Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 820, if you are buying new. The Sennheiser HD 558 ranks higher than it (#87 vs #439 of 523 over-ear headphones, 4.2/5 vs 2.7/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sennheiser HD 820 is still sold new at $1,999.95.
The Sennheiser HD 558 is the better-sounding option. An open back over-ear with a high preference score of 86 and a light 0.6 lbs (260 g) frame. The tradeoff: Sub bass rolls off early, falling 6 dB below target at 38 Hz, a 5.2 dB peak near 3.1 kHz adds glare, and dips near 10 kHz and 11.5 kHz dull the top treble.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 820: It is a closed back flagship, so it isolates and keeps sound in, unlike most headphones at this price. The catch: In oratory1990’s measurement presence and treble sit about 3 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz with a 6.6 dB dip near 11.7 kHz, so cymbals and detail sound dull and veiled.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 820 new; the Sennheiser HD 558 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
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An open back over-ear with a high preference score of 86 and a light 260 g frame.
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It is a closed back flagship, so it isolates and keeps sound in, unlike most headphones at this price.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 558 | Sennheiser HD 820 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 Discontinued | $1,999.95 |
| Ranked | #87 of 523 in Over-Ear Headphones | #439 of 523 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (1 squig.link measurement, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 52 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.38 dB standard deviation | 3.55 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 38 Hz (-8.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB | 103 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) | 0.8 lbs (360 g) |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 43.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve combines the independent measurements credited below, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Sennheiser HD 558 from auricularesargentina; the Sennheiser HD 820 from elrics, sai and superreview, all via squig.link.
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