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They are what I would describe as small over ear headphones. Each earpiece is 5cm from front to back. Spread the headset till the earpieces are parallel and there is 15cm between them and 18cm from the base of the headband to the centre of the area between the earpieces, this is with no side expansion, there is 3.5cm of expansion on each side. On my average sized head I used .5cm of expansion on each side.
There is a 1.4metre lead that connects your phone or MP3 player. The straight 2.5mm connector fits deep into the surround of the right earpiece, 12cm down the lead is a 4.5cm control box and then the lead goes to a 3.5mm ‘L’ shaped plug.
The only controls/connections are on the right earpiece. Near the lead is a micro USB connection which is used for charging and further round the earpiece a slider switch to turn the external noise reduction on/off.
The Quick Guide is a multi-language fold out sheet mainly comprising ten images to save on words of explanation. This guide also explains the multi-use control button which can be one, two or three touches or holds.
Also in the solid box is a semi hard zip up semi-circular carry case which has the 1.4metre connection lead, the micro USB to USB lead and both airline dual plug and a 3.5mm to ¼ inch adapter the last two in a pocket inside the case.
Let’s first deal with the unit without the noise reduction technology the headset is comfortable even for follicly challenged as the headband is well padded.
Each earpiece can rotate through around 120 degrees which of course allows the folded headset to fit into the provided case.
This is not a total noise removal headset as it just reduces external noise. As an example the click of me using my PC keyboard disappears totally but other noise like the radio playing in the background just reduces.
This is a safety measure as total noise elimination is dangerous, when out and about would eliminate shouted warnings and car horns as well.
As with all earbuds and headphones I use an MP3 player I have with a whole range of music and voice types including styles like Opera and Pop music which are not my favourites.
The range includes ladies spoken voices at the higher end of the sound spectrum which is the area for anyone older is likely to be the frequencies lost first.
The stereo separation is of course down to how the voice/music was initially recorded but I was happy with what the headset produced.
I did of course also make and receive phone calls connected to my SmartPhone and this was also clear and easy to follow even on a noisy bus/train. As far as tube travel where the outside volume of the tunnels stops normal conversation to be replaced by the more adventurous shouting but with the noise reduction applied I could still enjoy my music without turning up the volume to a level that would annoy others.
The Sennheiser PXC 480 is available from Amazon for £259.99 with free delivery.
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