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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Grado GT220 earbuds are significantly less expensive and are portable, wireless, with a stable fit suitable for exercise, and a good battery life, making them ideal for on-the-go use. They are sweatproof with decent sound quality and support AAC for better audio on Apple devices. However, their closed-back design and smaller soundstage may offer a less natural listening experience compared to open-back headphones. In contrast, the Sennheiser HD800S headphones, though pricier, deliver exceptional sound quality and an expansive soundstage due to their open-back design, making them excellent for critical listening at home. They are wired and less portable, but they provide an extremely comfortable fit and outstanding audio fidelity, which is ideal for audiophiles and those seeking an unparalleled listening experience without considering cost. 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 Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
5.0
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
8.1
The Grado GT220 and Sennheiser HD800S are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.5
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Grado GT220 and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$1,600
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,600.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD800S to have excellent build quality, while the Grado GT220 has very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $1,600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | 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 | 7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 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 | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 371.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
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 Grado GT220 or the Sennheiser HD800S
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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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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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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