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Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 vs Sennheiser - HD 800 S

Last updated · How Mars Score works
ATH-M50xBT2AUDIO-TECHNICARENDER
Probe A
Audio-Technica
ATH-M50xBT2
74.2/ 100B
Audio81· 45%
Battery62· 25%
Connectivity· 18%
Design· 12%
HD 800 SSENNHEISERRENDER
Probe B
Sennheiser
HD 800 S
73.6/ 100B
Audio91· 45%
Battery35· 25%
Connectivity· 18%
Design· 12%
Quick verdict

Between the ATH-M50xBT2 and HD 800 S, the ATH-M50xBT2 comes out ahead in weight and multipoint, while the HD 800 S wins on driver size. Overall, the ATH-M50xBT2 scores 74.2 and the HD 800 S scores 73.6 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (74.2 vs 73.6). The decision isn't about overall quality — both clear the bar — it's about which specific trade-offs fit your use.

Pick the ATH-M50xBT2 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight, multipoint, ldac, among others.

Pick the HD 800 S if you care most about driver size. Its strongest claims are driver size.

Both ship with comparable active noise cancellation, spatial audio, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.

Why Audio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2 wins

  • Weight — 23.00 g less. 307 vs 330.
  • Has Multipoint.
  • Has LDAC.
  • Battery life: 50 h vs 0 h.

Why Sennheiser - HD 800 S wins

  • Driver size — 24.44% more. 56 mm vs 45 mm.
Full readout

Spec comparison

Design

SpecAudio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2Sennheiser - HD 800 S
Typeover-earover-ear
Weight307 glead330 g
Water resistancenonenone

Audio

SpecAudio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2Sennheiser - HD 800 S
Driver size45 mm56 mmlead
Impedance38 Ω300 Ωlead
Sensitivity99 dB102 dBlead
Active noise cancellationfalsefalse
Transparency modefalsefalse
Spatial audiofalsefalse

Battery

SpecAudio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2Sennheiser - HD 800 S
Battery life50 hlead0 h
Fast chargetrueleadfalse

Connectivity

SpecAudio-Technica - ATH-M50xBT2Sennheiser - HD 800 S
Bluetooth5.0lead0
Multipointtrueleadfalse
3.5mm jacktruetrue
LDACtrueleadfalse
aptX HDtrueleadfalse
Reader questions

Frequently asked

Which has better battery life, ATH-M50xBT2 or HD 800 S?+

ATH-M50xBT2 lasts 50 hours vs 0 hours.

Do ATH-M50xBT2 or HD 800 S have active noise cancellation?+

Neither model has ANC.

Which supports LDAC, ATH-M50xBT2 or HD 800 S?+

ATH-M50xBT2 supports LDAC; HD 800 S does not.

Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

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