Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 880. Both are rated 4.3/5 for sound quality (#23 and #26 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Beyerdynamic DT 880 costs $159.95 against $199.95 for the Sennheiser HD 505, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the Beyerdynamic DT 880 does well: A preference score of 88 and a neutral tilt show a well balanced tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of target and upper mids within half a dB. The tradeoff: A 6 dB peak near 5.8 kHz can make hi-hats, snare and sibilant vocals sound sharp, and the treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2 dB hot.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 505: A preference score of 88 in oratory1990’s measurement puts it among the closest to the Harman target, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural and unforced. The catch: Sub-bass under 60 Hz sits about 6 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drum weight are thin.
Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 880. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $40 less than the Sennheiser HD 505.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT 880 | Sennheiser HD 505 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.95 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #23 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #26 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.05 dB standard deviation | 1.85 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Semi-open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | - | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 107.9 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | - | 0.5 lbs (237 g) |
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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
Beyerdynamic DT 880: $159.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 88 and a neutral tilt show a well balanced tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of target and upper mids within half a dB. The semi-open design offers a more spacious feel than a closed back. It has the same rating as the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth and Sennheiser HD 505 while costing less than both.
Cons: A 6 dB peak near 5.8 kHz can make hi-hats, snare and sibilant vocals sound sharp, and the treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2 dB hot. The low mids are lifted by about 2 dB and sub-bass is about 4 dB light under 60 Hz, giving a slightly boxy, bass-shy balance. The semi-open back leaks some sound and gives limited isolation.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 880 review and specifications →
| Back | Semi-open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.05 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 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 | +7.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 112 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.30 |
| Peak | 1,320 Hz | +2.1 dB | 0.54 |
| Peak | 5,760 Hz | -6.1 dB | 4.97 |
| Peak | 4,480 Hz | +3.9 dB | 4.24 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 480 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.40 |
| Peak | 234 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.41 |
| Peak | 940 Hz | -0.6 dB | 4.04 |
| Peak | 2,939 Hz | -0.5 dB | 4.92 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 505: $199.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 88 in oratory1990’s measurement puts it among the closest to the Harman target, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural and unforced. The 120 ohm impedance and 107.9 dB per volt sensitivity let it run from a decent DAC or portable amp, and at 237 g the open-back design is light.
Cons: Sub-bass under 60 Hz sits about 6 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drum weight are thin. A narrow 9 dB dip near 9.9 kHz and treble running about 2.7 dB low soften cymbals and make it a little dark on airy recordings. Being open-back it leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Sennheiser HD 505 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107.9 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | +7.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,030 Hz | +3.9 dB | 2.25 |
| Peak | 84 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 560 Hz | +1.1 dB | 1.13 |
| Peak | 1,256 Hz | -1.5 dB | 1.71 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,218 Hz | -1.8 dB | 2.89 |
| Peak | 5,479 Hz | -2.6 dB | 4.99 |
| Peak | 4,145 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.93 |
| Peak | 6,870 Hz | +2.4 dB | 5.70 |
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