Sennheiser HD 505 Review: Unmatched Sound Quality
The Sennheiser HD 505 headphones represent the company's latest offering in open-back wired headphones, specifically targeted towards individuals who prioritize a high-quality listening experience. This review delves into their features, performance, and overall value proposition.
Sennheiser HD 505 Review
Comparison: Sennheiser HD 505 vs. Grado SR325x
While the HD 505s offer a compelling package at $279.95, the review highlights a key competitor: the $295 Grado SR325x. These Editors' Choice-winning audiophile headphones are lauded for their broad stereo reproduction and distinctive aesthetics, suggesting a potential step up in audio quality for a modest increase in price.Design and Build Quality
The design of the Sennheiser HD 505 echoes the contemporary style prevalent in other models from the brand. They feature large oval earcups and a smoothly contoured headband that integrates seamlessly with the earcups. Weighing in at 8.36 ounces, their weight is typical for headphones in this category. The reviewed HD 505 Copper Edition boasts an attractive copper-and-black color scheme.Comfort and Earcups
Comfort is addressed through plush fabric padding covering the ear pads, designed to facilitate extended listening sessions. However, the reviewer noted a potential issue with the padding becoming warm during prolonged use, particularly in warmer environments.Open-Back Design: Implications
As open-back headphones, the majority of the earcups' exterior is covered by a mesh grille. This design choice is crucial to their sonic characteristics, allowing air and sound to move freely. A key consequence of this open design is a lack of sound isolation, meaning the wearer can hear external sounds, and conversely, the audio being played is audible to those nearby. This inherent trait makes them unsuitable for noisy environments.Internal Components: Drivers and Impedance
Inside each earcup resides a 38mm dynamic driver, enabling a wide frequency response of 12Hz to 39kHz. The headphones have an impedance of 120 ohms. While compatible with standard audio outputs like laptops and phones, a headphone amplifier is recommended to unlock their full potential and achieve the best listening experience.
Included Accessories
The Sennheiser HD 505 package includes a practical set of accessories: a detachable 5.9-foot cable for flexibility and longevity, a soft carry bag for convenient storage and transportation, and a one-eighth-to-one-quarter-inch adapter to ensure compatibility with a broader range of audio equipment.
The Advantages of Open-Back Headphones
The preference for open-back headphones often stems from their ability to create a more natural sound and a wider perceived soundstage compared to closed-back designs. Additionally, their open nature often contributes to enhanced comfort through improved breathability.
The Disadvantages of Open-Back Headphones
The trade-offs associated with open-back headphones include the absence of effective sound isolation or noise cancellation. Furthermore, the lack of sound containment means that audio is notprivate and can be heard by others in the vicinity. Consequently, theirideal usage scenarios are typically limited to quiet spaces.
Sound Quality: Overall Impression
The Sennheiser HD 505 headphones are described as providing an overall natural listening experience, a quality evident in both their soundstage and frequency response. The reviewer specifically highlights the impressive reproduction of deep bass, which remains well-defined and controlled.
Performance Analysis: Specific Music Tracks
The Knife - "Silent Shout"
On this track, the HD 505s effectively handled the prominent sub-bass frequencies without compromising the clarity of the expansive percussion and the lead synthesizers. The sonic presentation was noted for its organization and immersiveness, with the high-end percussion exhibiting a pleasant clarity without becoming harsh.
Kendrick Lamar - "Loyalty"
The headphones showcased their excellent bass response on this track, faithfully reproducing most of the deep bass synth notes with control and smoothness. However, a slight lack of immediate impact and a somewhat slow quality to the bass were observed, contributing to an easy-listening feel. The vocals of Lamar and Rihanna were rendered with richness and presence, free from noticeable distortion even at higher volumes.
Bill Callahan - "Drover"
This track was particularly enjoyable, with Callahan’s vocals exhibiting richness and depth, the acoustic guitar sounding natural and vibrant, and the drums displaying immersive detail. The broad soundstage and natural feel allowed each instrument to occupy its own distinct space. A subtle observation was a slight de-emphasis of the mid frequencies compared to the highs.
John Adams - "The Gospel According to the Other Mary"
The wide soundstage, partly attributed to the angled drivers, proved particularly beneficial for this complex orchestral piece. The various instrumental sections, including strings, brass, and vocals, maintained their individual clarity, a characteristic often challenging for even high-end closed-back headphones.
Conclusion: Impressive Performance for the Price
In summary, the Sennheiser HD 505 headphones offer a responsive, natural frequency response that makes them suitable for a wide variety of musical genres. The reviewer was particularly impressed by their bass and high-end extension, especially considering their position in the market.
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