Short answer: the HarmonicDyne Romantic. It ranks #90 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $346.86. The Aune AR5000 MK2 ranks #136, rated 3.9/5, at $339, $7.86 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the HarmonicDyne Romantic: The median of 3 hobbyist measurements gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 83 with a 2.09 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.3 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Watch for: A 6.5 dB peak near 9.2 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Why pick the Aune AR5000 MK2: Hobbyist measurements give it a Harman preference score of 80.3 with only 2.0 dB of deviation from target, so the overall balance is close to what most listeners prefer. Watch for: The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, so it is a home headphone rather than one for commutes or shared offices.
Buy the HarmonicDyne Romantic. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $7.86 saving on the Aune AR5000 MK2 is not enough to make up the difference.
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The median of 3 hobbyist measurements gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 83 with a 2.09 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.3 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $346.86 eBay
Hobbyist measurements give it a Harman preference score of 80.3 with only 2.0 dB of deviation from target, so the overall balance is close to what most listeners prefer.
Amazon $339.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| HarmonicDyne Romantic | Aune AR5000 MK2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $346.86 | $339.00 |
| Ranked | #90 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #136 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.09 dB standard deviation | 2.02 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.25 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 60mm dynamic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 64 ohms | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB SPL/mW | 112 dB SPL at 1kHz/1Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 43.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the HarmonicDyne Romantic from audioamigo, dl and superreview; the Aune AR5000 MK2 from aden, elrics, kr0mka and sai, all via squig.link.
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