Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White
Open-back
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
World-class ANC · 30hr · Immersive Audio
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White lands at 95 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 at 93. That puts Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 if…
- ✓Deepest ANC on the market
- ✓Comfortable for 8hr+ flights
- ✓Bose Immersive Audio
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic WhiteTuning, detail, and staging
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White leads on sound (95 vs 90).
Noise cancelling
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2ANC strength for commute and travel
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 leads on anc (100 vs 0).
Comfort
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2Long-session wearability
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 leads on comfort (96 vs 88).
Value for money
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 more score per dollar ($449 vs $1,699).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White | Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open-back | — |
| Driver | — | 35 mm |
| ANC | — | Hybrid · 8-mic |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.3 + Snapdragon Sound |
| Codecs | — | aptX Adaptive + AAC + SBC |
| Battery | — | 30 hr (24 with ANC) |
| Charging | — | USB-C, 15-min for 2.5hr |
| Weight | — | 254 g |
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
- +Deepest ANC on the market
- +Comfortable for 8hr+ flights
- +Bose Immersive Audio
- −No multi-point with 2025 firmware bug
- −Cable not included
- −Pricier than XM6
FAQ: Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
Which is better, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2? +
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White worth the price? +
At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in battery.
Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 worth the price? +
At $449, Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in anc.
Does Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 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, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2? +
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White — leads on sound (95 vs 90). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 — leads on anc (100 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.