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 800 ranks #144 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sennheiser HD 800’s replacement, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, is rated 4.2/5 at $1,799.95.
The Sennheiser HD 550 is the better-sounding option. 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 catch: 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 800 does well: The median of 6 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 2.76 dB spread. 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 800 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 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #144 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.63 dB standard deviation | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.13 (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 36 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 150 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106.7 dB/mW | 102 dB/Vrms |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 14Hz - 44.1kHz (-3 dB) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sennheiser HD 550:
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 560S
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 600
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 550
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 650
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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 599
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 598
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 555
- See all 12 comparisons
Sennheiser HD 800 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sennheiser HD 800 S, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5. See every Sennheiser HD 800 generation.
Pros: The median of 6 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 2.76 dB spread. Upper treble lifts about 2.6 dB for extra air and sparkle. It uses 1 x 56mm dynamic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Sub-bass is 6.8 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full Sennheiser HD 800 review and specifications →
| Released | 2009 (17 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 44.1kHz (-3 dB) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 36 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.5 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 | +5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,101 Hz | +4.5 dB | 1.15 |
| Peak | 172 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.52 |
| Peak | 5,878 Hz | -8.9 dB | 4.73 |
| Peak | 1,165 Hz | -0.5 dB | 1.74 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 49 Hz | -0.7 dB | 1.93 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | +1.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 3,412 Hz | +1.1 dB | 5.71 |
| Peak | 4,116 Hz | -1.0 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 598
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 555
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 518
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 579
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 600
- See all 10 comparisons