Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 505. It ranks #44 of 523 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $205.55 and is still sold new; the Sennheiser HD 558 ranks #87 (rated 4.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
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 Sennheiser HD 558 does well: An open back over-ear with a high preference score of 86 and a light 0.6 lbs (260 g) frame. Watch for: Sub bass rolls off early, falling 6 dB below target at 38 Hz, a 5.2 dB peak near 3.1 kHz adds glare, and dips near 10 kHz and 11.5 kHz dull the top treble.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 505. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sennheiser HD 558 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked 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.
Amazon $205.55 eBay
An open back over-ear with a high preference score of 86 and a light 260 g frame.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 505 | Sennheiser HD 558 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $205.55 | $179.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #44 of 523 in Over-Ear Headphones | #87 of 523 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 86 (1 squig.link measurement, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation | 2.38 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.04 (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 38 Hz (-8.8 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 | 112 dB |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve combines the independent measurements credited below, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Sennheiser HD 505 from aden, daemonxar, elrics, gadgetrytech, sai and superreview; the Sennheiser HD 558 from auricularesargentina, all via squig.link.
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