Short answer: the Simgot EP5. It ranks #254 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $97.99. The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro ranks #305, rated 3.2/5, at $89.99, $8 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the Simgot EP5 does well: The median of 7 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.38 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.9 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Watch for: Treble sits about 4 dB low, so it sounds a little dark.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro: Sub-bass is about 4 dB above target while mid and upper bass are right on it, so low notes gain depth without muddiness. The tradeoff: An 8 dB dip near 4.2 kHz and presence about 5 dB low push vocals and snare attack back, and treble above 6 kHz also runs 4 dB low.
Buy the Simgot EP5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $8 saving on the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
The median of 7 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.38 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.9 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $97.99 eBay
Sub-bass is about 4 dB above target while mid and upper bass are right on it, so low notes gain depth without muddiness.
Amazon $89.99 Lowest Sennheiser $99.95 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Simgot EP5 | Sennheiser HD 280 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $97.99 | $89.99 |
| Ranked | #254 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #305 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 64 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 113 dB/Vrms | 113 dB SPL |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 50kHz | 8Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) | 0.6 lbs (285 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.38 dB standard deviation | 2.55 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.89 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Simgot EP5 from audioamigo, boizoff, capraaudio, gadgetrytech, sai, superreview and suporsalad; the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro from auricularesargentina, filk, hadoe, listener and ragnarok, all via squig.link.
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Simgot EP5: