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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sennheiser HD800 S Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£1,580Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sennheiser HD800 S Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sennheiser HD800 S
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

80%

5.2

Technical score

20%

8.4

User score

▼Worse than 71% of headphones
4.7

Value for money

Value for money
4.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

2.2

Price

▼Worse than 98%
5.2

Technical score

Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.0

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 87%
8.4

User score

User score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 79% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

7.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
▲Better than 79%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sennheiser HD800 S

Technical score
Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 87% of models
Score components:

52%

5.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.0

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.2
User score
User score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 79% of models
Score components

70%

8.8

User ratings

30%

7.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.4
Popularity
Popularity
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 70% of models
Popularity:
Sennheiser HD800 S has a popularity score of 7.5 points, which is higher than that of 70.1% of products in this category.
7.5
Value for money
Value for money
4.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

2.2

Price

4.7
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
56 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 56 mm, larger driver size than 96.5% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
4 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 4 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 97.2% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Sennheiser
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
330 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 330 g, heavier than 87.5% of headphones and equal to 1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
open-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sennheiser HD800 S vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 16 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (56 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    56 mm vs 40 mm
  • 14 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (4 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    4 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 31,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (51,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    51,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.28 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.02 % vs 0.3 %
  • 10 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    70 mm vs 60 mm
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 10 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (70 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    70 mm vs 60 mm
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Open-back design
    This pair of headphones uses an open-back design, while the average pair of headphones does not. 9.1% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • Hi-Res Audio certification
    This pair of headphones has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.1% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
  • 16 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (56 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    56 mm vs 40 mm
  • 14 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (4 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    4 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 31,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (51,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    51,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 0.28 % lower distortion
    This pair of headphones has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.02 % vs 0.3 %
  • 18 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (128 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    128 dB vs 110 dB
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 51.4% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (330 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    330 g vs 218 g
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 17.56x more expensive
    Sennheiser HD800 S is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£1,580 vs £90).
    £1,580 vs £90
  • 53.4% worse value for money
    Sennheiser HD800 S has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (4.74 vs 7.3).
    4.74 vs 7.27
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 17.56x more expensive
    Sennheiser HD800 S is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£1,580 vs £90).
    £1,580 vs £90
  • 53.4% worse value for money
    Sennheiser HD800 S has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (4.74 vs 7.3).
    4.74 vs 7.27
  • 51.4% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (330 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    330 g vs 218 g
  • No passive noise reduction
    This pair of headphones does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average pair of headphones does. 82.6% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

4.0
LATE KNIGHT TALKS
≈ estimated
19/04/2026
Hands-on review · listening comparisons and opinion
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S sounds decent but overrated, and its price is hard to justify against rivals.
8.0
Christian Svedin
≈ estimated
09/06/2025
Hands-on review · sound tests, EQ and fit
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S has strong detail and a wide soundstage, but its bass is light and it needs EQ, so it suits only a particular taste.
7.0
Treble Well Xtended
✓ explicit
01/10/2024
Hands-on review · sound, build and comparison with Arya
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S is a solid, recommended headphone with natural mids and outstanding detail, though its bass lacks punch.
9.0
Skeeb23
≈ estimated
27/09/2023
Hands-on review · amp pairing and gaming use
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S is a superb headphone, best driven by a proper amplifier.
8.0
The Headphone Show
≈ estimated
04/03/2022
Hands-on review · measurements, amping and ownership
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S is flawed but an easy pick for a collection, less so as someone's only headphone.
9.0
Army-Firedawg
≈ estimated
26/11/2017
Long-term test · several hundred hours of listening
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S is sonically accurate and very comfortable, a strong pick for purists, though bass and build are weaker.
9.0
Z Reviews
≈ estimated
14/01/2017
Hands-on review · comparison with original model and amps
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S is clearly better than the original, and worth it if you can afford it.
7.0
Currawong
≈ estimated
09/10/2016
Hands-on review · long-term listening and comparison
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S has very precise, wide stereo imaging, but it can sound odd with acoustic music and certain recordings.
8.0
Hobby Talk
≈ estimated
15/04/2025
First impressions · unboxing, comfort and EQ listening
Verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S is comfortable and well built, but the soundstage did not impress and the treble needed taming.
Shop video
Not graded
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Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sennheiser HD800 S

  • Industry-leading soundstage width and depth, often described as speaker-like or holographic
  • Exceptional comfort and lightweight design (330g), suitable for long listening sessions
  • High level of detail retrieval and transparency, revealing fine nuances in recordings
  • Improved treble response over the original HD800, with a built-in absorber to reduce harsh peaks
  • Excellent pinpoint imaging and instrument separation
  • Highly durable build quality using aerospace-grade materials

What customers don't like about Sennheiser HD800 S

  • Lacks sub-bass impact and 'slam,' which can make genres like EDM or Hip-Hop feel thin
  • Highly dependent on high-quality amplification (300 ohms) to reach full potential
  • Open-back design offers zero noise isolation and significant sound leakage
  • Extremely revealing nature can make poorly recorded or compressed tracks sound unpleasant
  • High price point and expensive proprietary replacement cables
  • Large earcups may feel loose or slide off if the wearer leans forward

Verdict

The Sennheiser HD 800 S is a reference-class open-back dynamic headphone featuring massive 56mm Ring Radiator transducers and patented absorber technology to eliminate frequency masking. Boasting an expansive frequency response of 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz, a high impedance of 300 Ω, and a low total harmonic distortion of <0.02%, it is precision-engineered for analytical listening. Main pros include its industry-leading wide soundstage, surgical imaging accuracy, and lightweight 330g design with plush microfiber earpads for exceptional long-term comfort. However, its high impedance necessitates a dedicated amplifier for optimal performance, and its lean bass response and occasional treble brightness may be fatiguing or insufficient for bass-heavy genres.

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