Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 800 S. It ranks #37 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $1,799.95; the AKG K812 ranks #44, rated 4.1/5, and costs $1,999, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 800 S: A preference score of 86 with a near neutral tilt and bands from 60 Hz to 10 kHz mostly within about 1.7 dB of target gives a natural, spacious presentation with good tonal balance. The catch: A 6 dB dip near 9.1 kHz followed by a 5.4 dB peak near 11.4 kHz makes the treble uneven.
Why pick the AKG K812: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 85 with only a 2.2 dB deviation from target, so the overall balance sits close to what most listeners prefer. Watch for: A 6.9 dB peak near 5.8 kHz adds an edge to vocals, cymbals and sibilance on bright recordings, while a 3.8 dB dip near 2.3 kHz pulls the upper mids back slightly.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 800 S. It is rated higher for sound quality than the AKG K812 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 800 S | AKG K812 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,799.95 | $1,999.00 |
| Ranked | #37 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #44 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.19 dB standard deviation | 2.20 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 56mm dynamic | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 300 ohms | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB SPL/V | 110 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 g) | 0.9 lbs (390 g) |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 51kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 54kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sennheiser HD 800 S:
- Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 vs Sennheiser HD 800 S
- Sennheiser HD 800 S vs HIFIMAN HE6
- Sennheiser HD 800 S vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
- AKG K812 vs HIFIMAN HE6
- Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 vs AKG K812
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 800 S: $1,799.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 86 with a near neutral tilt and bands from 60 Hz to 10 kHz mostly within about 1.7 dB of target gives a natural, spacious presentation with good tonal balance. Air above 10 kHz runs about 4 dB above target, adding openness and perceived detail. It rates the same as the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth.
Cons: A 6 dB dip near 9.1 kHz followed by a 5.4 dB peak near 11.4 kHz makes the treble uneven. Sub-bass is about 5 dB under target, so rumble is limited. The 300 ohm impedance and 102 dB per volt sensitivity call for a dedicated headphone amp, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Sennheiser HD 800 S review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 51kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 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 | +6.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 142 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.30 |
| Peak | 1,959 Hz | +2.5 dB | 0.88 |
| Peak | 5,679 Hz | -4.4 dB | 4.36 |
| Peak | 212 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.36 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,043 Hz | -1.0 dB | 2.89 |
| Peak | 1,445 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.43 |
| Peak | 2,640 Hz | -0.9 dB | 4.01 |
| Peak | 3,421 Hz | +1.3 dB | 5.47 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
AKG K812: $1,999.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 85 with only a 2.2 dB deviation from target, so the overall balance sits close to what most listeners prefer. Sub-bass holds within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz and the 60 to 200 Hz bass band runs about 1 dB above target, giving full, extended lows for an open design. The 36 ohm impedance means it does not need a high-voltage amp, and it rates level with the HIFIMAN HE6 and above the HIFIMAN HE1000se.
Cons: A 6.9 dB peak near 5.8 kHz adds an edge to vocals, cymbals and sibilance on bright recordings, while a 3.8 dB dip near 2.3 kHz pulls the upper mids back slightly. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, and the Sennheiser HD 800 S rates a little higher for less money.
Full AKG K812 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2013 (13 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.20 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 54kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (390 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.9 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 | +6.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 89 Hz | -3.3 dB | 0.25 |
| Peak | 2,233 Hz | +4.4 dB | 0.94 |
| Peak | 5,780 Hz | -6.7 dB | 5.69 |
| Peak | 3,821 Hz | -4.5 dB | 5.90 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 118 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.60 |
| Peak | 217 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.69 |
| Peak | 6,875 Hz | +1.4 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 55 Hz | -0.2 dB | 1.40 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons