Over-Ear
Sennheiser HDB 630
86Outstanding
$450
Full review dataSennheiser HDB 630 vs STAX SPIRIT S5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HDB 630 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 HDB 630 - Outstanding overall at around $450.
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.
Sennheiser HDB 630 leads on 5 of 7 measures.
- Sennheiser HDB 630
- STAX SPIRIT S5
HearWiki score
86
82
Sound
9.4
9.5
Noise cancelling
8.2
0.0
Battery
9.7
10.0
Calls
8.5
6.5
Value
8.4
8.0
Price (USD)
$450
$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?
Mixed generations
Sennheiser HDB 630 (2025) against STAX SPIRIT S5 (2024). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Sennheiser HDB 630 brings ANC type Adaptive against None, while the STAX SPIRIT S5 answers with Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.2 and Top codec LDAC against aptX Adaptive.
- HDB 63020251 yr newer
- SPIRIT S52024
What differsHDB 630SPIRIT S5
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- 5.4
- Top codec
- aptX Adaptive
- LDAC
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
Platform
Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
HDB 630SPIRIT S5
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $450
- $500
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 82
- Released
- 2025
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 42 mm dynamic
- planar magnetic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- planar
- Driver size
- 42 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 6 Hz - 40 kHz
- 10 Hz - 40 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 480 Ω
- -
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- 5.4
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
- SBC, LHDC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 60 h
- 80 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 60 h
- -
- Full charge time
- 120 min
- -
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 7 h
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- touch
- both
- Voice assistant
- Yes
- -
- Weight
- 311 g
- 347 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Foldable
- -
- Yes
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Pad material
- -
- leather
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- USB-C
- Microphones
- 4
- 2
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- cVc 8.0
What reviewers said
Sennheiser HDB 630
The Sennheiser HDB 630 is a premium wireless over-ear headphone that prioritizes audio fidelity above all else, pairing a detailed, balanced sound with strong adaptive noise cancellation. It offers an extensive feature set, including multi-device pairing, a transparent mode, and support for high-resolution aptX codecs via its included USB dongle. While its sound quality is a clear standout, its high impedance and specific tuning may not suit every listener, and its premium price reflects its niche focus on audiophiles who want wireless convenience without sacrificing performance.
- Pro:Excellent, balanced sound with a musical midrange
- Pro:Strong adaptive noise cancellation with transparency mode
- Pro:Long 60-hour battery life and quick charge support
- Con:High 480-ohm impedance may require more power than typical phones
- Con:Noticeable sonic quirks in certain frequency ranges
- Con:Premium price tag for a niche audience
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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