Over-Ear
Denon Ah-D5200
72Good
$800
Full review dataDenon Ah-D5200 vs Sennheiser HD 800s: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 800s 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 800s - Outstanding overall at around $1874.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 800s
88Outstanding
$1,870
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 800s
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Denon Ah-D5200 | Sennheiser HD 800s |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $800 | $1,870 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2018 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 50 mm | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-40kHz | 4Hz-51kHz |
| Impedance | 24 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW | 101.64 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 | - |
| 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 800s
The Sennheiser HD 800 S is a premium open-back headphone aimed at audiophiles, delivering a remarkably wide soundstage and a neutral, reference-style tuning that excels at detail retrieval. Its high impedance and sensitivity mean it truly shines with a quality dedicated amplifier, while the included balanced cable adds flexibility for high-end setups. However, its open design leaks sound significantly, and its pricing and lack of bass punch make it a niche choice for serious listeners rather than casual users.
- Pro:Exceptional soundstage width and imaging
- Pro:Detailed, neutral, and articulate sound signature
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Con:Requires a powerful amplifier to perform at its best
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Con:Expensive for what it offers
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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