Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 550 | TechTalkTown
Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 550
Sennheiser HD 505
Sennheiser
8.3
An affordable on-ramp to the legendary Sennheiser house sound
Sennheiser HD 550
Sennheiser
8.2
A neutral, comfortable open-back that's the new pick of the 5-series
Sennheiser HD 505
What Reviewers Agree On
Delivers the classic balanced, midrange-forward Sennheiser house sound with a wider soundstage than the HD 600-series
Exceptionally light (237g) and comfortable for long listening sessions, with gentler clamp than older Sennheisers
Modular HD 500-series design with user-replaceable earpads and a detachable, twist-lock cable for easy repair and longevity
Easy to drive — runs loud from a simple USB-C dongle or laptop jack, though it scales with a dedicated amp
Strong value as an entry point into open-back audiophile listening at a $250 launch price
Deal Breakers
Pros & Cons
Sennheiser HD 505
Pros
Delivers the classic balanced, midrange-forward Sennheiser house sound with a wider soundstage than the HD 600-series
Exceptionally light (237g) and comfortable for long listening sessions, with gentler clamp than older Sennheisers
Modular HD 500-series design with user-replaceable earpads and a detachable, twist-lock cable for easy repair and longevity
Easy to drive — runs loud from a simple USB-C dongle or laptop jack, though it scales with a dedicated amp
Strong value as an entry point into open-back audiophile listening at a $250 launch price
Detailed Comparison
Sound Quality
Sennheiser HD 505
The HD 505 carries the signature balanced, midrange-led Sennheiser tuning into an affordable open-back, adding a touch more bass warmth and a wider soundstage than the HD 600-series. The main critique is a treble lift around 6-8 kHz that some listeners find bright.
Sennheiser tuned the HD 505 to capture the best virtues of several HD 500-series models with no undesirable changes from the broader lineup.
It presents Sennheiser's signature balanced sound — the tuning targets a more analytical output rather than beefy bass or tight treble.
The midrange is the standout — for Sennheiser, 'normal' midrange means it is better than 99% of headphones on the market.
Imaging is precise and the sound stretches out to the sides rather than feeling like speakers smashed against your ears.
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The older HD 6XX / HD 600 sits at a similar street price and is still widely called the better-value pick
A treble peak around 6-8 kHz can sound bright or slightly fatiguing on hi-hats and cymbals for some listeners
Open-back design leaks sound both ways — useless for commuting, offices or any noisy environment
Build is functional plastic rather than premium, which some buyers expect more of at this price
Sennheiser HD 550
What Reviewers Agree On
The best-sounding headphone in the HD 500 series — improved bass body and a more balanced, neutral tuning over the HD 560S and older 5-series models
An organic, well-articulated midrange with clear, centred vocals is the HD 550's standout strength, true to the classic Sennheiser house sound
Genuinely comfortable for long sessions thanks to a featherweight ~237g build, reduced clamping force and breathable velour earpads
A 150Ω open-back that is easy enough to run from a dongle but clearly rewards a proper DAC/amp with extra detail and low-end control
Modular, serviceable design — easily replaceable velour pads and a detachable cable — gives the HD 550 strong long-term ownership value
Deal Breakers
The lower treble can get edgy, gritty or scratchy, especially at higher volumes — the most consistent sonic criticism across reviews
The thinly padded headband with no central V-cutout creates a top-of-head pressure point that undercuts the otherwise light, comfy fit
The proprietary 2.5mm twist-lock cable connector limits third-party cable and boom-mic choices, and only a basic 3.5mm cable is included
Cons
The older HD 6XX / HD 600 sits at a similar street price and is still widely called the better-value pick
A treble peak around 6-8 kHz can sound bright or slightly fatiguing on hi-hats and cymbals for some listeners
Open-back design leaks sound both ways — useless for commuting, offices or any noisy environment
Build is functional plastic rather than premium, which some buyers expect more of at this price
Sennheiser HD 550
Pros
The best-sounding headphone in the HD 500 series — improved bass body and a more balanced, neutral tuning over the HD 560S and older 5-series models
An organic, well-articulated midrange with clear, centred vocals is the HD 550's standout strength, true to the classic Sennheiser house sound
Genuinely comfortable for long sessions thanks to a featherweight ~237g build, reduced clamping force and breathable velour earpads
A 150Ω open-back that is easy enough to run from a dongle but clearly rewards a proper DAC/amp with extra detail and low-end control
Modular, serviceable design — easily replaceable velour pads and a detachable cable — gives the HD 550 strong long-term ownership value
Cons
The lower treble can get edgy, gritty or scratchy, especially at higher volumes — the most consistent sonic criticism across reviews
The thinly padded headband with no central V-cutout creates a top-of-head pressure point that undercuts the otherwise light, comfy fit
The proprietary 2.5mm twist-lock cable connector limits third-party cable and boom-mic choices, and only a basic 3.5mm cable is included
The 505's voicing keeps the spirit of the legendary HD 600 but with a wider soundstage — a serious-performing way into the hobby without spending a ton.
Treble does its job keeping things clean and energetic, but gets a little bright around 6-8 kHz on hi-hats and cymbals — a glare the HD 600 doesn't have.
There is a subtle papery or dry quality to acoustic guitars, likely an elevation somewhere between 4-6 kHz.
Versus the HD 550, the 505 is broadly in line up to ~8 kHz but the 550 has even more bass below 80 Hz — about a 5% sound difference overall.
Sennheiser is not known for thumpy, hard-hitting bass — the lower mids and subbass come in fairly nicely, but bass-focused listeners may want more.
The HD 505 takes EQ well — boosting it in an equalizer keeps bass and subbass prominent while staying clear and well-separated from other frequencies.
Sennheiser HD 550
Reviewers converge on the HD 550 as the best-sounding model in Sennheiser's HD 500 series — a neutral, well-extended signature with a more complete bass body, an organic midrange and a slightly forward treble that can occasionally turn gritty. It is honest rather than exciting, and rewards critical listening.
Having heard almost every HD 500 series headphone, Headfonics calls the HD 550 the best-sounding one of the series, crediting refined bass and treble for a small but real step up over its predecessors.
The bass is one of the most potent in the series — fuller and more satisfying than older 5-series models, with the usual sub-bass dip far less pronounced, though it could still use a touch more punch and dynamism.
The midrange is where the HD 550 excels — vocals are warm, organic and clearly centred, with enough detail for critical listening, classic Sennheiser house sound done well.
Trusted Reviews praises a beautifully neutral, even-handed frequency response with high detail retrieval and good bass control, but says the presentation lacks energy and excitement — analysis over entertainment.
The treble is the recurring weak point — Trusted Reviews notes it can get edgy and gritty especially at bigger volumes, and Headphones.com calls the lower treble rather scratchy and dry.
Headphones.com rates the HD 550 perhaps its favourite Sennheiser midrange tuning yet, with better bass extension than the HD 6 series and less upper-midrange glare than the HD 505.
Audio46 describes an uncoloured, natural signature with articulate, non-boosted bass, an honest midrange and a smooth, fatigue-free treble — a well-tuned reference headphone for both casual listening and studio work.
The Headphone Show says from a tonality perspective this is a better midrange than 99.99% of headphones, with more bass extension than the HD 600 and only a minor 5-6kHz region that stands out as a problem.
Christian Svedin describes the HD 550 as a great representation of the Sennheiser sound — analytic, with great stereo imaging and depth — though bass-heavy listeners may find it a little thin.
Reddit owners in the r/Sennheiser appreciation thread call the tuning fantastic for their ears and a very good value set, with one describing a discounted pair as the best money ever spent on headphones.
Comfort & Design
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.
Some buyers may expect a more premium, metal-heavy build at this price — the build feels more plastic than premium.
Reviewers ding Sennheiser's HD 5xx naming convention as confusing, even as the headphone itself is well liked.
Owners note the same earpads carry across the 5xx models and aftermarket pads fit, though OEM pads are softer and insulate slightly better.
Sennheiser HD 550
At roughly 237g the HD 550 is the lightest model in the HD 500 line, with reduced clamping force and breathable velour pads that make it comfortable for long listening. The catch is an underpadded headband with no central cutout, and a minimalist, all-plastic build that several reviewers find drab and a step down in heft from older Sennheisers.
At 237g the HD 550 is the lightest headphone in the HD 500 series, and Sennheiser has reduced clamping force enough that pad pressure is barely noticeable for long sessions.
Trusted Reviews says the HD 550 are more comfortable than they look, helped by well-judged memory-foam earpads in synthetic velour, a synthetic-leather headband and appropriate clamping force.
The build is mostly unremarkable plastic — Trusted Reviews notes it doesn't look or feel special, and the HD 550 don't fold, with only a little hinge movement for fit.
Headphones.com really dislikes the headband pad — no central notch and insufficient padding make the HD 550 among the less comfortable lightweight headphones tested, undercutting how light the frame is.
Headfonics wishes Sennheiser had kept the V-shaped headband cutout from the HD 560S that relieves the central top-of-head pressure point — a cheap fix that benefits the user.
Wired & Hi-Res Listening
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.
The standard connector layout means you can pair it with balanced aftermarket cables running 2.5mm, 4.4mm or XLR outputs.
It is easy to drive — loud enough above listening levels straight from an Apple USB-C dongle or a laptop's 3.5mm jack, though it also scales with an amp.
For best results, don't plug it straight into a phone or laptop — many reviewers recommend a dedicated dongle DAC or amp to get the most out of it.
Sennheiser HD 550
A purely passive wired open-back: no battery, no Bluetooth, no ANC. The HD 550 uses a 38mm dynamic driver with a 150Ω impedance and 6Hz–39.5kHz response, terminating in a proprietary 2.5mm twist-lock connector. It runs acceptably from a dongle but clearly improves with a proper DAC/amp, and the limited included cable is a common gripe.
The HD 550 uses a custom angle-mounted 38mm dynamic transducer with a 150Ω impedance, a 6Hz–39.5kHz frequency response and a 106.7 dB SPL — built at Sennheiser's audiophile facility in Tullamore, Ireland.
At 150Ω the HD 550 isn't especially power-hungry and can run from a laptop or phone, but Audio46 found it benefits significantly from a dedicated DAC/amp, which brought out detail and low-end control.
Headfonics notes the HD 550 is more versatile than older 300Ω Sennheisers — its 150Ω impedance pairs with a wider range of equipment — but still recommends a separate amplifier for more headroom.
It ships with just a basic 1.8m cable terminating in a 3.5mm plug plus a screw-on 6.35mm adapter — Trusted Reviews flags that a longer or balanced cable costs extra.
Value vs Competition
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.
Reviewers favour the 505 over the HD 560S for its subbass extension and wider soundstage, calling it a fix for the 560S's biggest issue — though some listeners still prefer the 560S's excitement.
Strong competition from HiFiMan price drops and Fiio's FT1 means the community will scrutinise how the 505 holds up at $250.
It is a great headphone for what it is and performs excellently for its price point — worth the money if you're shopping this space.
Sennheiser HD 550
Launched around $349.95 and now widely seen at $299 or lower, the HD 550 sits in a crowded open-back field against its own siblings — the HD 505, HD 560S and the legendary HD 6XX/HD 600. Reviewers agree it is the most complete-sounding 5-series model, but disagree on whether it beats the cheaper HD 6XX on outright value.
The HD 550 launched at $299.95-$349.95 (£249 / €299) and is frequently discounted lower — Audio46 listed it as low as $199.95 on sale.
Headphones.com's chief reservation is value — it argues the HD 550 still isn't as good a buy as the cheaper, legendary HD 6XX, even while praising the HD 550's tuning.
The Headphone Show calls the HD 6XX the indisputable value king of the price range, but still rates the HD 550 a personal favourite and one of its preferred Sennheisers.
Major HiFi's HD 550 vs HD 560S verdict: the HD 560S is the pick for accuracy-obsessed audiophiles and pros, while the HD 550 is the more relaxed, musical listen with a more holographic soundstage.
The oval velour-cloth pads are a bit stiff at first but flatten over time, are easily removed and replaced on Sennheiser's standard ring system — a serviceable, modular design.
Headphones.com finds the HD 550's muted grey-and-black look more dated and austere than the HD 505, noting some buyers may simply prefer the sibling's appearance.
The Source Audio Video Design Group calls the extremely lightweight ~237g HD 550 a pleasure to wear even for longer listening sessions, made primarily of plastic-type materials.
Open-back by design, the HD 550 leaks sound freely both ways — Trusted Reviews found the leaky nature didn't endear it to people nearby when used outside, so it is a home-listening headphone.
The headphone-side connector is a proprietary 2.5mm twist-lock — Headfonics calls it solid but says it limits cable choices, and the stock cable itself is subpar.
ShortCircuit confirms the detachable cable terminates to a 2.5mm connector and notes most third-party 2.5mm cables should still work as upgrades or replacements.
Headphones Pro Review notes the standard connector layout means you can pair the HD 550 with balanced aftermarket cables running 2.5mm, 4.4mm or XLR outputs if you prefer a balanced source.
The HD 550 is also pitched as a gaming headphone — its microphone-ready design works with a clip-on external mic, though Headfonics notes the proprietary connector rules out V-MODA or Meze boom mics.
Reddit users repeatedly flag the awkward pricing — the cheaper HD 505 at ~$280 sitting just below the HD 550 at ~$300 strikes some as predatory and confusing within Sennheiser's own lineup.
The Source Audio Video Design Group still believes the HD 650 offers better long-term value than the HD 550 thanks to superior build and a 300Ω design that excels on tube amps, despite the price gap.
The Headphone Show argues that with a fancier build the HD 550 could comfortably sell at $500-600 without complaint — at its actual price the sound is the value story.
Audio46 sums the HD 550 up as a sleeper hit — a solid mid-tier open-back with studio potential well worth considering in the under-$300 category.
