Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 820, if you are buying new. The Sennheiser HD 518 ranks higher than it (#225 vs #327 of 382 over-ear headphones, 3.5/5 vs 2.7/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sennheiser HD 820 is still sold new at $1,999.95.
The Sennheiser HD 518 is the better-sounding pick. 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.
What the Sennheiser HD 820 does well: It is a closed back flagship, so it isolates and keeps sound in, unlike most headphones at this price. Watch for: In oratory1990’s measurement presence and treble sit about 3 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz with a 6.6 dB dip near 11.7 kHz, so cymbals and detail sound dull and veiled.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 820, since the Sennheiser HD 518 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 518 | Sennheiser HD 820 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $1,999.95 |
| Ranked | #225 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #327 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz | 12Hz - 43.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (255g) | 0.8 lbs (360 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 52 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation | 3.55 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-9.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | - | 103 dB SPL/V |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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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 |
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Sennheiser HD 820: $1,999.95 Amazon $1,999.95 eBay
Pros: It is a closed back flagship, so it isolates and keeps sound in, unlike most headphones at this price. Bass sits 3 to 4 dB above the Harman target and holds down to 20 Hz, which suits warm and bassy taste profiles. It rates above the AKG K872 Pro and the Fostex TH900 at about the same price.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement presence and treble sit about 3 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz with a 6.6 dB dip near 11.7 kHz, so cymbals and detail sound dull and veiled. The 300 ohm impedance needs a dedicated headphone amp to reach proper volume, and the Dan Clark Audio Voce and the Focal Stellia both rate higher. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Sennheiser HD 820 review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.55 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 43.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 52 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (360 g) |
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 | -2.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 147 Hz | -8.6 dB | 1.79 |
| Peak | 294 Hz | +7.6 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 5,732 Hz | +1.8 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 965 Hz | -3.9 dB | 1.74 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 74 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.74 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | -2.8 dB | 0.80 |
| Peak | 3,823 Hz | +3.6 dB | 5.33 |
| Peak | 5,091 Hz | -4.0 dB | 5.68 |
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