Sennheiser has simply unveiled the most recent entry-level headphones in its extra ‘analytical’ line-up of headphones, the HD 505. The five hundred-series is all the time Sennheiser’s extra reasonably priced line, and the HD 505 sits simply beneath the Sennheiser HD 600 within the line-up.
Sennheiser says that the brand new headphones have an tailored transducer that was designed to present higher bass and treble extension in comparison with earlier 500-series choices, whereas sustaining transparency for the music.
They’ve a frequency vary of 12Hz – 38.5kHz from 38mm drivers, and an impedance of 120 ohms, although they’ve a excessive sound stress degree of 107.9dB per volt which implies they’re nonetheless driveable from one thing like a cellphone or laptop computer, nearly.
They’ve a 1.8m cable, with a 3.5mm plug on the tip, and a 6.3mm adapter included. The cable locks into place on the headphones however is detachable.
They price $249 / £229 (about AU$450), which makes them notably extra reasonably priced than the official value of the Sennheiser HD 600, which is $449 / £399. Nonetheless, the HD 600 are commonly obtainable for below £250 within the UK, and have fallen as little as $249 within the US as nicely (they’re $349 as I write this, which isn’t throughout an enormous gross sales occasion or something), so it isn’t laborious to get the step-up mannequin for a similar value as the brand new entry-level possibility.
I’ve a much-loved pair of Sennheiser HD 600 headphones (that I constructed myself on a go to to Sennheiser’s manufacturing unit in Eire), so with this shut real-world value match in thoughts, and with a pair of HD 505 in hand, I in contrast them on to the HD 600.
Head(telephones)-to-head(telephones)
We’ll dig right into a fuller, longer interval of testing for our full Sennheiser HD 505 evaluate, so that is simply my preliminary comparability – I examined them with Apple Music on my iPhone 16 Professional, with a USB-C DAC from Hidisz.
First, a be aware about driving them from a cellphone by way of a small DAC with no powered amp ingredient: sure, I may drive them from this simply, however I needed to have the amount at round 85% of most. I had the HD 600 at 90% of most to succeed in the identical perceived quantity degree. So positive, they don’t seem to be laborious to drive, however you’ll need to maintain your foot down.
One of many parts Sennheiser stated it centered on for the brand new headphones was a lightweight and cozy design with out a lot clamping drive, and I actually preferred this within the HD 505. They hold in place properly, however with rather less grip on the fiber earpads, they did not heat my head as a lot over the identical hours-long listening time because the HD 600. I haven’t got a problem with the HD 600’s grip or warming nature, however I may inform a transparent distinction with the HD 505.
Clearly, it is all in regards to the sound, although, so let’s dig in there. The HD 505 has the larger bass and treble kick of the 2, that a lot is apparent straight away. It feels prefer it’s hitting barely decrease within the bass vary than the HD 600, but it surely’s clearly very managed – it might probably hit with good sudden affect, and end simply as neatly.
The low-end is heftier than I may need anticipated primarily based on my familiarity with the HD 600, but it surely all feels fairly pure – the distinguished treble looks like extra of a shock, although.
It’s not harsh, no less than not that I’ve heard thus far, however does really feel prefer it’s poking its head out of the combination in a means that doesn’t really feel impartial. This implies you get to essentially dig into the element in increased vocals or treble percussion, and the combo of the distinguished highs and lows make the sound really feel high-energy too.
Nonetheless, the HD 600 has an additional degree of naturalness within the general sound that is particularly evident within the mid-range. It looks like there’s extra space for the weather to maneuver round all through these frequencies – a much bigger room to play in once they’re not becoming between the steeper bass and treble of the HD 505.
Which means that huge swelling instrument preparations are extra transporting, and I felt extra enveloped by wealthy, dense mixes. It additionally implies that the completely different devices in actually busy songs felt just a little extra organized within the soundstage – not in a means that robs them of life, however in a means that provides them the additional capability to shine, and showcase additional element.
It implies that the HD 600’s general soundstage feels extra unified to me, with a smoother move from prime to backside, and crucially a extra pure sound by way of that complete transition. Do I miss a little bit of the additional bass thump in sure songs when switching to the HD 600 from the HD 505? Sure, at first – however as soon as I am into the complexity of what the HD 600 provides, I am happier there.
In fact, none of it is a shock provided that the HD 600 are theoretically an enormous value leap over the HD 505 – however as I discussed above, you’ll find them for therefore shut in value in observe, that I feel the HD 505 might have hassle stepping out of the shadow of the HD 600, until they get their very own value drops earlier than lengthy.
The Sennheiser HD 505 can be found instantly from Amazon, and we’ll have our full evaluate quickly to see if they’ll make our checklist of the greatest wired headphones.