Short answer: the HIFIMAN HE-R9, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #210 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 1.6/5, at $79. The Razer Barracuda X ranks #213, rated 1.0/5, at $69, $10 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones; for better sound, the Mackie MC-250 ranks #54 at $89.99.
The HIFIMAN HE-R9 is the better-sounding choice. Listeners who want a big bass boost get one, with the 60 to 200 Hz range about 8 dB above target and sub-bass extending to 20 Hz with no roll-off. The tradeoff: A preference score of 28 in oratory1990’s measurement reflects a heavily skewed tuning, with bass and low mids swelling over the midrange so voices sound muffled and boomy.
The case for the Razer Barracuda X: Wireless with a rated 50 hours of battery, Bluetooth 5.2, a built-in microphone and a wired option. The tradeoff: Crinacle’s measurement gives a preference score of just 7, among the furthest from the Harman target in the class, with a warm tilt and a very uneven response.
Buy the HIFIMAN HE-R9. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $10 saving on the Razer Barracuda X is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN HE-R9 | Razer Barracuda X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.00 | $69.00 |
| Ranked | #210 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #213 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 7 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.30 dB standard deviation | 5.15 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.74 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.0 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wireless and wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB | 96 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (328 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | No |
| Battery Life | - | 50 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 |
| IP Rating | - | None |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HIFIMAN HE-R9 compares with other leading options:
- Sennheiser HD 450BT vs HIFIMAN HE-R9
- HIFIMAN HE-R9 vs Sennheiser HD 569
- HIFIMAN HE-R9 vs AKG K92
- AKG K92 vs Razer Barracuda X
- AKG K72 vs Razer Barracuda X
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
HIFIMAN HE-R9: $79.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Listeners who want a big bass boost get one, with the 60 to 200 Hz range about 8 dB above target and sub-bass extending to 20 Hz with no roll-off. The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out. At 32 ohms it runs straight from a phone or laptop.
Cons: A preference score of 28 in oratory1990’s measurement reflects a heavily skewed tuning, with bass and low mids swelling over the midrange so voices sound muffled and boomy. A 7.6 dB peak near 8 kHz next to a 4.8 dB dip near 10 kHz makes treble uneven. At 328 g it is heavy for a closed headphone, and the Logitech G Pro X carries a higher rating.
Full HIFIMAN HE-R9 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.30 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (328 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 | +5.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 127 Hz | -7.4 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 1,761 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.80 |
| Peak | 448 Hz | +6.6 dB | 1.69 |
| Peak | 57 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.69 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,215 Hz | +3.4 dB | 1.24 |
| Peak | 3,235 Hz | -5.0 dB | 3.16 |
| Peak | 258 Hz | -1.6 dB | 4.22 |
| Peak | 205 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.57 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Razer Barracuda X: $69.00 Wireless Amazon eBay
Pros: Wireless with a rated 50 hours of battery, Bluetooth 5.2, a built-in microphone and a wired option. At 250 g with 32 ohms and 96 dB sensitivity it is easy to drive. It has no active noise cancelling, so the battery goes a long way.
Cons: Crinacle’s measurement gives a preference score of just 7, among the furthest from the Harman target in the class, with a warm tilt and a very uneven response. Without noise cancelling it offers no real isolation from outside noise. The Logitech G Pro X is rated higher at a somewhat higher price.
Full Razer Barracuda X review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | No |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 50 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 5.15 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 7 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.74 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 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 | -2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,094 Hz | +6.1 dB | 1.10 |
| Peak | 130 Hz | -9.0 dB | 1.11 |
| Peak | 607 Hz | -4.1 dB | 1.80 |
| Peak | 1,766 Hz | +4.0 dB | 1.64 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 286 Hz | +3.7 dB | 3.33 |
| Peak | 194 Hz | -2.2 dB | 2.83 |
| Peak | 440 Hz | -1.5 dB | 3.10 |
| Peak | 309 Hz | +0.8 dB | 2.49 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons