When Sennheiser first produced its MX 400/500 headphones, they were close to the top of its range.  Since then, though, the German manufacturer has re-examined its offering, and now the MX 460s are a more modest proposition.  That doesn't stop them from being a very attractive offering nonetheless.

Still No Accessories
Sennheiser still hasn't thought to bundle any accessories with its headphones and the packet remains disappointingly light with just the headphones themselves and their foam pads.

The shiny black exterior looks a little more refined than the grey of the MX 260s.  We would still have preferred to see some kind of carry-case, or even a bag.  If that's what your after, you'll need to upgrade.  The cable is asymmetric, with one end longer than the other so you can run it behind your neck.

Balanced Sound, but Much Clearer
That's the big difference between the MX 260s and the MX 460s.  The sound is still linear, but all of the interference is gone.  Vocals are clear, as are instruments.  Cymbals sound like cymbals, and every instrument sounds clear and distinct.  The treble in particular rings out much more clearly, and the the bass is a lot calmer. 

Of course, sound quality can always be improved, but the marked step-up to the MX 460s is to be applauded.  The MX 460s are a great option for anybody who needs a good pair of headphones but doesn't want to worry about needing a case, extension cable or other accessories.  It's not hard to get better sounding headphones, but these will do the job just fine if you need to replace the headphones that came free with your MP3 player.