AKG K812 vs HIFIMAN HE6

Short answer: the HIFIMAN HE6. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#42 and #44 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the HIFIMAN HE6 costs $1,899 against $1,999 for the AKG K812, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.

What the AKG K812 does well: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 85 with only a 2.2 dB deviation from target, so the overall balance sits close to what most listeners prefer. The catch: A 6.9 dB peak near 5.8 kHz adds an edge to vocals, cymbals and sibilance on bright recordings, while a 3.8 dB dip near 2.3 kHz pulls the upper mids back slightly.

Why pick the HIFIMAN HE6: A preference score of 85 and a smooth deviation of 2.2 dB around the target show a well-controlled response, with low mids within 0.5 dB of target for natural male vocals and guitars. Watch for: Sub-bass falls about 5 dB short under 60 Hz and the bass region is nearly 2 dB light, so kick drums and bass synths lack weight.

Buy the HIFIMAN HE6. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $100 less than the AKG K812.

Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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More worthwhile head-to-heads for HIFIMAN HE6:

• Sennheiser HD 800 S vs HIFIMAN HE6
• HIFIMAN HE6 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
• HIFIMAN HE6 vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
• HIFIMAN HE6 vs Aune AR9000
• Sennheiser HD 800 S vs AKG K812

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The Two Headphones In Full

AKG K812: $1,999.00 B&H Photo Video eBay

Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 85 with only a 2.2 dB deviation from target, so the overall balance sits close to what most listeners prefer. Sub-bass holds within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz and the 60 to 200 Hz bass band runs about 1 dB above target, giving full, extended lows for an open design. The 36 ohm impedance means it does not need a high-voltage amp, and it rates level with the HIFIMAN HE6 and above the HIFIMAN HE1000se.

Cons: A 6.9 dB peak near 5.8 kHz adds an edge to vocals, cymbals and sibilance on bright recordings, while a 3.8 dB dip near 2.3 kHz pulls the upper mids back slightly. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, and the Sennheiser HD 800 S rates a little higher for less money.

Full AKG K812 review and specifications →

Released	Oct 2013 (13 years ago)
Back	Open
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.20 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 53mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 54kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	36 ohms
Sensitivity	110 dB SPL/V
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.7 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.9 lbs (390 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -4.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+6.5 dB	0.70
Peak	89 Hz	-3.3 dB	0.25
Peak	2,233 Hz	+4.4 dB	0.94
Peak	5,780 Hz	-6.7 dB	5.69
Peak	3,821 Hz	-4.5 dB	5.90
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-2.5 dB	0.70
Peak	118 Hz	+0.3 dB	1.60
Peak	217 Hz	-0.4 dB	2.69
Peak	6,875 Hz	+1.4 dB	6.00
Peak	55 Hz	-0.2 dB	1.40

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the AKG K812 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • AKG K812 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
  • AKG K812 vs Sennheiser HD 800 S
  • AKG K812 vs Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000
  • AKG K812 vs Dan Clark Audio E3

HIFIMAN HE6: $1,899.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: A preference score of 85 and a smooth deviation of 2.2 dB around the target show a well-controlled response, with low mids within 0.5 dB of target for natural male vocals and guitars. Presence and air sit about 1.5 dB above target, adding some openness. Its tilt is almost perfectly neutral at 0.14.

Cons: Sub-bass falls about 5 dB short under 60 Hz and the bass region is nearly 2 dB light, so kick drums and bass synths lack weight. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is around 3.5 dB low, with a 6 dB dip near 9.8 kHz and a 6 dB peak near 11.9 kHz. At 50 ohms and 83.5 dB sensitivity it is hard to drive and needs a powerful dedicated headphone amp, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.

Full HIFIMAN HE6 review and specifications →

Released	2010 (16 years ago)
Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.20 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Planar magnetic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	50 ohms
Sensitivity	83.5 dB
Sub-bass Extension	Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.8 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	+0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -4.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+4.3 dB	0.70
Peak	2,082 Hz	+6.7 dB	1.71
Peak	1,368 Hz	-2.7 dB	0.46
Peak	4,783 Hz	-5.9 dB	2.45
Peak	6,698 Hz	+4.7 dB	1.96
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-3.4 dB	0.70
Peak	185 Hz	-0.9 dB	0.85
Peak	698 Hz	+0.8 dB	0.87
Peak	1,027 Hz	-1.0 dB	2.16
Peak	71 Hz	-0.4 dB	1.83

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the HIFIMAN HE6 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • HIFIMAN HE6 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
  • HIFIMAN HE6 vs Sennheiser HD 800 S
  • HIFIMAN HE6 vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
  • HIFIMAN HE6 vs Aune AR9000