Short answer: the Austrian Audio The Composer. It ranks #77 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $3,199. The HIFIMAN HE1000 V2 ranks #95, rated 3.8/5, at $2,999, $200 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the HIFIMAN HE1000 V2: A preference score of 78 in oratory1990’s measurement, with a bright, detailed lean (treble about 2 dB above target from 6 to 16 kHz) that suits listeners who like neutral or brighter tuning. Watch for: A 6.9 dB peak near 7.9 kHz right next to a 7.1 dB dip near 9.3 kHz, plus presence about 3.1 dB above target, can make cymbals and sibilance sharp or tiring at volume.
Buy the Austrian Audio The Composer. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $200 you would save on the HIFIMAN HE1000 V2 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Austrian Audio The Composer | HIFIMAN HE1000 V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,199.00 | $2,999.00 |
| Ranked | #77 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #95 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) | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.28 dB standard deviation | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.56 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 49mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 22 ohms | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/V | 90 dB |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) | 0.9 lbs (420 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 44kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Austrian Audio The Composer:
- Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back vs Austrian Audio The Composer
- Austrian Audio The Composer vs Meze Empyrean II
- HIFIMAN HE1000 V2 vs Meze Empyrean II
- Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back vs HIFIMAN HE1000 V2
- HIFIMAN HE1000 V2 vs ZMF Ori 3.0
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
Austrian Audio The Composer: $3,199.00 Headphones.com eBay
Full Austrian Audio The Composer review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.28 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 49mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 44kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HIFIMAN HE1000 V2: $2,999.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: A preference score of 78 in oratory1990’s measurement, with a bright, detailed lean (treble about 2 dB above target from 6 to 16 kHz) that suits listeners who like neutral or brighter tuning. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is right on target, so bass lines stay tight and clean. Its 35 ohm impedance is easy for most desktop amps.
Cons: A 6.9 dB peak near 7.9 kHz right next to a 7.1 dB dip near 9.3 kHz, plus presence about 3.1 dB above target, can make cymbals and sibilance sharp or tiring at volume. At 90 dB sensitivity and 420 g it wants a proper amp and is heavy. The Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back rates higher at a similar price. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HIFIMAN HE1000 V2 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 35 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.56 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (420 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.2 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 | +5.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,889 Hz | -3.8 dB | 1.48 |
| Peak | 2,216 Hz | +3.0 dB | 0.39 |
| Peak | 2,913 Hz | -5.9 dB | 2.45 |
| Peak | 110 Hz | -1.4 dB | 0.32 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,073 Hz | -0.9 dB | 4.34 |
| Peak | 1,745 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.40 |
| Peak | 246 Hz | -0.8 dB | 3.95 |
| Peak | 388 Hz | +0.8 dB | 4.17 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons