Short answer: the Denon AH-D5200. Both are rated 3.7/5 for sound quality (#189 and #186 of 481 over-ear headphones), and the Denon AH-D5200 costs $799 against $899.99 for the Aurorus Audio Borealis, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Aurorus Audio Borealis does well: A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 76 against the Harman target. Watch for: About 7 dB less bass than the Harman target below 150 Hz, which can sound thin on pop, hip hop and electronic music.
Why pick the Denon AH-D5200: Bass is lifted about 2 dB from 60 to 200 Hz while sub-bass stays within 1 dB of target, giving a full, controlled low end. The tradeoff: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 2.9 dB under target and a 6.2 dB dip near 9 kHz dulls cymbals and air.
Buy the Denon AH-D5200. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $100.99 less than the Aurorus Audio Borealis.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 76 against the Harman target.
Aurorus Audio $899.99 eBay
Bass is lifted about 2 dB from 60 to 200 Hz while sub-bass stays within 1 dB of target, giving a full, controlled low end.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Aurorus Audio Borealis | Denon AH-D5200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.99 | $799.00 |
| Ranked | #186 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #189 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation | 2.12 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.83 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-9.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Connection | Wired (3.5mm detachable) | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 Dynamic (50mm) | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | - | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 103 dB/mW |
| Weight | - | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
| Frequency Response | - | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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