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Sennheiser HD 800 S — Open-back
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Open-back

95
/ 100
From $1,699
VS
Sennheiser HD 800 S wins by 7
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) — Gaming · 2022 · Black
SteelSeries

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)

Gaming · 2022 · Black

88
/ 100
From $249
Specdex verdict

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

In our weighted Specdex score, Sennheiser HD 800 S lands at 95 and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) at 88. That puts Sennheiser HD 800 S ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Sennheiser HD 800 S if…

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

Pick SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) if…

  • ✓Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
  • ✓Detachable broadcast mic
  • ✓Console compatibility
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Winner by scenario

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

Sound quality

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sennheiser HD 800 S leads on sound (95 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)

ANC strength for commute and travel

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) leads on anc (70 vs 0).

Comfort

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Long-session wearability

Sennheiser HD 800 S leads on comfort (88 vs 86).

Value for money

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) more score per dollar ($249 vs $1,699).

Sennheiser HD 800 S 95
vs
88 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)

Score breakdown

Sennheiser HD 800 S
95
anc 0
sound 95
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)
88
anc 70
sound 88
comfort 86
battery 86
features 88

Specs side-by-side

Sennheiser HD 800 S versus SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) — full spec comparison
Spec Sennheiser HD 800 S SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)
Type
Open-back
Gaming headset
Variant
—
Black
Release year
—
2022

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

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)

Pros
  • +Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
  • +Detachable broadcast mic
  • +Console compatibility
Cons
  • −Bulkier than audiophile cans
  • −Game-tuned EQ
  • −Software required on PC

FAQ: Sennheiser HD 800 S vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)

Which is better, Sennheiser HD 800 S or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)? +

Sennheiser HD 800 S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sennheiser HD 800 S worth the price? +

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

Is SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) worth the price? +

At $249, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Does Sennheiser HD 800 S or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) 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 or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)? +

Sennheiser HD 800 S — leads on sound (95 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Sennheiser HD 800 S or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black)? +

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) — leads on anc (70 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.