Short answer: the HEDD Heddphone 2. It ranks #172 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $1,999; the Fostex TH900 ranks #201, rated 2.5/5, and costs $1,999.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The HEDD Heddphone 2 is the better-sounding choice. 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.
What the Fostex TH900 does well: The closed back isolates well, and at 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW it plays loud from modest sources without a dedicated amp. Watch for: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement places it well away from the Harman target, so most listeners will hear a strongly colored balance unless they apply EQ.
Buy the HEDD Heddphone 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Fostex TH900 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HEDD Heddphone 2 | Fostex TH900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.00 | $1,999.99 |
| Ranked | #172 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #201 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.17 dB standard deviation | 3.58 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.95 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-7.7 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Air Motion Transformer | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x Air Motion Transformer (full range) | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 41 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) | 0.9 lbs (400 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HEDD Heddphone 2 compares with other leading options:
- Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT vs HEDD Heddphone 2
- Fostex TH909 vs HEDD Heddphone 2
- Audeze LCD-3 vs HEDD Heddphone 2
- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs Dan Clark Audio Voce
- HEDD Heddphone 2 vs Focal Stellia
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
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
Fostex TH900: $1,999.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The closed back isolates well, and at 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW it plays loud from modest sources without a dedicated amp. Its large 50 mm dynamic driver and warm leaning tuning suit listeners who prefer a rich, colored sound, and it matches the rating of the AKG K872 Pro.
Cons: A preference score of 48 in crinacle’s measurement places it well away from the Harman target, so most listeners will hear a strongly colored balance unless they apply EQ. The Sennheiser HD 820 rates higher at about the same price, and the 400 g weight is heavy for an over-ear.
Full Fostex TH900 review and specifications →
| Released | 2012 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.58 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (400 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.7 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 | -2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 185 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.55 |
| Peak | 2,463 Hz | +5.8 dB | 1.46 |
| Peak | 470 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.33 |
| Peak | 5,406 Hz | -8.1 dB | 4.49 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 982 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.27 |
| Peak | 6,874 Hz | +1.3 dB | 5.95 |
| Peak | 797 Hz | +1.1 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 1,561 Hz | +0.4 dB | 3.37 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons