Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT. It ranks #151 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $1,999; the HEDD Heddphone 2 ranks #172, rated 3.0/5, at $1,999. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
Why pick the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, and the 48 ohm, 102 dB/mW load reaches good volume straight from a phone. Watch for: A deep 16.9 dB dip near 6.7 kHz leaves the 6 to 10 kHz treble about 11 dB below target in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, string texture and room ambience sound muted.
Why pick the HEDD Heddphone 2: A full range Air Motion Transformer driver sets it apart from conventional dynamic and planar designs, and the open back gives a spacious presentation. Watch for: oratory1990’s measurement shows treble about 8.9 dB below target with an 11.8 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, which leaves cymbals and air sounding muffled, and sub-bass falls 6 dB short by 47 Hz.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HEDD Heddphone 2 at the same price, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT | HEDD Heddphone 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.00 | $1,999.00 |
| Ranked | #151 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #172 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.44 dB standard deviation | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.95 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Air Motion Transformer |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic | 1 x Air Motion Transformer (full range) |
| Impedance | 48 ohms | 41 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | 89 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (405 g) | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT:
- Denon AH-D9200 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT
- Audeze MM-500 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT
- Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs Fostex TH909
- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs AKG K872 Pro
- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs Sennheiser HD 820
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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-AWKT: $1,999.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, and the 48 ohm, 102 dB/mW load reaches good volume straight from a phone. The upper midrange tracks the target within 0.6 dB and the largest peak above 1.5 kHz is only 2.3 dB, so nothing in the treble turns shrill or fatiguing. Its warm tilt suits listeners who prefer a relaxed, darker sound.
Cons: A deep 16.9 dB dip near 6.7 kHz leaves the 6 to 10 kHz treble about 11 dB below target in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, string texture and room ambience sound muted. Sub-bass sits 9.5 dB under target and falls 6 dB short by 42 Hz, which thins out low bass, and at 405 g it is a heavy headphone. The Audeze MM-500 earns a higher rating at a similar price.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2019 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.44 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (405 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 | 2,377 Hz | -9.1 dB | 0.50 |
| Peak | 8,032 Hz | +8.4 dB | 1.33 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | -4.4 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 2,675 Hz | +10.7 dB | 1.49 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 214 Hz | +3.2 dB | 2.51 |
| Peak | 125 Hz | -1.0 dB | 1.98 |
| Peak | 310 Hz | -1.2 dB | 3.63 |
| Peak | 1,384 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.04 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HEDD Heddphone 2: $1,999.00 HEDD eBay
Pros: A full range Air Motion Transformer driver sets it apart from conventional dynamic and planar designs, and the open back gives a spacious presentation. In oratory1990’s measurement the low mids sit about 0.8 dB above target, and its warm tilt suits listeners who dislike bright treble. Its rating equals the Audeze LCD-3 and sits above the Dan Clark Audio Voce.
Cons: oratory1990’s measurement shows treble about 8.9 dB below target with an 11.8 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, which leaves cymbals and air sounding muffled, and sub-bass falls 6 dB short by 47 Hz. At 89 dB/mW it needs a dedicated headphone amp to reach comfortable levels. It weighs 550 g, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HEDD Heddphone 2 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Air Motion Transformer |
| Drivers | 1 x Air Motion Transformer (full range) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 41 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.95 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 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 | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 126 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 6,938 Hz | +5.6 dB | 1.34 |
| Peak | 1,094 Hz | -2.8 dB | 3.12 |
| Peak | 9,336 Hz | +3.0 dB | 2.62 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,136 Hz | +3.1 dB | 2.31 |
| Peak | 1,441 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.31 |
| Peak | 3,207 Hz | -1.8 dB | 5.46 |
| Peak | 131 Hz | +0.4 dB | 2.04 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons