Short answer: the Mackie MC-250. It ranks #54 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $89.99. The Yamaha RH5Ma ranks #66, rated 4.0/5, at $78, $11.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Mackie MC-250: A preference score of 83 for a closed-back headphone is strong, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is about 1 dB above target for a slightly warm, full low end. The catch: A 5 dB dip near 4.8 kHz and presence about 2.5 dB under target make vocals and snare snap sound a little recessed.
The case for the Yamaha RH5Ma: A preference score of 82 with extra bass, 2.5 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, gives a warm, punchy sound with a bit of body in the low mids. Watch for: Treble is about 5.6 dB above target, with a peak near 8.9 dB at 8.4 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance can be sharp.
Buy the Mackie MC-250. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $11.99 you would save on the Yamaha RH5Ma does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie MC-250 | Yamaha RH5Ma | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.99 | $78.00 |
| Ranked | #54 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #66 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.95 dB standard deviation | 2.44 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 38 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB | 98 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) | 0.4 lbs (163 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Mackie MC-250:
- Mackie MC-250 vs Sony MDR-ZX310
- Mackie MC-250 vs Philips SHP9500
- Mackie MC-250 vs Tanchjim Rita
- Yamaha RH5Ma vs Philips SHP9500
- Sony MDR-ZX310 vs Yamaha RH5Ma
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
Mackie MC-250: $89.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 for a closed-back headphone is strong, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is about 1 dB above target for a slightly warm, full low end. Treble from 6 to 16 kHz is within 0.1 dB of target. At 38 ohms and 100 dB sensitivity it runs fine from a phone, and the closed back keeps leakage down. It is a wired design at 265 g.
Cons: A 5 dB dip near 4.8 kHz and presence about 2.5 dB under target make vocals and snare snap sound a little recessed. Sub-bass is about 4 dB under target under 60 Hz. The warm tilt of minus 0.45 may sound dull for listeners who prefer a brighter sound.
Full Mackie MC-250 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.95 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.7 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 | +15.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 50 Hz | -14.8 dB | 0.42 |
| Peak | 419 Hz | +5.7 dB | 1.71 |
| Peak | 905 Hz | -2.0 dB | 1.42 |
| Peak | 4,207 Hz | +4.5 dB | 4.10 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,939 Hz | -1.7 dB | 3.53 |
| Peak | 5,862 Hz | -2.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 1,892 Hz | +1.7 dB | 4.71 |
| Peak | 1,370 Hz | -0.7 dB | 3.02 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha RH5Ma: $78.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 with extra bass, 2.5 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz, gives a warm, punchy sound with a bit of body in the low mids. At 163 g with 32 ohms and 98 dB/mW, it is light, closed-back and easy to drive from a phone or laptop.
Cons: Treble is about 5.6 dB above target, with a peak near 8.9 dB at 8.4 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance can be sharp. A 7.5 dB dip near 4.3 kHz recesses vocal presence, and sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 4.6 dB low. The deviation of 2.4 dB is among the least even in its group.
Full Yamaha RH5Ma review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.44 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (163 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.8 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 | +7.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 77 Hz | -5.9 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 863 Hz | +4.6 dB | 2.37 |
| Peak | 8,259 Hz | -4.7 dB | 2.01 |
| Peak | 2,447 Hz | +2.1 dB | 2.39 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,968 Hz | -3.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,244 Hz | +2.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 444 Hz | -1.8 dB | 4.31 |
| Peak | 329 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.10 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons