An already well-functioning model has been updated with variable noise reduction and voice control. The user interface, on the other hand, has become somewhat messy.

The sound is among the best on the market, and the noise reduction works smoothly. Comfortable fit, without taking up too much space in the luggage.

The new features seem a little ill-considered. The combination of microscopic buttons and a jumble of hand signals makes steering more difficult than necessary.

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II are decent over-ear headphones for mixed usage. They're quite comfortable and their ANC blocks a good amount of ambient noise, making them great for commuting or using in the office.

Great ANC performance., Very stable and comfortable fit., Very accurate bass and mid-range performance., Premium look and feel.

Minor upgrade over the first generation., Uneven treble performance hurts overall audio reproduction., App lacks advertised EQ settings.

While Bose remains the top name when it comes to noise-cancelling headphones, it's been seeing some awfully strong competition from the likes of AKG, Apple, Bower & Wilkins, Sony, and others. You can add Sennheiser and its $349.95 PXC-550-II headphones to the mix, which deliver an elegant design with built-in Amazon Alexa support, strong audio performance, and some of the best ANC (active noise cancellation) available. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are still an overall better pair, so Bose doesn't need to worry too much, but its once-dramatic lead over other competitors is narrowing, and there are reasons you might prefer the Sennheiser PXC 550-II. Design Available in black, the PXC 550-II headphones have a matte finish with leatherette accents on the headband and the circumaural (over-the-ear) earcups. There are touch-sensitive controls on the outer panels of the earcups, but you wouldn't know it from looking, as the panels are blank. The earcups themselves are ear-sh...

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II headphones deliver excellent noise cancellation and strong audio performance in a user-friendly design.

Strong audio performance with rich bass depth and sculpted highs; Good active noise cancellation; Amazon Alexa support; Easy-to-operate controls; Detachable audio cable included

Headphones can feel a little tight; Limited maximum volume

The Sennheiser PCX 550-II Wireless were released in 2019 for £299/$349/€349/CAD$460/AUD$549. At the time of review they were £249, and have since fallen to £199.

Clean and clear sound, Large, comfortable pads, Effective noise cancellation

Bose and Sony ANC is better, Power slider clicks during runs, Slight BT lag, Mild treble sibilance, and less rich mids than some

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II are a high-value pair of active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones. Listeners in need of a lightweight, effective ANC solution should get these. The companion application could use some work, but it’s functional and allows access to firmware updates.

Sound quality, Excellent low-frequency noise cancelling, Bluetooth multipoint support, Portable, comfortable design, Bluetooth 5.0, SBC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, AAC, Fast charging, Microphone quality

Easy to accidentally power the headset on/off, microUSB charging

Sennheiser is without a doubt one of the most renowned names in the headphone business. The manufacturer, based near Hanover, Germany, caters to the professional, audiophile and consumer sectors of the market.

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II looks and feels a lot like its predecessor. But does it sound better? Let's find out....

The Sennheiser PXC 550-II are fantastic headphones with ANC. They miss out on a full-throated recommendation only because of the strength of rival units from Sony, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins. Boasting a clean, grown-up sound with relatively accurate bass plus effective noise cancellation, these headphones are definitely worth a look

Clean and clear sound; Large, comfortable pads; Effective noise cancellation;

Bose and Sony ANC is better; Power slider clicks during runs; Slight BT lag; Mild treble sibilance, and less rich mids than some;

These days, every music lover wants their own pair of powerful noise-cancelling headphones. These headsets are ideal for both your professional life, and your personal life, allowing for excellent audio quality without external distractions.

Fantastic sound quality, Great noise cancellation functionality, Comfortable and lightweight design, Excellent app control, Access to smart assistant, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, Low-latency Codecs, Convenient for travel

Power slider can click during exercise, Not as much bass as some competitors

This is my second pair of Sennheiser headphones (the battery in the previous pair lasted 8 years, and I thought it was time for an upgrade), and I am again not dissapointed with the warm and clear sound. I especially love the touchpad feature that controlls volume, pause etc. My only complaint is that as they are designed to be compatible with Apple products, when I listen connected to my Mac, but to another music app other than Apple Music, they tend to open the Music app whenever I pause, but the quality of sound and great noise cancelling override this little annoyance.