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Bose QC 35 II — Over-ear · 2017
Bose

Bose QC 35 II

Over-ear · 2017

84
/ 100
From $349
VS
Sennheiser HD 800 S wins by 11
Sennheiser HD 800 S — Open-back
Sennheiser

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Open-back

95
/ 100
From $1,699
Specdex verdict

Sennheiser HD 800 S takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC 35 II lands at 84 and Sennheiser HD 800 S at 95. That puts Sennheiser HD 800 S ahead by 11 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QC 35 II if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Sennheiser HD 800 S if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sennheiser HD 800 S leads on sound (95 vs 84).

Noise cancelling

Bose QC 35 II

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QC 35 II leads on anc (82 vs 0).

Comfort

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Long-session wearability

Sennheiser HD 800 S leads on comfort (88 vs 83).

Value for money

Bose QC 35 II

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QC 35 II more score per dollar ($349 vs $1,699).

Bose QC 35 II 84
vs
95 Sennheiser HD 800 S

Score breakdown

Bose QC 35 II
84
anc 82
sound 84
comfort 83
battery 82
features 80
Sennheiser HD 800 S
95
anc 0
sound 95
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Bose QC 35 II versus Sennheiser HD 800 S — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QC 35 II Sennheiser HD 800 S
Type
Over-ear
Open-back
Release year
2017
—

Bose QC 35 II

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

FAQ: Bose QC 35 II vs Sennheiser HD 800 S

Which is better, Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +

Sennheiser HD 800 S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 11. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QC 35 II worth the price? +

At $349, Bose QC 35 II delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in sound.

Is Sennheiser HD 800 S worth the price? +

At $1,699, Sennheiser HD 800 S delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in battery.

Does Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 800 S last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +

Sennheiser HD 800 S — leads on sound (95 vs 84). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 800 S? +

Bose QC 35 II — leads on anc (82 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.