
Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sony WH-XB900N: 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 650 | Sony WH-XB900N |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $380 | $200 |
| HearWiki score | 85 / 100 · Outstanding | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | - | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 1.57 in |
| Driver size | 42 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-41kHz | - |
| Impedance | 300 Ω | 50 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 103 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | Version 4.2 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 4.2 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 35 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 420 min |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 260 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 4 |
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-XB900N
The Sony WH-XB900N is a wireless over-ear headphone that prioritizes bass-heavy sound and long-lasting battery life over neutral tuning. It offers a comfortable fit, solid feature set including multipoint and LDAC support, but its noise cancellation is modest and charging is slow. It's a reasonable pick for bass lovers who value stamina, though not a class leader overall.
- Pro:Very long battery life
- Pro:Comfortable for extended listening
- Pro:Supports high-quality codecs like LDAC and aptX HD
- Con:Bass-heavy sound can become muddy or overpowering
- Con:Noise cancellation is weaker than many rivals
- Con:Recharging takes a very long time
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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