The Sennheiser HD 800 S are a better critical listening headphone than the Sennheiser HD 820. HD800 S vs HD800 S Anniversary Edition Frequency Response GRN/RED = HD800 S Anniversary Edition GRY= HD800 S Flate Plate Coupler (no comp) The big question is of course, does it do what that very famous headphone has been able to do, just with a closed-back design. Like any non-neutral set of cans, the ear becomes more accustomed to the HD820’s presentation the longer you listen to it, making it easier to appreciate its strengths. Post navigation ← Audeze LCD-4 vs LCD-3, HD800 & HD800s. Sennheiser HD 800 S $ 1,490. The low frequencies of the Focal Stellia and Sennheiser HD 820 are quite different from each other. I own both HD800S and HD820. Both the Sennheiser HD 820 and the Sennheiser HD 800 S have slight, subtle boosts in their low frequencies. Befitting its extra cost, Sennheiser has included three cables (rather than the HD800S’s two) with the HD820: an unbalanced 1/4-inch stereo cable, a balanced XLR-4 cable, and a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn cable. Like any daring and controversial deviation from neutrality, the pros and cons of the HD820’s unique presentation become apparent very quickly. Both headphones high frequency responses have a very similar vibe, it’s just that the HD 800 S tilts up. Since then, Josh has listened to lots of music, owned lots of gear, and done lots of book learnin'. The HD800 definitely are bright. Like the HD800S, the HD820’s clamping force is minimal, and with proper adjustment both the HD820 and HD800S are comfortable over long listening sessions. They asked, “Okay… so what’s the difference between these and the Sennheiser HD 800 S?.” It’s a valid question too. So, just as Sennheiser has nearly perfected its flagship open can by revising the HD800 into the HD800S, it’s also introduced a technically impressive but tonally flawed top-of-the-line closed can in the HD820. These boosted highs are super even so they maintain the same character as the HD 820, whose highs are a light boost but are also quite even, even borderline neutral sounding. The German company has taken what was a … The HD 800 S is the result of Sennheiser following its users' example. Lastly, both headphones’ earcups house the connector for the cables. Cyrus Audio Announces the New XR Series Amplifiers, Cambridge Audio to Release Melomania Touch True Wireless In Ear Headphone. The string section on the HD800S gets a bit more of a "outside of the head" experience compared to the HD820. On the other, you have a pretty convincing piece of evidence for the other side of the argument: the last DAC/amp Sennheiser designed was attached to the Sennheiser HE-1 ($55,000), claimed by some to be the world's best sounding headphone system. The sound coming out of the back of the unit reflects off the curved glass and is directed towards sound-absorbing chambers, so avoiding the downsides of a closed design (in theory at least). Contact: steph@majorhifi.com, Sennheiser HD 820 vs Sennheiser HD 800 S Comparison Review. The price of the HD800S is a lot higher though. The Sennheiser HD800S is the ‘new & improved’ version of the original HD800, a sound revelation which revolutionized headphone audio when released in early 2009.. Now over six years later comes the updated HD 800S touting improvements in bass response, along with a hip black color scheme and an XLR-4 cord for use with balanced-drive headphone amps. However, the HD 800 S has much thinner pads than the HD 820. They also have a larger soundstage thanks to their open-back design. No EQ. Could Sennheiser capture the HD800S series sound in a closed back design? Keeping with The Who, the Mobile Fidelity mastering of Quadrophenia presents that somewhat murky mix at its best. On the other hand, the ridged piece of the HD 800 S is super thin and pliable. While the HD800S is still a slightly bass-light headphone, its low end has enough heft to render Moon’s kick drum and John Entwistle’s bass accurately. Physically, the HD820 also resembles the HD800S. The HD820 is more noticeable on the head – not in a bad way – just more acutely aware of its presence. On the other hand, the Sennheiser HD 820 centers more so in the middle of the height domain, with the height stretching up for particularly high frequency instruments and parts of the mix. In his 2018 CanJam presentation, Grell graphed the frequency response of the HD800S and the HD820, which was still just a prototype at the time, to illustrate how the HD820’s response would deviate from the HD800S’s. Sennheiser HD 800 S. Why is Focal Clear better than Sennheiser HD 800 S? While the dip seems to accentuate the instrumental separation and reduce muddiness with well-recorded, well-mixed material, the HD820’s unique frequency response makes some sonically less-than-stellar material even cloudier. Josh is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Virginia, where he teaches classes on modern U.S. politics and the history of popular music. Also very apparent in the measurements is the HD820’s bass quantity. The Sennheiser HD800s still seems the standard which people judge headphones by, although I notice that there are some high end closed back by Sennheiser now (HD820 at 2K), I personally didn't get on with the Focal's but this is a really personal thing due to fit and weight. Additionally, there is more body to the frame of the earcup of the HD 820. To my delight, it turns out the new Sennheiser HDV 820 is the genuine article. Both the Sennheiser HD 820 and the Sennheiser HD 800 S are available for the best price here: To save 10% on your first purchase at Audio46, use code “majorhifi” at checkout. Both the headphone and amp are German-made and are available for $2,400 USD each (or $3500 and $3000 respectively in AUD). Their coated in the same microfiber coating as the headband. Interesting review, looking forward to more. Introduction. In addition to longform written reviews, he also handles the MajorHiFi Youtube channel. The HD 800 S has a natural sounding frequency response. The HDV 820 is one hell of a versatile headphone amplifier on its own regardless of your choice of cans though. As the piano and drums kick in, the impressive bass slam of the HD820 becomes obvious, but so does its somewhat disjoined presentation. (While I put the HD820 and HD800S through the paces using a variety of music, from jazz to pop to rock, I was in a Who mood when writing this review, so the examples in this review will be drawn from their early-‘70s catalog.). Around the earpad, they’re made of leather. That’s even more true when those headphones come with the HD820’s hefty price tag. Sennheiser has clearly made the HD 800 S to address the one major criticism that was consistently levelled at the HD 800, that their treble can sound a little harsh. Josh Mound has been an audiophile since age 14, when his father played Spirit's "Natures Way" through his Boston Acoustics floorstanders and told Josh to listen closely. 00. Sly5thAve - Still D.R.E: The strings at the very start are a little more coherent on the HD800S. For example, in the song Highways and Clouds by Amos Lee, his voice seems to sit more evenly in the mix when I was listening to the HD 800 S. However, the HD 820’s boost helps melodies in strings, pianos, synths (etc), especially in meaty arrangements, stay on top so they are easy to follow and don’t disappear in the thickness. While both have a sense of extension, the Stellia’s low end has more energy and level than the HD 820. In short, with the HD800S, Sennheiser has turned the flawed HD800 into a more balanced, more competent all-around headphone that now has to be the go-to set of cans for audiophiles seeking out the best detail and soundstage possible. Why was that? Lastly, both headbands have a soft, microfiber-coated padding. Nonetheless, the upper-bass/lower-mids dip of the HD820 clearly affects how it reproduces music. As a result, both headphones have a similar feel and response to transients and energy in the low frequencies. The HD820 uses the same 56-mm “ring radiator” as the HD800S. The Sennheiser HD 820 have a very deep and confident-sounding bass, with power and the right amount of reserve to sound accurate. But the HD800S corrects a lot of that, IMO. Both the Sennheiser HD 820 and the Sennheiser HD 800 S are awesome! It is a separate layer from the thicker frame around it. The Stellia’… Sennheiser HD800S review If sensational sound quality is your priority, these high-end headphones are worth an audition Tested at £1200. Both the Sennheiser HD 820 and the Sennheiser HD 800 S have earpads that follow the asymmetrical shape of their earcups. As a result, they are extremely comfortable and lightweight. Could this be the headphone that finally delivers a reference level, open back experience in a fully sealed, noise isolating design? In general, the biggest difference between the Sennheiser HD 820 and the Sennheiser HD 800 S is, of course, one has a closed-back design, and the other has an open-back design, respectively. Switching to the HD820, it’s immediately clear that Grell and his team at Sennheiser succeeded in one of their top goals, which was creating a closed set of cans with the soundstage of an open pair. For the HD820 (red) and HD800s (green) measurements below, my EARS were calibrated with a slightly modified version of Marv from SBAF’s compensation curve, where a flat frequency response is represented by a flat line: With the EARS, the the HD820’s upper-bass/lower-mids dip appears to be what the kids call “lorge.” However, the size of the dip as captured by the EARS is in line with other other measurements of the HD820. Sennheiser HD820 – close call. Exploring the differences between two awesome headphones! I think I weigh the Clear's "cleaner" bass performance more than you do. But the HD820’s elevated lower bass and upper-bass/lower-mids dip renders Quadrophenia a bassy mess. According to Grell, the aim of the HD820 was to create a “closed-type for audiophiles.”. However, the effect of the HD820’s dip on tonality is serious. On the other hand, they say higher neat my forehead and beyond with the HD 800 S. When the strings come in to aid in the climax, it comes as more of a shock with the HD 820. (I think I may have screwed up HD800 data because it was so long ago - I will revisit the above the post. I won’t dwell too much on the physical except to say that the 30g difference in weight isn’t very noticeable, but the added clamp definitely is. Sennheiser’s latest high-end headphones are a treat, and a clear step up from the standard version. By What Hi-Fi? In general, the biggest difference between the Sennheiser HD 820 and the Sennheiser HD 800 S is, of course, one has a closed-back design, and the other has an open-back design, respectively. 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