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 555 ranks #194 (rated 3.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 555: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 73 with a 3.22 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. 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, and the Sennheiser HD 555 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 555 | Sennheiser HD 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $327.55 |
| Ranked | #194 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 | 15Hz - 28kHz | 10Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.22 dB standard deviation | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 75 Hz (-10.7 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 |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sennheiser HD 650:
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Audio-Technica ATH-M70x vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa 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 555 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 73 with a 3.22 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Sub-bass is 10.7 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble. Treble sits about 6.2 dB low, so it sounds a little dark.
Full Sennheiser HD 555 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.22 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 75 Hz (-10.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 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 | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,770 Hz | +6.5 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 235 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.68 |
| Peak | 3,192 Hz | -8.7 dB | 1.46 |
| Peak | 1,085 Hz | -2.8 dB | 1.57 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,370 Hz | -2.7 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,426 Hz | +1.9 dB | 5.91 |
| Peak | 6,356 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.93 |
| Peak | 65 Hz | +0.8 dB | 4.09 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 555 vs Sennheiser HD 598
- Sennheiser HD 555 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 555 vs Sennheiser HD 518
- Sennheiser HD 555 vs Sennheiser HD 579
- Sennheiser HD 555 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 555 vs Sennheiser HD 820
- Sennheiser HD 555 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Sennheiser HD 555 vs Sennheiser HD 569
- See all 10 comparisons
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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs AKG K701
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs AKG K702
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs HarmonicDyne Romantic
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M70x
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Logitech G Astro A50 X
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 600
- See all 16 comparisons