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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I don't know why people waste money on headphones this expensive, when you can make music inside your own head for free. That's how a slickdealer does it.
I purchased these headphones in the last deal and put in a good amount of time on them. I also currently own Focal Clear MG Professionals, Sennheiser HD 650s and a random assortment of other headphones.
These have incredible soundstage, clarity, detail are very comfortable but do lack bass and can be fatiguing to listen to at times. If you read any review on these, it has been consistent with my experience. Doing side by side comparison with these to my other headphones, it makes the others feel muddled and it's been fun listening to some of my favorite songs and reexperiencing them in a different setting.
Similar to gColossus, I was expecting to be blown away but personally I've found that after a certain price, it really comes down to preference. I also find them to be more on the analytical side which I appreciate if I'm doing critical listening. I actually prefer the HD 650 over these for the majority of my listening as I find them to be more intimate and less fatiguing with the type of music I typically listen to.
I do plan on keeping these and are happy with the build quality and the sound. But if you're looking to spend $1200 on these headphones, know that there might be better options at a more affordable price depending on what you're looking to get out of them.
well, i had a HD 660S before that. it is very different headphone.
I was expecting to be blown away, but it was just very different. Very wide soundstage, and very precise, critical, and accurate. Bass is definitely a lot more muted compared to HD 660S.
I ended up EQ-ing it as well. I am keeping the headphones.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank eagleisawesome
I purchased these headphones in the last deal and put in a good amount of time on them. I also currently own Focal Clear MG Professionals, Sennheiser HD 650s and a random assortment of other headphones.
These have incredible soundstage, clarity, detail are very comfortable but do lack bass and can be fatiguing to listen to at times. If you read any review on these, it has been consistent with my experience. Doing side by side comparison with these to my other headphones, it makes the others feel muddled and it's been fun listening to some of my favorite songs and reexperiencing them in a different setting.
Similar to gColossus, I was expecting to be blown away but personally I've found that after a certain price, it really comes down to preference. I also find them to be more on the analytical side which I appreciate if I'm doing critical listening. I actually prefer the HD 650 over these for the majority of my listening as I find them to be more intimate and less fatiguing with the type of music I typically listen to.
I do plan on keeping these and are happy with the build quality and the sound. But if you're looking to spend $1200 on these headphones, know that there might be better options at a more affordable price depending on what you're looking to get out of them.
I purchased these headphones in the last deal and put in a good amount of time on them. I also currently own Focal Clear MG Professionals, Sennheiser HD 650s and a random assortment of other headphones.
These have incredible soundstage, clarity, detail are very comfortable but do lack bass and can be fatiguing to listen to at times. If you read any review on these, it has been consistent with my experience. Doing side by side comparison with these to my other headphones, it makes the others feel muddled and it's been fun listening to some of my favorite songs and reexperiencing them in a different setting.
Similar to gColossus, I was expecting to be blown away but personally I've found that after a certain price, it really comes down to preference. I also find them to be more on the analytical side which I appreciate if I'm doing critical listening. I actually prefer the HD 650 over these for the majority of my listening as I find them to be more intimate and less fatiguing with the type of music I typically listen to.
I do plan on keeping these and are happy with the build quality and the sound. But if you're looking to spend $1200 on these headphones, know that there might be better options at a more affordable price depending on what you're looking to get out of them.
What do you mean by fatiguing? Like you can't wear it for too long? Also, I'd imagine it depends on the music one listens to, no?
What do you mean by fatiguing? Like you can't wear it for too long? Also, I'd imagine it depends on the music one listens to, no?
Fatiguing as in my ears start to get tired and uncomfortable after an hour or so and I just want to take them off and not listen anymore. They're on the brighter side and has more treble than I generally prefer but it's really dependent on the individual and can be affected by the amp/dac you use. I find that the type of music I use these for such as classical or vocal heavy tracks tend to naturally have an above average amount of treble whereas music such as rap or R&B that are bass heavy or more laid back, aren't really a strength so I'll opt for a different pair of headphones.
I've only had these for a short period of time and each person's tolerance is different but I find that the music that these headphones excel at are the same that will fatigue me over longer listening sessions.
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Fatiguing as in my ears start to get tired and uncomfortable after an hour or so and I just want to take them off and not listen anymore. They're on the brighter side and has more treble than I generally prefer but it's really dependent on the individual and can be affected by the amp/dac you use. I find that the type of music I use these for such as classical or vocal heavy tracks tend to naturally have an above average amount of treble whereas music such as rap or R&B that are bass heavy or more laid back, aren't really a strength so I'll opt for a different pair of headphones.
I've only had these for a short period of time and each person's tolerance is different but I find that the music that these headphones excel at are the same that will fatigue me over longer listening sessions.
Got it. I'm a classical musician and gave in on this price. The reviews say it's great for Classical or orchestral.
I just got a pair of Hifiman Sundara for $239 w free shipping & no sales tax - can't imagine these being superior enough to justify the additional $1k.
well, i had a HD 660S before that. it is very different headphone.
I was expecting to be blown away, but it was just very different. Very wide soundstage, and very precise, critical, and accurate. Bass is definitely a lot more muted compared to HD 660S.
I ended up EQ-ing it as well. I am keeping the headphones.
What did you use to EQ them? I'm running them off the Woo Audio WA8 connected to my PC
I bought the HD 599SE for $80. Are these really worth 15 times that price?
Not if you don't have a great headphone amp, a good source, or if your hearing isn't that good. Some types of music benefit from these and others don't, so it depends what you listen to as well.
Last edited by namlook June 24, 2023 at 05:28 PM.
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These have incredible soundstage, clarity, detail are very comfortable but do lack bass and can be fatiguing to listen to at times. If you read any review on these, it has been consistent with my experience. Doing side by side comparison with these to my other headphones, it makes the others feel muddled and it's been fun listening to some of my favorite songs and reexperiencing them in a different setting.
Similar to gColossus, I was expecting to be blown away but personally I've found that after a certain price, it really comes down to preference. I also find them to be more on the analytical side which I appreciate if I'm doing critical listening. I actually prefer the HD 650 over these for the majority of my listening as I find them to be more intimate and less fatiguing with the type of music I typically listen to.
I do plan on keeping these and are happy with the build quality and the sound. But if you're looking to spend $1200 on these headphones, know that there might be better options at a more affordable price depending on what you're looking to get out of them.
I was expecting to be blown away, but it was just very different. Very wide soundstage, and very precise, critical, and accurate. Bass is definitely a lot more muted compared to HD 660S.
I ended up EQ-ing it as well. I am keeping the headphones.
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank eagleisawesome
These have incredible soundstage, clarity, detail are very comfortable but do lack bass and can be fatiguing to listen to at times. If you read any review on these, it has been consistent with my experience. Doing side by side comparison with these to my other headphones, it makes the others feel muddled and it's been fun listening to some of my favorite songs and reexperiencing them in a different setting.
Similar to gColossus, I was expecting to be blown away but personally I've found that after a certain price, it really comes down to preference. I also find them to be more on the analytical side which I appreciate if I'm doing critical listening. I actually prefer the HD 650 over these for the majority of my listening as I find them to be more intimate and less fatiguing with the type of music I typically listen to.
I do plan on keeping these and are happy with the build quality and the sound. But if you're looking to spend $1200 on these headphones, know that there might be better options at a more affordable price depending on what you're looking to get out of them.
These have incredible soundstage, clarity, detail are very comfortable but do lack bass and can be fatiguing to listen to at times. If you read any review on these, it has been consistent with my experience. Doing side by side comparison with these to my other headphones, it makes the others feel muddled and it's been fun listening to some of my favorite songs and reexperiencing them in a different setting.
Similar to gColossus, I was expecting to be blown away but personally I've found that after a certain price, it really comes down to preference. I also find them to be more on the analytical side which I appreciate if I'm doing critical listening. I actually prefer the HD 650 over these for the majority of my listening as I find them to be more intimate and less fatiguing with the type of music I typically listen to.
I do plan on keeping these and are happy with the build quality and the sound. But if you're looking to spend $1200 on these headphones, know that there might be better options at a more affordable price depending on what you're looking to get out of them.
I've only had these for a short period of time and each person's tolerance is different but I find that the music that these headphones excel at are the same that will fatigue me over longer listening sessions.
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I've only had these for a short period of time and each person's tolerance is different but I find that the music that these headphones excel at are the same that will fatigue me over longer listening sessions.
Yup, very marginal difference.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones...sh
edit: here's the link - open box direct from manufacturer, no sales tax ! received mine today and they are spectacular headphones for the price.
https://store.hifiman.c
I was expecting to be blown away, but it was just very different. Very wide soundstage, and very precise, critical, and accurate. Bass is definitely a lot more muted compared to HD 660S.
I ended up EQ-ing it as well. I am keeping the headphones.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!