HiFiMan Edition X vs Sennheiser HD 820: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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HiFiMan Edition X

Sennheiser HD 820

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Sep 23, 2025 05:24 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Mar 05, 2026 08:49 PM

HiFiMan Edition X Picture

Sennheiser HD 820 Picture

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureOpen-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessNo

TransducerPlanar Magnetic

MicNo

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

Noise CancellingNo

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

MicNo

Our Verdict

HiFiMan Edition X

Sennheiser HD 820

The HiFiMan Edition X are a better critical listening headphone overall when compared to the Sennheiser HD 820. The HifiMan are better balanced throughout their entire response and cater well to instruments and vocals, sound clear, and have enough bass for most tracks. However, the Sennheiser have a closed back design, which means they isolate more and leak less. The Sennheiser have slightly more bass and a much more premium and durable build quality than the HiFiMan. They're also slightly more comfortable and come with more accessories and cables.

Variants

Edition X

HD 820

Review

See HiFiMan Edition X Review

See Sennheiser HD 820 Review

Check Price

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Call

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

HiFiMan Edition X Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

N/A

N/A

Feedback

N/A

N/A

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

N/A

N/A

Channel Mixing

N/A

N/A

Noise Cancelling Control

N/A

N/A

Talk-Through

N/A

N/A

Additional Buttons

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock"

Lock"

W

Lock"

Lock"

H

Lock"

Lock"

Volume

Lock in³

Lock in³

Transmitter Required

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

N/A

N/A

W

N/A

N/A

H

N/A

N/A

Volume

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In the box Picture

HiFiMan Edition X In the box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 In the box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

HiFiMan Edition X Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

HiFiMan Edition X Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

HiFiMan Edition X Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

HiFiMan Edition X Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

HiFiMan Edition X Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

HiFiMan Edition X Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

HiFiMan Edition X Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

HiFiMan Edition X Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

HiFiMan Edition X Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

HiFiMan Edition X Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response

HiFiMan Edition X Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Phase Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

HiFiMan Edition X PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

HiFiMan Edition X Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

HiFiMan Edition X Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

HiFiMan Edition X Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

N/A

N/A

In-line

N/A

N/A

Boom

N/A

N/A

Detachable Boom

N/A

N/A

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

HiFiMan Edition X Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

N/A

N/A

FR Std. Dev.

N/A

N/A

HFE

N/A

N/A

Weighted THD

N/A

N/A

Gain

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

HiFiMan Edition X SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Speech + Pink Noise

Speech + Subway Noise

SpNR

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

N/A

N/A

Continuous Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Additional Charges

N/A

N/A

Total Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Charge Time

N/A

N/A

Power Saving Feature

N/A

N/A

Audio While Charging

N/A

N/A

Passive Playback

N/A

N/A

Charging Port

N/A

N/A

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

HiFiMan Edition X App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

N/A

N/A

iOS

N/A

N/A

Android

N/A

N/A

macOS

N/A

N/A

Windows

N/A

N/A

Equalizer

N/A

N/A

ANC Control

N/A

N/A

Mic Control

N/A

N/A

Room effects

N/A

N/A

Playback Control

N/A

N/A

Button Mapping

N/A

N/A

Surround Sound

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

N/A

N/A

Multi-Device Pairing

N/A

N/A

NFC Pairing

N/A

N/A

Line of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Default Latency

N/A

N/A

aptX Latency

N/A

N/A

aptX(LL) Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

HiFiMan Edition X Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 820 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft

Lock ft

Connection

Locked

Locked

Wired Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

PC / PS4 Compatibility

PC / PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PC / PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wireless

Locked

Locked

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

N/A

N/A

USB Input

N/A

N/A

Line In

N/A

N/A

Line Out

N/A

N/A

Optical Input

N/A

N/A

RCA Input

N/A

N/A

Dock Charging

N/A

N/A

Power Supply

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Check Price

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

Standard

Edition X

Standard

HD 820

HiFiMan Edition X

Sennheiser HD 820

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

HiFiMan Edition X vs Sennheiser HD 820: Main Discussion

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