Short answer: the HIFIMAN HE600. It ranks #15 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $799; the HEDD Audio D1 ranks #22, rated 4.3/5, at $799. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
What the HIFIMAN HE600 does well: 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. Watch for: 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.
Buy the HIFIMAN HE600. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HEDD Audio D1 at the same price, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN HE600 | HEDD Audio D1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 | $799.00 |
| Ranked | #15 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #22 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) | 89 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.74 dB standard deviation | 1.62 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (389 g) | 0.8 lbs (350 g) |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 40kHz (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 Focal Hadenys
- HEDD Audio D1 vs HIFIMAN HE6se V2
- HIFIMAN Arya Organic vs HEDD Audio D1
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
HEDD Audio D1: $799.00 Headphones.com eBay
Full HEDD Audio D1 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2025 (11 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 89 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (350 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons