Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 550. It ranks #7 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $199.95 and is still sold new; the Sennheiser HD 559 ranks #411 (rated 1.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Sennheiser HD 550 is the better-sounding pick. 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. Watch for: Sub-bass averages 6 dB below target and falls 6 dB under by 34 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 559: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 550. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sennheiser HD 559 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 550 | Sennheiser HD 559 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #411 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 27 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.63 dB standard deviation | 4.40 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 150 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106.7 dB/mW | - |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) | 9.9 oz |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 14Hz - 26kHz |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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The Two Headphones In Full
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
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 599
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Sennheiser HD 559 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. It uses 1 x 38mm dynamic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Presence sits about 3 dB low with a 14.7 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. Sub-bass is 5.7 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble. A Harman score of 27 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.
Full Sennheiser HD 559 review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.40 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 27 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 9.9 oz |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.1 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 | +16.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 57 Hz | -15.5 dB | 0.29 |
| Peak | 8,586 Hz | +6.4 dB | 1.38 |
| Peak | 1,333 Hz | +5.9 dB | 1.86 |
| Peak | 1,855 Hz | +4.2 dB | 3.75 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,971 Hz | -3.3 dB | 4.77 |
| Peak | 3,736 Hz | +2.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,108 Hz | -1.3 dB | 5.23 |
| Peak | 2,286 Hz | +1.1 dB | 5.82 |
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