OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
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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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Sony MDR XB800 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£95Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR XB800 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony MDR XB800
6.1/10

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 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 56% of models
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

8.0

User score

▼Worse than 56% of headphones
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 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 51% of models
Score components

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▼Worse than 51%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 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 66% of models
Score components

52%

6.6

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.1

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 66%
8.0

User score

User score
8.0/ 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
▼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

7.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
▼Worse than 59%
  • sony-mdr-xb800
sony-mdr-xb800
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 Sony MDR XB800

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 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 66% of models
Score components:

52%

6.6

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.1

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

5.6
User score
User score
8.0/ 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
▼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

7.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.0
Popularity
Popularity
7.0/ 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 64% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR XB800 has a popularity score of 7 points, which is higher than that of 64.3% of products in this category.
7.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 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 51% of models
Score components:

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.3
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
50 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 50 mm, larger driver size than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 8.2% 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
3 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 3 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 99.4% of headphones and equal to 0.5% 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
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% 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
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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
Sony
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
290 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 290 g, heavier than 77.7% of headphones and equal to 1.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sony MDR XB800 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 15 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (3 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    3 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 8,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 4 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 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
  • 30x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (3,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    3,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 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
  • 15 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (3 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    3 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 8,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 4 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    106 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 30x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (3,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    3,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 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.
  • 33% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (290 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    290 g vs 218 g
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 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
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    December 2012
    2012 vs 2016
  • 33% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (290 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    290 g vs 218 g
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    December 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

9.0
SFE Music
≈ estimated
19/01/2014
Unboxing and review · first impressions and listening tests
Verdict
Sony MDR-XB800 is very bass-heavy and recommended for bass lovers and electronic music, less so for other genres.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded

Third-party reviews

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

What customers like about Sony MDR XB800

  • Powerful and deep bass response (3Hz-28kHz range) suitable for EDM and bass-heavy genres
  • Dual-folding design makes them highly portable for travel
  • Tangle-resistant flat serrated cable with an L-shaped jack
  • Relatively lightweight with soft foam ear pads that provide a good acoustic seal
  • Aesthetically pleasing industrial design with chrome and silver accents

What customers don't like about Sony MDR XB800

  • Overpowering bass can muddy the mid-range and treble, leading to a 'veiled' sound
  • Durability issues, with reports of the headband or ear cup arms snapping over time
  • On-ear design can cause ear fatigue and discomfort after 30–60 minutes of use
  • Lack of a removable/detachable cable makes it difficult to repair if the wire fails
  • Synthetic leather material on ear pads can feel stuffy and non-breathable

Verdict

The Sony MDR-XB800 is a premium wired headphone in the Extra Bass series, featuring massive 50mm dome-type drivers and a Direct Vibe structure engineered to deliver a powerful frequency response of 3Hz to 28,000Hz. Key characteristics include a high sensitivity of 106 dB/mW, a 24-ohm impedance, and a 1.2-meter tangle-proof flat serrated cord with a gold-plated L-shaped mini plug. Main pros consist of its intense, punchy bass performance, high 3,000mW power handling capacity, and a portable dual-folding design with pressure-relieving foam earpads for sound isolation. However, notable cons include its relatively heavy weight (290g), reports of structural weakness in the ear cup arms that may lead to breakage over time, and a non-detachable cable.

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