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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a top-tier audiophile experience and are willing to invest in high-quality sound for mostly at-home use, the Sennheiser HD800S offers exceptional soundstage and detail but requires proper amplification and is not portable. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM3 provides excellent noise-cancellation, portability, and convenience for everyday use including commuting, but with a lesser sound quality compared to the Sennheisers. The Sony earbuds are also more versatile for activities like exercising, where over-ear headphones like the HD800S wouldn't be suitable. Keep in mind that the built-in microphone on the Sonys can be a deciding factor if you make a lot of calls. 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
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.9
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is good.
Gaming
7.5
5.6
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Sennheiser HD800S are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Sony WF1000XM3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
9.7
5.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,390
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sennheiser HD800S has a price of $1,390 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S and Sony WF1000XM3 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Sennheiser HD800S and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser HD800S | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,390 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2015 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 371.9 Grams | 9 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 WF1000XM3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the Sennheiser HD800S or the Sony WF1000XM3
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
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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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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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