Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 550. It ranks #7 of 417 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $199.95 and is still sold new; the Sennheiser HD 579 ranks #243 (rated 3.4/5) 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.
What the Sennheiser HD 579 does well: Its tonal tilt of -0.60 sits close to the target, so the overall balance is neither dark nor bright. The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 550. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sennheiser HD 579 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 550 | Sennheiser HD 579 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 417 in Over-Ear Headphones | #243 of 417 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 68 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.63 dB standard deviation | 2.94 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-6.8 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) | 0.6 lbs (250g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 15Hz - 28kHz |
| 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 |
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Sennheiser HD 579 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Its tonal tilt of -0.60 sits close to the target, so the overall balance is neither dark nor bright. It uses 1 x 38mm dynamic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Its 2.94 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
Full Sennheiser HD 579 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.94 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250g) |
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 | +6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 135 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.45 |
| Peak | 1,680 Hz | +4.0 dB | 1.08 |
| Peak | 2,973 Hz | -4.4 dB | 4.33 |
| Peak | 33 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,202 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 5,676 Hz | -3.1 dB | 2.19 |
| Peak | 6,705 Hz | +2.2 dB | 5.29 |
| Peak | 630 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.85 |
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