When you are on the lookout for a decent pair of earbuds, you might want to look at makers like Apple and Sennheiser. Though Apple is a new entry into the wide world of headsets, they have managed to do a terrific job.
They have produced some exceptional models, and today we will see one of their popular earbuds. Sennheiser, on the other hand, is an old player in the market. The maker has produced opulent headsets that are considered the most durable in the segment.
In this review, we will be reading on the Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Apple Airpods Pro earbuds. The earbuds are an entirely different product line altogether. While Sennheiser has managed to manufacture eloquent headsets that come infused with terrific features.
The earbuds are comfortable, and customers seldom see the build quality. This model comes close to the release of the Momentum TW2. Last year, the earbuds market saw an increase in the number of their models.
Probably, it has to do with the rise in the manufacture of wireless headsets. The earbuds too became popular, and not surprisingly, several makers like Sony, Samsung, Bose, Sennheiser, Apple, and others have followed suit.
They, too, want to chip in. While the intentions are good, the market is already filled with several earbud units. The CX 40BT unit comes with excellent features in it. They are pretty comfortable to wear, listen to and have decent value.
Other the other hand, the Apple Airpods Pro delivers you with opulent sound quality. The ANC is matchless, and those who want to experience audio performance may want to try this model out.
Additionally, it works well when you have purchased several models into the Apple Ecosystem. Some of the upgrades include the conversation boost designed for enabling communication. You can now have a face-to-face conversation.
These help you to check the notifications that come from Siri, integrate exceptionally well with the Apple find my app & others as well. Not to mention, the Airpods Pro comes with the IPX4 rating.
It is these small features & elements in them that make it what they are, above the rest. Sadly, they do not provide you with the charging case. Let us read and find out whether the Sennheiser CX 400BT can be a decent match for Apple.
 |  |
|---|---|
| Sennheiser CX 400BT | Airpods Pro |
| PROS | PROS |
| The earbuds are light and fit well inside your ears. The unit has spectacular build quality with it. It is a value for money product. The model has a brilliant audio quality. The app is available on Android and iOS platforms. | The design is fantastic over the original AirPods. The model has one of the best fittings in the market. It has remarkable noise cancellation features in it. It works splendidly with the Apple ecosystem. The audio is opulent than other AirPods. |
| CONS | CONS |
| It is not waterproof. | The unit has a USB-C charging cable in the box. |
| SPECIFICATIONS | Sennheiser CX 400BT | Airpods Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Name | CX 400BT True Wireless Earbud Headphones | AirPods Pro (with Wireless Charging Case) |
| Brand | Sennheiser | Apple |
| Connection Type | Wireless | Wireless |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| True Wireless | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum Wireless Range | 33 feet | |
| Built-In Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Carrying Case | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Fit | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Battery Life | 7 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Ear Tip Sizes Included | Extra small, Small, Medium, Large | Large, Medium, Small |
| Warranty | 2 Year | 1 Year |
Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Airpods Pro: Design & Comfort
The Sennheiser CX 400BT earbuds come with a good design form. This feature was quite surprising because Sennheiser’s headsets need a little adjusting, especially when you are wearing the unit for the first time.
You feel uncomfortable, but as time goes by, you sort of getting used to the fitting. Unlike them, this unit came with sublime fitting. Our tester was quite pleased with that. Because the fitting is crucial.
Unless the earbuds or headset is comfortable to wear right away, you may not be interested in exploring more about it. Is it not? But it comes with a large design that is typical of Sennheiser. The fit is entirely secure, ensuring that noise leakage is minimum.
We noticed that the touch functionality is quite friendly too. It feels slightly heavier than most models in the market. That aspect of it is good again, enabling you to beware of what you are wearing for a long time.
Overall, the comfort and fit on the Sennheiser unit were terrific. You can quickly feel the earbuds on your ears, which can be a good thing. The same cannot be said about the Airpods that do not feel like you are wearing anything.
Similarly, the Apple Airpods Pro is a stunning earbud that comes with an opulent design. It is lightweight and pristine to the core. The manufacturer has done a fantastic job in making it. This feature is typical of the maker in Apple, and they always excel in it.
While most opt for the black tone, Apple wants to go with the white color because they only know. But for the moment, it suits the look and feels of it. Compared to the older model, this unit has a secure fit to your ear.
Earlier units did not come with the right kind of fitting. To make matters worse, they are lightweight. Hence, users find them lost before they know it. That feature is not in here. Now, you can wear them securely and walk around with ease.
That has got to do with the silicone ear tips. Our tester felt that this model is the most natural fit earbuds in the market. The control switches provided in the model needs some practice. Those of you who are used to Apple products might get used to it quicker.
It has a capacitive & touch-sensitive ridge based on each of the stems. Users have felt that there is a quant air vent in there offering you some ventilation. This is for those of you residing in a tropical region.
We did also feel that the stems were shorter than the previous models. The package has Apple AirPods Pro, lightning to USB-C cable, wireless charging case, silicone ear tips (three sizes) & documentation.
Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Airpods Pro: Build Quality
The build quality of the earbuds is not something that most users or gamers, for that matter, take into consideration. Sennheiser models come with the fantastic build quality that they are known for.
In this case, the Sennheiser CX 400BT earbuds are portable models and are quite smaller than the Momentum wireless 2 unit. It means that you can take it with you wherever you want. Users can place them inside bags and their pockets.
You will be delighted to know that the charging case is small too. Now, using it, travelers can carry the unit with them altogether. The charging case is simple to use with the light indicator. Once the indicator glows, it helps you by showing the status of the charging.
There is no denying that the model has fantastic build quality in them. It is made from plastic. It comes with touch-sensitive controls that are easy to work with. The only flaw in the design would be the IP rating that it does not come with.
Users can wear them for moderate physical activity. Though they do not move around much, they can fall out if you do quick turns with them on your ears. Of course, they are wireless. Apple Airpods Pro earbuds come with the decent build quality.
It is without a doubt the best earbuds that Apple has produced in a long time. That is because of years of hard work in the model. It comes with the IPX4 rating, meaning they are water-resistant.
Users can utilize them when exercising and jogging as well. The water and sweat will not in any way affect your performance. They usually do not get out of your ears with a slight touch, but accidentally moving them around can have them out.
When you compare them to the original Airpods, the fitting is superb. They are lightweight. We felt that the seal is good, but you do not feel any sort of feeling when removing them, unlike when removing older models.
Having Airpods in your ears is always a comfortable experience. The model cannot get destroyed that easily, no matter how hard you try to do it. Ultimately, the model is expensive, but it has to be this one when you want some opulent engineering places on your ears.
Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Airpods Pro: Audio Performance
The Sennheiser CX 400BT earbuds come with a spectacular audio performance. It comes featuring a 7mm dynamic driver and a wide range of Bluetooth codec support. Thanks to the durable battery working life of 20 hours on a single charge, you can now use it all day long.
There is also the smart control app for Android and iOS devices. You would be amazed to know that the maker has decades of experience under their belt. They know what they are doing with each of their products, trying unique sound features in them.
The model has 7mm drivers, which can be got in the Momentum TW2 unit. The manufacturer claims that they have used the same bespoke acoustic system in this model. It is so for the eloquent stereo audio, natural mids, clear treble & deep bass.
Users who have or own the Momentum TW2 model would agree on that. The audio performance is not much differentiated because of the top-notch quality. We felt that the sound might dip in a bit here, but that was not the case because of the attributes.
The first Airpods provided you with opulent sound quality. However, our tester felt that the Apple Airpods Pro earbuds offered you with clear audio quality. They are much better than the rest in the segment.
You can hear the difference in the bass and the sound. Probably, it has got to do with the fit. Additionally, you can see that the battery working life of the Airpods is much better than others.
The songs sound clear. You can hear the vocals much better. When you like to listen to heavy songs on the guitar, you would prefer using this pair of earbuds. You can notice that the soundstage is wide also with enhancement from the previous wireless earbuds.
The Sony WF-1000 XM3 earbuds may come slightly higher than these units. But users may not be able to note the difference in them. It also comes with the splendid feature of active noise cancellation that makes it work excellent.
Few songs sounded the way that they should. You can hear the vocals and mids nicely. The bass does well and offers you an enjoyable listening session. Users can listen to different genres happily, and the strings can be singled out with these earbuds.
We cannot differentiate between the music genre that sounded the best in each of the models. The Sennheiser CX unit was good, providing you with incredible sound performance. Similarly, the Airpods Pro model offers clear audio quality that can please users.
Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Airpods Pro: Microphone Performance
The Sennheiser CX 400BT unit comes with an integrated microphone. Its recording performance is quite good. Though, we cannot call it outstanding in any way. When recording or speaking, your sound might sound slightly thin and slim.
It also lacks in detail. The noise handling performance was good. However, we noticed that the unit was able to separate the voice in the noisy environment. You might want to speak through it in a calm surroundings because of that.
On the other hand, the Apple Airpods Pro offers you with excellent noise cancellation feature. Users can feel it immediately you use the microphone on the model. You can use it by swiping the volume section present in your iPhone or pressing the stem in your earbuds.
Better, you can use it with the help of your Apple Watch by toggling it. There are 2 microphones on the unit, and you can have internal & external audio. You can use the Apple Watch for monitoring the sound performance to note whether the audio performance is good.
When you are seated in the office or at home, then you can notice some bleeding in the noise. However, when you are in the street or using the subway, you can hear the volume as you prefer as the unit can cut out the noise that is present everywhere.
Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Airpods Pro: Compatibility
The Sennheiser CX 400BT unit comes with a smart control app that seamlessly connects with most Android and iOS devices. Though it comes with the parametric EQ, several users have complained about it.
They feel that it does not work as it should, like a true parametric EQ. That is because you can only adjust the single band frequency. With this app, you can check the battery level, turn voice prompts on/off, and remap buttons.
There’s also a graphic EQ, and you can even create your own equalizer presets. The Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless has alright Bluetooth connectivity. Unfortunately, they don’t support NFC or multi-device pairing, which is a little disappointing.
They also have very high audio latency on PC. However, they have no latency at all on iOS and Android, although it could be that they’re over-compensating for latency. That said, apps and devices compensate for latency differently, and your mileage may vary with real-life usage.
You can use them wired because they can work with Bluetooth only. Of course, you can make use of the USB-C cable to charge the unit. If you want to use them on the Xbox One & PS4 consoles, you cannot because they cannot be connected due to high latency.
These headphones come with a charging case that holds around two charges. It uses a USB-C connection to charge. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support wireless charging. The model offers you adequate support for Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa.
Of course, these features do not come built-in. Using that, you can now effortlessly customize the sound through the equalizer, update the firmware & alter the controls. You will want to know that the app is good to use & comes infused with exceptional features.
However, you do, at a certain point, feel that it could have come with more features, keeping in mind that this is a Sennheiser model. The control scheme is one of the best in the market. You can make use of the default option present on the left earbud controls playback.
You can also see that the right earbud comes with the ability to activate. This feature is embedded along with the voice assistant of choice. With 2 taps, you can move to the next track.
You can use a long-press the volume can be increased. Most users found it quite simple, and we do not see why that should be a problem for any of you. There is no function that has been assigned to tap 3 times on each side of the model.
The feature list is quite good, and the CX 400BT makes a strong statement on Airpods. The Apple Airpods Pro earbuds come infused, having a spatial audio feature in them. It is because of the update in the firmware.
It is capable of using the Dolby Atmos immersive audio. The spatial audio feature works fantastic with the 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos. Users seeing a movie in Dolby Atmos will now hear outside noise but a realistic sound from the movie itself.
What is so great about spatial audio? It works using the built-in accelerometers that enable the unit to keep track of the device you are using to watch the movie. It could be your iPad or iPhone and other devices.
Using it among the Apple ecosystem brings you with tremendous advantages. You need to make use of a streaming service supporting 5.1, 7.1, or Atmos with a special plugin for stereo utilization.
Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Airpods Pro: Price
The Sennheiser CX 400BT earbuds are priced under $200. Is it worth the price? Definitely, as you get several features infused in it. Its audio quality is sublime as it comes embedded with the fantastic 7mm dynamic driver.
Users would appreciate the Bluetooth codec support that it provides the model. You can make use of the earbuds as it comes with 20-hours battery life. Its fitting is exceptionally opulent, and you can wear them for quite a while.
We also noticed that it has an ergonomic design with optimal comfort with 4 ears adapter sizes. The Apple Airpods Pro earbuds are priced under $250. It is expensive and costs more than most of the units present in the market today.
This model comes with decent features for the pricing. Our tester did not feel that they deserved to be called as the best wireless earbuds. However, they are pretty close to the competition out there, and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 might change things for them in the future.
Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Airpods Pro: Verdict
We have ended our discussion on the Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Apple Airpods Pro earbuds. Both the models are strong contenders for the top spot in the market. They come with exciting features them.
The Sennheiser CX 400BT earbuds are better because they come with 2 hours longer battery life, has Bluetooth aptX, has USB Type-C, 15Hz lower low-frequency, 0.1 newer Bluetooth version & 3.5 hours of quick charging ability.
The AirPods Pro earbuds are simple to recommend because of the brand. You do not need to advertise the products that are sold by Apple presently. They are that popular. Besides, the durability of the products is impressive.
If you are looking for units that work well in the iOS ecosystem, then this is yours. The earbuds look fantastic and sound amazing. It is comfortable to wear, and the ANC is simply great. They are also easy to pair, and overall, you have yourself a splendid product for use.
It comes with a 1-more year of warranty. On the other hand, the Apple Airpods Pro comes with resistance to sweat, has active noise cancellation, the unit weather sealed, it comes with 2 more microphones, 1.5 hours longer battery life, is 1.2g light, & comes with wireless charging.
When you are on the lookout for a new Apple model, then this unit would be good. They are quite premium and give you a stunning look. They work exceptionally well with the iPhone providing you with superb audio quality.
But they are pretty expensive. When you are looking for a budget model, Sennheiser CX and similar models obviously come to mind. Besides, there are other models you can try. These do not fit well for fitness freaks because they can easily fall out when aggressively doing.
Our winner, between Sennheiser CX 400BT vs Apple Airpods Pro earbuds, is the former unit. There is no need always to have Apple in front of others. The Sennheiser unit discussed here is a value for money product, and that is what got us.
Also check: How to Connect Airpods to iPhone?
Also check: How to Connect Airpods to MacBook?
Also check: How to Connect Airpods to Laptop (Windows)?
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.