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 Sennheiser HD 800 S ranks #37, rated 4.2/5, at $1,799.95, $399.05 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh 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. The tradeoff: 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 Sennheiser HD 800 S: A preference score of 86 with a near neutral tilt and bands from 60 Hz to 10 kHz mostly within about 1.7 dB of target gives a natural, spacious presentation with good tonal balance. The catch: A 6 dB dip near 9.1 kHz followed by a 5.4 dB peak near 11.4 kHz makes the treble uneven.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $399.05 you would save on the Sennheiser HD 800 S does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 | Sennheiser HD 800 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,199.00 | $1,799.95 |
| Ranked | #17 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #37 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 89 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 58mm dynamic | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 420 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 102 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (270 g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 4Hz - 51kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Sennheiser HD 800 S vs AKG K812
- Sennheiser HD 800 S vs HIFIMAN HE6
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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
Sennheiser HD 800 S: $1,799.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 86 with a near neutral tilt and bands from 60 Hz to 10 kHz mostly within about 1.7 dB of target gives a natural, spacious presentation with good tonal balance. Air above 10 kHz runs about 4 dB above target, adding openness and perceived detail. It rates the same as the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth.
Cons: A 6 dB dip near 9.1 kHz followed by a 5.4 dB peak near 11.4 kHz makes the treble uneven. Sub-bass is about 5 dB under target, so rumble is limited. The 300 ohm impedance and 102 dB per volt sensitivity call for a dedicated headphone amp, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Sennheiser HD 800 S review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 51kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 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 | +6.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 142 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.30 |
| Peak | 1,959 Hz | +2.5 dB | 0.88 |
| Peak | 5,679 Hz | -4.4 dB | 4.36 |
| Peak | 212 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.36 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,043 Hz | -1.0 dB | 2.89 |
| Peak | 1,445 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.43 |
| Peak | 2,640 Hz | -0.9 dB | 4.01 |
| Peak | 3,421 Hz | +1.3 dB | 5.47 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons