<\/p>\n But, as someone who loves traditional hi-fi separates, I was hankering for something more \u2018proper\u2019, and last year I finally graduated to a pair of Neat speakers and Naim\u2019s Nait 50<\/a> stereo amplifier.<\/p>\n The Naim<\/a> upgrade meant a couple of crucial things. First, it has a fantastic moving-magnet phono stage built-in, so my system actually ended up being neater as I no longer needed that outboard phono stage.<\/p>\n Second, it has a headphone amplifier with a 6.3mm socket. This section is completely new \u2013 it wasn\u2019t on the original Nait 1 amp from 1983 \u2013 but the 50th anniversary homage adopts the headphone amp circuit from the five-star NSC 222<\/a> streaming preamplifier.<\/p>\n While I haven\u2019t taken advantage of it so far, I have been thinking about finally getting a pair of wired headphones. As the summer days get longer, I find myself wanting to listen to my records late into the night while the rest of the house has gone to sleep \u2013 but obviously without disturbing my husband, my cat or my neighbours.<\/p>\n I have been eyeing up the awesome Sennheiser HD820<\/a> closed-back headphones for ages. We tested these five-star premium audiophile headphones a few years ago, noting their full-bodied, detailed sound and satisfying punch and agility in the low frequencies.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n The problem is, the HD820 are way out of my budget even with the discounted price of \u00a31299 at Sevenoaks<\/a>. As I kept searching for something more in my price range, I found that the Sennheiser HD 505<\/a> wired headphones we tested last year are available at a much more wallet-friendly price of \u00a3180 at Amazon<\/a> \u2013 and I\u2019m tempted.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just the price that\u2019s appealing \u2013 although that \u00a350 discount off the original \u00a3230 test price is pretty good. That they’re also an open-back design is what has caught my eye. I do find listening to closed-back headphones quite fatiguing after a while, so an open-back pair \u2013 with their more airy, open presentation \u2013 might be more amenable to the way I like to listen to music.<\/p>\n We say in our review that the HD 505 headphones\u2019 \u201ctop end is wonderfully smooth, with no undue sibilance or brightness \u2013 overall this is as easy-going a listen as you could hope for.\u201d That sounds ideal to me. The more budget pricing doesn\u2019t mean Sennheiser<\/a> has cut corners either. We found these headphones particularly talented in the midrange, with voices delivered with subtlety, clarity and a refinement that\u2019s impressive at this price.<\/p>\n Grado\u2019s SR325x<\/a> and the Austrian Audio Hi-X65<\/a> are snappier, punchier and more agile open-back rivals (and are pricier), but I think I\u2019ll prefer the Sennheiser\u2019s smoother balance and more comfortable, lightweight build quality overall. During our testing, we found the earcups to be roomy enough that over-heating wasn\u2019t an issue, and they weren\u2019t fussy with partnering equipment, which means they should play nice with my Naim amp.<\/p>\n The HD 505 are a great entry point to Sennheiser\u2019s audiophile wired headphones, and the relatively affordable price helps too. Will they transform my late-night vinyl listening sessions? I can\u2019t wait to plug them in and find out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today’s best Sennheiser HD 505 deals<\/p>\n MORE:<\/p>\n I\u2019ve always had a soft spot for micro hi-fi systems, so I\u2019m excited to see this awesome-sounding, five-star favourite discounted for Prime Day<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Sennheiser](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/8CDAADc3Ab76RwVuwxtRDH.jpg\")
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