Sennheiser HD 820

The reviewer is highly impressed with the Sennheiser HD 820, praising its unique closed-back design that delivers an open-back-like soundstage, excellent instrument separation, and comfortable listening at high volumes. Despite the steep $2400 price, he considers it a premium experience and a top-tier choice for studio use, though he notes it's not for casual or portable listening.

The reviewer finds the Sennheiser HD 820 to be a visually striking and comfortable closed-back headphone with an impressively wide soundstage and excellent treble detail, but criticizes its lack of isolation, plasticky build, and a severely recessed midrange that robs music of life and impact. He concludes it's only enjoyable for those specifically seeking its V-shaped signature, and questions its value and use case at its high price.

The reviewer compares the Sony Z1R and Sennheiser HD 820, finding the HD 820 superior in soundstage, imaging, and treble detail, but heavily criticizing its recessed and lifeless mid-range. He prefers the Z1R for its more complete, rich, and enjoyable sound, and believes the HD 820 is overpriced at $2,400, suggesting it would be fairer at around $1,000.

The reviewer finds the HD 820 to be a visually stunning closed-back headphone that retains much of the HD 800's expansive soundstage and detailed treble, but it suffers from a bass that is not clean and can become distorted, along with occasional piercing treble peaks. While not a bad headphone, the reviewer believes it is overpriced and that other closed-back options offer better performance for the money.

The reviewer compares the Sennheiser HD 820 to other high-end closed-back headphones, finding it a comfortable and well-built closed-back option with more bass than the HD 800S, but noting it sounds like a closed headphone and is less open and balanced than the HD 800S. He concludes the HD 820 is a good choice for those prioritizing comfort and sound quality in a closed-back design, but the HD 800S is better for accuracy and openness.

The reviewer compares the Sennheiser HD 820 to the HD 800 and HD 800S, finding the HD 820 to be a closed-back alternative with a more recessed and colored midrange, a nasal timbre, and reduced treble air, while offering better sub-bass presence and a more secure fit. Overall, the HD 820 is seen as a step down in sound quality compared to its open-back siblings, with a less natural and engaging presentation.