When comparing Jaybird X3 vs Sennheiser HD 800S, the Slant community recommends Sennheiser HD 800S for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Sennheiser HD 800S is ranked 11th while Jaybird X3 is ranked 48th. The most important reason people chose Sennheiser HD 800S is:
The highs are very clear and revealing, so you will be able to hear even the minute details from the audio that you simply will not be able to pick up with lesser headphones. The mids are also clear and have nice warmth. They are slightly recessed, yet voices and mid range tones will come out full, so the sound is not lean in any way. The bass is not boomy but still has enough power for a satisfying thump. Also, due to the bass' tightness and speed, there is no bloat from the lower frequencies.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Sweat-proof
Exposure to splashes of rain or sweat won't easily damage these earphones.
Pro Detailed highs with punchy bass
The highs are crisp, airy and forward so detail presentation is very good. Bass is fast and controlled instead of boomy, so it does not muddy up the overall sound. The mids sound natural and do not get lost in the mix.
This sound signature works well with a wide range of genres and rock, pop, hip-hop and EDM will definitely sound great with these headphones.
Pro Wing tips improve fit
The X3 comes with wing tips that you can attach to the earpieces. The tips enhance the grip of the headphones in the ear, and will help keep them secure even while you are running
Pro Remote allows basic playback control
The in-line remote will allow you to control music playback, adjust volume as well as answer/end calls.
Pro Allows taking calls
Integrated into the remote is a microphone, so you do not need to pull out your phone should a call come in. Mic quality is pretty decent, and your voice should be easy to understand on the other line.
Pro Many accessories are bundled
You get standard silicone ear tips in different sizes, along with a carrying case, different sized wing tips, premium Comply foam ear tips in different sizes, cable management clips as well as the charging cradle with micro-USB cable.
Pro Light and compact
The older X2 model had bigger and heavier earpieces which made them prone to falling off, and also made it difficult to use the earphones with a helmet or a hat. The X3’s earpieces have been redesigned to be smaller, while the internal batteries have been moved from the earpiece to the remote. This helps keep the X3 in-place inside the ears and at the same time makes these earphones easier to fit under a hat or helmet.
Pro Good battery life
The X3 gets around 8 hours of playback time from a full charge. This battery life is much more consistent compared to the previous model which had spotty battery life.
Pro Stable wireless connection
Signal quality is pretty stable with minimal distortion or drops, even if you are on the move.
Pro Extremely detailed highs, warm and clear mids with tight and accurate bass
The highs are very clear and revealing, so you will be able to hear even the minute details from the audio that you simply will not be able to pick up with lesser headphones.
The mids are also clear and have nice warmth. They are slightly recessed, yet voices and mid range tones will come out full, so the sound is not lean in any way.
The bass is not boomy but still has enough power for a satisfying thump. Also, due to the bass' tightness and speed, there is no bloat from the lower frequencies.
Pro Highly detailed sound with one of the widest soundstages
These headphones sound very immersive. Aside from the highly detailed sound and powerful yet tight bass, the soundstage is very wide, which only a few headphones can match , if any at all.
Pro Relatively lightweight
Despite the massive size of the headphones, Sennheiser was able to keep the weight down by using a special material called Leona, which is very light yet has metal-like toughness.
Pro Very wide sound stage
The HD 800S has one of the widest sound stages of any headphone today. There is excellent separation and you can easily identify where various sounds are coming from and can be very immersive.
Pro Solid build quality
These headphones do not make unnecessary creaks or flex when moved or held. Aside from the use of Leona on the ear cups and headband, the size adjuster is made of lightweight metal, with fine yet durable stainless steel mesh covering the drivers.
Pro Comes with two high quality cables
Out of the box, you get a balanced XLR cable and an unbalanced TRS cable. If you have a balanced headphone amp, then the XLR cable will allow you to maximize your amp's performance with these headphones without the need to buy a different (and expensive) cable.
Pro Really comfortable to wear
The ear pads feature high quality memory foam as cushions with the surface being premium quality velours. This material combo is also used on the headband. They feel really soft and conform to the contours of your head. Due to the fabric material, some air can move through the pads, minimizing heat and sweatiness.
Cons
Con Charging system is fiddly to use
The X3 utilizes a charging cradle which connects to the earphones’ remote via metal pins. The micro-USB charging cable is then attached to the cradle for power. The charging cradle is proprietary though, so you won’t be able to charge the earphones if you forget or lose the cradle.
Con A decent amp is needed to power these properly
These headphones are quite power hungry and will not produce optimal sound or volume when plugged directly to your phone or laptop. You will need to invest in a separate, fairly powerful amp to get the best sound out of these.
Con Leaks a lot of sound
Only a very fine mesh piece covers the large headphone drivers from the outside. These are basically mini speakers so others can easily hear what you are listening to.
Con Can be picky with DACs/amps
Your choice of amp and DAC can have a noticeable effect on the sound of the HD 800S. You may need to do extra research as to which audio equipment can bring out the best sound from these.