Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Sennheiser HD 558 is the better pick: it ranks #87 of 523 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.2/5), against #296 (rated 3.5/5) for the Sennheiser HD 518. If you want one new, the Sennheiser HD 550 ranks #8 at $199.95.
The case for 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 558 is the better-sounding pick. An open back over-ear with a high preference score of 86 and a light 0.6 lbs (260 g) frame. The tradeoff: 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 558 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Sennheiser HD 550 instead.
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Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.73 dB spread.
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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 518 | Sennheiser HD 558 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.95 Discontinued | $179.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #296 of 523 in Over-Ear Headphones | #87 of 523 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB/V | 112 dB |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255g) | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 86 (1 squig.link measurement, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation | 2.38 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.04 (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 38 Hz (-8.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
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 518 from sai; the Sennheiser HD 558 from auricularesargentina, all via squig.link.
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