Sennheiser · Open-back · Early 1990s (the HD 520 from 1985)
The HD 520 was the way into Sennheiser's around-ear range in the 1980s, sitting below the HD 540 Reference and the HD 560 Ovation. It came out around 1985 as a 600-ohm open headphone with pleather pads and a cable that plugs into both cups. In the early 1990s it was replaced by the HD 520 II, and the II is easy to spot because its cups are blue. Fewer hard specs survive for the II than for the original, so the figures here are the HD 520's. Both turn up on eBay, often with tired cables and flattened pads, which are the parts to look at first. Sennheiser's own pads are long gone, but generic pleather pads fit with a little trimming.
Before you plug in
Age shows in the pads and cables. On this family the two-pin cup connectors can lose contact, which shows up as crackle or one side cutting out.
New to used headphones? How to check a used pair covers pads, cables, channel dropouts and fakes, and impedance and your amp explains what will drive it.
Buying guide
Only one HD 520 II is for sale, at $106 delivered from a 100% seller, so this is one asking price and not a market read. The photo shows the blue cup and the HD 520 II label, which is how you tell it from the grey and black 1985 HD 520. Fewer specs survive for the II, but the original is a 600-ohm load, so give either version a headphone amp rather than a phone. The title makes no test claim, so ask the seller to play music and wiggle each cup plug, since the two-pin connectors can lose contact and cut out one side. Ask for a photo of the pads too, because Sennheiser's are long gone and generic pleather pads need trimming to fit.
$105.98est. delivered
The only HD 520 II for sale, at $106 delivered, and the photo shows the blue cup and model label. It isn't titled tested, so ask for a short video of music playing while each cup plug is wiggled.
Sennheiser HD 520 II Over-Ear Headphones
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$105.98est. delivered
$99.95 + $6.03 shipping
Buy It Now$99.95
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Photo shows the blue cup and HD 520 II label. Not titled tested.
Seller: kayfaberockstar
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 14, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchSennheiser
Open-back$220–$240 typical ask
Sennheiser
Open-backSpecs and what to check →
Beyerdynamic
Open-back$110–$160 typical ask