Over-Ear
Denon Ah-D5200
72Good
$800
Full review dataDenon Ah-D5200 vs Sennheiser HD 800: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 800 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 800 - Outstanding overall at around $1800.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 800
88Outstanding
$1,800
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
Sennheiser HD 800
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling0.0
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Denon Ah-D5200 | Sennheiser HD 800 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $800 | $1,800 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2018 | 2009 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 50 mm | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-40kHz | 14Hz-44.1kHz |
| Impedance | 24 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 102 |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | none | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| ANC type | none | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 385 g | 330 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | 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
Sennheiser HD 800
The Sennheiser HD 800 is a premium open-back headphone designed for audiophiles who prioritize an expansive, speaker-like soundstage and exceptional detail retrieval. Its large dynamic drivers and angled transducer placement deliver a wide, airy presentation with precise imaging, though it demands a powerful amplifier to perform at its best. While the price tag is steep, the combination of engineering precision, comfort, and clarity makes it a standout choice for serious listening at home.
- Pro:Exceptional soundstage width and spatial imaging
- Pro:Highly detailed and resolving treble with controlled bass
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Con:Requires a high-power amplifier; not suitable for portable use
- Con:Fully open design offers no noise isolation
- Con:Expensive retail price
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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