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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
When comparing the Beats Solo 3 and the Sennheiser HD800S, consider your primary use. The Beats Solo 3, being less expensive and offering wireless connectivity plus an integrated microphone, suits casual listening, calls, and gym usage. They are also more portable due to their foldable design. However, the Sennheiser HD800S, despite being more expensive, provides superior sound quality and comfort, an impressive soundstage, and excels for critical listening and immersive TV or video experiences. They lack wireless functionality and a microphone, making them less versatile for on-the-go use and communication. In terms of durability and noise isolation, the Beats Solo 3 rates better but the Sennheiser's open-back design makes them less ideal for noisy environments. 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 Beats Solo 3
- Very 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
6.3
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
8.1
The Sennheiser HD800S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats Solo 3 and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
41.5 Hours
N/A
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$1,380
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,380.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
5.0
The Sennheiser HD800S and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $1,380 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 371.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
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 Beats Solo 3 or the Sennheiser HD800S
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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