When comparing Sennheiser HD 201 vs Jaybird X3, the Slant community recommends Jaybird X3 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Jaybird X3 is ranked 48th while Sennheiser HD 201 is ranked 166th. The most important reason people chose Jaybird X3 is:
Exposure to splashes of rain or sweat won't easily damage these earphones.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Ample padding on the ear pads make these comfortable to use
Both the ear pads and headband have a good amount of foam in them, which results in adequate cushioning. They're quite comfortable even if you've been using them for several hours straight.
Pro Good detail on the highs and mids
The sound is fairly balanced and can work well with most music genres. The highs and mids have good presence. Although they are not that clear, there is still an acceptable level of detail to them. The bass is not impactful but it does have some depth and helps give a fuller feel to the overall sound signature.
Pro Lightweight
These are actually pretty light weight for over the ear headphones. The HD 201 will not cause unnecessary strain to your neck, even if worn continuously for extended periods.
Pro Sweat-proof
Exposure to splashes of rain or sweat won't easily damage these earphones.
Pro Detailed highs with punchy bass
The highs are crisp, airy and forward so detail presentation is very good. Bass is fast and controlled instead of boomy, so it does not muddy up the overall sound. The mids sound natural and do not get lost in the mix.
This sound signature works well with a wide range of genres and rock, pop, hip-hop and EDM will definitely sound great with these headphones.
Pro Wing tips improve fit
The X3 comes with wing tips that you can attach to the earpieces. The tips enhance the grip of the headphones in the ear, and will help keep them secure even while you are running
Pro Remote allows basic playback control
The in-line remote will allow you to control music playback, adjust volume as well as answer/end calls.
Pro Allows taking calls
Integrated into the remote is a microphone, so you do not need to pull out your phone should a call come in. Mic quality is pretty decent, and your voice should be easy to understand on the other line.
Pro Many accessories are bundled
You get standard silicone ear tips in different sizes, along with a carrying case, different sized wing tips, premium Comply foam ear tips in different sizes, cable management clips as well as the charging cradle with micro-USB cable.
Pro Light and compact
The older X2 model had bigger and heavier earpieces which made them prone to falling off, and also made it difficult to use the earphones with a helmet or a hat. The X3’s earpieces have been redesigned to be smaller, while the internal batteries have been moved from the earpiece to the remote. This helps keep the X3 in-place inside the ears and at the same time makes these earphones easier to fit under a hat or helmet.
Pro Good battery life
The X3 gets around 8 hours of playback time from a full charge. This battery life is much more consistent compared to the previous model which had spotty battery life.
Pro Stable wireless connection
Signal quality is pretty stable with minimal distortion or drops, even if you are on the move.
Cons
Con Does not effectively block outside noise
Despite the closed back design, there is still a fair amount of noise that can mix with the music . This can have a negative impact to your listening experience, especially when you are in a noisy environment.
Con Build quality feels flimsy
The HD 201 has a lot of flex and also tends to make rattling noises when held or moved. This can be attributed to the cheap plastic used in the build.
Con Can get warm around the ears and on the head
The synthetic leather on the ear pads and head band prevents airflow around the ears. This causes warmth to build-up quickly.
Con Very long, non-removable cable
The cable also easily tangles and can make the headphones difficult to store/organize.
Con Charging system is fiddly to use
The X3 utilizes a charging cradle which connects to the earphones’ remote via metal pins. The micro-USB charging cable is then attached to the cradle for power. The charging cradle is proprietary though, so you won’t be able to charge the earphones if you forget or lose the cradle.