These Sennheiser headphones could be great therapy for stress
The Sennheiser HD505 headphones are exactly the kind of headphones that make you forget daily stress and focus on the composition streaming into your ears.
The HD505 has a familiar Sennheiser over-the-ear design with a synthetic leather headband and metal mesh earcup covers with bronze-finish accents that give it a very premium look. The HD505 is surprisingly light and very comfortable to wear for long hours. The cups completely immerse your ears and don't warm up much, even in Delhi summers. The 6-foot cable is long enough to connect from the source of your choice and comes with a 6.3mm adapter for those using music systems.
The dual-tone finish makes the headphone look premium. (Image credit: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)
Whenever I am testing audiophile headphones, the first song I listen to is always the one that leaves a lasting impact. I started the Sennheiser HD505 journey with a FLAC version of Brothers in Arms by Club For Five. I could not have chosen something better. This cappella group from Finland has vocals at such a level that most headphones will struggle to make it palatable. But the HD505 managed the baritone so well, along with heartbeat-like thumbing in the middle.
The HD505 has a custom 120-ohm transducer housed in an open earcup that gives all music a natural feel. It is with a composition like NTO's Petite that you get to experience the full range of this headphone's capabilities, from a punchy bass to rich details. This is the sort of music that can take you into a trance, and the HD505 gradually fades into the background, letting the music embalm you with its mystical capabilities.
With something more vocal like With My Home in the Delta, the soulful voice of Muddy Waters is the centre of attention, though you don't miss any details, not the guitars or the regular drum beats. Each strum is as if someone is tugging on your heart… it is not every day you listen to songs with such intent.
I had heard enough… I knew I had to listen to Leonard Cohen to seal my appreciation of the HD505. A live performance of his famous Blue Raincoat took me to the cold New York streets with music playing on the sidewalks, ushered into a surreal world far from my reality as only Cohen's voice and words can. This is that kind of headphone… one that does not need noise cancellation to shut out the noise of your life.
A premium headphone for audiophiles. (Image credit: Nandagopal Rajan/ The Indian Express)
At Rs 27,990, the Sennheiser HD505 might not be for everyone. But I would consider this among the best headphones at the moment for audiophiles who love their songs to be rendered without overpowering technology. I found my time with the Sennheiser HD505 both destressing and therapeutic… as long as I knew what songs to play. This therapy is strongly recommended.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Strokes of culture: how ‘The Friendly Brush Strokes' became more than just art
Written by Bhoomika Roy Bannerjee Within the walls of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru, something quietly powerful and creative is taking place – The Friendly Brush Strokes, an art exhibition that was not born in the studios of professional curators or commercial galleries but in a moment of kinship between five strangers-turned-friends. At first glance, it appears like any other modest art exhibition. But as you step inside, you can hear the brushstrokes whisper stories of self-taught journeys and passion nurtured through years of working other jobs. 'None of us knew each other before last year's Chitra Santhe,' says Christopher M, the event's organiser. 'We admired each other's works, spoke, and laughed, and the idea just sparked. Over a year's worth of discussion, we came up with the idea of this exhibition.' Christopher, a self-taught artist from Kerala, spent over 25 years in advertising before choosing to return to the world he had first touched with pencil sketch outlines as a child. Today, he is as comfortable creating oil paintings as he is with digital art on canvas. His story alone could fill a gallery, but it's the collective voice of the group that makes this show remarkable. Alongside him stands a diverse group of artists —Meghna Chowhan, Shrinivas, Sojaa Soman, and Meera. Some of them were lawyers and civil engineers. Some are full-time artists. Each presents a unique style, ranging from acrylics and mural painting to the famous Gond tribal style of art practised in Madhya Pradesh. Every piece was created using just a brush—no mixed media, no embellishments. That simplicity is part of the point. 'We wanted to name it something honest,' explains Christopher. 'We all work with brushes. And more importantly, we've become friends through our variety of styles using a singular tool.' There is no overarching theme, but the exhibition isn't about aligning styles, but about what happens when five people believe their art deserves an audience. 'We are just seeing how it goes, as this is our first group exhibition,' Christopher says when asked about the future of The Friendly Brush Strokes. 'If people respond, if this works—maybe it becomes a yearly thing.' In a world where creativity often fights for space, an exhibition like this serves as a reminder that art does not always need a grand hall or curatorial statements to matter. Sometimes, all it takes is five brushes and one shared wall. The exhibition will be open to visitors until July 6. The author is an intern with The Indian Express.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
M.B. Padmakumar's emotional outburst after Sibi Malayil's shocking remarks: "You threw sand in my rice bowl"
There has been a huge controversy in the Malayalam film industry involving two popular directors, Sibi Malayil and M. Padmakumar . It broke out after Sibi Malayil had said a few negative words regarding Padmakumar's new film Janaki vs State of Kerala, which greatly pained Padmakumar. He shared an emotional video response, come, let's see what he has to say about this. The controversy centers around two prominent figures in Malayalam cinema —veteran director Sibi Malayil and filmmaker M.B. Padmakumar. Sibi Malayil is widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed directors in the industry, known for his powerful, emotive storytelling that has shaped Malayalam cinema over the decades. On the other hand, M.B. Padmakumar is celebrated for his socially conscious and emotionally charged films, earning a reputation as a hardworking and sincere filmmaker deeply committed to meaningful cinema. The Controversy Between Them According to the reports of TheIndianExpress, the disagreement began during a discussion around the current censorship issues related to the film Janaki vs State of Kerala, where the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded a change in the film's title. While commenting on this controversy, Sibi Malayil also brought up upcoming film Token Number directed by padmakumar referring to it as a 'small film' meant for festivals and 'award purposes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo ' Emotional Video Response Padmakumar was deeply hurt by these remarks. He shared an emotional video response via his official YouTube channel titled "Just kill me, Mr Sibi Malayil". In the video, Padmakumar strongly objected to his film being called a 'small' or 'award film.' He questioned whether Sibi Malayil had even watched his movie before passing such remarks. Padmakumar also expressed that how he had put in immense effort, seven months of hard work, sleepless nights, and financial investment into making 'Token Number'. He said the film was not made just for awards but for audiences and theatres and calling it 'small' was insulting and deeply discouraging. Padmakumar's Point of View What hurt Padmakumar even more was the real-life consequences he had to face because of Sibi Malayil's comment. A film distributor, who had initially agreed to release Token Number, withdrew after hearing that it was an 'award film', he shared how this remark cost him an opportunity to release his film and threatened his livelihood. He said, 'You threw sand in my rice bowl,' meaning that Sibi's words directly impacted his film career. Criticism of Large Production Houses Padmakumar also pointed out how difficult it is for independent filmmakers in the film industry. He criticized how people in power often ignore or look down on small budget films made without big stars or large production houses. He said it's easy for top directors to speak from comfortable positions, but creators like him have to struggle to make their voices heard. He called out this inequality and urged people not to judge a film without watching it. Even after all this, Padmakumar said he won't give up. He plans to release Token Number on his own, by renting screens and promoting it independently. He challenged Sibi Malayil to watch the film before making any judgments. He added that if people honestly feel the film is bad after watching it, he will stop making movies altogether. But until then, he just wants a fair chance for his work to be seen and appreciated.
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Sardaar Ji 3 Box Office Collection Day 3: Diljit Dosanjh, Hania Aamir's film breaks records overseas, earns Rs...
While Sardaar Ji 3 couldn't see the light of day in Indian cinemas, the Diljit Dosanjh-led horror-comedy has defied all odds. Released overseas amid controversy, the film has pulled off a Rs 18.1 crore (USD 2.2 million) global weekend, without a single rupee from domestic box office receipts. As per The Indian Express, the film opened with a 'record-breaking' Rs 4.32 crore (INR) overseas on Friday, climbed to Rs 6.71 crore on Saturday, and closed Sunday at an impressive Rs 7.07 crore, rounding out an unstoppable debut. Pakistan's love for Diljit breaks a Salman record The most surprising twist? The film's Pakistan collections broke a long-standing record held by Salman Khan's 'Sultan'. On Day 1, Sardaar Ji 3 earned PKR 3.5 crore (approx. INR 1 crore)—surpassing Sultan's 2016 opening of PKR 3.4 crore. This not only underlines Diljit Dosanjh's regional and cross-border appeal but also suggests that cinematic popularity often ignores political lines. Hania Aamir's controversy At the heart of the storm lies the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir, which triggered backlash and led to FWICE enforcing their ban on Pakistani talent post the Pahalgam terror attack. While critics slammed the film for ignoring this directive, others, including Naseeruddin Shah, rallied behind Diljit. In a now-deleted Facebook post, Shah stated, 'I stand firmly with Diljit. He was not responsible for the casting… but no one knows who the director is, whereas Diljit is known the world over.' He added, 'He agreed to the cast because his mind is not poisoned.' The statement stirred emotions but also reminded audiences of the blurry lines between art, commerce, and politics. Success beyond borders Directed by an unnamed filmmaker and backed by a popular franchise, Sardaar Ji 3 has managed to become an international success story without its largest potential market. As the film continues to run abroad, all eyes are now on whether it can outperform its previous instalments, even without a single screen in India.
