Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Sennheiser HD 800 is the better pick: it ranks #144 of 382 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 3.8/5), against #225 (rated 3.5/5) for the Sennheiser HD 518. 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.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 518: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.73 dB spread. Watch for: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 800: 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 Sennheiser HD 800 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.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 518 | Sennheiser HD 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #225 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #144 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz | 14Hz - 44.1kHz (-3 dB) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 36 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/Vrms |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sennheiser HD 800:
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Sennheiser HD 800
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 518 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.73 dB spread.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Sub-bass is 9.2 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full Sennheiser HD 518 review and specifications →
| Released | 2010 (16 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 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 | +8.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 101 Hz | -4.9 dB | 0.25 |
| Peak | 1,521 Hz | +4.9 dB | 1.58 |
| Peak | 36 Hz | +1.8 dB | 2.67 |
| Peak | 8,744 Hz | +1.5 dB | 0.39 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 104 Hz | +1.8 dB | 4.84 |
| Peak | 77 Hz | -0.8 dB | 2.37 |
| Peak | 2,520 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.39 |
| Peak | 2,016 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.37 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 518 vs Sennheiser HD 579
- Sennheiser HD 518 vs Sennheiser HD 555
- Sennheiser HD 518 vs Sennheiser HD 598
- Sennheiser HD 518 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 518 vs Sennheiser HD 820
- Sennheiser HD 518 vs Sennheiser HD 569
- Sennheiser HD 518 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 518 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- See all 10 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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 598
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 555
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 579
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 600
- Sennheiser HD 800 vs Sennheiser HD 550
- See all 10 comparisons