Sennheiser PX 210 BT

Sennheiser have long been favourites of mine – their earphones are my default when I’m work (I can’t use my Creative set due to their noise reduction as I can’t otherwise hear the phone!).

The PX 210 BT are a Bluetooth, cordless pair of on-ear headphones. They also use the apt-X codec technology as well to improve the Bluetooth sound quality – you have to have a matching apt-X transmitter for this to work, though. In this case, I have an iPod apt-X transmitter – Sennheiser also produce an apt-X transmitter that will plug into a standard headphone socket.

In the box, apart from the headphones, are a chargeable battery pack, power supply (including USB cable), audio cable, carry case, hefty “Quick Guide” paper manual (mainly hefty because of the large number of languages that it covers) and a CD (which includes a full instruction manual).

The headphones fold up to a certain extend, allowing them to slip into the supplied carry case. The head band is padded, as are the ear-cups but I found them uncomfortable when worn. Now, my head isn’t small but neither is it gigantic – none-the-less, I had to pull the band to its full length to get them to fit and then, only just.

On the right-hand side of the headphones is a set of controls, allowing you to adjust volume and even move between tracks. Like the Bluetooth light at the bottom, these glow blue when in use. In the centre of these controls is a “master” button that is used for power, pairing, etc. Bizarrely, the Quick Start guide doesn’t make mention of the buttons being used to move between tracks and you have to crack open the CD and read the full manual to find this out.

Pairing with another Bluetooth device is easy. Again, the manual left a lot to be desired when it came to finding out the use of the Bluetooth button on the underside – this flashes blue when Bluetooth is in use, but was obviously a button as it could be pressed in with a nice clicking action. However, its function is hidden away on one page of the CD manual – you can use this to deactivate the Bluetooth function (otherwise it comes on automatically when the headphones are powered on). It’s also one of a number of buttons that are required to perform a full reset of the headphones.

The Bluetooth range is up to 10 metres although the supplied audio cable allows you to connect your headphones if you’re unable to use the wireless option.

The battery can be replaced when required and is charged via a USB cable that connects to a power supply.

So, to the important bit – sound quality. As I’d expected from Sennheiser, they’re superb with good quality sound. And, with apt-X in use, the quality is even better. Music was well rounded, with good levels of bass (without being ridiculous) and audio podcasts were crisp and static free.

However, the comfortability of the headphones were seriously affecting my enjoyment and I really couldn’t settle down with them. And at over £100 (£119.99 was the best I found in stock at iHeadphones) I would have expected better. These are the cheapest of 3 models of Bluetooth headphones that Sennheiser produce – is it the Bluetooth or apt-X that add so much to the expense, as other companies charge similarly?

Summary of Sennheiser PX 210 BT

Great sounding but uncomfortable Bluetooth headphones. I’d recommend trying some first – if you find them comfortable then add an extra star to the rating – but one is lost for the price

Reviewed by David Artiss on 21st October 2010.

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Tags: apt-X, Bluetooth, Codec, Creative, Hardware, Headphones, iPhone, iPod, PX210 BT, Reviews, Sennheiser, USB

Category: Reviews