Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 560S. It ranks #7 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $199.95; the Sennheiser HD 505 ranks #26, rated 4.3/5, at $199.95. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
What the Sennheiser HD 560S does well: It scores 93 on the Harman preference model, with the midrange and presence region (200 Hz to 6 kHz) within about 0.2 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound very natural. The tradeoff: Bass is lean, with sub-bass about 5 dB under target and 60 to 200 Hz about 1.2 dB under, which can sound thin on pop, hip hop and electronic music.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 505: A preference score of 88 in oratory1990’s measurement puts it among the closest to the Harman target, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural and unforced. Watch for: Sub-bass under 60 Hz sits about 6 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drum weight are thin.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 560S. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sennheiser HD 505 at the same price, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 560S | Sennheiser HD 505 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #7 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #26 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 93 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.58 dB standard deviation | 1.85 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 120 ohms | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 V) | 107.9 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) | 0.5 lbs (237 g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 38kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 560S: $199.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: It scores 93 on the Harman preference model, with the midrange and presence region (200 Hz to 6 kHz) within about 0.2 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound very natural. At 240 g it is the lightest of the top group, and the open design gives a wide soundstage. Its 120 ohm impedance is still manageable from most modern sources.
Cons: Bass is lean, with sub-bass about 5 dB under target and 60 to 200 Hz about 1.2 dB under, which can sound thin on pop, hip hop and electronic music. Treble is also pulled back, with a deep 8.5 dB dip near 9.8 kHz that softens cymbals and sibilance. The open back leaks sound and provides no isolation.
Full Sennheiser HD 560S review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.58 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 38kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 93 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 V) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +9.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,983 Hz | +4.4 dB | 2.63 |
| Peak | 54 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.48 |
| Peak | 1,148 Hz | -1.5 dB | 2.38 |
| Peak | 491 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.23 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,451 Hz | +2.0 dB | 3.91 |
| Peak | 4,502 Hz | -1.7 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 1,937 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.93 |
| Peak | 5,639 Hz | -0.9 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 505: $199.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 88 in oratory1990’s measurement puts it among the closest to the Harman target, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural and unforced. The 120 ohm impedance and 107.9 dB per volt sensitivity let it run from a decent DAC or portable amp, and at 237 g the open-back design is light.
Cons: Sub-bass under 60 Hz sits about 6 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drum weight are thin. A narrow 9 dB dip near 9.9 kHz and treble running about 2.7 dB low soften cymbals and make it a little dark on airy recordings. Being open-back it leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Sennheiser HD 505 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107.9 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.17 (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 | +7.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,030 Hz | +3.9 dB | 2.25 |
| Peak | 84 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 560 Hz | +1.1 dB | 1.13 |
| Peak | 1,256 Hz | -1.5 dB | 1.71 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,218 Hz | -1.8 dB | 2.89 |
| Peak | 5,479 Hz | -2.6 dB | 4.99 |
| Peak | 4,145 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.93 |
| Peak | 6,870 Hz | +2.4 dB | 5.70 |
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