Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000. It ranks #17 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $2,199. The AKG K812 ranks #44, rated 4.1/5, at $1,999, $200 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000: A preference score of 89 with a perfectly neutral tilt reflects a balanced tuning, with bass and low mids within about 0.7 dB of target. Watch for: The 420 ohm impedance calls for a dedicated headphone amplifier, because a phone or dongle will struggle to drive it to a satisfying volume.
Why pick the AKG K812: 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.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $200 saving on the AKG K812 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 | AKG K812 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,199.00 | $1,999.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #44 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 89 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation | 2.20 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 58mm dynamic | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 420 ohms | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 110 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (270 g) | 0.9 lbs (390 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 54kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000:
- Dan Clark Audio E3 vs Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000
- Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 vs Sennheiser HD 800 S
- Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
- Dan Clark Audio E3 vs AKG K812
- AKG K812 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000: $2,199.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 89 with a perfectly neutral tilt reflects a balanced tuning, with bass and low mids within about 0.7 dB of target. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz lands right on target, giving cymbals and vocals a natural level. It weighs only 270 g for an open back flagship, and it rates higher than the Sennheiser HD 800 S and HIFIMAN HE6.
Cons: The 420 ohm impedance calls for a dedicated headphone amplifier, because a phone or dongle will struggle to drive it to a satisfying volume. Sub-bass is about 6 dB under target below 60 Hz, a 4.4 dB dip near 2.2 kHz thins some vocals, and the air region above 10 kHz runs about 3.6 dB hot with a 6 dB peak near 11.9 kHz. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2017 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 58mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 89 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 420 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (270 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | +7.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 97 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 2,345 Hz | +5.6 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 449 Hz | +2.4 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 4,171 Hz | -3.6 dB | 1.46 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,070 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.30 |
| Peak | 643 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.45 |
| Peak | 1,798 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.35 |
| Peak | 5,950 Hz | -0.4 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons