Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 650
85Outstanding
$380
Full review dataSennheiser HD 650 vs Sony WH-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 650 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 650 - Outstanding overall at around $380.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM5
78Great
$248
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sennheiser HD 650
Sound9.0
Value7.5
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls7.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 650 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $380 | $248 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | - | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 42 mm | 30 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-41kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 300 Ω | 48 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 103 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.2 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 210 min |
| Quick charge | - | 3 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 260 g | 250 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 8 |
What reviewers said
Sennheiser HD 650
The Sennheiser HD 650 is a wired, open-back dynamic headphone built for serious home listening. It delivers a natural, detailed sound with a comfortable fit, though its sub-bass rolloff and bulky design limit it to stationary use rather than portable or active scenarios. Its replaceable cable and balanced connection option add to its appeal for audiophiles.
- Pro:Excellent clarity and natural tonal balance
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Detachable cable and balanced output support
- Con:Noticeable sub-bass rolloff
- Con:Not portable or suitable for active use
- Con:High impedance requires a dedicated amplifier
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone built for immersive listening, featuring top-tier active noise cancellation and support for high-resolution audio via LDAC. With a lightweight frame and up to 40 hours of playback, it's designed for long, comfortable sessions, though it lacks water resistance and a foldable design.
- Pro:Excellent noise cancellation
- Pro:Long 40-hour battery life
- Pro:High-resolution LDAC support
- Con:No water resistance
- Con:Non-foldable design
- Con:Premium price point
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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