Quick answer
Choose the Sennheiser HD 800 S if your priority is critical, open-back listening at home and you accept a wired, leak-prone design; choose the Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) if you need noise cancelling, wireless freedom, and all-day comfort across commutes, offices, and travel.
Open-back detail versus active noise cancelling
The HD 800 S is an open-back design built for critical listening, so it prioritizes an expansive, detailed presentation over isolation. That openness is why it suits a quiet room and a dedicated listening session, not a noisy commute.
The QuietComfort (2nd Gen) takes the opposite approach: Bose QuietControl noise cancellation and ActiveSense technology are there to reduce the world around you. If your listening happens in cafés, on flights, or in shared spaces, that difference matters more than raw detail.
Wired versus wireless changes where you listen
The HD 800 S is a wired headphone assembled in Germany, and its catalog entry does not list wireless or battery specifications. Treat it as a stationary home companion that needs a source and a quiet space.
The QuietComfort (2nd Gen) is wireless with Bose TrueSpatial Technology for immersive listening, and its pill-shaped earcups and wider sliding headband are designed for comfort over longer sessions. The trade-off is that you are relying on battery and electronics rather than a pure analog chain.
Comfort and fit are not the same at a desk and on a plane
The HD 800 S is a full-size open-back headphone; its catalog entry does not detail clamp force or weight, so try it if you are sensitive to long-session pressure. Its open design also means sound leaks out, which can disturb others nearby.
The QuietComfort (2nd Gen) is explicitly designed around comfort with a wider, super-smooth sliding headband and modern earcups. That makes it easier to wear for hours in public without drawing attention.
Decision rules for choosing between them
- If your listening room is quiet and you sit still: Pick the HD 800 S when you want open-back detail and can dedicate a quiet space and a wired source. Confirm you have a quiet room and are comfortable with a wired setup before committing.
- If you listen while moving or around noise: Pick the QuietComfort (2nd Gen) when you need noise cancelling, wireless convenience, and comfort for commutes or travel. Check that you will actually use the noise cancelling and wireless features regularly.
- If you need one headphone for everything: The QuietComfort (2nd Gen) is the more flexible all-rounder; the HD 800 S is a specialist for home listening. Be honest about whether you need one pair or can justify a dedicated home headphone.
Product facts
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Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen): Bose QuietControl noise cancellation with ActiveSense Technology and Bose TrueSpatial Technology. These features let you reduce ambient noise and listen immersively without a wired connection, which suits travel and open offices.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
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Sennheiser HD 800 S: Open-back HD 800 S assembled in Germany for critical listening. It is built for detailed, stationary listening rather than portable or noise-isolating use.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
Who each headphone fits
Best for
- Listeners with a quiet room who want open-back detail for critical listening
- Buyers who already have a wired source and do not need noise cancelling
Not for
- Commuters or travelers who need noise cancelling and wireless freedom
- Listeners who need one headphone for both home and noisy public spaces