Short answer: the Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One. It ranks #3 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $4,995. The Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition ranks #46, rated 4.1/5, at $4,299, $696 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One is the better-sounding option. In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 95 with only 1.5 dB of standard deviation from the Harman target, so voices, instruments and bass all sit in natural proportion. The tradeoff: It is electrostatic, so it needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer and cannot plug into a phone, laptop or ordinary headphone amp.
Why pick the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the low mids within 0.1 dB of target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz only 1 dB shy, so instruments sound full and correctly weighted. Watch for: Sub-bass drops 6 dB below target by 27 Hz and averages 5.4 dB low from 20 to 60 Hz, so the deepest rumble in film scores and electronic music is muted.
Buy the Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $696 with the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One | Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,995.00 | $4,299.00 |
| Ranked | #3 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #46 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 95 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.50 dB standard deviation | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x electrostatic (3570 mm2 diaphragm area) | - |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (303 g) | 1.2 lbs (523 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Impedance | - | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 98 dB/mW |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One:
- Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One vs Dan Clark Audio Stealth
- Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One vs Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE
- Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition vs Audeze CRBN
- Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE vs Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition
- Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition
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.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One: $4,995.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 95 with only 1.5 dB of standard deviation from the Harman target, so voices, instruments and bass all sit in natural proportion. The midrange from 200 Hz to 1 kHz lands within 0.2 dB of target, which keeps vocals and acoustic instruments sounding true to life. It rates above the Dan Clark Audio Stealth and the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition, and at 303 g it is light for a large electrostatic.
Cons: It is electrostatic, so it needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer and cannot plug into a phone, laptop or ordinary headphone amp. Sub-bass sits about 5 dB under target from 20 to 60 Hz, giving deep synth and organ notes less weight, and a 5.6 dB dip near 6.4 kHz slightly softens cymbal attack. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise.
Full Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.50 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x electrostatic (3570 mm2 diaphragm area) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 95 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (303 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.3 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 | +4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,056 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.99 |
| Peak | 1,938 Hz | +3.5 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 74 Hz | -3.3 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 6,566 Hz | +3.7 dB | 5.06 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,536 Hz | +2.8 dB | 2.28 |
| Peak | 210 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.77 |
| Peak | 358 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.79 |
| Peak | 5,435 Hz | -0.6 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition: $4,299.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the low mids within 0.1 dB of target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz only 1 dB shy, so instruments sound full and correctly weighted. Air above 10 kHz runs 3.3 dB above target for an open, detailed top end that suits fans of a lively, slightly V-shaped sound. It carries a higher rating than the similarly priced Audeze CRBN.
Cons: Sub-bass drops 6 dB below target by 27 Hz and averages 5.4 dB low from 20 to 60 Hz, so the deepest rumble in film scores and electronic music is muted. A 7.1 dB dip near 2.75 kHz pulls vocals back slightly. At 523 g it is a heavy headphone, and the open back offers no isolation.
Full Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition review and specifications →
| Released | 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (523 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 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 | +7.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,583 Hz | +7.1 dB | 2.31 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 1,144 Hz | -2.8 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 498 Hz | +2.1 dB | 2.24 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,543 Hz | -2.7 dB | 5.99 |
| Peak | 55 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.88 |
| Peak | 119 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.72 |
| Peak | 1,962 Hz | +0.8 dB | 5.18 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons