The German company Sennheiser is a pioneer in the field of earphones. Their role in this area is very difficult to overestimate. The products of this company have always been famous for their high quality and innovation. The line called HD deserves special attention. The top models of this series (even the frankly weak HD 700) are the best modern headphones. This article is dedicated to one of the most interesting specimens in the HD line. Today we're going to talk about the Sennheiser HD 800. Want to know what's special about this device? Then this article is for you.
Sennheiser HD 800 Overview
HD 800 were presented at CES back in 2009. Even then, with their value, they made a real resonance. If now top models cost about $1,000, then the price of $1,500 seemed incredibly high. Nevertheless, the cost was well justified. First of all, the price was determined by investments in the development of the model. When creating the HD 800Sennheiser has used the best specialists and modern technologies. A lot of research work has been carried out in order to bring the device to perfection. What can we say about the real manual assembly, which was carried out in Germany.
Sennheiser put a lot of effort into the HD 800. But what makes this unit so special? What is special about the Sennheiser HD 800? You can find answers to these and many other questions in this article.
Design
The appearance of the device can be safely called an icon in the world of headphones. The unique futuristic design fascinates and attracts. The HD 800 eschewed the use of wood, leather and other materials associated with mid-range devices to give the headphones a more modern look. Specialists used high-quality plastic in predominantly silver and black colors.
The body of the device is made of a special plastic called Leona. It was developed by Asahi Kasei's separate chemical division. The plastic was reinforced with special fiberglass. This, in turn, made it possible to create a durable and at the same time lightweight design that does not contain unnecessary parts. The inner part of the speaker is protected by two layers of material: the first is a washing protection that protects the device from grease, dirt, the second protects from hair and dust. Outside, the emitters are covered with a thin, but rather strong metal mesh. It not only gives the gadget a fashionable look, but also promotes the free movement of air, which, in turn, has a positive effect on the sound. A cable for the Sennheiser HD 800 is supplied as standard. Its length is about 3 meters.
A little embarrassing is the presence of plastic in the headband guides. For that price, more expensive material could have been used. Nevertheless, there are no massive complaints about breakdowns of this node.
Ergonomics
Open dynamic stereo headphones Sennheiser HD 800 Silver are very comfortable, comfortable. The headband cushions and ear pads are made from a velvety, soft material that won't pick up dirt, pet hair, or other small debris. The size of the cups and ear cushions allow you to cover the ear without any problems. And with the correct adjustment of the headband, a clear fixation of the device on the head is ensured. The weight of the device is quite small. Fatigue is not felt even after long and continuous work. The assembly of the Sennheiser HD 800 is, as always, top notch. No backlash or squeaks were noticed.
However, since the Sennheiser HD 800 are open headphones, the sound isolation is quite poor. Therefore, they can only be used in a quiet home stop. If you still dare to take them outside with you, then be prepared for the fact that others will hear your music, and you, in turn, will not be able to concentrate on the composition due to extraneous sounds.
Features
Various measurements takenenthusiasts around the world have shown that Sennheiser has managed to create the best performance dynamic headphones. First of all, the linearity pleases, which can be traced both at low and high frequencies. The sound is very even and clear. This result was achieved thanks to the non-standard location of the emitters and open acoustic design. Initially, many experts doubted the feasibility of such a decision. However, the results obtained have plugged all the skeptics into the belt. It is immediately clear that the guys from Sennheiser did a good job on the new headphones.
Low frequencies are perfectly reproduced without any loss or subsidence. Mids and highs are incredibly smooth and deep at the same time. The Sennheiser HD 800 has a rather low harmonic distortion (especially compared to its competitors). Resonances can be controlled at any frequency. In general, we can say that the Sennheiser HD 800 is the dream of any music lover.
However, it was not without cons. The main problem with the HD 800 is the selection of an amplifier. The Sennheiser HD 800 headphones are quite demanding. Therefore, finding an amplifier that would go well with this model is not an easy task. A Chinese clone of Violectric, manufactured by Accurate Radio, provides quite decent sound. Although this is certainly not the best option for the Sennheiser HD 800.
Sound
The sound in the HD 800 is pretty neutral. Headphones do not dissect compositions into separate sounds. However, with the helpSennheiser HD 800 can hear more nuances in music. The integrity and presentation of the composition does not suffer.
The bass of this model is very deep and at the same time well controlled. Thanks to the device, you can hear every note, which immerses you in an incredible concert atmosphere. Bass reproduction is incredibly good. Listening to live recordings, you simply melt into the sounds of the bass.
Mid frequencies are also reproduced at a decent level. Worthy of attention is the delightful division of plans and the resolution of the device. The tools are very clearly positioned. By closing your eyes, you can even clearly imagine how they are arranged on the stage. In addition, the headphones perfectly convey all the style nuances of the performer, especially his vocals.
Top frequencies simply cannot but rejoice. The sound is very rich. The resolution, the level of detail and the length are amazing. However, frequency reproduction is highly dependent on the amplifier. Therefore, if the amplifier does not have enough headroom to reach its potential, then the sound will be prone to sibilance, too bright.
Compatibility
In terms of style, the headphones are pretty versatile. They delightfully reproduce music of various genres. Vocals, instruments rich in timbre, live recordings, classics - this is not the whole list of those styles of music in which the HD 800 fully reveals its potential. With all this, the brainchild of Sennheiser is so deeply immersed in the melody,that the feeling of using headphones completely disappears. Like other flagships, the Sennheiser HD 800 Silver stereo headphones are very critical to the quality of the audio file. Therefore, your music collection will probably have to be reviewed.
Sennheiser HD 800 reviews
No one will tell you about all the advantages and disadvantages of the device like its owner. Customer reviews of the Sennheiser HD 800 are extremely positive. Headphones are praised for their stylish and modern design, high quality of reproduced music, ergonomics, comfort during use, etc. Many users also noticed the high build quality. Headphones do not squeak even after prolonged use.
Among the shortcomings, one can notice only the cost of the Sennheiser HD 800. Although the price has fallen a little, however, for many, 1200 dollars is an unbearable amount. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the price is fully consistent with the quality. Also, the disadvantages include a low indicator of versatility. Since the Sennheiser HD 800 are open-type headphones, they can only be used at home. After all, when operating in crowded places, extraneous noise will simply block the reproduced composition.
Result
In conclusion, the Sennheiser HD 800 are amazing headphones with a lot to offer. If you need good headphones for home use and are willing to pay for quality, then the HD 800 is the best option. If you want to purchase a more versatiledevice for listening to music, it is better to turn your attention to other models.