Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
86Outstanding
$400
Full review dataSennheiser HD 480 PRO vs STAX SPIRIT S5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 480 PRO comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 480 PRO - Outstanding overall at around $399.
Over-Ear
STAX SPIRIT S5
82Outstanding
$500
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
STAX SPIRIT S5 leads on 4 of 7 measures.
- Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
- STAX SPIRIT S5
HearWiki score
86
82
Sound
8.9
9.5
Noise cancelling
-
0.0
Battery
-
10.0
Calls
-
6.5
Value
8.1
8.0
Price (USD)
$400
$500
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The Sennheiser HD 480 PRO is 2 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.
- HD 480 PRO20262 yr newer
- SPIRIT S52024
Specifications
HD 480 PROSPIRIT S5
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $400
- $500
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 82
- Released
- 2026
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 38 mm dynamic
- planar magnetic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- planar
- Driver size
- 38 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 3 Hz - 28.7 kHz
- 10 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 130 Ω
- -
- Sensitivity
- 98 dB/mW
- -
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- 107
- -
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.4
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, LHDC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- Yes
- Battery life
- -
- 80 h
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Controls
- -
- both
- Weight
- 272 g
- 347 g
- Foldable
- -
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Pad material
- velour
- leather
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- USB-C
- Model code
- 700499
- -
- Microphones
- -
- 2
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- cVc 8.0
What reviewers said
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
The Sennheiser HD 480 PRO is a wired, over-ear headphone built for professional studio work, offering a clear and detailed sound signature tuned for critical listening. Its lightweight design and comfortable fit make it suitable for long sessions, while the sturdy build ensures reliability in demanding environments. However, its premium price and minimal accessory package may give some buyers pause, and it lacks modern conveniences like wireless connectivity or noise cancellation.
- Pro:Accurate and detailed sound reproduction
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended use
- Pro:Solid, durable construction for studio settings
- Con:Premium price point for the included features
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless options
- Con:Limited accessories in the box
STAX SPIRIT S5
The STAX Spirit S5 is a premium wireless planar magnetic headphone that delivers a balanced, detailed, and refined sound signature, with excellent codec support including LDAC and aptX Lossless, plus a remarkable 80-hour battery life. While its wired versatility and tuning impress, the absence of active noise cancellation, a somewhat narrow headband, and a hefty price tag make it better suited for stationary home or office listening rather than on-the-go use.
- Pro:Detailed and balanced planar magnetic sound
- Pro:Exceptional 80-hour battery life
- Pro:Broad codec support including LDAC and aptX Lossless
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Comfort can suffer due to narrow headband and weight
- Con:Premium price point may deter budget-conscious buyers
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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