Sennheiser HD 800 S vs HIFIMAN HE1000se

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 HIFIMAN HE1000se ranks #71, rated 4.0/5, at $1,699, $100.95 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.

What the Sennheiser HD 800 S does well: 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. Watch for: A 6 dB dip near 9.1 kHz followed by a 5.4 dB peak near 11.4 kHz makes the treble uneven.

The case for the HIFIMAN HE1000se: In oratory1990’s measurement the planar drivers land close to the Harman target, with a preference score of 81 and bass and midrange within about 2 dB of target. Watch for: A 9 dB dip near 9.5 kHz sits right beside an 11 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and sibilants can sound uneven and sparkly rather than smooth.

Buy the Sennheiser HD 800 S. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $100.95 you would save on the HIFIMAN HE1000se does not close the gap.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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 AKG K812
• HIFIMAN HE6 vs HIFIMAN HE1000se
• Aune AR9000 vs HIFIMAN HE1000se

Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

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
  • AutoEQ results for the Sennheiser HD 800 S (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Sennheiser HD 800 S vs HIFIMAN HE6
  • Sennheiser HD 800 S vs AKG K812
  • Sennheiser HD 800 S vs Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000

HIFIMAN HE1000se: $1,699.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement the planar drivers land close to the Harman target, with a preference score of 81 and bass and midrange within about 2 dB of target. That keeps vocals and instruments natural, and the bass from 60 to 200 Hz is essentially on target, so kick and bass guitar have the right weight. At 35 ohms and 96 dB sensitivity it is easier to drive than many flagship planars, though it still benefits from a proper headphone amp. At 440 g it is moderately light for a planar.

Cons: A 9 dB dip near 9.5 kHz sits right beside an 11 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and sibilants can sound uneven and sparkly rather than smooth. The top octave runs about 6 dB hot and the 3 to 6 kHz presence region about 3.6 dB above target, which can sound edgy on bright recordings. Sub-bass is about 3.6 dB light under 60 Hz, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.

Full HIFIMAN HE1000se review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.31 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Planar magnetic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	35 ohms
Sensitivity	96 dB
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	+0.29 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	1 lbs (440 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.6 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	+8.5 dB	0.70
Peak	1,847 Hz	+6.2 dB	1.59
Peak	58 Hz	-4.7 dB	0.49
Peak	2,978 Hz	-4.6 dB	0.69
Peak	2,077 Hz	+2.3 dB	2.21
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-5.8 dB	0.70
Peak	4,160 Hz	+1.4 dB	5.48
Peak	692 Hz	+1.2 dB	5.75
Peak	294 Hz	-0.3 dB	2.04
Peak	3,110 Hz	-0.7 dB	4.39

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the HIFIMAN HE1000se (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • HIFIMAN HE1000se vs Aune AR9000
  • HIFIMAN HE1000se vs HIFIMAN HE6