Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 820, if you are buying new. The Sennheiser HD 579 ranks higher than it (#243 vs #348 of 407 over-ear headphones, 3.4/5 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 579 is the better-sounding choice. Its tonal tilt of -0.60 sits close to the target, so the overall balance is neither dark nor bright. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 820: It is a closed back flagship, so it isolates and keeps sound in, unlike most headphones at this price. The catch: 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 579 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 579 | Sennheiser HD 820 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $1,999.95 |
| Ranked | #243 of 407 in Over-Ear Headphones | #348 of 407 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz | 12Hz - 43.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250g) | 0.8 lbs (360 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 52 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.94 dB standard deviation | 3.55 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Sensitivity | - | 103 dB SPL/V |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 579 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Its tonal tilt of -0.60 sits close to the target, so the overall balance is neither dark nor bright. It uses 1 x 38mm dynamic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Its 2.94 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
Full Sennheiser HD 579 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.94 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | 135 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.45 |
| Peak | 1,680 Hz | +4.0 dB | 1.08 |
| Peak | 2,973 Hz | -4.4 dB | 4.33 |
| Peak | 33 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,202 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 5,676 Hz | -3.1 dB | 2.19 |
| Peak | 6,705 Hz | +2.2 dB | 5.29 |
| Peak | 630 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.85 |
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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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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