This review dives into the Sennheiser HD 505 headphones, offering a detailed look at the unboxing experience, build quality, and initial listening impressions. We explore the understated packaging, contrasting it with the premium feel of the headphones themselves. The familiar Sennheiser design is analyzed, noting similarities to other models in the 500 series, and highlighting the open-back design's impact on soundstage and breathability.Initial listening tests reveal a nuanced sound signature with a noticeably darker tone in the upper midrange, potentially appealing to listeners sensitive to brighter frequencies. However, we also explore potential drawbacks, such as a slight dryness in certain frequency ranges. This review provides an early assessment, focusing on subjective experiences and observations, promising a more comprehensive analysis including objective measurements in a future, full review.
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Unboxing the Sennheiser HD 505
The Sennheiser HD 505 arrived in a surprisingly minimalist cardboard box—a refreshing change from flashy packaging. This understated approach suggests Sennheiser prioritized the headphone's design and sound quality over extravagant presentation. The box itself felt sturdy and protective, ensuring the headphones inside arrived safely.
Opening the box revealed the HD 505 nestled in additional protective cardboard. This extra layer adds to the sense of care taken during packaging. The headphones themselves were encased in a soft bag, further minimizing the risk of damage during transit.
Initial Impressions: Design and Build Quality
The HD 505 boasts a familiar Sennheiser design aesthetic. The earpads appeared identical to those on the HD 560S, and the headband resembled the HD 599's plush construction. The build quality felt premium and solid, matching the expectations of a Sennheiser product in this price range.
The open-back design of the HD 505 is noticeable, with an extremely thin front mesh and a lack of front damping. This design choice likely prioritizes breathability and a more spacious soundstage. The cable, a standard 5-series cable, was included, and its construction seemed durable.
Sound Impressions: First Listening Experiences
The reviewer used a reference playlist to test the HD 505's sound signature. The initial track, "Nice Dream" by Radiohead, highlighted a slightly darker sound in the 10-12kHz region compared to other Sennheiser headphones. This characteristic resulted in a more comfortable listening experience for the reviewer, who is usually sensitive to this frequency range.
While the HD 505's overall sound was pleasing, the reviewer noted some minor drawbacks. The acoustic guitar ensemble on the same track exhibited a slight dryness, potentially due to a minor elevation in the 4-6kHz region. Further listening sessions with tracks like "It Comes and It Goes" by Dao and "Desert Island Disk" by Radiohead helped illustrate the headphone's strengths and weaknesses across various genres.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Recommendations
The Sennheiser HD 505 impressed with its comfortable fit, solid build quality, and pleasing mid-range sound. Its dark sound signature, however, may not appeal to all listeners. Some users might find the lower treble elevation too noticeable, particularly those who already prefer a brighter sound profile.
Overall, the HD 505 offers a nuanced and detailed listening experience, but its darker sound signature and potential lower treble issues make it a headphone best suited for listeners who prefer a warmer, less bright sound and don't mind the potential dryness in certain frequency ranges. A full review with measurements will offer further insights into its performance.