — and covers a 15–28,000 Hz frequency response from its closed-back dynamic driver.
At 38 ohms impedance the M50x gets full volume and good sound quality from almost any device, because it doesn't need much power to drive.
The headset doesn't need additional amplification — plug it into virtually any device and the volume will be sufficient.
Because it's wired with no Bluetooth or ANC, it can feel old-school in 2026, but the wired connection gives it a real advantage in latency and reliability.
Since it doesn't rely on batteries or Bluetooth, it's bound to outlast its wireless counterparts — good sound is timeless.
A bundled quarter-inch screw-on adapter lets it connect to audio interfaces, mixers and stereo receivers, and the detachable cables mean a damaged cable is cheap to replace.
It comes with an adapter to plug into audio interfaces or amplifiers — a really nicely rounded package for a wired headphone.
Sennheiser HDB 630
A headline feature that sets the HDB 630 apart from mainstream ANC rivals. It plays 24-bit/96kHz hi-res audio over USB-C or the 3.5mm analog cable, has an internal DAC, and ships with the BTD 700 dongle that adds aptX Adaptive to any USB-C device — solving the iPhone and Windows codec problem in hardware.
Via USB-C or 3.5mm you can hear audio in up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution, with the included BTD 700 dongle adding aptX Adaptive to devices that lack it.
Sennheiser quotes a 6Hz-40kHz frequency response over USB versus 6Hz-22kHz over standard Bluetooth — a genuinely broader hi-res window on the wired path.
BrandsWalk found the wired connection gave the cleanest sound reproduction 100% of the time, while wireless adapted to the environment and connection strength.
A USB-C cable can charge the headphones and carry a 24-bit/96kHz data pipe at the same time, and there is a desktop companion app for PC and Mac.
Headphones Pro Review frames the BTD 700 dongle as solving the iPhone codec problem in hardware — a $60 accessory included in the box.
Value vs Competition
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso
As a collectible 10th-anniversary edition, the Enso's value rests on whether the artwork appeals — the audio is identical to the standard M50x. Reviewers still rate the M50x platform a strong wired buy, while rivals like the AKG K371 and Sennheiser HD 280 Pro / HD 58X compete hard on sound and comfort.
The Enso is positioned as a celebration of legendary performance with a new symbolic look and a level of rarity Audio-Technica hasn't offered in years — its value is partly collectible.
For its price and longevity, the M50x remains one of the best do-everything wired over-ear headphones you can buy.
RTINGS calls the M50x one of the best values on the market thanks to its strong price-to-performance ratio for critical listening.
The AKG K371 sells around the same price, follows the consumer target curve more closely, isolates slightly better and is more comfortable for glasses-wearers — though the M50x feels more durable.
Against the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro the M50x is better built and noticeably more comfortable with spare cables included — overall better value even at its higher price.
Some audiophiles argue the M50x is overhyped by casual buyers and there are headphones in its price range, such as the Sennheiser HD 58X, that outperform it for casual listening.
Reddit owners are split — many love their M50x for everyday music, while critics note it was over-hyped as the best closed-back ever, fuelling an audiophile backlash.
Sennheiser HDB 630
At a $489-500 launch price the HDB 630 sits exactly alongside the Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QC Ultra and AirPods Max. Reviewers frame it as the pick for buyers who prioritise sound, battery and wired flexibility — and the wrong pick for buyers who want the best ANC or a luxe build.
SoundGuys: while it doesn't take the crown for best ANC ever tested, the HDB 630 sounds far better than the Sony WH-1000XM6, the Bose QC Ultra and the AirPods Max.
The HDB 630 launched at $489-500, the same bracket as the Sony XM6, AirPods Max and B&W PX7 range.
The Headphone Show recommended the HDB 630 as the ANC headphone to get in its buying guide — though it concedes the Bose QC Ultra is more impressive in certain ways, making it a genuinely difficult choice.
Crinacle loves the 630 as an audiophile but cautions that the average buyer who prioritises ANC should still consider the big three.
Joshua Valour likes the headphones but wishes the build quality felt a little more premium for $500.
BrandsWalk wishes the design were more premium at the price — even just swapping plastic for metal on the headband — but rates it the best Sennheiser of recent years.
Super Review points out the cups look like aluminium but are actually plastic, and the reviewer wishes they were finished in plain black.
Moon Audio praises exceptional all-day comfort, premium Japanese leatherette pads, a fingerprint-resistant matte finish and a travel-friendly folding design.
RTINGS warns the HDB 630 may not be the best choice for people who wear thicker-framed glasses, as the seal can be affected.
GadgetryTech notes generous ear clearance — about 5mm — which makes the difference between taking the headphones off mid-flight or leaving them on for hours; aftermarket pads (e.g. Wicked Cushion freeze pads) expand the cavity further at the cost of ~50g of added weight.
Sennheiser borrows a Crossfeed feature from its flagship HE 1 that blends the left and right channels to create a speaker-like presentation.
Caveat: the wired modes still require some battery power — the headphone is not a fully passive can with a dead battery.
Owner take: a Reddit user notes the hi-res wired path finally lets you get high-quality audio from PCs, Macs and iPhones that otherwise miss out on LDAC.
Headphones Pro Review calls it the most honest answer a wireless headphone has given at this price — 60 hours of battery, a $60 dongle included and a mastering-grade parametric EQ.
Versus the cheaper Momentum 4 (~$300-350), reviewers say the HDB 630 is a clear sonic step up but the Momentum 4 remains one of the best values for buyers who don't need the new app, EQ and wired hi-res features.
Owner take: a Reddit user who tested three $500 flagships found the HDB 630 the best-sounding of the trio but ultimately kept the Bose QC Ultra for its better blend of ANC, comfort and connectivity.
Owner take: a Reddit user calls the HDB 630 the best they've ever heard over Bluetooth when shopping for an AirPods Max alternative.
