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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 audio experience with a wide soundstage and detailed sound for critical listening, the Sennheiser HD800S is the better choice. However, remember that they are a significant investment and best suited for quiet environments. The Steelseries TUSQ, while much more affordable, offer a more gaming-focused experience with a built-in microphone for communication, which the HD800S lack. Both are great products, but if price is a major concern and you need a versatile headset for gaming and calls, the TUSQ will serve you well. If you prioritize sound quality for music and have a higher budget, go for the Sennheiser HD800S. 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
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.9
7.6
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Gaming
7.5
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser HD800S is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
4.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
9.7
7.3
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD800S is poor.
Cost
$1,400
$55
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sennheiser HD800S has a price of $1,400 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $55.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Sennheiser HD800S and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser HD800S | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,400 | $55 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2015 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 371.9 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Sennheiser HD800S or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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.
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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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