If you are looking for a pair of headphones for serious listening sessions, forget about features such as Bluetooth and active noise cancellation. Sennheiser HD 505 does that to deliver a great sonic experience.

In the box is a small travel pouch with drawstrings, a long cable and a quarter-inch adapter that screws on and off.

Getting into your headspace

There are two big changes. First, there is less clamp force, so it feels lighter on the head. Second, the upper mid-range and low treble are more refined. It’s a little bit less bright, a little bit less shouty, which is a safer tuning.

The chassis is similar to what you get in the 500 series. The clamp doesn’t “squeeze” the sides of the head. Yet, at the same time, it’s very secure and doesn’t slip off the head.

The wide soundstage, partially achieved with angled drivers, is helpful.

The headphones can be worn for longer periods. The pads are highly breathable and acoustically more transparent. There is less acoustic resistance to the driver. Also, the height of the pad is just about right, so when you wear them, there is no pressure on the ears.

In case the user’s head is smaller, the yoke can be adjusted to ensure a snug fit. The headband has a premium feel, besides being wide, allowing the headphones to sit comfortably. What makes Sennheiser products stand out is how easily the ear cups and the headband can be replaced.

Relaxed sound profile

The HD 505 has a slightly… ever so slightly… warm tone, but the most noticeable improvement is the relaxed tonality. Overall, the sound is neutral and is not biased to any particular department. There is a good sub-bass extension even below 50Hz.

The sound signature is more versatile than on other headphones in the series. I can use the headphones for a lot more tracks without the need to resort to any EQ changes.

Further, the bass quality is just right; the sound is tighter and cleaner. It’s not that there is a lot of bass — something I personally don’t like — but it’s how well articulated it is; the texture of the bass is fantastic. Listen to a song like Psycho Killer by Talking Heads or Black Dog by Led Zeppelin — you will enjoy what the device delivers.

The Sennheiser HD 505 features an open-back design, offering a natural sound and a wider soundstage compared to its closed-back counterparts.

What the HD 505 has is a wider soundstage and more extension in the treble area. Try a James Blake track. Or, Screenager from Muse and Tin Pan Alley by Stevie Vaughan.

Some people have one headphone, and some may have five, and even then, you can get only a limited sound profile. The ability to play a wide variety of content is extremely important. And that is what makes HD 505 an excellent purchase.

Make the call

Sennheiser always manages to present a wider sound stage, but, at the same time, makes sure the sound comes across as it was intended to be heard.

The brand has competition in the form of Sony WH-1000XM5, Aune AR5000, Bose QuietComfort and Audio-Technica ATH-R50x. Some offer more punchy bass, some offer more shouty sound profiles. But Sennheiser has an advantage — it can win brownie points even with gamers. In games where scenes get complex with gunfire and explosions, the HD 505 is easy to listen to.

There is nothing called ‘best’ or ‘worst’ headphones: It’s about the sound profile you prefer. Sennheiser HD 505 is a safe bet, offering a high level of comfort, and it’s meant for long-term use. After all, you don’t buy headphones every day. If you are looking to buy a headphone to enjoy music from sources like a turntable or lossless audio, HD 505 is an excellent offering. It prioritises sound and comfort over bling elements.

At a glance

Device: Sennheiser HD 505 (copper)

Price: ₹27,990

High notes

• Highly comfortable

• Clean sound profile

• Ear cups are large and deep

• Lightweight

Muffled note

• Locking ear cup connector