Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Sennheiser HD 620S vs Sony WH-1000XM5: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 58% of 93 Sennheiser HD 620S owners recommend it, vs 60% of 359 for the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Sennheiser HD 620S

58%of 93 owners recommend
58% recommend · 24% neutral · 18% don't
Owners praise
  • Surprisingly wide, spacious soundstage for a closed-back design, with several owners saying it rivals or beats open-back headphones in this regard
  • Excellent comfort and passive isolation, with soft, deep ear cups and padding many describe as some of the best they've worn
  • Outperforms other closed-backs owners have compared it to, including the DT770, FT1, HDB630, and Noire X
Owners complain about
  • Treble can be harsh, bright, or metallic-sounding, especially in the upper registers and vocals
  • Getting a proper seal and comfortable fit is finicky for some, including a protruding headband anchor piece pressing into the ear cup area
  • Bass can feel weak, anemic, or lacking low-end extension, particularly noticeable for movies and sub-bass-heavy content
Full owner report →

Sony WH-1000XM5

60%of 359 owners recommend
60% recommend · 15% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • Class-leading noise cancellation
  • Comfortable and lightweight for long wear
  • Excellent, well-rounded sound quality
Owners complain about
  • Hinges crack or break, often within a year
  • Sound underwhelming or muddy for the price
  • Headband presses painfully on top of head
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Sennheiser HD 620S if
  • ✓Gamers wanting a closed-back with wide soundstage for competitive FPS
  • ✓Office/WFH users needing strong passive isolation from surrounding noise
  • ✓Sennheiser 6XX/650 fans wanting similar tonality in a closed-back
  • ✓Listeners willing to apply EQ to unlock the headphone's full detail
Skip it if
  • People with fit issues who can't get a proper seal for bass
  • Bass-heads or movie watchers wanting deep sub-bass rumble
Get the Sony WH-1000XM5 if
  • ✓Frequent flyers and commuters wanting top-tier noise cancellation
  • ✓Office workers on frequent calls and video meetings
  • ✓Long-session listeners who value all-day comfort
  • ✓Listeners who fine-tune sound with the app's EQ
Skip it if
  • Audiophiles chasing reference-grade sound quality
  • Gym and sweaty workouts (not water resistant)

What Sennheiser HD 620S owners say

“Just got my 620s yesterday, I like it, which is saying a lot for a closed back. I think it’s easily one of the best closed back headphones not only in the price range, just in general.”
— MoonWun_ on Reddit
“Crazy enough, the HD800s and the HD620s share the top spot in my endgame headphones. And the price difference is over €1,000. I just can’t believe what the HD620s deliver for €279.”
— No-Desk-1808 on Reddit
“I think technically the 620s but the design of the ear cups means they have this bit that protrudes into the ear cups (I think the anchor for the headband) and it’s quite uncomfortable (at least for me).”
— gussic on Reddit

What Sony WH-1000XM5 owners say

“I actually love the fact that they won't fold. Folding make them weaker and they rattle a lot.”
— @LLANTALOBOTOMIK on YouTube
“I think not being foldable will eventually be better for durability in the long term”
— @RaedVS on YouTube
“Wow the sound quality sounds just like my phone speakers”
— @Gpinky765 on YouTube

Sennheiser HD 620S vs Sony WH-1000XM5: frequently asked questions

Is the Sennheiser HD 620S or the Sony WH-1000XM5 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 58% of 93 Sennheiser HD 620S owners recommend it, vs 60% of 359 for the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Who should get the Sennheiser HD 620S?

Owners point the Sennheiser HD 620S at gamers wanting a closed-back with wide soundstage for competitive FPS, and office/WFH users needing strong passive isolation from surrounding noise.

Who should get the Sony WH-1000XM5?

Owners point the Sony WH-1000XM5 at frequent flyers and commuters wanting top-tier noise cancellation, and office workers on frequent calls and video meetings.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Sennheiser HD 620S is treble can be harsh, bright, or metallic-sounding, especially in the upper registers and vocals. For the Sony WH-1000XM5, it's hinges crack or break, often within a year.