 Dream the music |
| Review Date: October 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Timothy Barrow, Auburn, GA USA |
I am not a golden ear audiophile. I don't know what it means to hear "the air between the strings" and other such audiophile descriptions. More power to those that can -- I am simply not able to do so. I do however know that music is and always has been my greatest entertainment, and that as I have grown older, my ability to pay higher dollar for my equipment has also grown. No way could I have had these headphones in past times. No way could I have justified their cost. Other priorities would have always taken precedence over these. But now that I can afford them, I still debated and agonized over the cost, but in the end decided I would go for them. Am I glad? Absolutely. They are without question the best sounding headphones I have ever heard. I could hear the difference straight out of the box, I did not even do "A to B" comparisons to know how good they sounded. I did do comparisons with my HD600 to HS650 upgrade and was never sure I heard much difference. Not so with the HD800s.
Here is the best way I can describe them. When I was young, I would listen to a lot of music particularly nice in headphones. I am talking Yes, King Crimson, Pink Floyd and many others. I am a child of the 60's/70's so I would often be a bit "altered' while listening. In those days a pair of Koss headphones, a little "substance", and the latest King Crimson album would lend to a headphone experience whereby I would believe I was literally dreaming the music. (A very nice state). But as time went on, the subtances went away, the latest King Crimson album I had in mind (Larks Tounge in Aspic) is almost 40 years old now, and my hearing ain't what it used to be.
All that was said to lead up to this. With these headphones on (no substances), I am dreaming the music again. The above mentioned artists, and now with music such as Chick Corea and Miles Davis thrown in the mix, sounds like they are in and around my head like they have not been in those 40 gone by years.
I would conclude that these headphones are worth the cost if you are in a position to put out that kind of money AND you really love your music. But be warned --- once you hear these, there's no going back to lesser headphones. |
The best dynamic headphone so far
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| Review Date: August 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Pseudonym, San Francisco |
In general, the more money you spend on a pair of headphones, the more you experience the law of diminishing returns. A handsome-sounding AKG K701 will impress most people with their command of classical, while a good Grado rocks as well as any phone out there. But each headphone has its unique sound, and limitations. That's why many dedicated headphone users like keeping at least two different models to complement different musical spectra.
The Senn HD800 comes the closest to my experience at producing a sound that would satisfy a variety of tastes - in one headphone. The sound complements classical and jazz, but renders rock and electronica with surprising authority. I listen to a variety of music in a single listening session, so the HD800 is also extremely convenient. Although somewhat hefty, they're well-padded and have a velvety comfortability. Even in hot weather, these phones are cool and easy to wear; unlike some phones, these provide a pleasing sound without the use of an amplifier (though a good amp will make most decent setups even better.) It's hallmark clarity is bolstered by its sound: anchored by a full bass, crystalline highs, and a midrange that has definition without being too forward.
This headphone is been compared to the popular AKG K701, particularly with its emphasis on sonic clarity. But the Senn seems to have more weight and depth on the entire sound. It offers music as it was meant to be heard, sans the usual problems - thumpy bass, screechy highs, insufficient power. For under $400, you can purchase a fine headphone that will fill most of your musical needs; but if you want the whole package, the HD 800 may be a good investment, despite the $1400 price tag. |
Effortless, powerful, and supremely musical; one of the best!
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| Review Date: June 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: R. Thompson, Novato, CA USA |
SHORT VERSION:
The Sennheiser HD800 sets a new metric against which every other serious headphone or transducer must be judged. I've heard too many "breakthroughs" that just couldn't deliver the goods. This product is different.
It's hard to describe a piece of gear which, upon first listen, sounds different than anything you've heard, yet sounds so completely effortless and musical that you're left with the singular impression that the previous way you've listened to music is somehow incomplete, a wrong path if you will, and that this is clearly a better way.
I can't imagine anyone buying these and not being thrilled. They are a rare product indeed -- one that adds a significant new dimension to recordings you may have owned for years and thought you knew.
LONG-WINDED VERSION:
First some background. Music is very important to me; I played the cello for many years, currently sing in a gospel choir, and now do my own audio recordings of choirs and other groups. I spend a lot of time with these tracks, during both the editing process and for my own personal benefit. I often pore over recordings to try and learn the nuance and details of each part.
In this regard my playback system is crucial. I record using a Sony PCM-D50 with a variety of microphones, my favorite being a RODE NT4. I edit these on my Mac and use a Grace m902 for D/A conversion and to drive my headphones. I switch back and forth between AKG K701 headphones (now replaced by the HD800) and a pair of GURU QM10 nearfield studio monitors. With that out of the way let's get to the heart of the matter...
The HD800 is beautifully designed and artfully executed in regard to materials and construction; these headphones are beautiful to look at and handle and are supremely comfortable to wear.
As to performance? The Sennheiser HD800 sets a new metric against which every other serious headphone or transducer must be judged. I'm sorry if that sounds like so much hot air, but I honestly didn't expect to be so impressed -- especially out of the box with no break-in. I've heard too many "breakthroughs" that just couldn't deliver the goods. This product is different.
It's hard to describe a piece of gear which, upon first listen, sounds different than anything you've heard, yet sounds so completely effortless and musical that you're left with the singular impression that the previous way you've listened to music is somehow incomplete, a wrong path if you will, and that this is clearly a better way.
I won't get into the finer points of tonal balance, sound-staging, imaging, or brightness/darkness. All I can say that these headphones are very natural in regards to spatial presentation, in a way that I find entrancing. Their response is smooth and well-balanced at both extremes. I don't know what else to add, besides the fact that they are reproducing music more naturally and effortlessly than any one piece of gear I've added to my system over the past decade.
A great example of what the Sennheisers contribute to my system comes when listening to recordings of the human voice:
ARETHA - LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST on MFSL:
Track 9 "Spirit in the Dark" with Ray Charles
Aretha is in such total control of her voice that she (rather infamously) never sings a song the same way twice -- she is completely improvisational depending on how the spirit moves her.
Listening through the Sennheiser HD800 gave me a far greater sense of what this recording actually sounds like. Previously, I'd been disappointed by the quality of this recording. After hearing it anew via the HD800 I am ready to admit that, despite the blemishes, this recording now has a sound that matches what must have been one massively impressive musical experience. The performance was always there, it's just that now I can hear a new level of detail that was lost.
On this particular song the patter between Aretha and Ray Charles is very cleanly revealed and every nuance is easily distinguished. Each microphone buzz, every shout-out from the crowd, and every detail is now very clearly revealed. However, none of this is to the detriment of the music; to the contrary, it makes the performance that much more complete. It's not as though these things are exposed or laid bare; the fact they are rendered so accurately just seems to add to the fullness and emotional impact of the event.
Bass lines are also very clearly revealed when listening through the Sennheisers; in this respect the AKG K701 is simply out of its' league. The HD800's bass is in NO way emphasized, but it is clear, fast, and a constant force that propels the music.
It's wonderful to hear Aretha's soulful sense of time, of which she is the undisputed master -- she can delay a beat, twist a phrase and bend time, yet once you think she's lost she always brings it back (often at the last instant) in perfect sync. Her rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is an amazing example of this. This particular song has particularly complex vocals on her part, where time gets compressed and she squeezes a lot of syllables in very quickly, to catch the beat at the end of a line or phrase. On most every system I've listened to this recording on, you simply have a difficult time distinguishing every nuance of her phrasing and modulation. Listening through the HD800, you wonder how you never caught these details before.
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN by THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA:
Track 1, "Last Month of the Year"
If you sing this type of music you spend a lot of time trying to clearly hear each vocal part; this is part of a tradition in Gospel music where learning is often by hearing, rote, and repetition. The HD800 has tremendous resolving power in this regard; never before have I been able to distinguish each of the seven members' voices so clearly.
Additionally, at the very end of this track there is some interesting modulation from the electronic organ on the last 18 seconds of the cut; I've never heard this so clearly rendered from beginning to end.
CHILL OUT by JOHN LEE HOOKER:
Track 6, "Tupelo"
Track 6, "Tupelo"
On this track you can clearly hear John's toe-tapping and how it resonates and decays in the studio space. His guitar is beautifully rendered, yet his more aggressive playing never sounds as edgy as with most systems. His humming is clear whether he is doing it loudly or softly. He talks a lot of this song, and I've never heard his voice sound as clear and full.
Track 8, "Annie Mae"
The piano on this track is conveyed better than I've ever heard it before. Listen for John's brief conversation with the pianist at the end of the track; it gives you a great sense of the resonance of the studio and, through the HD800, it's easy to believe you are right there with them.
MY OWN RECORDINGS:
I've also been astonished to hear things on my own recordings (mostly of choirs and vocal groups) that were buried just beneath the surface, things that I didn't fully grasp were there. Subtle sounds from the crowd, a soft whoosh from a ventilation system, the rustle of papers or sound of remote footfalls -- it's all there. Since I have spent many hours editing and polishing these tracks, this struck me as a significant surprise. To hear something on one of your own recordings that you'd never heard clearly before -- that says it all to me. The HD800 is the Hubble Telescope of the audio world when it comes to clarity and resolving power.
One thing is important in this regard. Many products are ruthless when it comes to how they lay bare whatever is on a recording. Many times this leads to the "garbage in, garbage out" conclusion, where we assume that a poor recording alone must be the obvious reason that something sounds the way it does.
Somehow the Sennheisers have both superb resolution, excellent and extended response, AND a wonderful sense of sweetness and "rightness" that isn't explained by charts and specifications. Do terrible recordings still sound that way on HD800? Yes, to a degree, but here's what distinguishes the sound of these headphones. I believe the Sennheisers are pulling more details and artifacts out of bad recordings, and that this adds a depth that makes these recordings more pleasing to listen to. It's not because of any euphonic colorations or something the HD800 is adding to the music.
One more thing anyone considering these headphones should know; it is critical to have a great headphone amp if you are going to get the best out of this product. Comparing the Sennheisers to my AKG K701s (with each driven by my Grace m902), the HD800 requires roughly 20% more gain on the volume pot to reach the same level. The Grace m902 never runs out of steam or sounds as though it's not up to the task, but I can't say anything regarding how these headphones might sound on lesser equipment.
So, with that one caveat, I can't imagine anyone buying these and not being thrilled. They are a rare product indeed -- one that adds a significant new dimension to recordings you may have owned for years and thought you knew. I can't find anything to complain about yet. I have a big head and rather large ears and can't wear my AKG K701 for more than an hour without feeling some discomfort. While writing this I've been listening to the HD800 for nearly four hours, with only a brief break in the middle (a guy has to eat, after all). There is no trace of pain or fatigue; these are, without a doubt, the most comfortable cans I've ever worn.
Are they worth the price for you? It simply depends on your expectations and how you view this type of thing. As a reference tool that allows me to improve my recording and editing skills, there is little doubt they are worth it to me.
If you are someone who doesn't have the space or funds for a high-end system with speakers, I would suggest the HD800 may actually be a bargain. I don't think there are any speakers close to this price point that will offer you a more satisfying glimpse into recorded music. With a good digital source, a decent D/A converter and a good headphone amp, you could have a very nice listening system for $2,000 to $2,500. There aren't many stand-alone systems with speakers that would touch the sound quality of such a system, and it's important to note that speaker set-up and the balancing of room acoustics are now removed from the equation.
Lastly, please remember that these are simply my thoughts and opinions. You may feel very differently about some of my points and be convinced that I am dead wrong. If this is the case please remember that everything in my review is predicated on the concept of "what works for me, in my system, for my purposes, and for my unique ear/brain combination". There may well be an "Absolute Sound", but we all perceive it differently. As long as your system brings you musical enjoyment, I don't care if it's an AM table radio or a roomful of gear.
I hope this review is a useful tool for anyone considering these headphones. Happy listening, regardless; after all, there is so much music and so little time... |
Outstanding Headphone
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| Review Date: August 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. White, |
Received these today and have been listening to a wide variety of source material. These phones are outstanding even without a separate headphone amp. I listened to orchestra, classic rock, and jazz and these phones sound good on everything. Of course they sound best with SACD or vinyl but even redbook CD sounds wonderful. Just for fun I tried connecting to ipod and they sound OK although volume level is low because iPod just doesn't put out enough power. The bass, midrange, and highs are all there and the frequency response at least to my ear sounds pretty flat. There is a lot of air on most recordings. For the absolute best reproduction connect to a quality headphone amp and you will probably not believe your ears.
I must confess that when I ordered these I thought I would end up sending them back because I doubted reproduction would be great enough to justify the cost. These babies are not going back. I have never heard a better sounding phone. I was never much a fan of HD 650 like a lot of people were. These phones are far less colored and just a whole lot better. |
Headphone Nirvana!
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| Review Date: August 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Macnaughtan, Polmont, Stirlingshire Scotland |
I believe I am the very first person to have the pleasure of owning these phones in the UK (Scotland). They are not available yet via Amaxon UK, hence my review on this site. It took 10 weeks of very considerable pressure (via my good friend Mark, at HiFi Corner in Falkirk!) to persuade the powers that be in Sennheiser to ship me a set. These finally arrived on Friday 24th July. All HD800's are uniquely set up and have their own serial number engraved on the head band (mine is 01327). The come in sumptuous packaging!
To get the best out of these phones, you are well advised to invest in a serious headphone amp (I use the Lehmann Black Cube Audio) and some decent interconnects (Chord Anthem 2) to whatever your source is (Sony CDP - 3100 broadcast player). The sky's the limit to the kit you can connect. These phones will not win you friends on the bus or plane - they are open-backed, so very noisy. You need to get away from the world! These are man-size phones. They touch no part of your ear and have just the right pressure on your skull. You can wear them for hours and forget you have them on. You also need to burn them in for at least 100 hours (although they are great, straight out the box). So far, so good!
I have a long history with Sennheiser phones, having worked my way up through HD 25 and HD 650's. Having read all the rave reviews from you lucky people in Obamaland, I was at a loss as to what to expect when I had my first listen. Having been used to very high quality reproduction from the 650's, it was difficult to see where we would go next.
I decided to auditiond a track from a carefully chosen disc on the 650's (Verdi Requiem - Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony), then play it again on the 800's. Very first impression was surprise at how little difference there seemed to be. I tried various favourite tracks and the picture started to become clear.
The difference with the 800's is much more subtle but significant. You only really notice it big time, when you go back to the 650's and appreciate how two-dimensional they are, against the 800's. After an hour or two (and you just want more!), I would sum up the difference - with the 650's you listen to the music while with the 800's you're part of the performance. Nothing is spectacular - everything is natural and real. There is no distortion, no matter what you throw at it. This is honest reproduction. They make bad recordings sound bad and bring out the very best in the stars of your collection. Recordings that you know better than your wife, will suddenly have added elements. Others that you pass by (you know, all these ones on the shelf that you never listen to?), they suddenly come to life. There are not enough hours in the day - you have to sleep sometime!
These phones are for the long haul. They will just get better, the more you play. There is no fear here. You suddenly realise that for years you have been making allowances for bits of recordings that previous kit could not quite handle. These phones are a match for everything in your collection. Be careful with the volume nob - your ears will bleed before these phones struggle!
It is early days yet and I still have so much more listening to do. In 10 years, when Sennheiser release the new HD1000's, I shall no doubt be at the head of the queue. It is difficult to imagine what they can seriously improve - but we've been saying that for 100 years! I suppose we're down to fractions of one percent now.
Should you buy these phones? If you really love your music, you owe it to yourself. If you have been using mediocur kit and want to really hear was recorded at that concert or in that studio - now's your chance. If you want to walk down the street with these plugged into your iPod (you'll need an adaptor!) you've got more money than sense! Yes, it's a big investment (not to mention the kit you really need to appreciate them) but the end result can take you places you never knew existed!
Go for it - and tell me how you got on!
Happy listening
Douglas Macnaughtan ([...]) |
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