Short answer: the Aune AR9000. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#78 and #71 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Aune AR9000 costs $1,399 against $1,699 for the HIFIMAN HE1000se, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The case for the HIFIMAN HE1000se: In oratory1990’s measurement the planar drivers land close to the Harman target, with a preference score of 81 and bass and midrange within about 2 dB of target. The tradeoff: A 9 dB dip near 9.5 kHz sits right beside an 11 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and sibilants can sound uneven and sparkly rather than smooth.
Buy the Aune AR9000. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $300 less than the HIFIMAN HE1000se.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Aune AR9000 | HIFIMAN HE1000se | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.00 | $1,699.00 |
| Ranked | #78 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #71 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.09 dB standard deviation | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.29 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 43 ohms | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB SPL | 96 dB |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (430 g) | 1 lbs (440 g) |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for HIFIMAN HE1000se:
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- HIFIMAN HE6 vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
- HIFIMAN HE6 vs Aune AR9000
- Audeze LCD-XC vs Aune AR9000
- Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back vs Austrian Audio The Composer
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
Aune AR9000: $1,399.00 Headphones.com eBay
Full Aune AR9000 review and specifications →
| Released | 2026 (this year) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.09 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 43 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB SPL |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (430 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HIFIMAN HE1000se: $1,699.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement the planar drivers land close to the Harman target, with a preference score of 81 and bass and midrange within about 2 dB of target. That keeps vocals and instruments natural, and the bass from 60 to 200 Hz is essentially on target, so kick and bass guitar have the right weight. At 35 ohms and 96 dB sensitivity it is easier to drive than many flagship planars, though it still benefits from a proper headphone amp. At 440 g it is moderately light for a planar.
Cons: A 9 dB dip near 9.5 kHz sits right beside an 11 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and sibilants can sound uneven and sparkly rather than smooth. The top octave runs about 6 dB hot and the 3 to 6 kHz presence region about 3.6 dB above target, which can sound edgy on bright recordings. Sub-bass is about 3.6 dB light under 60 Hz, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full HIFIMAN HE1000se review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.29 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (440 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +8.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,847 Hz | +6.2 dB | 1.59 |
| Peak | 58 Hz | -4.7 dB | 0.49 |
| Peak | 2,978 Hz | -4.6 dB | 0.69 |
| Peak | 2,077 Hz | +2.3 dB | 2.21 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,160 Hz | +1.4 dB | 5.48 |
| Peak | 692 Hz | +1.2 dB | 5.75 |
| Peak | 294 Hz | -0.3 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 3,110 Hz | -0.7 dB | 4.39 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons