Between the QuietComfort Ultra 2 and HD 800 S, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 comes out ahead in weight and active noise cancellation, while the HD 800 S wins on driver size. Overall, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 scores 64 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 9.6 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 Ultra 2 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, spatial audio, among others.
Pick the HD 800 S if you care most about driver size. Its strongest claims are driver size.
Both ship with comparable 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 Ultra 2 wins
- ▲Weight — 77.00 g less. 253 vs 330.
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
- ▲Battery life: 30 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 Ultra 2 | Sennheiser - HD 800 S |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 253 glead | 330 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 | 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ⓘ | truelead | false |
Battery
| Spec | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 | Sennheiser - HD 800 S |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 30 hlead | 0 h |
| Fast chargeⓘ | truelead | false |
Connectivity
| Spec | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 | Sennheiser - HD 800 S |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.4lead | 0 |
| Multipointⓘ | truelead | false |
| 3.5mm jack | true | true |
| LDACⓘ | false | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | truelead | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, QuietComfort Ultra 2 or HD 800 S?+
QuietComfort Ultra 2 lasts 30 hours vs 0 hours.
Do QuietComfort Ultra 2 or HD 800 S have active noise cancellation?+
QuietComfort Ultra 2 has ANC; HD 800 S does not.
Which supports LDAC, QuietComfort Ultra 2 or HD 800 S?+
Neither supports LDAC.
Spec-level deep dives
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