Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 650. It ranks #65 of 382 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $327.55 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.
What the Sennheiser HD 518 does well: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.73 dB spread. Watch for: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The Sennheiser HD 650 is the better-sounding pick. A preference score of 84 and a warm tilt of minus 0.27 give a relaxed, smooth sound, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz, mids and presence all within about 0.6 dB of target. The catch: Sub-bass is about 7 dB under target and the 6 to 10 kHz treble is nearly 5 dB low, with a 9 dB dip near 9.3 kHz, so cymbals and air sound dull and rumble is missing.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 650. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Sennheiser HD 518 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 518 | Sennheiser HD 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $327.55 |
| Ranked | #225 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #65 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 | 300 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz | 10Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255g) | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.27 (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 40 Hz (-7.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 42mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | - | 103 dB SPL/V |
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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 650: $327.55 Amazon $327.55 eBay
Pros: A preference score of 84 and a warm tilt of minus 0.27 give a relaxed, smooth sound, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz, mids and presence all within about 0.6 dB of target. The largest peak in the upper range is just 1.1 dB, so it avoids harshness on vocals and guitars. At 260 g it is fairly light, and it is a good match for listeners who like a warm tonality.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 7 dB under target and the 6 to 10 kHz treble is nearly 5 dB low, with a 9 dB dip near 9.3 kHz, so cymbals and air sound dull and rumble is missing. At 300 ohms it wants a dedicated headphone amp to reach its potential, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Sennheiser HD 650 review and specifications →
| Released | 2003 (23 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 42mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 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 | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,800 Hz | +5.1 dB | 1.42 |
| Peak | 118 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.50 |
| Peak | 37 Hz | +0.7 dB | 3.96 |
| Peak | 3,169 Hz | -1.7 dB | 3.89 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,227 Hz | -1.2 dB | 2.53 |
| Peak | 2,055 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.23 |
| Peak | 587 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 5,332 Hz | -1.1 dB | 5.75 |
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