Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 vs Sennheiser HD 820
The ATH-ADX5000 is a dynamic open-back headphone and the HD 820 is a dynamic closed-back one.
The ATH-ADX5000 is 90 g lighter, at 270 g against 360 g.
The HD 820 needs 2 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.
$2,199
$2,199.95
Side by side
ATH-ADX5000HD 820
- Driver
- Dynamic
- Dynamic
- Diaphragm
- Tungsten-coated diaphragm
- 56 mm ring radiator, fixed at outer and inner edges
- Driver size
- 58 mm
- 56 mm
- Enclosure
- Open-back
- Closed-back
- Weight
- 270 g
- 360 g
- ATH-ADX5000 is 90 g lighter
- Impedance
- 420 ohms
- 300 ohms
- Sensitivity
- 100 dB/mW
- 103 dB SPL (1 V)
- Power for 110 dB
- 10.0 mW, 2.05 V
- 16.6 mW, 2.23 V
- HD 820 needs 2 dB more
- Drive
- Easy to drive
- Easy to drive
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz – 50 kHz
- 6 Hz – 48 kHz (−10 dB)
- Made in
- Japan
- Ireland
- Released
- 2017
- 2018
- List price
- $2,199
- $2,199.95
From each maker’s published figures; sources are on each headphone’s page. Power for 110 dB is worked out from sensitivity and impedance.
Amplifiers that drive both
How the matching worksEach of these has 10 dB or more in reserve above a loud 110 dB peak on both headphones, so one amplifier serves either.
Where to buy the ATH-ADX5000
List $2,199
Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works
Where to buy the HD 820
List $2,199.95
Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works