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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a major concern, the Sennheiser HD 400S is much more affordable and offers good sound quality for everyday listening, with added convenience like an inline microphone for calls. On the other hand, for audiophiles seeking the pinnacle of sound fidelity, the Sennheiser HD800S provides superior soundstage, detail, and comfort, making them ideal for high-end home listening environments. However, they're significantly more expensive and may require additional investment in high-quality audio equipment to fully realize their potential. The HD 800S are not designed for outdoor use or commuting since they're bulkier and have an open-back design that leaks sound. 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 Sennheiser HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good 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
7.1
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Gaming
8.6
7.5
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser HD800S is good.
Phone Calls
8.2
5.0
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sennheiser HD 400S is somewhat better.
Cost
$50
$1,600
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Sennheiser HD 400S has a price of $50 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,600.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Sennheiser HD 400S has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD800S to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
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How the Sennheiser HD 400S and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser HD 400S | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$50 | $1,600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2019 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213 Grams | 371.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Sennheiser HD800S
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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 Sennheiser HD 400S or the Sennheiser HD800S
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.
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.
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