Over-Ear
Denon Ah-D5200
72Good
$800
Full review dataDenon Ah-D5200 vs HiFiMAN HE 1000se: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000se comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000se - Outstanding overall at around $1699.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
88Outstanding
$1,700
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Denon Ah-D5200
Sound7.5
Value6.0
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Denon Ah-D5200 | HiFiMAN HE 1000se |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $800 | $1,700 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2018 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | planar |
| Driver size | 50 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | - |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz - 40 kHz | 8 Hz - 65 kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 24 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW | 96 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| ANC type | none | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 385 g | 440 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
Denon Ah-D5200
The Denon AH-D5200 is a premium closed-back, over-ear dynamic headphone with a 50mm driver, designed for home listening. It delivers a punchy, engaging sound with deep bass and good detail, wrapped in a solid, comfortable build. While its sound is enjoyable and dynamic, it prioritizes impact over absolute accuracy, and its performance may not fully justify its high price for everyone.
- Pro:Excellent build quality and comfortable fit
- Pro:Deep, punchy bass with engaging dynamics
- Pro:Non-fatiguing highs and good instrument separation
- Con:Midrange realism is less convincing than rivals
- Con:Soundstage depth is somewhat limited
- Con:Performance may not fully justify the premium price
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
The HiFiMAN HE1000se is a high-end planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail retrieval and a spacious, airy soundstage. Its bright-neutral tuning offers strong bass and treble extension, though the prominent treble can become harsh with lower-quality recordings. While its 35-ohm impedance and 96 dB sensitivity make it moderately easy to drive, it still benefits from quality amplification to perform at its best.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail clarity
- Pro:Wide, airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation
- Pro:Strong extension at both frequency extremes
- Con:Bright, peaky treble can fatigue on poorly mastered tracks
- Con:Requires a decent amp despite moderate sensitivity
- Con:Midrange lacks warmth and body for some tastes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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