A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancelling for a quiet listening environment, especially during air travel or in noisy settings, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones with their excellent noise isolation would be the better choice. However, if you cherish superior soundstage for critical listening and don't require wireless connectivity or portability, the Sennheiser HD800S will provide an unparalleled audio experience but keep in mind that they lack noise cancelling and may not block out ambient noise. The Bose headphones have more features like wireless connectivity and are foldable, offering convenience for on-the-go use which the Sennheisers don't provide due to their large, open-back design. Additionally, the Sennheiser headphones are suited for home use with a dedicated amplifier for the best experience, while the Bose can easily be used with portable devices and are versatile for various scenarios with the added bonus of a longer battery life suited for extended use without charging. 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 Ultra Headphones
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.3
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is very good.
Gaming
9.3
7.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the Sennheiser HD800S is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
8.1
The Sennheiser HD800S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair.
TV and Video
9.0
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Battery
29.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery.
Cost
$429
$1,380
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has a price of $429 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,380.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.3
5.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Sennheiser HD800S both have excellent build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $1,380 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 29 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 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 | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 255 Grams | 371.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
See more
Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy."
Sennheiser HD800S
See more
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 Ultra Headphones 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones vs. Bowers and Wilkins PI7
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
VS
Compare Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones vs. Sony WH-1000XM5
VS
Compare Sennheiser HD800S vs. HifiMan Arya Stealth
VS
Compare Sennheiser HD800S vs. Thieaudio Monarch Mk II
VS
Compare Sennheiser HD800S vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay H95
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
128,300
Recommendations made
19,245
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
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.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
