Short answer: the Denon AH-D7200. It ranks #129 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $1,099. The Focal Elear ranks #146, rated 3.3/5, at $880, $219 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Denon AH-D7200: Bass is nearly on target, within 0.4 dB in the bass and 2.2 dB under in the sub-bass, giving a controlled low end. The catch: Upper mids and presence are 3 dB and 2.5 dB low, with treble 4.1 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, so vocals sound recessed and cymbals dull.
The case for the Focal Elear: The open back gives a spacious, airy presentation, and the 40 mm dynamic driver offers 104 dB per mW sensitivity. Watch for: Presence at 3 to 6 kHz is about 5.3 dB under and treble at 6 to 10 kHz about 6.1 dB under, with a 9 dB dip near 7.2 kHz, so detail and cymbals sound dull.
Buy the Denon AH-D7200. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $219 with the Focal Elear does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Denon AH-D7200 | Focal Elear | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099.00 | $880.00 |
| Ranked | #129 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #146 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.57 dB standard deviation | 2.77 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.77 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.90 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW | 104 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) | 1 lbs (450 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 55kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Denon AH-D7200:
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Denon AH-D7200
- Denon AH-D7200 vs Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire
- Audeze LCD-2 vs Focal Elear
- Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire vs Focal Elear
- Focal Elear vs Audeze LCD-GX
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
Denon AH-D7200: $1,099.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass is nearly on target, within 0.4 dB in the bass and 2.2 dB under in the sub-bass, giving a controlled low end. Low mids and air are also close to target, and a preference score of 70 reflects a broadly balanced, warm tune. A 25 ohm impedance and 105 dB/mW sensitivity make it easy to drive from any source, and the closed back isolates.
Cons: Upper mids and presence are 3 dB and 2.5 dB low, with treble 4.1 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, so vocals sound recessed and cymbals dull. A 9.8 dB dip near 8.8 kHz removes a lot of sibilance and bite, which can make the sound feel veiled. At 385 g it is heavy, and the Denon AH-D9200 is only matched in rating while costing more.
Full Denon AH-D7200 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.57 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 55kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.77 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 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 | +1.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 911 Hz | -3.8 dB | 1.14 |
| Peak | 2,165 Hz | +6.5 dB | 2.19 |
| Peak | 154 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.96 |
| Peak | 3,880 Hz | +2.7 dB | 3.68 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.16 |
| Peak | 5,545 Hz | -5.1 dB | 5.60 |
| Peak | 375 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.34 |
| Peak | 44 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.39 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Elear: $880.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open back gives a spacious, airy presentation, and the 40 mm dynamic driver offers 104 dB per mW sensitivity. Mids from 200 Hz to 3 kHz stay within about 0.6 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is within 1 dB of target.
Cons: Presence at 3 to 6 kHz is about 5.3 dB under and treble at 6 to 10 kHz about 6.1 dB under, with a 9 dB dip near 7.2 kHz, so detail and cymbals sound dull. Sub-bass is about 5.3 dB light, losing rumble. At 80 ohms and 450 g with an open back that leaks sound, it suits quiet home use, and the Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Noire matches its rating at a lower price.
Full Focal Elear review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.77 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.90 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (450 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 | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 89 Hz | -4.0 dB | 0.30 |
| Peak | 8,570 Hz | +4.6 dB | 1.63 |
| Peak | 4,461 Hz | +6.2 dB | 3.05 |
| Peak | 1,228 Hz | -2.4 dB | 1.79 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,156 Hz | +1.5 dB | 4.18 |
| Peak | 2,859 Hz | -1.0 dB | 3.87 |
| Peak | 6,120 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 7,146 Hz | +2.1 dB | 5.93 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons