Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso vs Sennheiser HD 505

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso

The Enso's headline change is purely cosmetic: an all-black finish with a single white circular 'Enso' brushstroke marking 10 years of the M50x. Underneath, it is the same plastic-and-metal closed-back build — comfortable for a couple of hours, with swivelling cups and a flimsy pouch.

• The Enso marks the 10-year anniversary of the M50x with a fresh minimalist design — an all-black finish with a styled swirling accent that honours Japanese artistry.
• Audio-Technica describes the Enso as a return to the original sophisticated all-black colourway after years of varied limited-edition designs, with the circle reflecting both that return and the iconic rings on the M50x.
• The build itself doesn't change much for the Enso — it keeps the same swivelling ear cups and the proven M50x construction.
• The mainly plastic body with metal-notched headband adjustments looks spectacular in its matte finish, with hinges that let the closed-back cups fold down for storage.
• The memory-foam pads feel stiff initially but break in with use; clamping force is secure rather than overly tight, and it fits comfortably for a couple of hours.
• The closed-back design, while excellent for isolation, can make the M50x feel a bit tight for some users, and the vinyl pads retain heat over long sessions.
• The robust design includes 90-degree swivelling ear cups for easy one-ear monitoring — a practical touch for DJs, producers and engineers.
• The included vinyl drawstring pouch mainly guards against surface scrapes — cheaper headphones often ship with better protective cases.
• Hands-on with the limited edition: the soft pleather on the headband and ear cups feels great and the build quality looks genuinely solid in person.

Sennheiser HD 505

The HD 505 reuses the proven HD 500-series chassis: a featherlight 237g frame, cushy earpads and gentle clamp that make it one of the most comfortable open-backs in its class. The trade-off is a functional plastic build that doesn't feel premium.

• Refreshingly light at 237g without the cable, with solid (if not premium) build and cushy earpads.
• It largely sticks to the HD 500 series' tried-and-tested design, keeping it compatible with first- and third-party accessories.
• Lighter and gentler than the HD 600 — it has the least clamp pressure on the table and is more comfortable than the rest.
• In a minor upset, the HD 505 is more comfortable than the HD 600 thanks to slightly gentler headband compression plus its lighter 237g weight versus 260g.
• The softer earpads give a better seal for larger ears and glasses wearers, though that matters less on an open-back.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso

The Enso is a fully passive wired headphone — no battery, no Bluetooth, no ANC. Its 38-ohm load drives easily from any device, the detachable cables can be swapped if damaged, and the wired link means zero latency and total reliability.

• The Enso ships with two detachable cables — one straight and one coiled — and covers a 15–28,000 Hz frequency response from its closed-back dynamic driver.
• At 38 ohms impedance the M50x gets full volume and good sound quality from almost any device, because it doesn't need much power to drive.
• The headset doesn't need additional amplification — plug it into virtually any device and the volume will be sufficient.
• Because it's wired with no Bluetooth or ANC, it can feel old-school in 2026, but the wired connection gives it a real advantage in latency and reliability.
• Since it doesn't rely on batteries or Bluetooth, it's bound to outlast its wireless counterparts — good sound is timeless.
• A bundled quarter-inch screw-on adapter lets it connect to audio interfaces, mixers and stereo receivers, and the detachable cables mean a damaged cable is cheap to replace.
• It comes with an adapter to plug into audio interfaces or amplifiers — a really nicely rounded package for a wired headphone.

Sennheiser HD 505

As a passive open-back the HD 505 has no Bluetooth, battery or codecs — it is purely a wired audiophile can. It is easy to drive from modest sources but its modular, replaceable cabling and broad amp/adapter compatibility reward those who scale up.

• Maintains a modular design with user-replaceable cables and earpads, like other 500-series models.
• The drivers are angled to mimic nearfield speaker placement, aiming for better soundstage imaging.
• It ships with a standard 3.5mm cable and a threaded 1/4-inch (6.35mm) screw-on adapter — the pack-ins make clear the headphones are the main event.
• The detachable cable uses a twist-lock 2.5mm connector, so you can swap in a standard cable as a replacement or balanced upgrade — a plus for longevity.
• It works with inline microphones and there's no shortage of first- and third-party accessories thanks to the HD 500-series compatibility.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xEnso

As a collectible 10th-anniversary edition, the Enso's value rests on whether the artwork appeals — the audio is identical to the standard M50x. Reviewers still rate the M50x platform a strong wired buy, while rivals like the AKG K371 and Sennheiser HD 280 Pro / HD 58X compete hard on sound and comfort.

• The Enso is positioned as a celebration of legendary performance with a new symbolic look and a level of rarity Audio-Technica hasn't offered in years — its value is partly collectible.
• For its price and longevity, the M50x remains one of the best do-everything wired over-ear headphones you can buy.
• RTINGS calls the M50x one of the best values on the market thanks to its strong price-to-performance ratio for critical listening.
• The AKG K371 sells around the same price, follows the consumer target curve more closely, isolates slightly better and is more comfortable for glasses-wearers — though the M50x feels more durable.
• Against the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro the M50x is better built and noticeably more comfortable with spare cables included — overall better value even at its higher price.
• Some audiophiles argue the M50x is overhyped by casual buyers and there are headphones in its price range, such as the Sennheiser HD 58X, that outperform it for casual listening.
• Reddit owners are split — many love their M50x for everyday music, while critics note it was over-hyped as the best closed-back ever, fuelling an audiophile backlash.

Sennheiser HD 505

At $250 the HD 505 is the cheapest genuine entry into Sennheiser's open-back lineage, but it lands in a brutal price band: the older HD 6XX/HD 600 and the new HD 550 both make a strong case against it, and Beyerdynamic and HiFiMan add more pressure.

• The HD 505 competes in a crowded segment against Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic and others in the sub-$300 price range.
• It slots in beneath the benchmark HD 600 series while ticking plenty of boxes for music fans chasing sonic quality on a budget.
• For around the same money you can get a used HD 650 or a new HD 6XX/HD 600 — any of which gives a truer representation of the source.
• The HD 6XX is meaningfully less expensive and remains the indisputable value king — not just in Sennheiser's lineup but in headphones at this price range.
• For $20 more the new HD 550 might steal some of the 505's thunder with even stronger bass and arguably less annoying treble peaks.