Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 800 S for better sound quality, the Sennheiser HD 569 for the lower price. The Sennheiser HD 800 ranks higher than the Sennheiser HD 569 (#144 vs #368 of 382 over-ear headphones) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, is rated 4.2/5 at $1,799.95; the Sennheiser HD 569 is rated 1.6/5 at $129.95, $1,670 cheaper.
What the Sennheiser HD 569 does well: A wired closed-back headphone with a built-in microphone. Watch for: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low and presence is down 4 dB, with an 11.7 dB dip near 10 kHz, so the sound is dull and veiled.
The Sennheiser HD 800 is the better-sounding choice. The median of 6 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 2.76 dB spread. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 569 if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, the replacement for the discontinued Sennheiser HD 800, is rated higher but costs $1,799.95.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 569 | Sennheiser HD 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.95 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #368 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #144 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.97 dB standard deviation | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 36 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 23 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB SPL/V | 102 dB/Vrms |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 14Hz - 44.1kHz (-3 dB) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
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- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 800
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- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Sennheiser HD 800
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 569: $129.95 Amazon $129.95 eBay
Same family: the Sennheiser HD 599 (higher-end model, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5).
Pros: A wired closed-back headphone with a built-in microphone. A 23 ohm impedance and 115 dB sensitivity make it very easy to drive from a phone. A bass lift of about 5 dB suits listeners who prefer a warm, bassy sound.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low and presence is down 4 dB, with an 11.7 dB dip near 10 kHz, so the sound is dull and veiled. The warm tilt and bass emphasis can make mixes sound heavy. At 300 g, wired only, it is rated below the Logitech G Pro X and the Jabra Evolve 40.
Full Sennheiser HD 569 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.97 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 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 | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 79 Hz | -7.0 dB | 0.60 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 4,676 Hz | +3.2 dB | 5.65 |
| Peak | 818 Hz | -1.9 dB | 1.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 280 Hz | +1.7 dB | 2.28 |
| Peak | 2,195 Hz | +2.0 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 3,255 Hz | -3.5 dB | 4.88 |
| Peak | 154 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.14 |
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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 |
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