Short answer: the HIFIMAN HE-R9, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 1.6/5 for sound quality (#210 and #209 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the HIFIMAN HE-R9 costs $79 against $129.95 for the Sennheiser HD 569, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, and the HIFIMAN HE400se, ranked #18 at $109, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The case for the HIFIMAN HE-R9: Listeners who want a big bass boost get one, with the 60 to 200 Hz range about 8 dB above target and sub-bass extending to 20 Hz with no roll-off. Watch for: A preference score of 28 in oratory1990’s measurement reflects a heavily skewed tuning, with bass and low mids swelling over the midrange so voices sound muffled and boomy.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 569: A wired closed-back headphone with a built-in microphone. Watch for: 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 HIFIMAN HE-R9. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $50.95 less than the Sennheiser HD 569.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN HE-R9 | Sennheiser HD 569 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.00 | $129.95 |
| Ranked | #210 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #209 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.30 dB standard deviation | 3.97 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB | 115 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (328 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sennheiser HD 569:
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 569
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 569
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 569
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 569
- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Sennheiser HD 569
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The Two Headphones In Full
HIFIMAN HE-R9: $79.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Listeners who want a big bass boost get one, with the 60 to 200 Hz range about 8 dB above target and sub-bass extending to 20 Hz with no roll-off. The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out. At 32 ohms it runs straight from a phone or laptop.
Cons: A preference score of 28 in oratory1990’s measurement reflects a heavily skewed tuning, with bass and low mids swelling over the midrange so voices sound muffled and boomy. A 7.6 dB peak near 8 kHz next to a 4.8 dB dip near 10 kHz makes treble uneven. At 328 g it is heavy for a closed headphone, and the Logitech G Pro X carries a higher rating.
Full HIFIMAN HE-R9 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.30 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (328 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 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 | +5.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 127 Hz | -7.4 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 1,761 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.80 |
| Peak | 448 Hz | +6.6 dB | 1.69 |
| Peak | 57 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.69 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,215 Hz | +3.4 dB | 1.24 |
| Peak | 3,235 Hz | -5.0 dB | 3.16 |
| Peak | 258 Hz | -1.6 dB | 4.22 |
| Peak | 205 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.57 |
- 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 Audio-Technica ATH-A990Z
- Sennheiser HD 569 vs Logitech G Pro X
- 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
- Sennheiser HD 569 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 569 vs Sennheiser HD 650
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