Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone

by Sennheiser

Product Details

• Item Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001OTZ8DA
• Item model number: HD800
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Story of the Sennheiser HD800

The story of the Sennheiser HD 800 began with a dream: of developing headphones that go way beyond conventional equipment to become music phones, or even perfect sound phones. The dream of creating a hi-fi device that sounds as brilliant, clear, and undistorted as if you were sitting right next to the source. The dream of creating an acoustic experience more incredible than anything ever heard through dynamic headphones: in spheres that no other category is capable of reaching--right there where perfection begins.

We couldn’t go beyond physical boundaries--but we did cross the boundaries of thought. The HD 800 is equipped with a completely new transducer and only the very finest of materials have been installed: each part carefully inserted by hand. We are talking about manufacture in the truest sense of the word, right from the initial drafts to individual handcrafting "made in Germany".

Above all, the Sennheiser HD 800 truly personifies the creative force of the company that created it: by displaying the passion for perfect sound that has been driving Sennheiser innovation over 60 years.

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The Principle of Spatial Listening

The impression of spatial listening is created by a minute time lapse with which one and the same sound wave arrives at the inner ear. Ideally, the sound waves produced by a hi-fi sound system reach the listener at an angle of 60 degrees. The sound waves do not reach the ear straight on, but through a slightly angled sound front. This causes some of the sound impulses to reach the nerve ends of the inner ear earlier than others. The resulting time lapse is a matter of split seconds, but it is exactly this phenomenon that gives the impression of spatial listening.

Wearing the HD 800 you enjoy much more than just a sound experience of out-standing brilliance. You experience a form of spatial listening never heard before. You have the feeling of being in a studio together with Thelonius Monk or actually being present at a rehearsal of the Berlin Philharmonic. The HD 800 makes spatial listening possible through a combination of the large transducer surface and the angle at which it is suspended. The slightly angled sound front effectively simulates the principle of the spatial sound experience. No other manufacturer comes as close to producing a natural sound experience as Sennheiser with the HD 800.

Outstanding Technology Provides Outstanding Sound

The lightweight ring transducer precisely delivers sound without harmonic distortion

The superiority of the HD 800 is based on a completely new principle, right at its very heart: The transducer is designed in the shape of a ring. Basically, the larger the surface of the transducer the purer the sound—particularly when it comes to the low notes. A large surface area, however, also generates disruptive spurious oscillation at higher frequencies, so-called eigenmodes. This is primarily due to the fact that conventional-sized transducers do not have a satisfactory way of controlling high-frequency oscillations. The ringed shape of the new transducer effectively solves this dilemma: Its broad area oscillates in an extremely controlled way due to the large coil and the two supporting surfaces. This results in a previously unheard-of degree of freedom from distortion and thus the greatest purity and brilliance of sound.

And when it comes to the naked technical facts, the HD 800 doesn’t save on superlatives: The 56-mm-wide transducer is the largest of its type. The same goes for the aluminum coil (40 mm) and the 42-mm magnet system.

Ring Transducer vs. a Conventional Transducer

In contrast to a full-sized transducer, the ring-shaped transducer utilized in the HD 800 greatly enhances the control of the oscillating surface. This results in a more voluminous sound wave and thus far greater clarity.

In a conventional transducer, unwanted spurious oscillation can occur due to eigenmodes. Even improvements such as increasingly sophisticated Duofol laminations are unable to completely negate these physical limitations.

At the heart of the HD 800 is the patent-pending ring-shaped transducer. The wound precision wire that makes up the coil is only 42 micrometers thick. It consists of 3.5 layers of wire in a total of 98 windings. The space between the two magnets, in which the coil oscillates freely, is only 0.6 mm wide. The work of fitting these parts is done by hand—and the same thing applies to many of the other components of the HD 800. The transducer of the HD 800 transmits in a frequency band from 8 Hz–50 kHz. Not that anyone is capable of perceiving this sound range, but the pleasant ancillary effect is that the transducer delivers an extremely clean sound in the 16 Hz–20 kHz range.

Cords and Connections

The symmetrical cords are designed with twin-core, high-performance, Teflon-insulated connections on each side. They are additionally covered with high-quality material for better shielding from oscillations caused by ambient noise. The jacks are exclusively produced for the HD 800 in Switzerland and feature gold-plated bunches. Gold has the highly positive property of having a very low transfer resistance, thus guaranteeing excellent contact without interference.

Headband and Mountings

The headband consists of a sandwich design in which a metal layer is covered with several layers of plastic. The high-tech plastic possesses incredible attenuation characteristics and ensures that oscillations are not transmitted to the headphone mountings.

The headphones of the HD 800 are only mounted on one side, to make sure they fit optimally over the ear. The relocation of their point of balance towards the back of the head also enhances comfort for the wearer.

A special kind of Japanese Alcantara has been selected for the ear pads. This material is extremely comfortable to wear and easy to maintain. Leona, an ultra-light, high-rigidity special plastic, is as hard as titanium and thus yielding extremely low oscillation. Hi-tech stainless steel mesh--the ideal material for three-dimensional sound--combines all the properties of stainless steel with an incredible degree of transparency.

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Technical Specifications

Frequency Response: 6–51,000 Hz (-10 dB); 14–44,100 Hz (-3 dB)

Nominal impedance: 300 Ohms

Sound pressure level at 1 kHz: 102 dB (1 Vrms)

Max. nominal long-term input power: 500 mW in acc. with EN 60-268-7

Harmonic distortion: <_ 0.02% (1 kHz, 1 Vrms)

Contact pressure: approx. 3.4 N ± 0.3 N

Weight (without cable): approx. 330 g

Jack plug: ¼" (6.3 mm) stereo

Connecting cable: silver-plated, oxygen-free (OFC) copper cable, symmetrical, Kevlar reinforced, 3 m

Operating temperature: –10 °C to +55 °C

Product Description

There's has always been a debate between electronic reproduction and natural sound. The Sennheiser HD-800 is the headphone that has been specifically engineered in replicating the basic acoustic conditions of natural hearing. This level of performance has yet to be matched by any competitor. The HD-800 is the ultimate headphone to deliver nature. More than 60 years of ingenious headphone engineering has been applied into the new 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. 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 Japanese 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. These headphones have been developed to provide the closest match to "being there" than any other available headphone. The Sennheiser HD-800 is for the discriminating audiophile seeking the best and most natural sound available. From rich bass lows to definitive highs, the Sennheiser HD-800 headphones deliver the exclusive sound that nature had intended. Special high precision headphone connectors Frequency Response - 14 - 44,100 Hz (- 3 dB) Nominal Impedance - 300 Ohms Contact Pressure - 3.4 N (+- 0.3 N) approx. Transducer Principle - Dynamic, open Thd - =0.02 % (1kHz/1Vrms) Characteristic Spl - 102 dB (1kHz/1Vrms) Cable Length - 9.84 feet (3m) Oxygen Free Cable Adapter - 1/4 (6.3 mm) stereo jack Sennheiser 2 year warranty Each pair of Sennheiser

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

156 of 167 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dream the music, October 15, 2009

By 

Timothy Barrow (Auburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone (Electronics)

I am not a golden ear audiophile. I don't know what it means to hear "the air between the strings" and other such audiophile descriptions. More power to those that can -- I am simply not able to do so. I do however know that music is and always has been my greatest entertainment, and that as I have grown older, my ability to pay higher dollar for my equipment has also grown. No way could I have had these headphones in past times. No way could I have justified their cost. Other priorities would have always taken precedence over these. But now that I can afford them, I still debated and agonized over the cost, but in the end decided I would go for them. Am I glad? Absolutely. They are without question the best sounding headphones I have ever heard. I could hear the difference straight out of the box, I did not even do "A to B" comparisons to know how good they sounded. I did do comparisons with my HD600 to HS650 upgrade and was never sure I heard much difference. Not so with the HD800s.

Here is the best way I can describe them. When I was young, I would listen to a lot of music particularly nice in headphones. I am talking Yes, King Crimson, Pink Floyd and many others. I am a child of the 60's/70's so I would often be a bit "altered' while listening. In those days a pair of Koss headphones, a little "substance", and the latest King Crimson album would lend to a headphone experience whereby I would believe I was literally dreaming the music. (A very nice state). But as time went on, the subtances went away, the latest King Crimson album I had in mind (Larks Tounge in Aspic) is almost 40 years old now, and my hearing ain't what it used to be.

All that was said to lead up to this. With these headphones on (no substances), I am dreaming the music again. The above mentioned artists, and now with music such as Chick Corea and Miles Davis thrown in the mix, sounds like they are in and around my head like they have not been in those 40 gone by years.

I would conclude that these headphones are worth the cost if you are in a position to put out that kind of money AND you really love your music. But be warned --- once you hear these, there's no going back to lesser headphones.

176 of 209 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Effortless, powerful, and supremely musical; one of the best!, June 7, 2009

By 

R. Thompson "sixseven" (Novato, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone (Electronics)

SHORT VERSION:
The Sennheiser HD800 sets a new metric against which every other serious headphone or transducer must be judged. I've heard too many "breakthroughs" that just couldn't deliver the goods. This product is different.

It's hard to describe a piece of gear which, upon first listen, sounds different than anything you've heard, yet sounds so completely effortless and musical that you're left with the singular impression that the previous way you've listened to music is somehow incomplete, a wrong path if you will, and that this is clearly a better way.

I can't imagine anyone buying these and not being thrilled. They are a rare product indeed -- one that adds a significant new dimension to recordings you may have owned for years and thought you knew.

LONG-WINDED VERSION:
First some background. Music is very important to me; I played the cello for many years, currently sing in a gospel choir, and now do my own audio recordings of choirs and other groups. I spend a lot of time with these tracks, during both the editing process and for my own personal benefit. I often pore over recordings to try and learn the nuance and details of each part.

In this regard my playback system is crucial. I record using a Sony PCM-D50 with a variety of microphones, my favorite being a RODE NT4. I edit these on my Mac and use a Grace m902 for D/A conversion and to drive my headphones. I switch back and forth between AKG K701 headphones (now replaced by the HD800) and a pair of GURU QM10 nearfield studio monitors. With that out of the way let's get to the heart of the matter...

The HD800 is beautifully designed and artfully executed in regard to materials and construction; these headphones are beautiful to look at and handle and are supremely comfortable to wear.

As to performance? The Sennheiser HD800 sets a new metric against which every other serious headphone or transducer must be judged. I'm sorry if that sounds like so much hot air, but I honestly didn't expect to be so impressed -- especially out of the box with no break-in. I've heard too many "breakthroughs" that just couldn't deliver the goods. This product is different.

It's hard to describe a piece of gear which, upon first listen, sounds different than anything you've heard, yet sounds so completely effortless and musical that you're left with the singular impression that the previous way you've listened to music is somehow incomplete, a wrong path if you will, and that this is clearly a better way.

I won't get into the finer points of tonal balance, sound-staging, imaging, or brightness/darkness. All I can say that these headphones are very natural in regards to spatial presentation, in a way that I find entrancing. Their response is smooth and well-balanced at both extremes. I don't know what else to add, besides the fact that they are reproducing music more naturally and effortlessly than any one piece of gear I've added to my system over the past decade.

A great example of what the Sennheisers contribute to my system comes when listening to recordings of the human voice:

ARETHA - LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST on MFSL:
Track 9 "Spirit in the Dark" with Ray Charles
Aretha is in such total control of her voice that she (rather infamously) never sings a song the same way twice -- she is completely improvisational depending on how the spirit moves her.

Listening through the Sennheiser HD800 gave me a far greater sense of what this recording actually sounds like. Previously, I'd been disappointed by the quality of this recording. After hearing it anew via the HD800 I am ready to admit that, despite the blemishes, this recording now has a sound that matches what must have been one massively impressive musical experience. The performance was always there, it's just that now I can hear a new level of detail that was lost.

On this particular song the patter between Aretha and Ray Charles is very cleanly revealed and every nuance is easily distinguished. Each microphone buzz, every shout-out from the crowd, and every detail is now very clearly revealed. However, none of this is to the detriment of the music; to the contrary, it makes the performance that much more complete. It's not as though these things are exposed or laid bare; the fact they are rendered so accurately just seems to add to the fullness and emotional impact of the event.

Bass lines are also very clearly revealed when listening through the Sennheisers; in this respect the AKG K701 is simply out of its' league. The HD800's bass is in NO way emphasized, but it is clear, fast, and a constant force that propels the music.

It's wonderful to hear Aretha's soulful sense of time, of which she is the undisputed master -- she can delay a beat, twist a phrase and bend time, yet once you think she's lost she always brings it back (often at the last instant) in perfect sync. Her rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is an amazing example of this. This particular song has particularly complex vocals on her part, where time gets compressed and she squeezes a lot of syllables in very quickly, to catch the beat at the end of a line or phrase. On most every system I've listened to this recording on, you simply have a difficult time distinguishing every nuance of her phrasing and modulation. Listening through the HD800, you wonder how you never caught these details before.

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN by THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA:
Track 1, "Last Month of the Year"
If you sing this type of music you spend a lot of time trying to clearly hear each vocal part; this is part of a tradition in Gospel music where learning is often by hearing, rote, and repetition. The HD800 has tremendous resolving power in this regard; never before have I been able to distinguish each of the seven members' voices so clearly.

Additionally, at the very end of this track there is some interesting modulation from the electronic organ on the last 18 seconds of the cut; I've never heard this so clearly rendered from beginning to end.

CHILL OUT by JOHN LEE HOOKER:
Track 6, "Tupelo"
Track 6, "Tupelo"
On this track you can clearly hear John's toe-tapping and how it resonates and decays in the studio space. His guitar is beautifully rendered, yet his more aggressive playing never sounds as edgy as with most systems. His humming is clear whether he is doing it loudly or softly. He talks a lot of this song, and I've never heard his voice sound as clear and full.

Track 8, "Annie Mae"
The piano on this track is conveyed better than I've ever heard it before. Listen for John's brief conversation with the pianist at the end of the track; it gives you a great sense of the resonance of the studio and, through the HD800, it's easy to believe you are right there with them.

MY OWN RECORDINGS:
I've also been astonished to hear things on my own recordings (mostly of choirs and vocal groups) that were buried just beneath the surface, things that I didn't fully grasp were there. Subtle sounds from the crowd, a soft whoosh from a ventilation system, the rustle of papers or sound of remote footfalls -- it's all there. Since I have spent many hours editing and polishing these tracks, this struck me as a significant surprise. To hear something on one of your own recordings that you'd never heard clearly before -- that says it all to me. The HD800 is the Hubble Telescope of the audio world when it comes to clarity and resolving power.

One thing is important in this regard. Many products are ruthless when it comes to how they lay bare whatever is on a recording. Many times this leads to the "garbage in, garbage out" conclusion, where we assume that a poor recording alone must be the obvious reason that something sounds the way it does.

Somehow the Sennheisers have both superb resolution, excellent and extended response, AND a wonderful sense of sweetness and "rightness" that isn't explained by charts and specifications. Do terrible recordings still sound that way on HD800? Yes, to a degree, but here's what distinguishes the sound of these headphones. I believe the Sennheisers are pulling more details and artifacts out of bad recordings, and that this adds a depth that makes these recordings more pleasing to listen to. It's not because of any euphonic colorations or something the HD800 is adding to the music.

One more thing anyone considering these headphones should know; it is critical to have a great headphone amp if you are going to get the best out of this product. Comparing the Sennheisers to my AKG K701s (with each driven by my Grace m902), the HD800 requires roughly 20% more gain on the volume pot to reach the same level. The Grace m902 never runs out of steam or sounds as though it's not up to the task, but I can't say anything regarding how these headphones might sound on lesser equipment.

So, with that one caveat, I can't imagine anyone buying these and not being thrilled. They are a rare product indeed -- one that adds a significant new dimension to recordings you may have owned for years and thought you knew. I can't find anything to complain about yet. I have a big head and rather large ears and can't wear my AKG K701 for more than an hour without feeling some discomfort. While writing this I've been listening to the HD800 for nearly four hours, with only a brief break in the middle (a guy has to eat, after all). There is no trace of pain or fatigue; these are, without a doubt, the most comfortable cans I've ever worn.

Are they worth the price for you? It simply depends on your... Read more ›

63 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best dynamic headphone so far, August 13, 2009

By 

Pseudonym (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sennheiser HD800 Over-Ear Circum-Aural Dynamic Premiere Headphone (Electronics)

In general, the more money you spend on a pair of headphones, the more you experience the law of diminishing returns. A handsome-sounding AKG K701 will impress most people with their command of classical, while a good Grado rocks as well as any phone out there. But each headphone has its unique sound, and limitations. That's why many dedicated headphone users like keeping at least two different models to complement different musical spectra.

The Senn HD800 comes the closest to my experience at producing a sound that would satisfy a variety of tastes - in one headphone. The sound complements classical and jazz, but renders rock and electronica with surprising authority. I listen to a variety of music in a single listening session, so the HD800 is also extremely convenient; the sound favors mid-range detail, but has accurate quality lows and highs that a few may find too revealing. Although somewhat hefty, they're well-padded and have a velvety comfortability. Even in hot weather, these phones are cool and easy to wear; unlike some phones, these provide a pleasing sound without the use of an amplifier (though a good amp will make most decent setups even better.) It's hallmark clarity is bolstered by its sound: anchored by a full bass, crystalline highs, and a midrange that has definition without being too forward.

The HD800 come in a padded presentation box, a full-color, multi-language booklets, and a voucher from Sennheiser; after contacting them, they'll mail you a certificate of the headphone's EQ readings.

- Despite the metallic fittings, the primary construction of the HD800 is plastic. But the choice of materials is well reasoned; even aluminum adds considerable weight to a pair of headphones, while good quality plastic is relatively light, durable, and is sonically pleasing.
- The HD800 has solid construction, no question about it. They're made to last, and resist chipping, scratching, and bending.
- While an amp is recommended to extract the best sound quality, I've used it primarily with an iMac - not the ideal source, but it's more than sufficient to power these headphones and render a full, balanced sound.
- Pricing can vary. Depending on the seller, new HD800s sell for $1799; however, it's still possible to purchase them for $1399, or even less if you buy them used.

This headphone is been compared to the popular AKG K701, particularly with its emphasis on sonic clarity. But the Senn seems to have more weight and depth on the entire sound. It offers music as it was meant to be heard, sans the usual problems - thumpy bass, screechy highs, insufficient power. For under $400, you can purchase a fine headphone that will fill most of your musical needs; but if you want the whole package, the HD 800 may be a good investment, despite the hefty price tag.