Manage updates with the Download AppSennheiser HD800
Manufacturer: Sennheiser Part number: 500319
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Sennheiser's exquisite HD 800s sound more like listening to full-size speakers than any other headphones we've heard to date.
Read more
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CNET editors' review
Sennheiser HD800 price range: $1,499.95 - $1,499.99
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John Falcone
- Reviewed on: 10/14/2009
The good: Top-notch engineering and build quality; highly accurate sound; super comfy over-the-ear design; detachable headphone cable.
The bad: Extremely expensive; not the best match for an iPod; no included adapter for 3.5mm minijacks.
The bottom line: Sennheiser's exquisite HD 800s sound more like listening to full-size speakers than any other headphones we've heard to date.
User reviews
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Cnet you failed again.....
by ironsnakemx on May 26, 2011
Pros: These Headphones are the best currently being manufactured in the world.......Soundstage, imaging, Mids ....they have everything.
Cons: The price.....
Summary: Cnet .....why does the fact that these headphones are made for something much more powerfull and punny Ipods is a bad thing for you ? ...............You really think people spend 1500 ...
Summary: Cnet .....why does the fact that these headphones are made for something much more powerfull and punny Ipods is a bad thing for you ? ...............You really think people spend 1500 dollars on headphones and don't use them with an Amp ? i have never seen anyone using these out in the wild , these dont belong in the wild ....these are for your studio, for your main rig ............ Not everything has to sound nice with ipods...... and people who use these for Ipods probably have enough money to buy a decent portable AMP that can feed enough power to these.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Top of the line sound. Reference audio quality.
by Archimago on April 18, 2012
Pros: Soundstage
Sonic detail
Frequency response across the spectrum
Quite efficient for this level of performance
Lovely engineeringCons: Nope, they ain't cheap!
Summary: As I write, I've had these for 4 months now, used regularly every 2 nights or so.
IMO this is the best dynamic headphone out there compared to the ...Summary: As I write, I've had these for 4 months now, used regularly every 2 nights or so.
IMO this is the best dynamic headphone out there compared to the usual suspects like Denon AH-D's, AKG 701, Ultrasone Pro 900, etc. These are more expensive than most of those as well though.
I compared and preferred these in general to orthodynamics - have listened to HifiMan HE500, Audeze LCD2, Fostex T50RP. Have not spent enough time with electrostatics to render a strong opinion.
As much as I love my full size floor-standing speakers, these are my reference music makers which keeps everything else honest when compared. Across the musical genres, these headphones perform admirably. Rock, jazz, vocals, techo, pop - no problem, trebles reproduced with ease and neutral down to the sub-bass. Like good high-end equipment, these are *not* forgiving of source imperfections. This is most commonly a problem with modern pop where excess compression can lead to very obvious distortions. This is a good thing IMO as a reflection of the amazing fidelity. Some music may sound better with a tube amp which can 'warm' up the sound (especially some of those old '80s CD).
A headphone amp is a must for these (seriously, NOBODY would buy headphones in this class without amplification!). At 100%, my MacBook Pro sounds moderately loud. The headphone out on my PC's EMU0404USB is totally inadequate, didn't even bother with the iDevices.
One more thing to add: these babies are COMFORTABLE! I can easily wear these for hours without any discomfort. Despite the size, they're light and the chord is very nice with essentially no microphonic distractions when moving.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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This is what happens when you think outside the box!
by Wade0955 on September 17, 2010
Pros: Build quality. Spatial imaging. Unbelievable performance with all types of music!
Cons: The only bad thing I have to say is that I had to wait until I was 55 to find a pair of perfect headphones!
Summary: I was impressed right from the time I opened the box! I've never seen build quality like this on a set of headphones! It's obvious to me that ...
Summary: I was impressed right from the time I opened the box! I've never seen build quality like this on a set of headphones! It's obvious to me that was a labour of love for Sennheiser! I, initially, thought they'd be too heavy but, once I put them on my head, they felt very light and comfortable. I've been in the audio industry for the past 36 years and over that time I've developed quite an eclectic taste in music. I've enjoyed many headphones over the years, the last being a pair of HD-650's which have been used extensively for the last 3 years! I really thought it would be tough to surpass the performance of the 650's but I still wanted to try. To say that the HD-800 is a step up from the 650's would be unfair. They are, quite simply, in another league altogether! Gone is the "Closed in" feeling I got with all other headphones! In fact, when I first played them I quickly took them off again because I thought I had forgot to turn my power amps off and that the speakers were playing! It actually sounded like the soundstage was starting from about 10 feet in front of me! My Wife said the same thing, and normally she doesn't even like headphones! (It took me 10 minutes to wrestle them back out of her hands!) (( This could be trouble / expensive!))Now, I've only had them for one day, and I'm sure that the break in will take some time, but all I can say is that, even if they don't improve at all, I'll be happy with these babies for a long, long time! I'm running them on a, slightly modified,Grado headphone amp which seems to work very well! Just for fun I plugged them into my iPhone 3G (using an adapter) and was pleasantly surprised that they worked real well, not that I'd use them while rollerblading, but I just wanted to know. After I've had a chance to listen to them for a hundred hours or so I'll try to find time to post here again! If any of you are in Edmonton and would like to have a listen, let me know and I'll arrange to bring them to the store so you can test them out!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The Best headphones EVER!
by weiserb on October 4, 2011
Pros: Incredible lifelike sound, Seamless sound top to bottom. The soundstage is fantastic. There are a giant leap better than the HD 600/650 series and stomp the Great Grado RS1's. I also found them much more comfortable that the other headphone as they rest
Cons: They are exxpensive, the best usually cost more. You can get almost 5 pairs of HD 650's for the price of these are they 5x better ? Its hard to say, but I am keeping my pair!
Summary: The best headphones I have ever owned, They are a pleasure to listen to for extended periods. I use them with a Cayin HA-a1 SET tube amplifier and the combination ...
Summary: The best headphones I have ever owned, They are a pleasure to listen to for extended periods. I use them with a Cayin HA-a1 SET tube amplifier and the combination is musical nirvana. You will need to have a great quality amp.
I have listened to them with lesser headphone amps and they loose 80% of the magic -
Fantastic sound but headband is hard and uncomfortable
by carstendan on January 24, 2011
Pros: Sound quality is incredibly amazing.
Fantastic dynamic.
Crystal clear sound.Cons: Headband is very hard and uncomfortable
Summary: I use HD800 together with the headphone amp Musical Fidelity M1 HPA. HD800 has better sound quality than any headphones in the world. There is no filter between the music ...
Summary: I use HD800 together with the headphone amp Musical Fidelity M1 HPA. HD800 has better sound quality than any headphones in the world. There is no filter between the music and the sound in HD800.
The sound quality is so amazing, warm and rich wtih a great dynamic.
But the comfort is so bad that it interferes with the listening experience that I forget how good it sounds, because it's so uncomfortable on my head. The headband is very hard and uncomfortable, even for short listening. It's a shame for so expensive and fine headphone.
I will buy a lambskin halter padding with velcro for horses. I think it will help so the headphone is more pleasent to wear.
My low rating is because of the lack of comfort.
The sound quality is the highest, five stars.
There is no headphones that sounds better then HD800. -
Definite improvement on 650's
by _bigfoot_ on December 25, 2009
Pros: Incredible sound stage.You can hear every instrument clearly even in dense orchestral music. Beautiful in violin solos and operatic arias too. Extremely comfortable for prolonged periods of listening. Compares well to high end speakers.
Cons: Haven't found any except perhaps the price, but you get what you pay for.
Summary: I have a digital audio converter/headphone amp with two headphone jacks. Don't ask me why, it came standard with the unit. I plugged the 650's into one ...
Summary: I have a digital audio converter/headphone amp with two headphone jacks. Don't ask me why, it came standard with the unit. I plugged the 650's into one jack and the 800's into the other and was able to quickly switch between the headphones for comparison. I am not a dyed in the wool audiophile, but I played a variety of recordings from full orchestral symphonies to violin solos, from jazz to opera. The clarity and soundstage of the 800's noticeably surpassed that of the 650's. The 650's actually sound muddy in dense orchestral passages and shrill in the violin and operatic solos by comparison. I would never have believed it if I hadn't heard it for myself. Even with the exceptional clarity, the phones sounded warm and didn't cause excessive listening fatigue.
As for comfort for extended periods, I have long found the 650's and the Grados uncomfortable for extended listening, both physically and sonically. The 800's are so comfortable that you hardly notice them and the sound is neutral so you can listen for hours without fatigue.
I had planned to audition the 800's and then return them, but I am now selling my 650's. Before dismissing the 800's because of their price, I recommend getting a pair from a company that doesn't charge for returns and trying them for yourself. I suspect you will find an excuse for coughing up the exorbitant price for this great set of phones. Maybe if I can sell the 650's on ebay for a decent price, it won't hurt as much. -
Superior sound and detail
by chunkage on October 17, 2009
Pros: Clear, full, accurate sound; comfortable (if a bit heavy); meticulously designed and executed with premium materials.
Cons: A bit heavy; fairly expensive; requires extensive break-in to sound its best.
Summary: If you're looking for headphones that are accurate and pleasing to the ear, the Sennheiser HD800 will be a top pick. This is the kind of headphone that aims ...
Summary: If you're looking for headphones that are accurate and pleasing to the ear, the Sennheiser HD800 will be a top pick. This is the kind of headphone that aims to give you exactly what the studio wanted to convey. Other premium headphones may do a better job at trying to make the source material sound better than it really is, but the HD800 gives you the true sound of a recording.
The sound aims for balance of a recording's full range. Treble is detailed but never grainy or painful; the mids are given extra attention, and seem to have additional clarity as a result; and the bass is full without being boomy. The final sound is pleasing and easy to like.
Say what you want about the controversial issue of "break-in," I noticed a considerable improvement in sound after about two months of listening. The bass gained palpable power, while the remainder of its range seemed to gain an elegance and sparkle. Just after buying the HD800, I had more admiration that real affection for their sound; now, there are times when the music is actually exciting. My first impression was that the HD800 had a rather "cold" sound, but now it's full and satisfying.
The build is rock solid. These phones are clearly designed to last - unlike other, flimsy mid-range headphones out there.
Sennheiser has drawn its line in the sand - true sound the way it was intended.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sennheiser
- Part number: 500319
- Description: More than 60 years of ingenious headphone engineering has been applied into the HD 800. Incorporating Sennheiser's most advanced driver technology; these open, circum-aural dynamic stereo headphones redefine what reference-level audio is all about. You will form an altogether new height of sonic perspective as you experience a high-fidelity natural hearing experience. Do take note that presently, no other manufacturer has been able to come up as close as the HD 800 in replicating the basic acoustic conditions of natural hearing. Matching these headphones' reference-grade audio performance is their striking and visually effective industrial design. Premium parts have gone into their production - the transducer is encased by a precision material made of stainless steel; ear pads are made of special high-quality alcantara; while the headband and headphone mounting utilizes the most advanced development from the aerospace industry. In terms of connectivity, these headphones utilize specially-designed, four-wire, high-performance connections with Teflon insulation. Truly, the HD 800 is a glorious success and has become a pioneer in headphone development. HD 800 - crafted for perfection.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Headphones
- Weight 11.6 oz
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Full size
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Frequency Response 8 - 50000 Hz
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.02 %
- Sensitivity 102 dB
- Impedance 300 Ohm
Remote Control
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type Headphones ( Phone stereo 6.3 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Headphones cable - 10 ft
Power
- Power Device None
- Battery None
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 2 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 2 years
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sennheiser products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Sennheiser
- Address:
1 Enterprise Drive, Old Lyme, CT 06371 - Phone: 1-860-434-9190
- Fax: 1-860-434-1759
