Short answer: the HIFIMAN HE600. It ranks #15 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $799. The Focal Hadenys ranks #31, rated 4.2/5, at $749, $50 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the HIFIMAN HE600: The median of six hobbyist measurements on squig.link gives the HE600 a preference score of 90.4, with an unusually even response (1.8 dB of deviation) and essentially no overall tilt toward warm or bright. The catch: Sub-bass sits about 4.7 dB below target under 60 Hz, so deep synth lines and organ pedals have less rumble than the midbass suggests.
Why pick the Focal Hadenys: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 87 with only 1.73 dB of deviation, so its tonal balance is among the closest to what most listeners prefer. Watch for: A 9.6 dB dip near 9.7 kHz softens cymbal shimmer and sibilance, so the top end can sound slightly muted.
Buy the HIFIMAN HE600. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $50 with the Focal Hadenys does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN HE600 | Focal Hadenys | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 | $749.00 |
| Ranked | #15 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #31 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 90 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.74 dB standard deviation | 1.73 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.37 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | 26 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (389 g) | 0.6 lbs (294 g) |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 25Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HIFIMAN HE600 compares with other leading options:
- Dan Clark Audio Noire X vs HIFIMAN HE600
- HIFIMAN Arya Organic vs HIFIMAN HE600
- HIFIMAN HE600 vs HEDD Audio D1
- HEDD Audio D1 vs Focal Hadenys
- Focal Hadenys vs HIFIMAN HE6se V2
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 HE600: $799.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The median of six hobbyist measurements on squig.link gives the HE600 a preference score of 90.4, with an unusually even response (1.8 dB of deviation) and essentially no overall tilt toward warm or bright. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz, the upper mids and the presence region all sit within about 1 dB of target, so voices, guitars and piano come through with natural weight and balance. The open planar magnetic driver has a low 28 ohm impedance, and it is rated slightly higher than the similarly priced Focal Hadenys.
Cons: Sub-bass sits about 4.7 dB below target under 60 Hz, so deep synth lines and organ pedals have less rumble than the midbass suggests. Those measurements also show a sharp 7.7 dB dip near 9.5 kHz that can make cymbals sound slightly muted. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, which rules it out for offices or commuting.
Full HIFIMAN HE600 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.74 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 90 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (389 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Focal Hadenys: $749.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 87 with only 1.73 dB of deviation, so its tonal balance is among the closest to what most listeners prefer. Every band from sub-bass to treble stays within about 1 dB of target, with sub-bass just 1.1 dB short at 30 Hz, giving full, extended bass without bloat. At 26 ohms and 100 dB/mW it plays loud from a phone or dongle, and 294 g is light for an open-back over-ear.
Cons: A 9.6 dB dip near 9.7 kHz softens cymbal shimmer and sibilance, so the top end can sound slightly muted. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, which rules it out for commuting or shared offices. The Audeze LCD-XC is rated a step higher, though it costs more.
Full Focal Hadenys review and specifications →
| Released | May 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.73 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 25Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 26 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.37 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (294 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.4 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 | +6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 53 Hz | -6.4 dB | 0.50 |
| Peak | 432 Hz | +1.5 dB | 2.45 |
| Peak | 2,376 Hz | +3.1 dB | 3.04 |
| Peak | 3,557 Hz | -3.5 dB | 4.37 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,095 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.21 |
| Peak | 4,998 Hz | +2.0 dB | 5.07 |
| Peak | 6,125 Hz | -2.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 654 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.56 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons