Stiftung Warentest: Headphones in the sound test

Stiftung Warentest put 20 headphones in the 05/2014 issue for the sound test. There were bargains for 20 euros, up to luxury models for over 200 euros. In this test summary, we show you how deep you should dig for good headphones.

Product test winner: Best sound and cheap at the same time - Sennheiser HD 229

Three headphones from audio specialist Sennheiser were tested by the Stiftung Warentest and ended up in the front places. The winner was surprisingly the cheapest model "Sennheiser HD 229" (price approx. 50 euros), which positioned itself at the top with a clear lead. The details:

• The Sennheiser model HD 229 leads the product test ranking with an overall grade of 2.1 (rating "good"). The sound quality is particularly outstanding: whether pop and rock music, classical music or language - the headphones convinced the five-person jury of experts in all categories.
• The resistance to breakage is also remarkable: the extremely light headphones withstood the drop test from a height of 1.80 meters without any problems.
• Headphones sound best when they also isolate sound well. The test winner manages this easily, among the headphones cut off with "good" he is the best.

Product test ranking: no chance for second and third place winners

The Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear (price approx. 110 euros) and Monsters DNA On-Ear (price approx. 150 euros) were also rated "Good" and came second and third. The sound quality comes close to the test winner, however, the headphones are significantly more expensive.

• The second-placed Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear is only slightly worse in sound quality and in the drop test, but has a cable with an integrated microphone and volume control for smartphones.
• The Monster DNA On-Ear headphones also come with a microphone and a volume control, but in the test they didn't work as easily as with the Sennheiser headphones. In the case of smartphones, for example, the monster model is initially monstrously loud.

Headphone flop: Sony models fail in the test

• Sony's headphones MDR-XB910 (price about 130 euros) bring a new technology for more beautiful bass tones. But that was exactly what caused the headphones to be fatal, because the bass was extremely overemphasized in the test. After he failed completely in the drop test, there was only one "sufficient".
• The Sony MDR XB600 also struggles with overemphasized basses, but at least survives the fall from a height of 1.80 meters. In the end, it was only enough for "sufficient".
• You can read all the details for a fee at test.de.

Conclusion and alternatives: good sound at affordable prices

• You have to put around 50 euros on the table for the product test winner and get a perfect soundscape for every music type and every language. In the CHIP headphone test you will find other models at an entry-level price that can compete with the test winner.
• In our picture gallery we show you the test results of 27 extraordinary headphones. But there is already clean sound for little money with in-ear headphones (for testing).
• Note: Pay attention to these health properties when buying, otherwise the pleasure of music quickly becomes pain and frustration.

Tip: If you have a cable break in your headphones, you can also fix them [//praxistipps.chip.de/kabelbruch-selbst-reparieren-so-gehts_30312|selber]]. With a little bit of skill, the old headphones can still be used.