Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 600. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#7 and #9 of 134 over-ear headphones), and the Sennheiser HD 600 costs $272.36 against $325 for the Beyerdynamic MMX 300, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 does well: It scores 91 on the Harman model, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the whole midrange within about half a dB of target. Watch for: The top end is uneven, with a 4.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz followed by a 6.1 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air above 10 kHz about 5.3 dB hot.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 600: It earns a preference score of 91, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.1 dB of target, giving vocals and acoustic instruments a very natural tone. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 7.9 dB below target, so bass lacks rumble and weight on electronic and hip hop tracks.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 600. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $52.64 less than the Beyerdynamic MMX 300.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic MMX 300 | Sennheiser HD 600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $325.00 | $272.36 |
| Ranked | #9 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #7 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.73 dB standard deviation | 1.88 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL | 97 dB SPL/V |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 40.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 42mm dynamic |
| Weight | - | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 MMX 300: $325.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: It scores 91 on the Harman model, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the whole midrange within about half a dB of target. A built-in microphone and closed back make it practical for calls, gaming and noisy rooms, and 32 ohms with 96 dB SPL sensitivity runs from a phone or laptop. Its tuning is slightly warm.
Cons: The top end is uneven, with a 4.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz followed by a 6.1 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air above 10 kHz about 5.3 dB hot. That can make cymbals and strings sound sharp or glassy. Sub-bass is about 3.2 dB under target, so the deepest bass notes lack some rumble.
Full Beyerdynamic MMX 300 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.73 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 73 Hz | -7.9 dB | 0.69 |
| Peak | 3,829 Hz | +3.8 dB | 3.33 |
| Peak | 79 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.65 |
| Peak | 5,667 Hz | -4.2 dB | 6.00 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,787 Hz | +3.1 dB | 1.63 |
| Peak | 216 Hz | +1.9 dB | 3.10 |
| Peak | 142 Hz | -1.4 dB | 2.61 |
| Peak | 1,207 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.60 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 600: $272.36 Amazon eBay
Pros: It earns a preference score of 91, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.1 dB of target, giving vocals and acoustic instruments a very natural tone. At 260 g it is light, and the long-running design from 1997 remains a reference for neutral midrange tuning. The warm and neutral tilt suits listeners who dislike bright treble.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 7.9 dB below target, so bass lacks rumble and weight on electronic and hip hop tracks. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3.6 dB low, with a 7.5 dB dip near 9.6 kHz that softens cymbals. At 300 ohms and 97 dB SPL/V it needs a dedicated headphone amp for proper volume, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Sennheiser HD 600 review and specifications →
| Released | 1997 (29 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.88 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 42mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 40.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB SPL/V |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 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 | +6.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 125 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.55 |
| Peak | 8,445 Hz | +3.3 dB | 1.61 |
| Peak | 522 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.02 |
| Peak | 1,298 Hz | -1.2 dB | 2.14 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,158 Hz | -1.8 dB | 3.67 |
| Peak | 2,166 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.32 |
| Peak | 6,639 Hz | +2.2 dB | 5.82 |
| Peak | 5,433 Hz | -1.2 dB | 5.70 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons