Sennheiser PXC 450

Leave it to German headphone juggernaut Sennheiser to rollout one of the better full-size noise-canceling headphones we've heard yet. We typically decry 'active' noise-canceling headsets as being but a pale shadow of audiophile headphone listening. Given all the electronic ambient noise processing, on-board batteries, and extra hoo-haas required on the design, it's no wonder most noise-cancelers leave something to be desired for demanding listeners who love great sound. However, noise-canceling technology is so effective on airplanes and for daily commuters facing noisy environments that the market has slowly begun to deliver improved active noise-canceling headsets with Senn pushing hard to lead the pack. The PXC450 updates the proprietary Sennheiser "NoiseGard 2.0" technology to provide superb ambient noise attenuation of 90% of background noise (up to 1kHz) while leaving the musical impact, tonal clarity, and dynamic range mostly intact. Decently transparent highs and a well-measured bass response bracket a clean -- albeit slightly recessed -- midrange; fairly impressive sonics given the non-audiophile 'noise-canceling' application. All in all, the PXC450 is a welcome advancement by Sennheiser in a rather thorny category of headphones.

The PXC450 offers a handy 'Talk-Through' function so listeners can communicate with the outside world while wearing the headphones. Press the 'Talk-Through' switch on the right earcup and external conversation comes in loud & clear. Significantly larger than the previous-model PXC150, PXC250, and PXC300 ergonomics, this full-size Sennheiser PXC450 model comes outfitted in a grey/matte-silver color scheme with glove-soft black leather earpads on its folding 'circumaural' sealed-back earcups. An adjustable headband allows for a nicely personalized fit. The single-sided detachable 6-foot cable is another plus and comes terminated to a 1/8" (3.5mm) mini-plug. Even without the cable attached, the headphones can still be activated and used as hearing protectors with a claimed minus -32dB of ambient noise attenuation. A soft-sided but rugged Sennheiser travel case contains the folded PXC450 headphones and all included accessories like a two-prong airline adapter, full-size 1/4" adapter plug, and even handy slots for extra AAA batteries. An excellent 2-year product warranty remains standard on all Sennheiser headphones.

Sennheiser is offering a summer rebate promotion, click here to print a copy.