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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a primary concern and you need wireless convenience for activities like commuting or working out, the Google Pixel Buds A Series are a great pick. They'll give you good sound for everyday use, are easy to carry around, and integrate well with smartphones, especially Android devices. However, if you're seeking the highest sound quality for critical listening and don't mind a significant price difference and the need for a wired connection, the Sennheiser HD800S offer superior audio fidelity and a wider soundstage that brings a more immersive and detailed listening experience, although they are less versatile for on-the-go use. Keep in mind that the Sennheiser choice also might require additional investment in high-quality audio equipment to realize their full potential. 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 Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.4
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
8.6
7.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser HD800S is good.
Phone Calls
8.5
5.0
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
TV and Video
7.8
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
2.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Google Pixel Buds A Series is somewhat better.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery.
Cost
$58
$1,390
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Google Pixel Buds A Series has a price of $58 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,390.
Build Quality
7.4
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
8.1
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Sennheiser HD800S are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Google Pixel Buds A Series and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel Buds A Series | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$58 | $1,390 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.4/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.1 Grams | 371.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Google Pixel Buds A Series
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
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 Google Pixel Buds A Series or the Sennheiser HD800S
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
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
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
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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