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 800 ranks #144 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sennheiser HD 800’s replacement, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, is rated 4.2/5 at $1,799.95.
The Sennheiser HD 505 is the better-sounding pick. 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. Watch for: Sub-bass under 60 Hz sits about 6 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drum weight are thin.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 800: The median of 6 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 2.76 dB spread. The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 505. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sennheiser HD 800 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 505 | Sennheiser HD 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $205.55 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #31 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #144 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.13 (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 36 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 120 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107.9 dB SPL/V | 102 dB/Vrms |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 14Hz - 44.1kHz (-3 dB) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
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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 800 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sennheiser HD 800 S, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5. See every Sennheiser HD 800 generation.
Pros: The median of 6 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 2.76 dB spread. Upper treble lifts about 2.6 dB for extra air and sparkle. It uses 1 x 56mm dynamic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Sub-bass is 6.8 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full Sennheiser HD 800 review and specifications →
| Released | 2009 (17 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 44.1kHz (-3 dB) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 36 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.5 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 | +5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,101 Hz | +4.5 dB | 1.15 |
| Peak | 172 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.52 |
| Peak | 5,878 Hz | -8.9 dB | 4.73 |
| Peak | 1,165 Hz | -0.5 dB | 1.74 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 49 Hz | -0.7 dB | 1.93 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | +1.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 3,412 Hz | +1.1 dB | 5.71 |
| Peak | 4,116 Hz | -1.0 dB | 6.00 |
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