When comparing JLab Epic2 Bluetooth 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 JLab Epic2 Bluetooth is ranked 47th. 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 Excellent battery life
You get 12 hours of playback off a single charge, which is better than most Bluetooth headphones.
Pro Clear, fairly balanced sound with forward mids
The highs and bass have good clarity. They do not stand out as amazing, but can easily be heard in the mix. The mids are quite forward so vocals sound great with these.
Pro Good accessory bundle
There is a carrying case as well as an assortment of ear tips and clips included. Not only does this add more value to the product, but this also gives you a lot of fit options when using these.
Pro A variety of ear tips to choose from
Aside from the standard ear tip design in different sizes, you also get a pair of triple flange tips for added noise isolation. If you have smaller ears, JLab also includes their shallow-fit tips which may give you a more secure fit.
Pro Universal remote
The in-line remote works fully for both Android and iOS devices.
Pro Great for gym or running
The ear hook design has the cable wrapping around your ears, helping the earpieces stay secure. They won't fall out easily while exercising.
Pro Very durable
The earpieces are made out of high quality, solid feeling plastic with minimal rattle. The cable has good thickness and does not feel flimsy. Its IPX5 rating minimizes the chances of liquid splashes damaging these.
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 Mids may be too in-your-face
The boosted mids may make the music sound unnatural if this is a sound signature that you are not used to. Vocals may be too loud, and guitars, especially with distortion effects, can be abrasive.
Con Non-standard remote function activation
Activating the functions with the remote takes some getting used to as it's different from other remotes. For example, you need to hold down the volume button for 2 seconds instead of the usual double tap to skip to the next song. This can get annoying if you're used to the standard way.
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.