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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for top-tier sound quality for critical listening, the Sennheiser HD800S is an excellent choice, known for its wide soundstage and detailed audio reproduction. However, they are bulky and require a proper amplifier for optimal performance, making them less portable and not suitable for casual listening on the go. On the other hand, the Sony Linkbuds are much more affordable, offer good sound quality for everyday use, and are highly portable, making them ideal for active lifestyles. They also provide the convenience of wireless connectivity. If you need portability and wireless convenience for a variety of activities including sports, Sony Linkbuds would be practical. If audio fidelity in a quiet, stationary environment is your priority and you are willing to invest more, the Sennheiser HD800S would be the preferred choice. 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 HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony Linkbuds
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
9.9
6.6
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Sony Linkbuds is only fair.
Gaming
7.5
5.5
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
6.8
The Sony Linkbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
TV and Video
9.7
5.4
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Sony Linkbuds is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery. The Sony Linkbuds has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,390
$178
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sennheiser HD800S has a price of $1,390 and the Sony Linkbuds costs $178.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD800S to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony Linkbuds is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Sennheiser HD800S and Sony Linkbuds are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.3
The Sony Linkbuds and Sennheiser HD800S both have excellent build quality.
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How the Sennheiser HD800S and the Sony Linkbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser HD800S | Sony Linkbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,390 | $178 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2015 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 17.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 371.9 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Sony Linkbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | February 2022
"The Sony LinkBuds is definitely the most unique audio product to release so far in 2022, and it largely executes well on it's unoccluded design. However, it's hamstrung by all the same things as other unsealed earbuds."
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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.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
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.
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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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