Sennheiser HD 800 S vs Sony WH 1000xm5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Verdict: Sennheiser HD 800 S excels in soundstage and resolution for home listening with its 56mm drivers and 4-51kHz range (per specs), while Sony WH-1000XM5 provides practical ANC and 30-hour battery for mobility at $399 MSRP. The $1300 price gap reflects their divergent designs: open-back wired vs closed wireless. Sennheiser wins for pure audio fidelity but loses on versatility.
Sennheiser HD 800 S lists at $1,699 while Sony WH 1000xm5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones lists at $278 — Sony WH 1000xm5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones undercuts Sennheiser HD 800 S by $1,421 (511%).
Winner: Sennheiser HD 800 S
Sennheiser HD 800 S: 8.5/10
Sony WH 1000xm5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones: 7/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Sennheiser HD 800 S | Sony WH 1000xm5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open-back dynamic | Closed-back wireless ANC |
| Driver | 56mm ring radiator | 30mm |
| Impedance | 300 Ohm | — |
| Battery Life | — | 30 hours |
Sennheiser HD 800 S
What works
- 4 Hz - 51,000 Hz frequency response (per manufacturer specs)
- 102 dB SPL sensitivity for detailed sound reproduction
- Released 2016 with current status
What doesn't
- 300 Ohm impedance requires dedicated amplification
- No active noise cancellation or wireless connectivity
Sony WH 1000xm5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
What works
- Bluetooth 5.2 with up to 30 hours battery life (per manufacturer specs)
- Active noise cancellation for travel and commuting
- Released 2022-05 with current status
What doesn't
- 30mm drivers limit frequency response detail compared to larger transducers
- Closed-back design reduces soundstage width
Bottom line
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 800 S.
People also ask
How does focal utopia vs sennheiser hd 800 s compare?
The Focal Utopia outperforms the Sennheiser HD 800 S in resolution and dynamics per multiple audio reviews. The HD 800 S provides a larger soundstage at roughly half the Utopia's price.
View full comparison on GoodPickr
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