Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 800S
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 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 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 95
vs 96 Focal Utopia 2022
Score breakdown
Sennheiser HD 800S
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 | Focal Utopia 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Open-back |
| Release year | 2016 | — |
Sennheiser HD 800S
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 vs Focal Utopia 2022
Which is better, Sennheiser HD 800S 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 worth the price? +
At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800S 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 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.