Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black
Over-ear · 2016
95
/ 100
From $1,699
VS
Focal Utopia 2022 wins by 1
Focal
Focal Utopia 2022
Open-back
96
/ 100
From $4,999
Specdex verdict
Focal Utopia 2022 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black lands at 95 and Focal Utopia 2022 at 96. That puts Focal Utopia 2022 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Focal Utopia 2022 if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black 95
vs 96 Focal Utopia 2022
Score breakdown
Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black
95 anc 93
sound 95
comfort 94
battery 82
features 91
Focal Utopia 2022
96 anc 0
sound 96
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black | Focal Utopia 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Open-back |
| Release year | 2016 | — |
Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black
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
Focal Utopia 2022
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 · Midnight Black vs Focal Utopia 2022
Which is better, Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black or Focal Utopia 2022? +
Focal Utopia 2022 scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black worth the price? +
At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sound.
Is Focal Utopia 2022 worth the price? +
At $4,999, Focal Utopia 2022 delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in battery.
Does Sennheiser HD 800S · Midnight Black or Focal Utopia 2022 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.