Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black — Open-back
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black

Open-back

95
/ 100
From $1,699
VS
Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black wins by 5
Sennheiser HD 650 — Over-ear · 2003
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 650

Over-ear · 2003

90
/ 100
From $499
Specdex verdict

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black lands at 95 and Sennheiser HD 650 at 90. That puts Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal

Pick Sennheiser HD 650 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black leads on sound (95 vs 90).

Noise cancelling

Sennheiser HD 650

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sennheiser HD 650 leads on anc (88 vs 0).

Comfort

Tie

Long-session wearability

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Sennheiser HD 650

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sennheiser HD 650 more score per dollar ($499 vs $1,699).

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black 95
vs
90 Sennheiser HD 650

Score breakdown

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black
95
anc 0
sound 95
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
Sennheiser HD 650
90
anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black versus Sennheiser HD 650 — full spec comparison
Spec Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black Sennheiser HD 650
Type
Open-back
Over-ear
Release year
—
2003

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black

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 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

FAQ: Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black vs Sennheiser HD 650

Which is better, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 650? +

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in battery.

Is Sennheiser HD 650 worth the price? +

At $499, Sennheiser HD 650 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.

Does Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 650 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 · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 650? +

Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black — leads on sound (95 vs 90). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Sennheiser HD 800 S · Midnight Black or Sennheiser HD 650? +

Sennheiser HD 650 — leads on anc (88 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.