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Sony WH-1000XM5 — Over-ear · 2022
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM5

Over-ear · 2022

93
/ 100
From $399
VS
Sennheiser HD 800 S wins by 2
Sennheiser HD 800 S — Open-back
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Open-back

95
/ 100
From $1,699
Specdex verdict

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

In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM5 lands at 93 and Sennheiser HD 800 S at 95. That puts Sennheiser HD 800 S ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Sony WH-1000XM5 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

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sennheiser HD 800 S leads on sound (95 vs 93).

Noise cancelling

Sony WH-1000XM5

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sony WH-1000XM5 leads on anc (91 vs 0).

Comfort

Sony WH-1000XM5

Long-session wearability

Sony WH-1000XM5 leads on comfort (92 vs 88).

Value for money

Sony WH-1000XM5

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sony WH-1000XM5 more score per dollar ($399 vs $1,699).

Sony WH-1000XM5 93
vs
95 Sennheiser HD 800 S

Score breakdown

Sony WH-1000XM5
93
anc 91
sound 93
comfort 92
battery 82
features 89
Sennheiser HD 800 S
95
anc 0
sound 95
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Sony WH-1000XM5 versus Sennheiser HD 800 S — full spec comparison
Spec Sony WH-1000XM5 Sennheiser HD 800 S
Type
Over-ear
Open-back
Release year
2022
—

Sony WH-1000XM5

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: Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser HD 800 S

Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +

Sennheiser HD 800 S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sony WH-1000XM5 worth the price? +

At $399, Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers a Specdex score of 93 — 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 Sony WH-1000XM5 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 sound quality, Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +

Sennheiser HD 800 S — leads on sound (95 vs 93). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +

Sony WH-1000XM5 — leads on anc (91 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.