Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 505. It ranks #26 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $199.95; the FiiO FT1 Pro ranks #36, rated 4.2/5, and costs $219.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for 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.
What the FiiO FT1 Pro does well: Planar magnetic drivers with a 20 ohm impedance and 95 dB per milliwatt sensitivity make it easy to drive from a dongle or phone while delivering a preference score of 86. Watch for: A 10 dB dip near 9.6 kHz and treble about 1 dB low soften cymbals and the upper edge of vocals, while a 3.5 dB peak near 2.9 kHz can add some forwardness.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 505. It is rated higher for sound quality than the FiiO FT1 Pro and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 505 | FiiO FT1 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $219.99 |
| Ranked | #26 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #36 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation | 2.16 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 120 ohms | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107.9 dB SPL/V | 95 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) | 0.8 lbs (374 g) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 7Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 95x86mm planar magnetic |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sennheiser HD 505 compares with other leading options:
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 550
- Sennheiser HD 560S vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- HIFIMAN Edition XS vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Beyerdynamic DT 880 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 600
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 560S
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 550
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 820
- See all 9 comparisons
FiiO FT1 Pro: $219.99 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: Planar magnetic drivers with a 20 ohm impedance and 95 dB per milliwatt sensitivity make it easy to drive from a dongle or phone while delivering a preference score of 86. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is essentially on target and sub-bass is only about 2.5 dB light, giving clean, controlled low end. Its rating matches the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x and Beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R, with a lower price than the M70x.
Cons: A 10 dB dip near 9.6 kHz and treble about 1 dB low soften cymbals and the upper edge of vocals, while a 3.5 dB peak near 2.9 kHz can add some forwardness. Low mids run about 1.6 dB above target, which adds a touch of thickness. At 374 g it is fairly heavy, and the open back leaks sound.
Full FiiO FT1 Pro review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2024 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.16 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 95x86mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 95 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (374 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.1 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 | +4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 162 Hz | -1.5 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 1,818 Hz | +4.7 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 2,815 Hz | -3.9 dB | 3.58 |
| Peak | 9,183 Hz | +1.7 dB | 2.62 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,731 Hz | -2.5 dB | 5.92 |
| Peak | 35 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.36 |
| Peak | 100 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.53 |
| Peak | 3,839 Hz | +1.7 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons