Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 650
Over-ear · 2003
90
/ 100
From $499
VS
Sennheiser HD 800 S wins by 5
Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 800 S
Open-back
95
/ 100
From $1,699
Specdex verdict
Sennheiser HD 800 S takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sennheiser HD 650 lands at 90 and Sennheiser HD 800 S at 95. That puts Sennheiser HD 800 S ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sennheiser HD 650 if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Sennheiser HD 800 S if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Sennheiser HD 650 90
vs 95 Sennheiser HD 800 S
Score breakdown
Sennheiser HD 650
90 anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86
Sennheiser HD 800 S
95 anc 0
sound 95
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 650 | Sennheiser HD 800 S |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Open-back |
| Release year | 2003 | — |
Sennheiser HD 650
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
Sennheiser HD 800 S
Pros
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
FAQ: Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 800 S
Which is better, Sennheiser HD 650 or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +
Sennheiser HD 800 S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sennheiser HD 650 worth the price? +
At $499, Sennheiser HD 650 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.
Is Sennheiser HD 800 S worth the price? +
At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800 S delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in battery.
Does Sennheiser HD 650 or Sennheiser HD 800 S 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.