Short answer: the HIFIMAN Edition XS. It ranks #14 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $209. The Sennheiser HD 505 ranks #26, rated 4.3/5, at $199.95, $9.05 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the HIFIMAN Edition XS: A preference score of 90 with a nearly flat tilt shows a well balanced tuning, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is only about 1 dB above target. The tradeoff: A 6 dB dip near 9.4 kHz sits next to a roughly 9 dB peak at 11.9 kHz, and the air band runs about 5.5 dB above target, so the top end can sound uneven and sharp on bright recordings.
What the Sennheiser HD 505 does well: 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. Watch for: Sub-bass under 60 Hz sits about 6 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drum weight are thin.
Buy the HIFIMAN Edition XS. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $9.05 you would save on the Sennheiser HD 505 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Edition XS | Sennheiser HD 505 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $209.00 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #14 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #26 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 90 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.83 dB standard deviation | 1.85 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 107.9 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (405 g) | 0.5 lbs (237 g) |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Sennheiser HD 550 vs HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Sennheiser HD 560S vs HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 550
- Sennheiser HD 560S vs Sennheiser HD 505
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
HIFIMAN Edition XS: $209.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 90 with a nearly flat tilt shows a well balanced tuning, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is only about 1 dB above target. Presence and treble stay within about 1 dB of target, which keeps vocals and guitars clear. The planar drivers are 18 ohms and 92 dB, so it works with most amplifiers, and its rating matches the Sennheiser HD 600 and Austrian Audio Hi-X60.
Cons: A 6 dB dip near 9.4 kHz sits next to a roughly 9 dB peak at 11.9 kHz, and the air band runs about 5.5 dB above target, so the top end can sound uneven and sharp on bright recordings. Sub-bass is about 3 dB light under 60 Hz, which trims deep rumble. The open back leaks sound and gives no isolation, and at 405 g it is not especially light.
Full HIFIMAN Edition XS review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.83 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 90 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (405 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.8 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 | +5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 87 Hz | -2.8 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 1,896 Hz | +4.0 dB | 1.92 |
| Peak | 2,896 Hz | -3.7 dB | 3.11 |
| Peak | 1,420 Hz | +1.3 dB | 3.89 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,585 Hz | +1.7 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 70 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.12 |
| Peak | 111 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.64 |
| Peak | 927 Hz | -0.9 dB | 6.00 |
- 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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