Short answer: the Sennheiser PC38X. It ranks #72 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $199; the HIFIMAN Deva Pro ranks #110, rated 4.0/5, at $199. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
The case for the Sennheiser PC38X: Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 84 with a 1.99 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.1 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Sub-bass is 5.9 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
What the HIFIMAN Deva Pro does well: A preference score of 81 with a deviation of 2.2 dB in oratory1990’s measurement shows a smooth, slightly warm response with the midrange close to target. The tradeoff: Sub-bass is about 7.5 dB under target, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Buy the Sennheiser PC38X. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HIFIMAN Deva Pro at the same price, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 84 with a 1.99 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.1 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $199.00 eBay
A preference score of 81 with a deviation of 2.2 dB in oratory1990’s measurement shows a smooth, slightly warm response with the midrange close to target.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser PC38X | HIFIMAN Deva Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.00 | $199.00 |
| Ranked | #72 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #110 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wireless and wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 30kHz | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (253g) | 0.8 lbs (360 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation | 2.18 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.38 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-8.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Sensitivity | - | 93.5 dB |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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