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Sennheiser HD 800S — Over-ear · 2016
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 800S

Over-ear · 2016

95
/ 100
From $1,699
VS
Sennheiser HD 800S wins by 5
Sennheiser HD 600 — Open-back
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 600

Open-back

90
/ 100
From $399
Specdex verdict

Sennheiser HD 800S takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Sennheiser HD 800S lands at 95 and Sennheiser HD 600 at 90. That puts Sennheiser HD 800S ahead by 5 points — a decisive 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 Sennheiser HD 600 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

Sennheiser HD 800S

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sennheiser HD 800S leads on sound (95 vs 90).

Noise cancelling

Sennheiser HD 800S

ANC strength for commute and travel

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

Comfort

Sennheiser HD 800S

Long-session wearability

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

Value for money

Sennheiser HD 600

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sennheiser HD 600 more score per dollar ($399 vs $1,699).

Sennheiser HD 800S 95
vs
90 Sennheiser HD 600

Score breakdown

Sennheiser HD 800S
95
anc 93
sound 95
comfort 94
battery 82
features 91
Sennheiser HD 600
90
anc 0
sound 90
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Sennheiser HD 800S versus Sennheiser HD 600 — full spec comparison
Spec Sennheiser HD 800S Sennheiser HD 600
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

Sennheiser HD 600

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 Sennheiser HD 600

Which is better, Sennheiser HD 800S or Sennheiser HD 600? +

Sennheiser HD 800S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. 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 Sennheiser HD 600 worth the price? +

At $399, Sennheiser HD 600 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in battery.

Does Sennheiser HD 800S or Sennheiser HD 600 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 800S or Sennheiser HD 600? +

Sennheiser HD 800S — leads on sound (95 vs 90). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Sennheiser HD 800S or Sennheiser HD 600? +

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