Between the QuietComfort SC and HD 800 S, the QuietComfort SC comes out ahead in weight and active noise cancellation, while the HD 800 S wins on driver size. Overall, the QuietComfort SC scores 62.9 and the HD 800 S scores 73.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The HD 800 S is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.7 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the QuietComfort SC if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight, active noise cancellation, multipoint, among others.
Pick the HD 800 S if you care most about driver size. Its strongest claims are driver size.
Both ship with comparable spatial audio, ldac, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the HD 800 S is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Bose - QuietComfort SC wins
- ▲Weight — 90.00 g less. 240 vs 330.
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
- ▲Battery life: 24 h vs 0 h.
Why Sennheiser - HD 800 S wins
- ▲Driver size — 60.00% more. 56 mm vs 35 mm.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Bose - QuietComfort SC | Sennheiser - HD 800 S |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 240 glead | 330 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Bose - QuietComfort SC | Sennheiser - HD 800 S |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 35 mm | 56 mmlead |
| Impedanceⓘ | 32 Ω | 300 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 98 dB | 102 dBlead |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | truelead | false |
| Transparency mode | truelead | false |
| Spatial audioⓘ | false | false |
Battery
| Spec | Bose - QuietComfort SC | Sennheiser - HD 800 S |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 24 hlead | 0 h |
| Fast chargeⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Bose - QuietComfort SC | Sennheiser - HD 800 S |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.1lead | 0 |
| Multipointⓘ | truelead | false |
| 3.5mm jack | true | true |
| LDACⓘ | false | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | false | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, QuietComfort SC or HD 800 S?+
QuietComfort SC lasts 24 hours vs 0 hours.
Do QuietComfort SC or HD 800 S have active noise cancellation?+
QuietComfort SC has ANC; HD 800 S does not.
Which supports LDAC, QuietComfort SC or HD 800 S?+
Neither supports LDAC.
Spec-level deep dives
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