Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Sennheiser HD 660S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 61% of 231 Sennheiser HD 660S2 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 660S2

61%of 231 owners recommend

61% recommend · 20% neutral · 19% don't

Owners praise

Lush, natural mids and vocals with classic Sennheiser timbre
Deeper, richer bass with much better sub-bass extension than the older 6x0
Excellent imaging and soundstage for gaming and movies

Owners complain about

Dark, veiled or muffled-sounding presentation
Loses the forward midrange magic of the cheaper 600/650

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 660S2 if

✓HD6x0 owners wanting more bass extension and treble sparkle
✓All-day listeners who want a warm, fatigue-free sound
✓Gaming, movie, and music all-rounder seekers
✓Metal, rock, and EDM fans wanting fuller low end

Skip it if

Those wanting a wide, expansive soundstage over intimate presentation
Purists chasing the classic 600/650 midrange, which feels recessed

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 660S2 owners say

“I've had it for 5 years now and I still consider it the best of the 600 series”
— @o.f.ftrack3444 on YouTube

“They are my go-to primary headphones.”
— @scottlowell493 on YouTube

“At $250-$350 I would consider giving these a go at $600 they are a pass.”
— @mindhead1 on YouTube

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 660S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5: frequently asked questions

Is the Sennheiser HD 660S2 or the Sony WH-1000XM5 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 61% of 231 Sennheiser HD 660S2 owners recommend it, vs 60% of 359 for the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Who should get the Sennheiser HD 660S2?

Owners point the Sennheiser HD 660S2 at hD6x0 owners wanting more bass extension and treble sparkle, and all-day listeners who want a warm, fatigue-free sound.

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 660S2 is dark, veiled or muffled-sounding presentation. For the Sony WH-1000XM5, it's hinges crack or break, often within a year.