The Sennheiser HD 800 S are top-of-the-line audiophile headphones. They feature an open-back design, with 56mm Ring Radiator dynamic drivers that deliver a satisfyingly neutral and reference-grade sound. Even though they're quite large, their fit is comfortable enough for long listening sessions. That said, you'll want to consider using a good amp and DAC to get the most out of them, which can be an added cost on top of the high price tag of these cans.
Our Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are sub-par for sports and fitness. They're large and only stable enough for seated listening sessions, which is their intended use. The high impedance connection needs an amp to drive the cans, and the cable makes them impractical for exercise.
- Comfortable fit.
- Don't block out background noise, by design.
- Bulky design.
- Not very stable with moderate movement.
The Sennheiser HD800S aren't designed for travel. They're bulky, open-back headphones. As a result, your audio leaks into the vehicle for all to hear. They also don't block out any environmental noise. Their cable and high impedance are also inconvenient for connectivity. While they're comfortable, they're also large and will get in the way.
- Sturdy, durable build quality.
- Comfortable fit.
- Don't block out background noise, by design.
- Bulky design.
- Leak audio, by design.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are bad for office work. Its open-back design lets in background noise and keystrokes while also leaking audio into the environment. The headphones also lack a mic, so you'll need an outboard microphone for work calls. They also need an amp to power them adequately. That said, they're comfortable, and if your office has a door, they might work better if you're the workplace's resident audiophile.
- Sturdy, durable build quality.
- Comfortable fit.
- Don't block out background noise, by design.
- Leak audio, by design.
Needs an outboard microphone for chat.
The Sennheiser HD800S are wired-only headphones and can't be used for wireless gaming.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are okay for wired gaming. Their tuning is balanced with an immersive sound with a stable stereo image that allows you to pick out the location of enemies. They're comfortable to wear as well. That said, they need an amp to power them with most devices and they lack a microphone, so you'll need to provide an outboard one for playing with others.
- Sturdy, durable build quality.
- Comfortable fit.
- Don't block out background noise, by design.
Needs an outboard microphone for chat.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are amazing for audio reproduction accuracy. They sound consistent between wears and even if you wear glasses or have long hair, so what you hear is more or less the same each time. Their flat tuning complies well with our target for a full and clear sound, though, as open-backs, they don't reproduce deep bass frequencies with a lot of emphasis. The drivers are well-matched overall for a stable stereo field, and their low harmonic distortion ensures you won't hear coloration at typical and elevated listening levels. Plus, their design interacts with your ears' pinnae similarly to an angled reference speaker.
The Sennheiser HD800S have bad noise isolation performance, which is expected for open-backs. They both let in external sounds in your environment so you'll hear them, and allow your audio to escape into the space for others to hear.
The Sennheiser HD800S don't include a microphone.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are impressive when it comes to frequency response consistency. While there'll be some minor deviations in the frequency response in the low-bass range, if you have long hair or wear glasses, you'll mostly experience consistent audio delivery regardless of your physical characteristics. Our frequency response measurements will, therefore, be indicative of most people's experience.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Mar 12, 2026:
This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.1, which removes the Group Delay test and rebalances scoring for the Harmonic Distortion test and Audio Reproduction Accuracy performance usage. For more details, consult our full changelog.
- Updated Mar 12, 2026: This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.1, which removes the Group Delay test, and rebalances scoring for the Harmonic Distortion test and Audio Reproduction Accuracy performance usage. For more details, consult our full changelog.
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Updated Sep 23, 2025:
After noticing an error in some target deviation calculations, we updated this review's Bass, Mid-Range, and Treble Target Compliance scores, as well as its Peaks and Dips score. As a result, some Usages and side-by-side text may also have changed.
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Updated Aug 22, 2025:
We mentioned our How To Make Headphones Louder article in the Electrical Aspects section of this review.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
While there's one variant of the Sennheiser HD 800 S, 'Black,' the manufacturer quietly made at least one change since our unit was purchased. Our unit includes a cable terminating in a balanced four-pin XLR cable, but models produced roughly from 2021 onwards include a balanced 4.4 jack instead. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Sennheiser HD800S have outstanding, reference-quality audio reproduction that puts them in a league of their own. Their evenly balanced sound caters well to most tracks and music genres, especially compared to their retuned sibling, the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX. While their dynamic drivers may not reproduce as much low-bass as planar magnetics like the HiFiMan Edition XS, they can create an outstanding passive soundstage for an immersive, natural, and out-of-head audio experience. However, they're quite pricey, which can put them out of reach for most people, and you'll want to consider using an amp to help drive them to their full potential.
See our recommendations for the best studio headphones, the best open-back headphones, the best headphones for music, and the best DJ headphones.
Both the HiFiMan Arya and the Sennheiser HD 800 S are audiophile headphones for close listening, but you may like one over the other, depending on your preferences. The HiFiMan have planar magnetic transducers and deliver slightly more bass. However, the Sennheiser are a little more balanced, with a flat sound profile suited for clean sound design. They also feel better built and come with a carrying pouch and an extra audio cable.
Both the Sennheiser HD 800 S and Focal Clear Mg are premium open-backs geared at audiophiles. While both headphones are very comfortable, the Sennheiser have a more immersive sound and a more breathable design. However, the Focal have a better build quality and a warmer treble, if that's your preference.
The Audeze LCD-X and Sennheiser HD 800 S are both high-quality, open-back headphones that target the premium end of the headphones market. The Audeze have a warm sound, with a subdued treble and an impressively punchy bass. On the other hand, the Sennheiser have a brighter sound, with an airier top-end that adds shimmer to vocals but can also make sibilants sound a touch piercing at times. They also lack a little low-bass compared to the Audeze; techno fans might wish for a little more thump. Sound profile aside, the Sennheiser are the better cans: their audio sounds more like it's coming from a pair of angled reference monitors, and they're lighter to wear. But they're also quite a bit more expensive than the Audeze cans. The choice is one of taste and budget.
Whether the Sennheiser HD 800 S are better open-backs than the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version depends on your sound profile preferences and your budget. While both headphones are very comfortable and provide an open sound, the Sennheiser are better-built and lighter in weight, thanks to their dynamic drivers. That said, they're harder to drive than the HiFiMan. Conversely, you may still prefer the HiFiMan if you want your open-backs with a bit more bass.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
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