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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sennheiser HD800S, being a high-end model, offers superior sound detail and a wide soundstage, best for audiophiles who seek an immersive experience in quiet environments. They won't be suited for commuting due to their open-back design, which doesn't isolate noise well. In contrast, the Soundcore Life Q30 provides good sound quality at a considerably lower price, with noise cancellation features making them more versatile for use in noisy environments. However, they may not match the Sennheiser in terms of pure audio fidelity. The Q30 also offers a built-in microphone for calls, which the Sennheiser lacks. 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 Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.9
7.1
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
7.5
5.3
The Sennheiser HD800S is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
4.8
The Sennheiser HD800S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
9.7
5.4
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Sennheiser HD800S does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,390
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sennheiser HD800S has a price of $1,390 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q30 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Sennheiser HD800S and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser HD800S | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,390 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2015 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 371.9 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Soundcore Life Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Sennheiser HD800S or the Soundcore Life Q30
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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