Sennheiser HD 505

Sennheiser is a brand long associated with high-quality sound, and has more than 80 years of experience in the audio market. While it’s best-known these days for its wireless earbuds and headphones, the brand still offers plenty of wired headphones for those who want a more traditional set-up. 

Its latest offering is the Sennheiser HD 505, a pair of open-back over-ear wired headphones, which it says are aimed at those ready to elevate their wired headphone listening. They look similar to previous models in Sennheiser’s HD 500 series range - but they’ve got a more premium feel thanks to more metal and less plastic. And they’re lighter, too. 

They use a new transducer, similar to the one found in the HD 560S headphones and, according to Sennheiser, it provides a fuller sound. There are no smarts or fancy technology such as noise-cancelling, personalisation or voice control for the headphones to hide behind, meaning it all comes down to sound quality. So just how do the Sennheiser HD 505 fare? 

Sound quality

For the uninitiated: unlike closed-back headphones, where the earcup is completely sealed and sound is fully directed towards the ear, open-back headphones allow sound to move away from, as well as towards, the ear in an effort to offer a more natural and open presentation. 

And the HD 505 mostly delivers this. The audio is balanced, with both vocals and the top end - which is bright and clear - being allowed to shine during listening. For example, Whitney Houston’s stunning voice during her version of I Will Always Love You remains the star of the show when listening through these headphones, but the saxophone and the gentle strumming of the guitar still have room to shine. It’s a similar experience with electronic tones and the robotic vocals in Daft Punk’s Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – the track sounds fresh and energetic. 

However, when it comes to bass, the headphones don’t always get it right. When listening to 4 Minutes by Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake, the bass is clear, with plenty of depth - but it doesn’t overpower the rest of the track. The brass instruments, in particular tuba and cowbell, are still clear and distinct, and perfectly complement the vocals. Unfortunately, it’s not the same story with Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5. On occasions the bass becomes uncontrolled - and creates an ever-so-slight lack of clarity (although have to really listen hard to identify this). 

As well as music, the HD 505s offer clear and natural sound when listening to spoken word. An episode of Pod in the Park, which was recorded live in front of an audience at the ‘Pub in the Park’ festival last year, sounds warm and clear. The gentle buzz from the audience and the background ambiance are clearly audible, giving a real sense of immediacy - it’s like hearing the discussion live. 

Living with

As over-ear headphones go, the Sennheiser HD 505s are relatively compact – they certainly don’t look as comically large as some other headphones I’ve tested. The copper accents perfectly complement the ‘primarily black’ aesthetic too. But as well as looking good, they are comfortable to wear. 

At 237g they are very lightweight and I barely notice I am wearing them, in part thanks to the velour-covered ear pads and the comfortable headband (which Sennheiser says has a reduced clamping force compared with other models). But at the same time, I’m not worried about them slipping off my head - they feel secure. 

The headphones have a 3.5mm jack, but there’s also a 6.3mm jack, which screws onto the 3.5mm connection. However, I am disappointed they only come with a soft drawstring bag for storage. Open-back headphones are sometimes more delicate than their closed-back counterparts, so the extra protection of a hard-shell case would go a long way to making me feel more confident I can protect these headphones from accidental damage. 

Conclusion

The Sennheiser HD 505s sound good, with fairly rich bass (although in extremis it does stray into ‘uncontrolled’). Lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods, these headphones offer two differently sized connections and have a premium feel. They may not come cheap, but they are a good option for those seeking to take their first steps into the world of wired, open-back, over-ear headphones. 

Listening Notes

Nelly Country Grammar

This early 2000s RnB track sounds sublime when listened to through the HD 505s. The powerful bass is rich and deep without becoming unruly, and it certainly doesn't overshadow Nelly's energetic vocals or the bright, clear top end

Natalie Cole This Will Be

Cole's soulful vocals are the star of the show on this 1975 track, but the Sennheisers still leave plenty of room for the piano and the saxophones to shine - it makes for an extremely pleasant listen

Lola Young Messy

The rhythmic guitar and electronic tones are perfectly reproduced in this track, while the gravely vocals sound balanced and there’s plenty of sparkle in the treble.

If you’re looking for your first pair of wired headphones primarily for listening to music, the Sennheiser HD 505 is well worth considering. It offers a balanced sound which is clear and sharp, has a premium look and feel, and is lightweight and comfortable to wear. However, it’s worth highlighting that while Sennheiser is also pitching these headphones at gamers, they’ll only be suitable if you already have a cable with an in-line microphone. Those looking for an all-in-one solution to converse with other players may need to look elsewhere.