A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
Choosing between the Sennheiser HD800S and Sony WF1000XM4 largely depends on your preferences and usage. If you prioritize high-fidelity audio and have a dedicated amplifier, the Sennheiser HD800S offers an outstanding open-back design that's ideal for critical listening in a quiet environment. They're much pricier, so they're suitable for audiophiles or those willing to invest in their audio experience. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM4, being more affordable and portable with active noise cancelling, is versatile for everyday use, whether commuting or at the gym, and has features like LDAC for high-quality Bluetooth streaming and integrated microphone for calls. However, it might not match the detailed soundstage of the Sennheisers. 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 WF1000XM4
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.9
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent.
Gaming
7.5
5.6
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser HD800S is very good.
TV and Video
9.7
6.0
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,390
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sennheiser HD800S has a price of $1,390 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD800S to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Sennheiser HD800S and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser HD800S | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,390 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2015 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 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 | 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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 371.9 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sennheiser HD800S
See more
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 WF1000XM4
See more
Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Sennheiser HD800S or the Sony WF1000XM4
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
