We have all wondered why audiophiles spend a sizable chunk of their wages on a good set of headphones; you ask yourself if headphones for that much amount of dosh can really be that good. Sennheiser’s flagship HD 800S is here to show us that what you know as good audio, there’s a least several levels more above that.
A big thank you to Sennheiser for providing us with a set of HD 800S for review, and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute and beat of.
Overview
The striking industrial design combines form and function seamlessly, the layered metal and plastic headband construction attenuating vibrations to the earcups while the handmade microfiber earpads offer exceptional comfort for even long periods of listening enjoyment.
Crafted for perfection, the HD 800 and the HD 800 S are precision-built in Germany from only the finest materials and components. The transducer is encased by stainless steel, while the headband and headphone mounting utilises the most advanced materials developed in the aerospace industry for high strength with minimal weight.
The new HD 800 S offers even better high precision connectivity options and is now supplied with two connection leads, a 6.3mm connector and a XLR-4 balanced cable to offer even better quality sound from sources with balanced outputs such as the Sennheiser HDVD 800 headphones amplifier.
Absorber technology of the HD 800 S
The enhanced sound reproduction of the HD 800 S is achieved through the addition of the innovative absorber technology that was pioneered in the Sennheiser IE 800 – a breakthrough that preserved the audibility of very high frequency sounds by eliminating a phenomenon known as the “masking effect”, where the human hear struggles to hear frequencies of sound when lower frequencies of a higher volume occur at the same time. By absorbing the energy of the resonance, Sennheiser’s patented absorber technology prevents any unwanted peaks and allows all frequency components – even the finest nuances – in the music material to become audible. This innovation was a key element in making the IE 800 the world’s best sounding in ear headphone, and in the HD 800 S it helps to bring even greater purity and precision.Such enhancements build on the formidable achievements of the classic, with the 56mm sound transducer – the largest ever used in dynamic headphones. The unique ear cup design directs sound waves to the ear at a slight angle to create an impressively natural and spatial listening experience.
While much appears the same, the enhanced performance within is revealed by a distinctive new look, with the silver finish of the 2009 classic HD 800 making way for high-class matt black for the HD 800 S.
The HD 800S’ predecessor, the HD 800, was released back in 2009, and Sennheiser felt it was time to up the ante even more by improving on it by releasing the HD 800S. Buy now at Amazon – http://goo.gl/nBmP5O
Specifications
- Color black
- Wearing style Headband
- Impedance 300 Ω
- Audio-XLR connector XLR4
- Frequency response 4 – 51,000 Hz (-10 dB)
- THD, total harmonic distortion 0.02 % (1 kHz 1 Vrms)
- Contact pressure ~ 3,4 N (± 0,3 N)
- Ear coupling Circumaural
- Jack plug 6.3mm/ XLR4
- Cable length 3m
- Transducer principle Dynamic Open
- Weight w/o cable 330 g
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- Sennheiser HD 800S Headphones Review
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM In-Ear Review
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM On-Ear Wireless Headphones Review
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM 2.0 Review – Over-Ear Headphones
- Sennheiser G4ME ZERO Headset Review
