Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the HIFIMAN Arya is the better pick: it ranks #94 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.0/5), against #144 (rated 3.8/5) for the Sennheiser HD 800. If you want one new, the Sennheiser HD 800 S replaces the Sennheiser HD 800 and is rated 4.2/5 at $1,799.95.
Why pick the HIFIMAN Arya: A spacious, detailed open planar that scores 82 with a 2.35 dB spread, with accurate lower mids and slightly bright treble for clarity. Watch for: Discontinued and replaced by the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth.
What the Sennheiser HD 800 does well: The median of 6 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 2.76 dB spread. Watch for: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Buy the HIFIMAN Arya only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Sennheiser HD 800 S, which replaces the Sennheiser HD 800.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Arya | Sennheiser HD 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #94 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #144 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 35 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 14Hz - 44.1kHz (-3 dB) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (404 g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 36 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/Vrms |
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How HIFIMAN Arya compares with other leading options:
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- Audeze LCD-X vs HIFIMAN Arya
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 800
Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 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
HIFIMAN Arya Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5, released Sep 2021. See every HIFIMAN Arya generation.
Pros: A spacious, detailed open planar that scores 82 with a 2.35 dB spread, with accurate lower mids and slightly bright treble for clarity.
Cons: Discontinued and replaced by the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth. Sub-bass falls about 5.3 dB short at 30 Hz, and a 9 dB dip near 9.6 kHz makes the treble uneven. It benefits from a capable amp. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HIFIMAN Arya review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 35 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (404 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.0 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 | +5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,729 Hz | +5.0 dB | 1.47 |
| Peak | 183 Hz | -1.9 dB | 0.36 |
| Peak | 2,814 Hz | -2.9 dB | 2.64 |
| Peak | 4,688 Hz | -3.3 dB | 4.56 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 486 Hz | -1.4 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 567 Hz | +1.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 6,505 Hz | -1.5 dB | 5.97 |
| Peak | 5,750 Hz | +1.4 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 800 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sennheiser HD 800 S, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5. See every Sennheiser HD 800 generation.
Pros: The median of 6 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 2.76 dB spread. Upper treble lifts about 2.6 dB for extra air and sparkle. It uses 1 x 56mm dynamic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Sub-bass is 6.8 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full Sennheiser HD 800 review and specifications →
| Released | 2009 (17 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 44.1kHz (-3 dB) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 36 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.5 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 | +5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,101 Hz | +4.5 dB | 1.15 |
| Peak | 172 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.52 |
| Peak | 5,878 Hz | -8.9 dB | 4.73 |
| Peak | 1,165 Hz | -0.5 dB | 1.74 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 49 Hz | -0.7 dB | 1.93 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | +1.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 3,412 Hz | +1.1 dB | 5.71 |
| Peak | 4,116 Hz | -1.0 dB | 6.00 |
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