Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 800 S, if you are buying new. The Sennheiser HD 800 ranks higher than the Sennheiser HD 820 (#144 vs #327 of 382 over-ear headphones) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, is rated 4.2/5 at $1,799.95 and is still sold new.
The Sennheiser HD 800 is the better-sounding pick. 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.
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. 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 800 S, the replacement for the discontinued Sennheiser HD 800; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Sennheiser HD 820.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 800 | Sennheiser HD 820 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $1,999.95 |
| Ranked | #144 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 |
| Drivers | 1 x 56mm dynamic | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 300 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/Vrms | 103 dB SPL/V |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 44.1kHz (-3 dB) | 12Hz - 43.8kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 g) | 0.8 lbs (360 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 52 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.76 dB standard deviation | 3.55 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 36 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sennheiser HD 800:
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Sennheiser HD 800
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The Two Headphones In Full
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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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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