Sennheiser HD 800 S
Open-back
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (White)
Gaming · 2022 · White
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 (White) 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 (White) 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 (White)ANC strength for commute and travel
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (White) 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 (White)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (White) more score per dollar ($249 vs $1,699).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 800 S | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (White) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open-back | Gaming headset |
| Variant | — | White |
| 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 (White)
- +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 (White)
Which is better, Sennheiser HD 800 S or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (White)? +
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 (White) worth the price? +
At $249, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (White) delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.
Does Sennheiser HD 800 S or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (White) 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 (White)? +
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 (White)? +
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (White) — leads on anc (70 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.