Audeze
Audeze MM-500
Planar magnetic
92
/ 100
From $1,699
VS
Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White wins by 3
Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White
Over-ear · 2016
95
/ 100
From $1,699
Specdex verdict
Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Audeze MM-500 lands at 92 and Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White at 95. That puts Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Audeze MM-500 if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Pick Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Audeze MM-500 92
vs 95 Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White
Score breakdown
Audeze MM-500
92 anc 0
sound 92
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White
95 anc 93
sound 95
comfort 94
battery 82
features 91
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Audeze MM-500 | Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Planar magnetic | Over-ear |
| Release year | — | 2016 |
Audeze MM-500
Pros
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White
Pros
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
FAQ: Audeze MM-500 vs Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White
Which is better, Audeze MM-500 or Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White? +
Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Audeze MM-500 worth the price? +
At $1,699, Audeze MM-500 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in battery.
Is Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White worth the price? +
At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sound.
Does Audeze MM-500 or Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.