Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 600. It ranks #7 of 134 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $272.36. The Sennheiser HD 505 ranks #20, rated 4.3/5, at $199.95, $72.41 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 600: It earns a preference score of 91, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.1 dB of target, giving vocals and acoustic instruments a very natural tone. The catch: Sub-bass is about 7.9 dB below target, so bass lacks rumble and weight on electronic and hip hop tracks.
The case for 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. The catch: 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 600. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $72.41 with the Sennheiser HD 505 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 600 | Sennheiser HD 505 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $272.36 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #7 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #20 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Harman Preference Score | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.88 dB standard deviation | 1.85 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 42mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 300 ohms | 120 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB SPL/V | 107.9 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) | 0.5 lbs (237 g) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 40.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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How Sennheiser HD 600 compares with other leading options:
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- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 569
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 600: $272.36 Amazon eBay
Pros: It earns a preference score of 91, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz within about 0.1 dB of target, giving vocals and acoustic instruments a very natural tone. At 260 g it is light, and the long-running design from 1997 remains a reference for neutral midrange tuning. The warm and neutral tilt suits listeners who dislike bright treble.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 7.9 dB below target, so bass lacks rumble and weight on electronic and hip hop tracks. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 3.6 dB low, with a 7.5 dB dip near 9.6 kHz that softens cymbals. At 300 ohms and 97 dB SPL/V it needs a dedicated headphone amp for proper volume, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Sennheiser HD 600 review and specifications →
| Released | 1997 (29 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.88 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 42mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 40.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 91 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB SPL/V |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (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 | +6.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 125 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.55 |
| Peak | 8,445 Hz | +3.3 dB | 1.61 |
| Peak | 522 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.02 |
| Peak | 1,298 Hz | -1.2 dB | 2.14 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,158 Hz | -1.8 dB | 3.67 |
| Peak | 2,166 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.32 |
| Peak | 6,639 Hz | +2.2 dB | 5.82 |
| Peak | 5,433 Hz | -1.2 dB | 5.70 |
- 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 |
| 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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons