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Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White — Over-ear · 2016
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White

Over-ear · 2016

95
/ 100
From $1,699
VS
Sennheiser HD 800 S — Open-back
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Open-back

95
/ 100
From $1,699
Specdex verdict

Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.

In our weighted Specdex score, Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White lands at 95 and Sennheiser HD 800 S at 95. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.

Pick Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Sennheiser HD 800 S if…

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

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

Sound quality

Tie

Tuning, detail, and staging

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

Noise cancelling

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White leads on anc (93 vs 0).

Comfort

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White

Long-session wearability

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White leads on comfort (94 vs 88).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White 95
vs
95 Sennheiser HD 800 S

Score breakdown

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White
95
anc 93
sound 95
comfort 94
battery 82
features 91
Sennheiser HD 800 S
95
anc 0
sound 95
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White versus Sennheiser HD 800 S — full spec comparison
Spec Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White Sennheiser HD 800 S
Type
Over-ear
Open-back
Release year
2016
—

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White

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

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

FAQ: Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White vs Sennheiser HD 800 S

Which is better, Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +

Both score 95 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White worth the price? +

At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sound.

Is Sennheiser HD 800 S worth the price? +

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

Does Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White or Sennheiser HD 800 S 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 noise cancelling, Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White — leads on anc (93 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.

Which is better for comfort, Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +

Sennheiser HD 800S · Arctic White — leads on comfort (94 vs 88). Long-session wearability.