Over-Ear
Meze 109 PRO PRIMAL
84Great
$999
Full review dataMeze 109 PRO PRIMAL 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
$1800
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Meze 109 PRO PRIMAL
Sound8.5
Value7.5
Sennheiser HD 800
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling0.0
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Meze 109 PRO PRIMAL | Sennheiser HD 800 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $999 | $1800 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2009 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | in-house dynamic driver | dynamic |
| Driver size | 50 mm | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-30kHz | 14Hz-44.1kHz |
| Impedance | 40 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 102 |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 375 g | 330 g |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Meze 109 PRO PRIMAL
The Meze 109 Pro is an open-back, over-ear headphone from the Romanian brand, featuring a custom 50mm dynamic driver and a lightweight 375g frame. It's designed for easy pairing with most sources thanks to its 40-ohm impedance and high 112dB sensitivity, delivering a spacious and engaging soundstage. While not a purely neutral reference, it offers a warm, musical tuning that excels across genres and is praised for its comfort and build quality at a premium price point.
- Pro:Easy to drive with any source
- Pro:Spacious and immersive soundstage
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Con:Not a strictly neutral or analytical listen
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
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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