Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 505. It ranks #31 of 382 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $205.55 and is still sold new; the Sennheiser HD 518 ranks #225 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Sennheiser HD 505 is the better-sounding option. 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.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 518: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.73 dB spread. The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 505. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sennheiser HD 518 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 505 | Sennheiser HD 518 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $205.55 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #31 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #225 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation | 2.73 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 120 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107.9 dB SPL/V | - |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) | 0.6 lbs (255g) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 14Hz - 26kHz |
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How Sennheiser HD 505 compares with other leading options:
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- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- HIFIMAN Edition XS vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Sennheiser HD 505
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 505: $205.55 Amazon $205.55 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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Sennheiser HD 518 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.73 dB spread.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Sub-bass is 9.2 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full Sennheiser HD 518 review and specifications →
| Released | 2010 (16 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255g) |
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 | +8.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 101 Hz | -4.9 dB | 0.25 |
| Peak | 1,521 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.58 |
| Peak | 36 Hz | +1.8 dB | 2.67 |
| Peak | 8,744 Hz | +1.5 dB | 0.39 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 104 Hz | +1.8 dB | 4.84 |
| Peak | 77 Hz | -0.8 dB | 2.37 |
| Peak | 2,520 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.39 |
| Peak | 2,016 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.37 |
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