[Steven]

Sennheiser Electronic - HD 800

Sennheiser Worldwide: Microphones, Headphones and Wireless Systems

Announced at CES 2009. New "ring radiator driver"

As can be seen it is a major redesign from the existing HD600 and HD650. When the HD650 came out many were of the opinion it was merely a different flavour of the HD600 rather than a major step forward. Indeed some prefer the HD600

Hopefully they will be the Bristol Show 2009 and I will compare with my HD600

[mossym]

6Hz..honestly? was thinking of a pair of 600's, but wow these look good

[Steven]

I should warn that it would appear the rrp will be $1400 but to be confirmed

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/0...eisers-hd.html
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD8...1446110&sr=8-1
http://i.gizmodo.com/5127916/sennhei...-at-its-finest
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite...transid=500319

[mossym]

ouch..competition for the grado 2000s then


i'll stick with the 600's

[cribeiro]

They look awful, like DJ headphones... Let´s see what people write about them...

[MIB]

Was interested until I saw the possible price Notice how they've skipped 700 and gone to 800 to make it seem 2 steps up from the 600's.

Not sure about the looks either.

[Steven]

No question about it. With that price-tag they are going after the top of the market, such as the Denon D7000

You can be comforted that they say each pair will be hand-made in Germany

[Nic Rhodes]

Not sure about the looks and I feel the £400 sector is one they consider as being more fruitful for sales.

Re the 600 / 650. I thought these came from the 580 originally. They did the excellent special edition of 580 Jubilee which looks very similar in appearance to the later 600 and 650s.

Would be interested in user feedback on these.

[alexs2]

I think I may avoid this for a bit on at least 2 grounds....

I know looks shouldn't count,but it does look like a piece of industrial headgear,and the price may make you shudder a bit...the RRP appears to be about £1k.

Like pbirkett,I like the sound of the HD600,and I may try the HD650 but what I have currently works very well with my system and I do like the sound.

[TameRacingDriver]

Quite like the look of those in a sort of mad max futuristic kind of way, and at least they clearly seem to be a proper departure from the hd6x0 although at that price I doubt I'll be trying them unfortunately

[peter312]

They look quite big. Actually, they look very big!

[Arcam_boy]

looks aren't great but not really my main concern. can imagine they sound stunning although if there going to cost £1000 + I will stick with my 650's for a bit/lot longer yet

[Tejstar]

The chaps over at Head-Fi seem to like this... a lot.

Originally Posted by Head-Fi

In its eighth year, Head-Fi is looking at its biggest product release story since its founding...We wanted new, and Sennheiser comes to the table with something all new--something that today is so extraordinary, so precise in its driver build quality, that Sennheiser has chosen to have this new flagship handmade in Germany...This could be it. The Sennheiser HD800 could be it. Early impressions tell me I'm listening to one of the best headphones I've ever heard. Longer term listening will eventually tell the real story, but the first impressions are so strong—so positive--that I feel like I'm trying to mince declarative words just out of a sense of protocol, a sense of reasonableness--because one couldn't possibly make that kind of decision so soon, could he? So let me say this: I have no doubt in my mind that the Sennheiser HD 800 is, beyond any shadow of a doubt (even this early on) one of the finest dynamic headphones I've ever heard. And I am quite confident in saying that Sennheiser's new HD800 is (yes, again, even this early on) one of the best headphones I've heard of any type, period.

[Steven]

Went to the Bristol Show 2009 on Friday and pictures now up of the HD800 and of the Sennheiser stand:

Bristol Show 2009: A Photographic Tour

Listening impressions to follow...eventually. Juggling work, applications, a few other things and need to organise the notes I took down

[Steven]

Righto-ho then... please refer to the link for photos of the headphones and the sources

As you can see the amp alone is around £1000 and its not even the best part of the set-up so definitely the right start for this here thing. Music is the CD in the picture; classical/orchestral clarinet something or other. You will have to excuse me as I have denied myself real sleep since Wednesday morning so I am hoping the CD cover will help me out. This is all from my written notes jotted down immediately after at the time, before I moved swiftly onto the IEx series. Got a few looks from Sennheiser reps but they were awfully polite and gave me room

First a listen with my stock HD600 to take it in and get adjusted... more listening... huh fancy system... and then switch

Wow. How should I put it? It was like when the performance was being recorded and then they stopped, installed more microphones and then started recording from the beginning again. The HD800 has to be the most impressive headphone I have heard yet in delivering a sound that was multi-directional and nuanced, with the separation of the instruments and sounds being discernible in the direction they were coming from. I switched back to the HD600 just to confirm this point. I do not wish to make a conclusive statement on the matter given the limited listening time at a trade show but I think Sennheiser may be on to something with this new driver design production in delivering sound through headphones that does not sound like *2 channel* blocks. That's how I would put the difference when compared with my HD600. With the HD800 I could imagine that I was live in the actual room of the recording being made before me. I just thought the HD800 was more immersive [sic] and three dimensional than the HD600. The HD600 did not sound bad at all on the excellent set-up which it was connected to but the HD800 was playing a different sport.

Again in comparison to the HD600 the best metaphor is that I cleaned my glasses. Like a layer had been taken and stripped away. The clarity and detail that was being delivered by the HD800 was greater. It sounded like a different performance through the HD600. The texture of the music was different. I could hear new elements through the HD800 that were not previously present. The separation of each component with all that was present in the music being presented with the weight that they should and everything marrying together to deliver a beautiful sweet sound I could listen to all day long

The tonality of the clarinet was all the more nicer through the HD800. Sharper, brighter and sweeter to the ear yet controlled without being harsh. HD600 seemed to have a cut-off point holding back the notes and could not reach the same peaks. Like a girl I cannot take even a mere hint of overdone highs. Not the case here. I just thought the HD800 did the service to the music and conveyed how a clarinet should sound all the more accurately (and as far as my limited knowledge goes from last year and an ex-flatmate studying music keeping me awake at unseemly hours because he was apparently a one-man orchestra in preparing his thesis).

The overall timbre of the instrument(s) was better on the HD800. That was so with the lower registers of the clarinet. More structured, nicer texture with a sliver of a hint of detectable vibration from the instrument being played. Lovely. I also have to say that the HD800 to me appears to be quite a neutral headphone. It did not add anything here nor there that should not be present. I just thought it was a very accurate and yet enjoyable sound. Not boring as some might take neutral to mean. Its the way it delivers the sound. The music just comes alive. You are hearing things you could not hear before. You get the sense that the space around your ears is just so much wider yet at the same time nothing was lost or distant. It was just the depth of the sound in that the range now seemed uninhibited. With the CD I listened to there was room to breathe. HD600 is what I am used to but with the HD800 I just got that thought that the HD800 was reminding me I was listening to a woodwind instrument and I could just close my eyes and imagine being there for the performance

[Ronm1]

Nice write up.
Someday I certainly wish for a listen on 800's in my rig.
600's with the Solo have served me well, 650's IMHO were not worth upgrading too! Better, at times with certain recordings, just not enough to warrant it! I really liked the mod' xcanv2 with NosM ec88's till they lost there magic...didn't want to keep ordering a matched set every now and then, so went Solo and have been quite pleased.

[Steven]

Yeah I had a try of the HD650 at the show. A different flavour, definitely does not warrant the "reference" moniker attached imo before the HD800 was announced

The mid-bass hump in the HD650 might benefit some genre's/albums but I am now satisfied that the HD600 was not the wrong choice last November. They are pretty identical. Definitely more similar than dissimilar

[senu]

I got the 650s for the cost of the 590 I upgraded from. At the time there were no 600s avalable
Having listened to 600s on similar kit side by side since I totally agree they are similar but I would not go as far as suggest the 600s are better
What would be a decent inexpensive amp ( £100-150 ono) for them?

[benmbe]

Placed my deposit on the HD 800's today

Will take time to pay for, but will enjoy the end result ( I'm just a loyal Senn customer who likes their product's.)

When these arrive with the retailer, and I listen to them I will post my results on this site to let others know.

I have also the 600 / 650's and have noted a slight improvement each time, but ever since I replaced the cable on the 600's to Kimber Cable I have found an improvement.

It will be interesting to hear what these new reference cans have over the lesser Senn models.......The reassurance thou is the fact that this is a trusted Manufacturer who puts great effort into their product's.

So I am confident they will do the job.....getting excited about having these.

Enjoyed and appreciate others experiences and comments and thank you for all of the pictures provided by other members.

Genuine and Honest Regards

[benmbe]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Yeah I had a try of the HD650 at the show. A different flavour, definitely does not warrant the "reference" moniker attached imo before the HD800 was announced

The mid-bass hump in the HD650 might benefit some genre's/albums but I am now satisfied that the HD600 was not the wrong choice last November. They are pretty identical. Definitely more similar than dissimilar

Hi LFC_SL,

Really appreciate what you have written about The Sennheiser's

I have been a loyal Sennheiser customer for the last 11years now, and am happy with their products.

I currently own the HD 600's / HD 650's of which I am happy to own.

The HD 600's cables have been upgraded to the Kimber Cable alternatives and I shall soon be purchasing a Kimber extention for longer lenth.

About a month ago the cable on my HD 650's faultered, and now need replacing. (They lasted about 4 to 5 years,) so didnt do to bad, but I shall be purchasing the Kimber Cable for these as well, as soon as funds allow.

On Friday I placed my first deposit on the HD 800's, of which will be completed in the next few months.

This purchase will be one of my main highlights of 2009, as I am a serious headphone user, especially after about 22:00hrs of the evening.

Thank you again friend and appreciate reading your comments.

Sincere and Genuine regards

[Steven]

One interesting point on the HD800 cable is that it is a balanced cable with a single ended connection, but obviously there is the possibility of asking for balanced connections should you be lucky and rich enough of having such a set up at home (not sure if Sennheiser will directly do this, but no doubt third party high-end headphone cable suppliers will)

I'll let people read the hyperbole on the materials used in the cable themselves

[benmbe]

Hi LFC_SL,

Thanks for your reply friend,

I will most likely purchase a spare lead for this and will be happy to stick with the standard cable configuration, I shall however be purchasing a decent headphone amp to go with this.

I am currently looking at The Graham Slee Solo with the power supply, and or the Grace 902.....vearing more towards Graham Slee.....as I shall be quite happy with the minimal inputs.

I am a regular guy with regular job...that just wants high quality, and because of this am willing to wait for things in life.

These headphones will take a few months to pay for and shall be kept with the retailers until paid for......I don't mind, as I have been like this for many years.....On a personal note ''there are many individuals out there that are not wealthy, but are willing to have the best.......

Genuine and Sincere Thanks for your thoughts

Regards

[alexs2]

I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on these Vs the HD600 and HD650.

I've recently changed from the HD600 on my headphone system to a set of Audio Technica 1000s.

You may also want to look at the Benchmark DAC-1 if you can stretch to the Grace's level.

[sea surfer]

Originally Posted by benmbe

Hi LFC_SL,

Thanks for your reply friend,

I will most likely purchase a spare lead for this and will be happy to stick with the standard cable configuration, I shall however be purchasing a decent headphone amp to go with this.

I am currently looking at The Graham Slee Solo with the power supply, and or the Grace 902.....vearing more towards Graham Slee.....as I shall be quite happy with the minimal inputs.

I am a regular guy with regular job...that just wants high quality, and because of this am willing to wait for things in life.

These headphones will take a few months to pay for and shall be kept with the retailers until paid for......I don't mind, as I have been like this for many years.....On a personal note ''there are many individuals out there that are not wealthy, but are willing to have the best.......

Genuine and Sincere Thanks for your thoughts

Regards

Mark

Hi Mark, may I ask where you are buying your HD-800'S from you lucky these phones look absolutely fantastic, just found this clip YouTube - SENNHEISER HD800
They say you only get what you pay for

[benmbe]

Hi alexs2,

Thank you for your recommendation of the Benchmark friend and sorry for my late reply, as I have only just read your reply within the last couple of hours.

Headphone Amps are new territory for me, and apart from The ''GRAHAM SLEE SOLO'S'' of which I will definately purchase first, the rest is beyond me right now.

I know that I will notice an improvement on my HD 600 / 650's and am looking forward to this upgrade, as and when funds permit me to do so.

I think that I have opened a can of worms ''for myself'' on this subject and so feel out of my depth here.....so my apologies for sounding like a complete novice......

The answer to your question about the quality of the 650's over the 600's?

To be honest there's not much diference at all, but that may change when the Headphone amp comes along.

To be honest I enjoy Sennheiser headphone product's as they are well rounded in sound and comfortable to wear for long periods.

The 650's do sound a shade ritcher and fuller in all round sound, but this is just a personal view and like both for what they offer.

I do look forward to giving a personal review when the Headphone Amp arrives, but this may take a little time, I.E. months away yet.

My next priority will be to pay for my new screen which will continue this week, which is being purchased from the same retailer that the new Headphones are coming from.

This retailer will be giving me a good price on the HD 800, as I have been a loyal customer for the last 11yrs, and because these Headphones are not due to be released until and between April / May I will have to wait.

I genuinely hope that life is treating you well and how is your system coming along?

I shall look forward to hearing from you at your convenience friend.

Honest Regards

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by benmbe

Hi alexs2,

......
The answer to your question about the quality of the 650's over the 600's?

To be honest there's not much diference at all, but that may change when the Headphone amp comes along.

To be honest I enjoy Sennheiser headphone product's as they are well rounded in sound and comfortable to wear for long periods.

The 650's do sound a shade ritcher and fuller in all round sound, but this is just a personal view and like both for what they offer.

I do look forward to giving a personal review when the Headphone Amp arrives, but this may take a little time, I.E. months away yet.
...

I genuinely hope that life is treating you well and how is your system coming along?

I shall look forward to hearing from you at your convenience friend.

Honest Regards

Mark

Hi Mark...thanks.

I was actually interested in the comparison between the HD600/650 and the HD800,but your views on the Hd600/650 comparison are similar to mine.

My system is pretty settled at the moment,and I don't have any plans to change anything else right now.

The AT1000W headphones are excellent for piano and vocals,and suit a lot of the jazz I enjoy,as well as allowing through parts of the mix I never heard before,so they're pretty good in that respect.

[benmbe]

Hi alexs2,

I am hoping my system will be settled once I have the HD 800's Grace M902 with optional remote, along with the Graham Slee Solo with seperate Power Supply.

Apart from all this a busy year ahead with other things.

Enjoy the journey guys.......it's worth the end result!

This av journey has taken me approx12 yrs now and should be 98% complete by early 2010......and boy it's been tough.........I am sure you have many experiences in your quest for your own goals.

Humble Regards

[Steven]

After Bristol Show HD800 spread throughout internet land, some people opined the Grace 902 was the weak link

Does raise the question of whether the Benchmark DAC1 is a viable alternative

I could not comment either way as my wallet is not in a position to

[benmbe]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

After Bristol Show HD800 spread throughout internet land, some people opined the Grace 902 was the weak link

Does raise the question of whether the Benchmark DAC1 is a viable alternative

I could not comment either way as my wallet is not in a position to

Hi LFC,

Well noted and shall keep this in mind as and when I make the headphone amp purchase.

I have made enquiries about the grace but will definately purchase the Graham Slee.....this is ideal for my HD 600 / 650.

Creek / Musical Fidelity X-CAN V8P / LEHMANN Black Cube Linear are also considerations....

Thank you for all of your help and advice for others to consider friend.

Genuine Regards

[benmbe]

Hi Guys,

Just to let all those that are interested in these headphones that the release date now moved back to 23rd approx June.

Genuine regards to all