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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If your priority is to save money and you need a pair of closed-back headphones, which offer better noise isolation and prevent sound leakage, choose the Audio Technica ATH M30X. However, if you desire superior sound quality and an expansive soundstage for a more immersive listening experience, and you do not mind paying more, the Sennheiser HD800S are open-back headphones, which typically provide a larger soundstage but offer less noise isolation. Keep in mind that open-back headphones like the HD800S are not suitable for noisy environments as they let sound in and out. Neither option supports wireless connectivity or has a microphone, so if you need these features, you might want to consider other models. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M30X
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Gaming
6.6
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The Sennheiser HD800S and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Sennheiser HD800S is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
8.1
The Sennheiser HD800S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Cost
$69
$1,800
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $69 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,800.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$69 | $1,800 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 371.9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
Sennheiser HD800S
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Sennheiser HD800S
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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