Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 800
88Outstanding
$1800
Full review dataSennheiser HD 800 vs XK Audio Serene: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Sennheiser HD 800 vs XK Audio Serene, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
XK Audio Serene
Not yet scored
$965
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sennheiser HD 800
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling0.0
Value6.5
XK Audio Serene
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 800 | XK Audio Serene |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1800 | $965 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | Not scored |
| Released | 2009 | 2025 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | planar |
| Driver size | 56 mm | 90 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 14Hz-44.1kHz | 5Hz-80kHz |
| Impedance | 300 Ω | 45 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | 85 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 102 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 330 g | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
Sennheiser HD 800
The Sennheiser HD 800 is a premium open-back headphone designed for audiophiles who prioritize an expansive, speaker-like soundstage and exceptional detail retrieval. Its large dynamic drivers and angled transducer placement deliver a wide, airy presentation with precise imaging, though it demands a powerful amplifier to perform at its best. While the price tag is steep, the combination of engineering precision, comfort, and clarity makes it a standout choice for serious listening at home.
- Pro:Exceptional soundstage width and spatial imaging
- Pro:Highly detailed and resolving treble with controlled bass
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Con:Requires a high-power amplifier; not suitable for portable use
- Con:Fully open design offers no noise isolation
- Con:Expensive retail price
XK Audio Serene
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.