Over-Ear
Meze ELITE ALUMINIUM
88Outstanding
$4000
Full review dataMeze ELITE ALUMINIUM vs Sennheiser HD 800: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Meze ELITE ALUMINIUM comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Meze ELITE ALUMINIUM - Outstanding overall at around $4000.
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 ELITE ALUMINIUM
Sound9.5
Value6.0
Sennheiser HD 800
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling0.0
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Meze ELITE ALUMINIUM | Sennheiser HD 800 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $4000 | $1800 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2009 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array | dynamic |
| Driver size | 102 mm | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 3Hz-112kHz | 14Hz-44.1kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 102 |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 430 g | 330 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Meze ELITE ALUMINIUM
The Meze Elite is a premium open-back planar headphone that builds on the brand's flagship heritage with a refined, spacious, and highly musical sound. Its aluminum construction and updated driver array deliver strong technical performance, excellent detail retrieval, and a comfortable fit, making it a top-tier choice for audiophiles seeking a luxurious listening experience. While its price point is steep, the combination of craftsmanship, ergonomics, and sonic maturity positions it as a standout in the high-end segment.
- Pro:Exceptional build quality with premium aluminum materials
- Pro:Spacious and immersive soundstage with excellent separation
- Pro:Smooth, musical tuning that remains detailed and dynamic
- Con:Very high price tag limits accessibility
- Con:No ANC or wireless features for a wired-only design
- Con:Potential bass roll-off may not suit bass-heavy listeners
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.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.