Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 550. It ranks #7 of 382 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $199.95 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.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 518: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.73 dB spread. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The Sennheiser HD 550 is the better-sounding choice. A preference score of 94 in oratory1990’s measurement, with only 1.63 dB of deviation and an almost perfectly neutral tilt, means voices, instruments and mixes sound natural and accurate. The tradeoff: Sub-bass averages 6 dB below target and falls 6 dB under by 34 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 550. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sennheiser HD 518 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 518 | Sennheiser HD 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #225 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #7 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 150 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz | 6Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255g) | 0.5 lbs (237 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation | 1.63 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | - | 106.7 dB/mW |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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How Sennheiser HD 550 compares with other leading options:
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- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 650
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The Two Headphones In Full
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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Sennheiser HD 550: $199.95 B&H Photo Video $199.95 eBay
Pros: A preference score of 94 in oratory1990’s measurement, with only 1.63 dB of deviation and an almost perfectly neutral tilt, means voices, instruments and mixes sound natural and accurate. Midrange and presence stay within about 1 dB of target, so vocals are clear without any harshness. At 237 g it is light, and 106.7 dB/mW sensitivity lets it reach normal levels from most sources despite its 150 ohm impedance.
Cons: Sub-bass averages 6 dB below target and falls 6 dB under by 34 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble. A 5.9 dB dip near 9.5 kHz slightly softens cymbal shimmer, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. The Philips Fidelio X2HR earns the same rating for less money.
Full Sennheiser HD 550 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.63 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 150 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106.7 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (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 | +8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 67 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.34 |
| Peak | 9,968 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.23 |
| Peak | 1,280 Hz | -2.1 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 2,040 Hz | +2.2 dB | 1.90 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,135 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.98 |
| Peak | 5,001 Hz | -1.7 dB | 5.47 |
| Peak | 56 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.46 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.02 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 560S
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 600
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs HIFIMAN Edition XS
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