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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds offer active noise canceling, are sweatproof, and are optimized for use during exercise and air travel, as well as having app equalizer and control customization. They're wireless with a decent battery life and convenient for calls and everyday use at a mid-range price. On the other hand, the Sennheiser HD800S, priced on the high end, deliver superior overall sound quality, with an expansive soundstage suitable for critical listening and TV or video. However, they lack active noise canceling, are not suitable for exercise, and need a wired connection, making them less portable. The Sennheiser’s open design also means they will leak sound and let ambient noise in, limiting their use in noisy environments. Choose the Bose earbuds for active, on-the-go lifestyles, especially in noisy surroundings. Opt for the Sennheisers if optimal sound quality and a premium listening experience in quiet environments are your top priorities. 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 Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.1
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is good.
Gaming
5.6
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.5
8.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser HD800S is very good.
TV and Video
6.0
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Battery
7.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery.
Cost
$199
$1,380
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has a price of $199 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,380.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD800S to have excellent build quality, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has very good build quality.
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How the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $1,380 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2020 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.8/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 7 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8.5 Grams | 371.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2023
"The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds is a great do-it-all option for anyone, so long as you can afford it. This is a great alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. You can choose the degree of noise canceling, and enjoy premium features like automatic ear-detection. These earbuds merit an IPX4 rating, making them a fine workout companion."
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 Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds or the Sennheiser HD800S
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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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Why trust us
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
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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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