Image © SennheiserMore than 60 years of ingenious headphone engineering has been applied into the new HD 800. Incorporating Sennheiser's most advanced driver technology, these open, circum-aural dynamic stereo headphones redefine what reference-level audio is all about. You will form an altogether new height of sonic perspective as you experience a high-fidelity natural hearing experience.
The Sennheiser HD 800 is an open-back, over-ear headphone renowned for its expansive soundstage and exceptional detail, achieved through a large 56 mm dynamic driver and angled transducer design. It delivers a highly neutral, low-distortion frequency response, though it demands a powerful amplifier and offers no noise isolation. While priced at a premium, its reference-grade performance and comfort have made it a benchmark for audiophile listening since 2009.
Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.
| Driver | 56 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
| Frequency response | 14 Hz - 44.1 kHz |
| Impedance | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 102 |
| Driver | 56 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
| Frequency response | 14 Hz - 44.1 kHz |
| Impedance | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 102 |
| Active noise cancelling | No |
|---|
| Weight | 330 g |
|---|---|
| Detachable cable | Yes |
| USB-C | No |
| Connector | 6.35 mm |
| Balanced connection | Yes |
4 source(s) feeding this product's score.
Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.
Reviewers agree the Sennheiser HD 800 offers exceptional soundstage, imaging, and build quality, but they diverge on its usability: most found the treble harsh or sibilant and the sound highly dependent on amplification, while one also noted weak sub-bass and comfort fading after two hours.
23:41The reviewer finds the Sennheiser HD 800 to be a very good but highly amplifier-dependent headphone, with sound that changes drastically across different amps and sources. They note it is comfortable and well-built, but the treble can be harsh on solid-state amps and the bass varies, making it hard to love universally. Ultimately, they say it is not the pinnacle of headphones and that buyers should audition it on their own system before committing.
16:17The reviewer finds the Sennheiser HD 800 to be a highly controversial headphone with exceptional soundstage, imaging, and midrange tonality, but it suffers from piercing sibilance in the treble, a lack of sub-bass, and comfort issues after about two hours. He concludes that while it has impressive qualities, the stock tuning and limitations make it a difficult recommendation for him personally.
Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.
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