Sennheiser HD 800 S
Open-back
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold
Gaming · 2022 · Black
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) · Rose Gold 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) · Rose Gold if…
- ✓Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
- ✓Detachable broadcast mic
- ✓Console compatibility
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Sennheiser HD 800 STuning, detail, and staging
Sennheiser HD 800 S leads on sound (95 vs 88).
Noise cancelling
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose GoldANC strength for commute and travel
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold leads on anc (70 vs 0).
Comfort
Sennheiser HD 800 SLong-session wearability
Sennheiser HD 800 S leads on comfort (88 vs 86).
Value for money
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose GoldSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold more score per dollar ($249 vs $1,699).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 800 S | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open-back | Gaming headset |
| Variant | — | Black |
| Release year | — | 2022 |
Sennheiser HD 800 S
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold
- +Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
- +Detachable broadcast mic
- +Console compatibility
- −Bulkier than audiophile cans
- −Game-tuned EQ
- −Software required on PC
FAQ: Sennheiser HD 800 S vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold
Which is better, Sennheiser HD 800 S or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold? +
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) · Rose Gold worth the price? +
At $249, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.
Does Sennheiser HD 800 S or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold 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) · Rose Gold? +
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) · Rose Gold? +
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (Black) · Rose Gold — leads on anc (70 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.