Short answer: the Fostex TH909. It ranks #163 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $1,849.37; the HEDD Heddphone 2 ranks #172, rated 3.0/5, and costs $1,999, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Fostex TH909: An open-back wired design with a 50mm driver, 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW sensitivity, so it runs from most sources without a dedicated amplifier. Watch for: Open back means sound leaks out and outside noise leaks in, so it only suits quiet rooms.
Why pick the HEDD Heddphone 2: A full range Air Motion Transformer driver sets it apart from conventional dynamic and planar designs, and the open back gives a spacious presentation. The catch: oratory1990’s measurement shows treble about 8.9 dB below target with an 11.8 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, which leaves cymbals and air sounding muffled, and sub-bass falls 6 dB short by 47 Hz.
Buy the Fostex TH909. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HEDD Heddphone 2 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Fostex TH909 | HEDD Heddphone 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,849.37 | $1,999.00 |
| Ranked | #163 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #172 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.82 dB standard deviation | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.95 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Air Motion Transformer |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x Air Motion Transformer (full range) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 41 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 89 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Weight | - | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Fostex TH909:
- Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs Fostex TH909
- Fostex TH909 vs Audeze LCD-3
- Audeze LCD-3 vs HEDD Heddphone 2
- Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs HEDD Heddphone 2
- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs AKG K872 Pro
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
Fostex TH909: $1,849.37 Amazon eBay
Pros: An open-back wired design with a 50mm driver, 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW sensitivity, so it runs from most sources without a dedicated amplifier. Bass is generous, about 2 to 4 dB over target from the sub-bass up through the low mids, which gives a warm and full presentation. The airy open design gives a spacious soundstage feel, and the range above 10 kHz sits about 2 dB over target.
Cons: Open back means sound leaks out and outside noise leaks in, so it only suits quiet rooms. Presence is lifted about 2.4 dB, with a 6.4 dB peak near 5.6 kHz and a 6.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz, which can make voices and cymbals sound uneven. The warm low mids and uneven treble keep it well short of the target curve for the price.
Full Fostex TH909 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.82 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.8 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 | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 304 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.45 |
| Peak | 1,426 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.54 |
| Peak | 5,590 Hz | -6.2 dB | 4.31 |
| Peak | 9,044 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.56 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,533 Hz | +2.0 dB | 4.27 |
| Peak | 3,371 Hz | -2.4 dB | 4.80 |
| Peak | 1,696 Hz | -1.0 dB | 3.46 |
| Peak | 2,300 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.30 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HEDD Heddphone 2: $1,999.00 HEDD eBay
Pros: A full range Air Motion Transformer driver sets it apart from conventional dynamic and planar designs, and the open back gives a spacious presentation. In oratory1990’s measurement the low mids sit about 0.8 dB above target, and its warm tilt suits listeners who dislike bright treble. Its rating equals the Audeze LCD-3 and sits above the Dan Clark Audio Voce.
Cons: oratory1990’s measurement shows treble about 8.9 dB below target with an 11.8 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, which leaves cymbals and air sounding muffled, and sub-bass falls 6 dB short by 47 Hz. At 89 dB/mW it needs a dedicated headphone amp to reach comfortable levels. It weighs 550 g, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HEDD Heddphone 2 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Air Motion Transformer |
| Drivers | 1 x Air Motion Transformer (full range) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 41 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.95 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 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 | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 126 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 6,938 Hz | +5.6 dB | 1.34 |
| Peak | 1,094 Hz | -2.8 dB | 3.12 |
| Peak | 9,336 Hz | +3.0 dB | 2.62 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,136 Hz | +3.1 dB | 2.31 |
| Peak | 1,441 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.31 |
| Peak | 3,207 Hz | -1.8 dB | 5.46 |
| Peak | 131 Hz | +0.4 dB | 2.04 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons