Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 800 S. It ranks #46 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $1,799.95; the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 ranks #263, rated 3.2/5, and costs $3,499, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 3.6 dB low with a 10.1 dB dip near 5.0 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S is the better-sounding choice. 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 Sennheiser HD 800 S. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 | Sennheiser HD 800 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,499.00 | $1,799.95 |
| Ranked | #263 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #46 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 58mm dynamic | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 490 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 102 dB SPL/V |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz | 4Hz - 51kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (275 g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.59 dB standard deviation | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
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- Sennheiser HD 800 S vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
- Focal Clear vs Sennheiser HD 800 S
Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000: $3,499.00 Amazon $3,499.00 eBay
Pros: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. It uses 1 x 58mm dynamic.
Cons: Presence sits about 3.6 dB low with a 10.1 dB dip near 5.0 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. Sub-bass is 7.1 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.59 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 58mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 490 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (275 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Sennheiser HD 800 S: $1,799.95 Amazon $1,799.95 eBay
Older model: the Sennheiser HD 800 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5). See every Sennheiser HD 800 generation.
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
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