Sennheiser HD 500 BAM turns Audiophile Headphones into Gaming Headsets

Sennheiser’s HD 500 range has been praised for its natural tonality, expansive soundstage, and featherweight comfort for years. Gamers in particular have often turned to models such as the HD 560S for competitive play, citing their ability to accurately reveal positional cues.

The missing link, however, has been a first-party microphone option. That gap is now closed, with the HD 500 BAM attaching via the headphone’s single-sided twist-lock connector to instantly add voice capability across laptops, desktops, consoles, and select mobile devices. Compatible models include the latest HD 550, HD 505, HD 560S, and HD 620S, as well as earlier 5-8 and 5-9 series designs.

Adding voice support to a line long admired by gamers and music lovers alike is a significant step for Sennheiser. As Audiophile Product Manager Klaus Hanselmann put it:

“Gamers have praised the extended comfort and immersive listening their 500-series headphones bring, but the lack of a microphone option meant compromise. With the HD 500 BAM, we’ve created a sleek, durable, and great-sounding way to level up your output and input.”

At the centre of the design is a 10 mm electret condenser capsule with a cardioid pickup pattern, chosen for its ability to reject background noise while delivering natural-sounding speech. In practice, this should cut down on distractions from room ambience, PC fans, or nearby chatter. Sennheiser also includes three interchangeable windscreens to tame plosives and protect the capsule, underscoring its intent to target both gamers and remote workers.

A 1.5 metre (5 ft) cable integrates a 4-pole 3.5 mm plug with CTIA wiring, ensuring wide device compatibility. A Y-adapter is supplied for PCs with discrete microphone and headphone jacks, while in-line volume and mic mute controls make the unit easy to manage mid-session.

The idea of converting an open-back audiophile headphone into a full-service headset is not new, but Sennheiser’s official execution will no doubt appeal to purists. The HD 500 BAM gives those who already own the brand’s popular models a plug-and-play path into online gaming or professional calls, without abandoning the sound quality that attracted them in the first place. While time will tell how it stacks up against established gaming headsets from rival brands, Sennheiser’s move signals a fresh push into a category where the lines between audiophile and gamer are increasingly blurred.

The HD 500 BAM, priced at US $59.95 | CA $79.95 | €49 | A $79.95, is available now from authorised retailers and from Sennheiser directly.

For more information visit Sennheiser