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 Warwick Acoustics Bravura ranks #45, rated 4.1/5, and costs $2,395, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 does well: 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 catch: The 420 ohm impedance calls for a dedicated headphone amplifier, because a phone or dongle will struggle to drive it to a satisfying volume.
The case for the Warwick Acoustics Bravura: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with low mids within 0.2 dB of target so vocals, piano and strings sound natural and uncolored. The tradeoff: It is electrostatic and needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer; it will not run from a phone or standard headphone amp.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Warwick Acoustics Bravura and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 | Warwick Acoustics Bravura | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,199.00 | $2,395.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #45 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 | 1.91 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.36 (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 45 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x 58mm dynamic | 1 x single-ended electrostatic (3570mm² diaphragm) |
| Impedance | 420 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | - |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (270 g) | 0.9 lbs (403 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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- Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 vs AKG K812
- Dan Clark Audio E3 vs Warwick Acoustics Bravura
- 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 |
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Warwick Acoustics Bravura: $2,395.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with low mids within 0.2 dB of target so vocals, piano and strings sound natural and uncolored. The response is smooth through the midrange, and its relaxed treble (about 4 dB under target from 6 to 10 kHz) stays easy to listen to for long sessions. It rates level with the AKG K812 and above the HIFIMAN HE1000se.
Cons: It is electrostatic and needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer; it will not run from a phone or standard headphone amp. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz and an 8.3 dB dip near 6.3 kHz dulls cymbals, so bass-heavy and bright recordings lose some impact. At 403 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Warwick Acoustics Bravura review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.91 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x single-ended electrostatic (3570mm² diaphragm) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (403 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 606 Hz | -2.6 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 74 Hz | -5.2 dB | 1.45 |
| Peak | 7,673 Hz | +1.9 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 1,097 Hz | -3.8 dB | 5.72 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,464 Hz | +2.2 dB | 3.07 |
| Peak | 4,978 Hz | -1.8 dB | 3.76 |
| Peak | 205 Hz | -0.8 dB | 2.12 |
| Peak | 6,414 Hz | +3.0 dB | 5.94 |
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