Sennheiser HD 500 HD 505

The Sennheiser HD 505 is a wired open-back headphone for desktop audiophiles who prioritize soundstage and build quality over wireless features. It delivers clean, spatial sound at a fair price, but comfort is a major weak point. Skip it if you need ANC, Bluetooth, or a decent mic.

The HD 505 uses a dynamic driver with an improved laminate diaphragm and a lighter voice coil. In practice, that translates to snappy transients and a treble response that feels detailed without being harsh. Bass is present and controlled, though open-back designs rarely deliver that sub-bass rumble you get from closed-back cans. The 12Hz low end spec is optimistic in real-world listening, but the mid-bass punch is satisfying for rock, jazz, and acoustic stuff.

Our database puts the sound quality at the 44th percentile, which is solid but not spectacular. That's middle of the pack for this category, which includes a lot of wireless ANC headphones that prioritize convenience over pure fidelity. For pure music listening, the HD 505 scores 37.6 out of 100, and for studio use it's at 40.5. The budget score of 43.8 reflects that you're getting decent sound for the price, but not a giant-killer. The 107.9 dB sensitivity means it gets loud enough without needing a monster amp, though the 120 ohm impedance does benefit from a dedicated headphone output.

Stacked against the Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B, the HD 505 is a completely different animal. The Sony gives you wireless freedom, active noise cancelling, and a bass-heavy tuning that's fun for commuting. The Sennheiser gives you a more honest, spatial presentation and a cable. For pure critical listening at a desk, the HD 505 wins. For everything else, the Sony is more practical.

The Bose QuietComfort 884367-1100 is another strong alternative. It's more expensive but offers best-in-class comfort and ANC. The HD 505's comfort score is a real problem here, landing in the bottom 10th percentile. If you wear headphones for hours at a time, the Bose will treat your head better. The Technics EAH-A800 and JBL Tune 670NC are also worth a look if you want wireless with decent sound, but neither matches the HD 505's build quality or open-back spaciousness.

At $206 USD, the HD 505 is priced like a serious audio purchase but not an extravagant one. You're competing against the Sony ULT WEAR and Bose QuietComfort, both of which offer wireless, ANC, and app support for similar or slightly more money. What you get here instead is a purist wired experience with better build quality and that open-back soundstage. If you already own a decent amp and don't need portability, the value proposition makes sense. If you want one pair of headphones for commuting, calls, and music, this isn't the best use of $206.

The Sennheiser HD 505 is a wired, open-back pair of over-ear headphones aimed squarely at the budget audiophile crowd. At around $206 USD, it sits in that interesting space where you're paying for sound quality and build materials, not wireless features or noise cancelling. There's no Bluetooth, no app, no ANC. Just a 3.5mm cable and a promise of clean, spatial sound. And for the most part, it delivers on that promise.

Sennheiser is leaning hard into the open-back design here, which means no back reflections and a more immersive, speaker-like presentation. The 120 ohm impedance and 12Hz to 38.5kHz frequency response tell you this isn't a pair of earbuds you just plug into anything. You'll want a decent amp or at least a solid headphone jack to get the most out of it. The included 1.8 meter cable is fine for desktop use, and the drawstring bag is a nice touch for storage.

People searching for "best open-back headphones under $250" or "Sennheiser HD 505 vs HD 560S" will find a lot to like here. It's a focused product. No gimmicks, just a well-built wired headphone with a sound signature that leans into clarity and space. But comfort is a real concern, and we'll get into that below.

Skip the HD 505 if you plan to use headphones for phone calls, video meetings, or commuting. The mic quality is poor, there's no noise cancelling, and the open-back design means everyone around you hears your music. If comfort is a dealbreaker, the bottom 10th percentile comfort score should give you serious pause. Look at the Bose QuietComfort or Sony ULT WEAR for all-day wearability and wireless convenience instead.

Should you buy the Sennheiser HD 505? If you're a desktop listener who wants an open-back wired headphone with good build quality and a spacious sound, yes. It's a focused tool that does its job well. The sound is clean, the cable is replaceable, and the design is understated in a good way.

But if comfort is a priority, or you need something for calls, or you want wireless, look elsewhere. The comfort score is genuinely concerning, and the mic is nearly useless for anything beyond quick voice notes. This is a headphone for sitting still and listening to music. Nothing more, nothing less. And honestly, there's something refreshing about that.