The unveiling of the HD800 was one of the most highly anticipated headphone-related events of the past ten years. I remember when the HD800 finally started shipping, I literally counted the days until it arrived at my front door. However, when I finally got to try them on and take a listen, I would say I had a lukewarm reaction. After several years of using the HD800, I feel very different from my first impression.
Today, I would say that I consider the HD800 to be the most tonally neutral of all the headphones that I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. This attribute alone makes the HD800 one of my most often-used headphones.
I own two pairs of the HD800: serial #297 and serial #10333. Serial #297 was made during the first production run while serial #10333 was manufactured approximately two years later. Initially, I purchased a second pair because the headband of my original pair encountered a recurring squeak issue. Despite several repair attempts, this problem has never been resolved to my full satisfaction.
However, what I've found is that the two HD800s have some very noticeable sonic differences. The earlier pair (#297) has a fuller tone and is slightly more laid-back in the highs. This is, in my opinion, not a result of burn-in; I've owned the later pair for nearly two years and I still maintain this view. While many people are of the belief that there will always be differences from model to model (a belief I most certainly don't disagree with), I have had the opportunity to hear several early models and several later models of the HD800; in my opinion, the earlier ones have a slightly fuller tone. I am not certain as to when the sonic transition took place or what may have caused it.
Despite the earlier model's fuller tone, if I had to pick which of the two pairs was my preference, I would choose the later. I feel that the later model (#10333) offers a greater degree of transparency and puts more air around the instruments. The noted differences are not so drastic, but I have done several blind tests and I always know which headphone is which.
STRENGTHS
NEUTRALITY KING: In my opinion, the HD800 is
the neutrality king. Depending on the setup, the HD800 may sound warm or bright. Because of its finicky nature with regard to amplification, many have described the HD800 as bright, but I cannot get on board with this description. I have heard the same pair of HD800's sound both dark and bright when paired with different setups. It really is a very amp-dependent headphone.
GREAT SOUNDSTAGE: While not everyone prefers a wide soundstage, I would say that for monitoring and critical listening purposes, it is beneficial. The HD800 features one of the most finely-contoured and widest soundstage presentations I've ever come across in a headphone. The height is not exceptional, but the depth and width are exemplary. This makes the HD800 an excellent choice for classical music in particular; when you listen to an 80-piece orchestra with 21 different parts all culminating at once, you really crave that width.
IMAGING: If you think of sound imaging as sort of like the degrees of protractor (left at 0 and right at 180) then the HD800 offers perhaps the most pinpoint accuracy of all headphones that I've heard. This headphone can spotlight the distances and relationships between instruments extremely well. It is also able to demonstrate phase problems better than most other headphones I've used.
MIDS: The mids here are really where it's at. I actually think the bass is superb here as well, but the mids are so fine. Pianos, acoustic guitars, trumpets etc. all sound about as uncolored as I can imagine.
ACOUSTIC MASTER: Regardless of whether I'm listening to classical, jazz or folk music, the HD800 leaves me in awe every time. Its sound signature leaves acoustic instruments completely uncolored.
DETAILED: The HD800 offers a wonderfully detailed sound signature; without sounding hyper-detailed or inauthentic.
DECAY: The HD800 offers a liquid-like decay. Some may prefer the decay here over that of the top electrostatic models because, while it is not as fast, it manages to add body to the overall sonic presentation.
COMFORT: I think the HD800 is exceptionally comfortable. Your ears do not make contact with the interior of the cup. The velour pads do not over-heat my ears. Despite being heavier than average, the HD800 rests very comfortably on the head.
BALANCED MODE: I've found that the HD800 scales particularly well in balanced mode - better than most other headphones. With the HD800 in balanced mode, I clearly notice an added sense space and dimension.
CABLE: The HD800's stock cable is a very finely-crafted cable. However, it is also user-removable. This makes installing an aftermarket cable a cinch.
SERIALIZED: Each HD800 is individually serialized with a unique frequency response chart available at request.
WEAKNESSES
AMP FINICKY: With regard to amp synergy, the HD800 has a reputation for being finicky. This means that it can sound amazing in one setup and harsh or lifeless in another setup. As a result, it can be quite the task when planning a setup around the HD800.
LACKS EUPHONY: Of all sonic attributes, the word euphonic seems the hardest to quantify and define
. When a headphone is euphonic, this means that there are certain distortions in the sound reproduction that add a humanness or emotive quality. Some may refer to this as “the wow factor." I find that no matter how wonderful the HD800 sounds, it does not bless my ears with a euphonious quality.
UNFORGIVING: Being unforgiving is really not a bad thing per se. However, in my opinion, the HD800 is just a few hairs too picky with regard to what recordings it excels with. It sounds stunning with well-recorded music (particularly acoustic instruments), but throw on an older recording or a brightly-mastered pop record, and you may find yourself reaching for an alternate headphone.
SIBILANT: In some instances, particularly with solid-state amps, I've found the HD800 to be slightly more sibilant than average.
STORAGE: For their future flagship offerings, I hope Sennheiser will do better in the storage department than they did with the HD800. The HD800's thick cardboard box with satin interior is just average for the price.
ON THE FENCE
TRANSPARENT?: The HD800 functions as a very transparent window into the music. That said, I would not say that the HD800 is
the most transparent headphone on the block. It is definitely near the top tier with regard to transparency, but there can sometimes be a slight edginess in the treble that makes it fall just slightly short of ultimate perfection.
DESIGN: It is worth mentioning here that Sennheiser has released a limited edition glossy black version of the HD800, which some find even more cosmetically appealing than the standard version. I adore the way the HD800 looks and they surely are comfortable! However, I feel that the headphone exhibits two design concerns. One is just how easily the paint chips. The other is that the earpads are not user-removable/replaceable. For clarification purposes, I want to express here that some users have attempted removing the earpads from their HD800 (some successfully, some with incurred damage). It is my suspicion that the HD800 was not designed with the intention of having the earpads removed by the user.
TREBLE: I have heard the HD800's treble sound unbelievably rounded and balanced. However, I do notice that there are moments when I wish the mids would transition more smoothly into the treble. It is extremely rare that I find myself feeling this way about the HD800, but I feel that it is worth mentioning.
FOR THE PRICE
A
Although the HD800 is not inexpensive by any means, it can, in my opinion, outperform most other offerings. I think Sennheiser really got it right with this headphone and while it is not even the top Sennheiser on my list, it is certainly one of the better values. In my opinion, the HD800 is the finest dynamic transducer headphone being manufactured today.
QUICK CHECK
- DESIGN: Full-Size
- DRIVERS: Dynamic
- IMPEDANCE: 300 Ohms
- ISOLATION: Little to None
- AMPLIFICATION: Requires
- MY PREFERRED AMP: Manley Labs Classic Neo 300B / TTVJ Millett 307A
- SOUNDS BEST WITH: Classical / Acoustic / Jazz / Well-Recorded Music
- CABLES USED: Stock / A Pure Sound V3 balanced
- REVISIONS KNOWN: None confirmed, but I suspect at least 1
- FLAGSHIP STATUS: Currently Is
- PRODUCTION STATUS AS OF 2012: In Production
- COST: $1499.95 (without aftermarket cable) $1845 (with aftermarket cable)
