Between the HD 800 S and WH-1000XM5, the HD 800 S comes out ahead in driver size, while the WH-1000XM5 wins on weight and active noise cancellation. Overall, the HD 800 S scores 73.6 and the WH-1000XM5 scores 60.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The HD 800 S is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 13.1 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 HD 800 S if you care most about driver size. The biggest gaps in its favor are driver size.
Pick the WH-1000XM5 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, active noise cancellation, spatial audio, among others.
Both ship with comparable 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 Sennheiser - HD 800 S wins
- ▲Driver size — 86.67% more. 56 mm vs 30 mm.
Why Sony - WH-1000XM5 wins
- ▲Weight — 80.00 g less. 250 vs 330.
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
- ▲Has LDAC.
- ▲Battery life: 30 h vs 0 h.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Sennheiser - HD 800 S | Sony - WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 330 g | 250 glead |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Sennheiser - HD 800 S | Sony - WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 56 mmlead | 30 mm |
| Impedanceⓘ | 300 Ωlead | 48 Ω |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 102 dB | 102 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | false | truelead |
| Transparency mode | false | truelead |
| Spatial audioⓘ | false | truelead |
Battery
| Spec | Sennheiser - HD 800 S | Sony - WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 0 h | 30 hlead |
| Fast chargeⓘ | false | truelead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Sennheiser - HD 800 S | Sony - WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 0 | 5.2lead |
| Multipointⓘ | false | truelead |
| 3.5mm jack | true | true |
| LDACⓘ | false | truelead |
| aptX HDⓘ | false | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, HD 800 S or WH-1000XM5?+
WH-1000XM5 lasts 30 hours vs 0 hours.
Do HD 800 S or WH-1000XM5 have active noise cancellation?+
WH-1000XM5 has ANC; HD 800 S does not.
Which supports LDAC, HD 800 S or WH-1000XM5?+
WH-1000XM5 supports LDAC; HD 800 S does not.
Spec-level deep dives
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