Sennheiser HD 800 S Open-Back Headphones

phewry

Pro

Apr 8, 2023 1:02 AM

1.8K Comments

Joined Dec 2007

phewry

Pro

Apr 8, 2023 1:02 AM

1.8K Comments

These better make me uhhhhh……

2

wilsonywx

Apr 8, 2023 1:24 AM

39 Comments

Joined Dec 2008

wilsonywxApr 8, 2023 1:24 AM

39 Comments

I bought mine back in 2016. Man, inflation, the MSRP gone way up.

The soundstage/spatial quality on these is pretty awesome (for a headphone, anyway; fwiw a macbook pro speaker has about the same soundstage as this). These are not tuned to the more recent "harmon curve" (which features a bass shelf) but the older "open diffuse field" curve (which sounds bass light). IMO these sound better if you EQ them with a bass shelf.

Imho Sennheiser has really stopped innovating, especially since the Axel Grell (the guy who designed the HD600 and HD800 series) retired and left the company. All the company seems to pump out these days are earbuds and way overpriced headphones (looking at their $50k orpheus 2). At least, for an audiophile I don't find the company makes interesting products anymore.

Edit: I understand people want good spatial qualities, but I can't help but LMAO

at the notion of getting these as gaming headphones. Surely, you can spend a grand on better things?

Last edited by wilsonywx April 7, 2023 at 06:26 PM.

1

tttgruzzly

Apr 8, 2023 1:24 AM

110 Comments

Joined Jul 2017

tttgruzzlyApr 8, 2023 1:24 AM

110 Comments

This or an Rtx 4090?

Right now I a got a hd6xx, not sure how good it compared

1

plasbo

Apr 8, 2023 1:28 AM

1.3K Comments

Joined Jan 2009

plasboApr 8, 2023 1:28 AM

1.3K Comments

Isn't the soundstage/spatial quality on these just because of their hyped high frequency?

1

wilsonywx

Apr 8, 2023 1:29 AM

39 Comments

Joined Dec 2008

wilsonywxApr 8, 2023 1:29 AM

39 Comments

Quote from tttgruzzly

:

This or an Rtx 4090?

Right now I a got a hd6xx, not sure how good it compared

I have HD6XX and HD800S. The HD6XX in comparison has a smaller, flat soundstage, and does not sound as detailed, although it is quite enjoyable tuning for longer listening sessions. It also isn't as comfortable as the 800. Tbh, unless you really want to get into headphones and have top end gear, probably better off getting speakers. The HD6XX is "mid-fi" and is very close to the point of diminishing returns.

2

wilsonywx

Apr 8, 2023 1:32 AM

39 Comments

Joined Dec 2008

wilsonywxApr 8, 2023 1:32 AM

39 Comments

Quote from plasbo

:

Isn't the soundstage/spatial quality on these just because of their hyped high frequency?

Yes and no. The highs give them an ethereal quality, but the soundstage is due to the large cups and the design.

2

AnonymousGuy

Apr 8, 2023 1:32 AM

165 Comments

Joined Jul 2015

AnonymousGuyApr 8, 2023 1:32 AM

165 Comments

Quote from wilsonywx

:

I have HD6XX and HD800S. The HD6XX in comparison has a smaller, flat soundstage, and does not sound as detailed, although it is quite enjoyable tuning for longer listening sessions. It also isn't as comfortable as the 800. Tbh, unless you really want to get into headphones and have top end gear, probably better off getting speakers. The HD6XX is "mid-fi" and is very close to the point of diminishing returns.

I have HD650s and HD800. Not the exact headphones you have, but pretty close. I think your opinion is spot on.

2

tttgruzzly

Apr 8, 2023 1:36 AM

110 Comments

Joined Jul 2017

tttgruzzlyApr 8, 2023 1:36 AM

110 Comments

Quote from wilsonywx

:

I have HD6XX and HD800S. The HD6XX in comparison has a smaller, flat soundstage, and does not sound as detailed, although it is quite enjoyable tuning for longer listening sessions. It also isn't as comfortable as the 800. Tbh, unless you really want to get into headphones and have top end gear, probably better off getting speakers. The HD6XX is "mid-fi" and is very close to the point of diminishing returns.

Ya, I got the HD6XX connected to my pc. I do have speakers too (Micca MB42x bookshelf) with an amp but the sound range is pretty bad compared to HD6XX

namlook

Apr 8, 2023 1:42 AM

26.7K Comments

Joined May 2006

namlookApr 8, 2023 1:42 AM

26.7K Comments

Quote from Rinabro

:

Go for these or beats headphones?

Quote from SmartHaddock3847

:

Are these bettee than Dr Dre Beats Executive?

The Beats are better and are on another level. They are more transparent, have a bigger soundstage, are more resolving, have better imaging, have a more balanced sound signature, you'll hear more microdetails, and they are more comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. If you like a muddy sound with bloated bass get the 800S.

Last edited by namlook April 7, 2023 at 06:44 PM.

2

1

5

atx11

Apr 8, 2023 1:48 AM

1.3K Comments

Joined Jan 2009

atx11Apr 8, 2023 1:48 AM

1.3K Comments

Quote from ldeveraux

:

Headphones for $1200? I can't see a situation where I would ever consider that. I'll pass

People buy iphones at $1200 and they upgrade every 3 years. This headphone is cheaper.

1

Elenewuser

Apr 8, 2023 2:08 AM

104 Comments

Joined Apr 2019

ElenewuserApr 8, 2023 2:08 AM

104 Comments

Can't tell the difference between beats pro, studio, sony xm4s, or ad700x. Only reason i have all and didnt stick with beats was because everyone says they sound different. Cant tell the difference between bluetooth and wired either. All quite far from $1200 so I wonder if I could tell with these

1

Ezio

Apr 8, 2023 2:33 AM

2.3K Comments

Joined Mar 2008

EzioApr 8, 2023 2:33 AM

2.3K Comments

What other equipment do I need to run this on my PC? My PC only has a 3.5mm port but this comes in 6.35mm, so at the very least, I need an adapter of some sort.

pcgeekpcgeek

Apr 8, 2023 2:51 AM

1.2K Comments

Joined Nov 2015

pcgeekpcgeekApr 8, 2023 2:51 AM

1.2K Comments

Quote from FeistyRaccoon394

:

This or a dedicated Dolby Atmos system. Decisions.....Decisions lol I'll always have lifelong regrets if I chose one or the other.

Weird comparison. You should be comparing audiophile headphones such as the HD 800 S with a High-End audio system, not a surround system.

1

truelies

Apr 8, 2023 3:02 AM

2.5K Comments

Joined Aug 2006

trueliesApr 8, 2023 3:02 AM

2.5K Comments

Quote from crazygideon

:

Thanks, was wondering when the deal was going to come back. Gonna test if it really is the best headphones for gaming.

Too expensive for gaming. This one needs to buy with a great Head fi Amplifier and CD player.

Last edited by truelies April 7, 2023 at 08:18 PM.

1

2

crazygideon

Apr 8, 2023 3:37 AM

472 Comments

Joined Apr 2009

crazygideonApr 8, 2023 3:37 AM

472 Comments

Quote from truelies

:

Too expensive for gaming. This one needs to buy with a great Head fi Amplifier and CD player.

Not if you already have the gear.

Product Description:	HD 800 S - The audiophile headphones all others are measured against, our HD 800 S doesn't just raise the ceiling for critical listening-it smashes right through it. Combining the care devoted to a handcrafted instrument and the precision of modern manufacturing, the HD 800 S lets you explore your entire music collection from the inside out. The Exploration of Sound The HD 800 S demonstrates over 75 years of audio expertise, redefining the critical listening experience. After launching its predecessor-the HD 800-we accepted a self-imposed challenge to completely disappear from the last link in the audio chain. Our goal was to provide acoustics so immersive that your awareness dissolves into the creator's perspective. On their own, each component of the HD 800 S is world-class. The signature sound of the HD 800 S is possible not because of any one of them, but through the synergy of all of them. Let's explore. It Has a Ring to It The heart of the HD 800 S and its striking sound is the 56mm Ring Radiator transducer. It leverages the key benefit of a large diaphragm transducer-air displacement-without losing the rigidity that favorably impacts rest and response times. Instead of a single attachment on the outer circumference of the transducer, both outer and inner edges of the "ring" are secured to the drive unit. The voice coil excites the diaphragm, connected to the v-shaped groove found near the center of the ring. A feat in itself, the voice coil is 40mm and wound in-house to ensure the shape and consistency is held to the highest standard. Solid as a Rock The headphones' vibration damping chassis and inert headband insert provide complete stability-what you put into the HD 800 S is precisely what you will get out of it. Each transducer is manufactured, tested, and measured to the tightest tolerance to ensure the most dependable performance out of the box. Even the steel mesh found in the baffle is matched and integrated with consistency in mind, as it contributes to ultra-low variance in the management of trave
Product SKU:	se506911
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Sennheiser HD 800 S Open-Back Headphones

$1,199

$1,800

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