Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White
Open-back
Sennheiser HD 800S
Over-ear · 2016
Sennheiser HD 800S takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White lands at 90 and Sennheiser HD 800S at 95. That puts Sennheiser HD 800S ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Pick Sennheiser HD 800S if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Sennheiser HD 800STuning, detail, and staging
Sennheiser HD 800S leads on sound (95 vs 90).
Noise cancelling
Sennheiser HD 800SANC strength for commute and travel
Sennheiser HD 800S leads on anc (93 vs 0).
Comfort
Sennheiser HD 800SLong-session wearability
Sennheiser HD 800S leads on comfort (94 vs 88).
Value for money
Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic WhiteSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White more score per dollar ($799 vs $1,699).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White | Sennheiser HD 800S |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open-back | Over-ear |
| Release year | — | 2016 |
Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
Sennheiser HD 800S
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
FAQ: Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White vs Sennheiser HD 800S
Which is better, Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White or Sennheiser HD 800S? +
Sennheiser HD 800S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White worth the price? +
At $799, Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in battery.
Is Sennheiser HD 800S worth the price? +
At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800S delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sound.
Does Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White or Sennheiser HD 800S 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.
Which is better for sound quality, Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White or Sennheiser HD 800S? +
Sennheiser HD 800S — leads on sound (95 vs 90). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Meze Audio 109 Pro · Arctic White or Sennheiser HD 800S? +
Sennheiser HD 800S — leads on anc (93 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.