When comparing Sennheiser HD 800S vs Bose SoundSport In Ear, the Slant community recommends Bose SoundSport In Ear for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Bose SoundSport In Ear is ranked 9th while Sennheiser HD 800S is ranked 11th. The most important reason people chose Bose SoundSport In Ear is:
Bass output is very good. It has good power yet at the same time is fast and punchy. It does not bloat the sound at all. The highs and mids are able to deliver a good level of detail that makes the sound quite lively. These will work best for bassy tracks, though rock, jazz, classical and pop will still sound enjoyable.
Specs
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Pros
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.
Pro Great bass reproduction along with good detail and smoothness to the highs and mids
Bass output is very good. It has good power yet at the same time is fast and punchy. It does not bloat the sound at all. The highs and mids are able to deliver a good level of detail that makes the sound quite lively. These will work best for bassy tracks, though rock, jazz, classical and pop will still sound enjoyable.
Pro You have the option a short or long cable
In stock form, these headphones have a relatively short cable. However, Bose includes an extension cable for extra reach. This can help to minimize the wire length that you have to deal with when going for a run or exercising.
Pro Won't easily get damaged by splashes of liquid
The earbuds can resist small splashes of liquid or sweat. The hydrophobic cloth material wrapped around the headphones helps to minimize issues relating to moisture.
Pro Won't fall off the ears easily
The specially designed Stay Hear ear tips have a wing design which helps to add grip to the earpieces when worn. This helps to ensure that the headphones will not easily get dislodged when on the move.
Pro Can be worn for long periods with little to no discomfort
The ear tips are very soft and flexible. Combined with the ear bud design that does not jam into your ear canal, these are a joy to use in terms of comfort, even for extended periods.
Cons
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.
Con Separate variants for iOS/Android
Do make sure to buy the proper variant for your device. The remote will not function optimally if the headphones are used with a different platform.
Con Has poor noise isolation
You'll still be able to clearly hear your surroundings with these on. If you want to focus on your music while using these, then the noise that mixes with your music can get quite distracting.