Sennheiser HD 800 Review | 93 Data compared

The Sennheiser HD 800 is an exceptionally high-performing, hand-built open-back headset that delivers a realistic, natural sound closely mimicking a live loudspeaker experience. Its key pros center around its advanced 56mm "ring radiator" dynamic driver, which minimizes distortion at high frequencies and uses forward-angled positioning to create a massive, multi-dimensional soundstage with phenomenal spatial imaging. The audio profile is highly praised for its flat, perfectly balanced frequency response, featuring fast, well-defined bass clarity, highly musical midranges ideal for movie dialogue, and incredibly detailed treble accuracy that never becomes fatiguing. Additionally, the luxurious Alcantara microfiber earpads and adjustable dual-pivot headband provide excellent weight distribution that effortlessly accommodates users wearing glasses. However, the review outlines several prominent cons regarding its demanding requirements and physical ergonomics. Because of its 300-ohm impedance, the HD 800 is notoriously picky about its upstream source, requiring a premium, clean amplifier to unleash its true musicality rather than a portable setup. Its brutal, uncolored honesty means it relentlessly exposes any flaws in a recording, which can make long listening sessions tiring. Furthermore, its slow-to-medium pacing means it can...

The Sennheiser HD 800 is lauded in this Stereophile review as a top-tier, "brutally honest" transducer offering exceptional technical performance with near-perfect frequency response below 1kHz and extremely low distortion. Its unique angled driver design creates a wide, speaker-like soundstage and world-class imaging, making it a standout for detailed listening. Conversely, the review identifies a noticeable treble peak between 5kHz and 10kHz that can make the sound over-articulate, alongside a fully open-back design that provides zero isolation. Furthermore, while highly accurate, it is slightly outmatched in raw sub-bass extension by some competing planar magnetic designs.

The Systematic Sound review evaluates the physical and acoustic differences between early production (S/N 084xx, circa 2010) and late production (S/N 429xx, circa 2016) units of the Sennheiser HD 800Go, confirming that a "silent revision" occurred around late 2012. The early model acts as a fiercely analytical instrument, delivering a leaner, tighter, and faster bass response alongside a highly resolving, forward midrange. Its standout pros include an incredibly open, airy soundstage, and a technically superior transient speed that effortlessly keeps up with complex musical passages. However, its major cons center on an anemic, bass-shy low end, a dry and texturally thin timbre, and a ruthless, excessively emphasized 6–10 kHz treble region that results in intense harshness and sibilance, making it highly fatiguing and polarizing for average listeners. In contrast, the later production model presents a safer, "warm-bright" alternative that addresses early criticisms through physical changes to its tuning mesh, earpads, and driver covers. The primary pros of this newer version include a fuller, punchier, and more satisfying bass presentation, a richer lower midrange that emphasizes instrument fundamentals, and a tamed...

This review outlines the legacy of the Sennheiser HD800, characterizing it as a reference-grade, open-back dynamic headphone that formerly held the title of the industry benchmark. The reviewer notes that while the headphone is discontinued, its $1,400 USD price point remains a relative value compared to contemporary top-tier flagships. The review praises its pros, including its exceptionally spacious, "infinite" soundstage, remarkable instrument separation, ultra-comfortable lightweight build with soft microfiber padding, and highly resolving, realistic midrange. Because it acts as an uncolored "mirror," it thrives on high-quality audiophile and classical recordings, delivering impeccable micro-details. However, the reviewer highlights critical cons that may deter mainstream music listeners. Most notably, the HD800 features a prominent treble peak at the 6kHz frequency region, making it undeniably bright and causing occasional sibilance during vocal performances. Its bass, while clean and fast, is critique-worthy for its low impact, lack of rumbling weight, and "emotionless" neutrality. Furthermore, its extreme transparency makes poorly recorded pop and hip-hop tracks sound bad rather than smoothing them out. Lastly, the acoustic design lacks a solid center image, which keeps the listener...

The Headfonia Picture Sunday article highlights the iconic Sennheiser HD800, emphasizing its recognizable, innovative industrial design and status as a polarizing staple in high-end audio. The review praises the open-back, dynamic headphones for exceptional transient speed, detail retrieval, and soundstage, while noting that its notoriously sharp, analytical treble makes it a fatiguing listen for some. HeadfoniaWhile the HD800 is lauded for its technical performance, the high-frequency peakiness led to the development of the warmer, more refined HD800S. The piece reinforces the HD800's lasting, albeit divisive, legacy in the audiophile community.

The Sennheiser HD800 is a premium audiophile headphone priced at $1399 that delivers exceptional build quality, comfort, and an immersive listening experience. Its robust metal construction provides high durability, while ample velour padding on the headband and cups ensures excellent long-term comfort despite its weight. On the performance side, the headphones excel with a deep, full low end that offers fantastic impact and immaculate control without bleeding into other frequencies. The midrange is near-perfect, delivering pristine, uncompressed detail for both vocals and instrumentation, while the vast, next-level soundstage provides remarkable depth and pinpoint instrument placement. However, the headphone's primary drawback lies in its flawed high-end reproduction. While the treble retains a high level of detail, it is marred by a lingering thinness that can make upper frequencies sound sharp and piercing at times. Because of this peaky treble, the HD800 is less ideal for classical music or acoustic tracks involving violins, though it remains highly recommended for bass-centric genres like rock, hip-hop, and EDM. Ultimately, while the newer HD800S model addresses these high-frequency tuning anomalies, the original HD800 remains a...

The Stereophile review praises the Sennheiser HD 800 for its revolutionary 56mm Ring Radiator transducer and angled drivers, which deliver unrivaled soundstage width, exceptional spatial imaging, and flawless technical precision. The 330-gram design, coupled with comfortable microfiber earpads and low-distortion performance, makes it a premier choice for long-term critical listening. Conversely, the headphone features a 7kHz frequency response bump that can lead to an analytical, occasionally bright, or cold sound character, alongside a lack of deep sub-bass extension. Furthermore, its high 300-ohm impedance and revealing nature demand high-end amplification, as the unit can sound thin or harsh with improperly matched upstream gear.

The Sennheiser HD 800 headphonesGo on Head-Fi are celebrated for an expansive, open soundstage and exceptional imaging accuracy, making them ideal for classical, soundtracks, and gaming. They offer a lightweight 330-gram design with comfortable D-shaped microfiber ear cups, although they require high-quality source equipment. Key drawbacks identified include a sharp 6kHz treble peak, limited sub-bass below 100Hz, and a fragile outer finish that scratches easily.

In the second part of the HD800 journal, Headfonia highlights the Sennheiser HD800 ($1,400) for its unmatched technical transparency, expansive soundstage, and superior instrument separation, placing it among legendary transducer models. Its exceptional resolution, however, requires high-end upstream equipment to avoid sounding flat or unmusical. The review emphasizes that the HD800 is extremely sensitive to source gear, making it a poor investment for users without a high-quality amplifier and DAC, as it lacks musicality on entry-level systems. Ultimately, it is noted that the cheaper HD650 is a more rewarding option than the HD800 when paired with inferior equipment.

The Sennheiser HD 800 open-back headphones deliver an exceptional, ultimate high-fidelity listening experience characterized by a remarkably detailed midrange and surprising low-end punch across all musical genres, from classical and jazz to gritty rock. Handmade in Germany using high-quality materials like suede-like Alcantara on the ear cups and thin wire mesh on the surrounds, these 330-gram headphones provide solid build quality and exceptional long-term wearing comfort. To accurately replicate a loudspeaker listening environment, Sennheiser engineered the headphones with doughnut-shaped drivers angled at 45 degrees to eliminate distortion, using what they claim is the world's largest headphone transducer to achieve a vast 13Hz to 44,100Hz frequency response. However, achieving this pinnacle of audio performance requires a massive financial and equipment investment, which serves as the product's primary drawback. The review notes that standard integrated amplifiers—such as the Yamaha A-S700—cannot supply enough power, causing the sound to become uncomfortably harsh at high volumes. To unlock their full potential, users must pair the headphones with a beefy, dedicated headphone amplifier and USB DAC, such as the Lehmann Black Cube Linear USB. Ultimately, while...

The Sennheiser HD800 open-backed headphones feature advanced 56mm diaphragms and stainless-steel transducers, designed to direct high-fidelity audio into the ears at a precise angle to simulate listening to speakers in a room. The expert review highlights substantial pros, emphasizing that these headphones are exceptionally comfortable for extended listening sessions due to their large ear cups, boast a great design, and deliver clear, detailed sound with a deep, punchy bass performance. However, potential buyers should note that because of their open-backed design, they do leak enough sound to potentially disturb others in the same room. The review notes specific cons, stating that the HD800s are ultimately beaten by close rivals like the Grado GS1000i, which offer superior instrumental realism, openness, and emotional authenticity. This comparison leaves the Sennheisers sounding slightly sterile by contrast. Despite facing tough competition at its premium price point, the review concludes with a positive verdict, affirming that the HD800 is a very fine, terrific pair of headphones that is absolutely worth an audition for serious music lovers.

The Stereophile review hails the Sennheiser HD800 headphones as a premier achievement, specifically praising their exceptional comfort, robust construction, and innovative "ring radiator" drivers. A major sonic advantage noted is the, expansive, holographic, and unrivaled soundstaging, coupled with tight, dynamic bass, which creates a highly immersive listening experience. However, the review highlights that the fully open-backed design offers zero noise isolation and significant sound leakage, making it unsuitable for noisy environments. Additionally, the high 300-ohm impedance requires a dedicated amplifier, making it unsuitable for portable devices, and its analytical, sometimes bright, sound signature comes at a premium $1,399.95 price point.