Short answer: the Dan Clark Audio E3. It ranks #1 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.9/5, at $2,299. The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 ranks #17, rated 4.3/5, at $2,199, $100 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Dan Clark Audio E3 is the better-sounding pick. In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 101, with response held within about 1 dB of the Harman target from sub-bass through the upper mids. The catch: The upper treble is uneven, with a 5.6 dB dip near 9.9 kHz followed by a 5 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, which can make cymbals and sibilance sound slightly uneven.
What the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 does well: A preference score of 89 with a perfectly neutral tilt reflects a balanced tuning, with bass and low mids within about 0.7 dB of target. The catch: The 420 ohm impedance calls for a dedicated headphone amplifier, because a phone or dongle will struggle to drive it to a satisfying volume.
Buy the Dan Clark Audio E3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $100 you would save on the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 does not close the gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Dan Clark Audio E3 | Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,299.00 | $2,199.00 |
| Ranked | #1 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #17 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 101 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 89 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.05 dB standard deviation | 1.99 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 27 ohms | 420 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1 lbs (455 g) | 0.6 lbs (270 g) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 58mm dynamic |
| Frequency Response | - | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 vs Sennheiser HD 800 S
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The Two Headphones In Full
Dan Clark Audio E3: $2,299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 101, with response held within about 1 dB of the Harman target from sub-bass through the upper mids. Bass from 20 to 200 Hz sits less than 1 dB above target, so kick drums and bass guitar have full weight without bloom. A 27 ohm impedance and 90 dB/mW sensitivity are easy enough for a decent headphone amp, and the closed back keeps sound in and outside noise down.
Cons: The upper treble is uneven, with a 5.6 dB dip near 9.9 kHz followed by a 5 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, which can make cymbals and sibilance sound slightly uneven. At 455 g it is heavy for long sessions, and planar drivers at this sensitivity perform best from a proper amp rather than a phone. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Dan Clark Audio E3 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.05 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 101 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 27 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (455 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -1.0 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 | -0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,224 Hz | +1.1 dB | 0.87 |
| Peak | 2,683 Hz | -2.0 dB | 3.34 |
| Peak | 471 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.01 |
| Peak | 91 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.36 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 167 Hz | +0.8 dB | 2.72 |
| Peak | 3,979 Hz | -0.6 dB | 4.28 |
| Peak | 5,845 Hz | -1.1 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 112 Hz | -0.3 dB | 2.53 |
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Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000: $2,199.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 89 with a perfectly neutral tilt reflects a balanced tuning, with bass and low mids within about 0.7 dB of target. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz lands right on target, giving cymbals and vocals a natural level. It weighs only 270 g for an open back flagship, and it rates higher than the Sennheiser HD 800 S and HIFIMAN HE6.
Cons: The 420 ohm impedance calls for a dedicated headphone amplifier, because a phone or dongle will struggle to drive it to a satisfying volume. Sub-bass is about 6 dB under target below 60 Hz, a 4.4 dB dip near 2.2 kHz thins some vocals, and the air region above 10 kHz runs about 3.6 dB hot with a 6 dB peak near 11.9 kHz. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2017 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 58mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 89 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 420 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 32 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (270 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | +7.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 97 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 2,345 Hz | +5.6 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 449 Hz | +2.4 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 4,171 Hz | -3.6 dB | 1.46 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,070 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.30 |
| Peak | 643 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.45 |
| Peak | 1,798 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.35 |
| Peak | 5,950 Hz | -0.4 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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