Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z for better sound quality, the Sennheiser HD 569 for the lower price, though neither ranks well in its class. The Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z ranks #208 of 216 over-ear headphones, rated 1.8/5, at $249. The Sennheiser HD 569 ranks #209, rated 1.6/5, at $129.95, $119.05 cheaper. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Sennheiser HD 550 instead, ranked #6 at $199.95.
Why pick the Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, which suits shared rooms and late night listening. The tradeoff: A preference score of 32 in crinacle’s measurement puts it far from the response most listeners prefer, so it will sound noticeably colored without EQ.
What the Sennheiser HD 569 does well: A wired closed-back headphone with a built-in microphone. The catch: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low and presence is down 4 dB, with an 11.7 dB dip near 10 kHz, so the sound is dull and veiled.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Sennheiser HD 569 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z | Sennheiser HD 569 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.00 | $129.95 |
| Ranked | #208 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #209 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 32 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.08 dB standard deviation | 3.97 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 44 ohms | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 115 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (335 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z: $249.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, which suits shared rooms and late night listening. At 44 ohms and 100 dB/mW it gets loud from a phone or laptop without a dedicated amp, and the large 53 mm dynamic driver suits listeners who like a warm, colored sound.
Cons: A preference score of 32 in crinacle’s measurement puts it far from the response most listeners prefer, so it will sound noticeably colored without EQ. The AKG K271 MKII and the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900X both rate higher and cost less, and at 335 g it is on the heavy side.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z review and specifications →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.08 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 32 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 44 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (335 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +10.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 81 Hz | -10.2 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 8,626 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 2,626 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.85 |
| Peak | 905 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.97 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,151 Hz | -3.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,030 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.35 |
| Peak | 3,282 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.47 |
| Peak | 2,359 Hz | -1.4 dB | 5.88 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 569: $129.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A wired closed-back headphone with a built-in microphone. A 23 ohm impedance and 115 dB sensitivity make it very easy to drive from a phone. A bass lift of about 5 dB suits listeners who prefer a warm, bassy sound.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low and presence is down 4 dB, with an 11.7 dB dip near 10 kHz, so the sound is dull and veiled. The warm tilt and bass emphasis can make mixes sound heavy. At 300 g, wired only, it is rated below the Logitech G Pro X and the Jabra Evolve 40.
Full Sennheiser HD 569 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.97 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 79 Hz | -7.0 dB | 0.60 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 4,676 Hz | +3.2 dB | 5.65 |
| Peak | 818 Hz | -1.9 dB | 1.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 280 Hz | +1.7 dB | 2.28 |
| Peak | 2,195 Hz | +2.0 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 3,255 Hz | -3.5 dB | 4.88 |
| Peak | 154 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.14 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 569 vs HIFIMAN HE-R9
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- Sennheiser HD 569 vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 M
- Sennheiser HD 569 vs Audio-Technica ATH-G1
- Sennheiser HD 569 vs AKG K271 MKII
- Sennheiser HD 569 vs Sennheiser HD 820
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