Sennheiser HD800S too expensive? These nearly identical headphones cost $600 less

Date:
Wed, 16 Feb 2022 19:13:26 +0000

Description:
The gold standard in reference audio is pricey but audio retailer Drop has
an almost identical model thats $600 cheaper.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

For more than a decade, the Sennheiser HD800 have been the gold standard in reference-grade headphones. With outstanding clarity and a massive
soundstage, theyre the go-to option for producers, performers, and
audiophiles looking for the absolute best headphones money can buy.

But at $1,699 (1,149, AU$1,899), theyre not exactly what we consider affordable.

The good news is, thanks to audio retailer Drop , you can practically get the same exact headphones with some minor tweaks for $1,100 instead.

Drop sent us a pair to test to see if we could spot any difference between
the two and, dozens of audio tracks later, we really cant. Why are the Sennheiser HD800 so good?

Ask any audiophile about Sennheiser and theyll list dozen-or-so reasons why the German audio manufacturer is so good. Mostly, however, it comes down to Sennheisers years of experience crafting audio products, the way the brand listens to user feedback, and its attention to detail.

The HD800 and its more modern successor, the HD800S, represent pretty much
the pinnacle of Sennheisers efforts. Yes, you technically can buy more expensive headphones, but the HD800 have become the gold standard and benchmark for almost all other high-end headphones.

These open-back cans are built in such a way to allow you to critically evaluate music. They have a focus on the midrange and highs while still countering sibilance. Theres not an excruciating amount of bass - which might make them less appealing for some - but that allows the headphones to be nearly distortion-free at any volume.

Finally, they have a wide soundstage. This term has various interpretations and meanings depending on who you ask, but most consider it to be the ability for music to sound like its being played live and immerse the listener in
such a way that they can hear where particular instruments are in the mix. It sounds a bit hokey, but its something that you can actually hear with the right sound equipment.

Theres no denying that theyre good headphones - but for their regular price, they were always just out of reach. (Image credit: Drop) Whats the deal with Drops HD8XX model?

Enter the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX, a custom-built pair of headphones based
on the HD800S. Its one of several headphones that Drop and Sennheiser have collaborated on (theres also an HD6XX model that were currently testing), which promises to chop down the price while still retaining all the qualities audiophiles love.

Several of the HD800Ss specs show up in the HD8XX, including the 4 Hz 51,000 Hz frequency response and 0.02 % total harmonic distortion. The headphones also have a 300-ohm impedance, which means that youll need an amp of some
sort to drive them as well.

The construction of the headphones remains great, and despite their large size, they fit comfortably on our ears for hours on end.

While theyre not exactly one-to-one replicas of the Sennheiser HD800 headphones (Drop says that it has changed the tuning slightly due to
community feedback), by and large, youre buying nearly the same headphones
for a lot less. (Image credit: Drop) Should these be your first high-end headphones?

At just over a grand, theres going to be a lot of temptation to make these your very first pair of high-end headphones. While they're almost certainly going to be a big jump from what youve been listening to, heres what you should know about headphones like these before you buy.

For one, headphones like these require an amp to drive - your phone or motherboard on your computer simply wont be powerful enough to make them audible. Amps and DACs are sold in many different forms but, if you dont have one, be prepared to drop at least another $200 on one to make sure youre set up for success.

The other issue first-timers might have with the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX is that theyre open-back headphones - meaning they let a lot of sound in and a lot of sound out. Audiophiles dont mind that because were typically
squirreled away in our listening rooms away from any distractions, but other folks might want headphones that can be used when theyre out and about either on public transportation or in an office setting.

Finally, and this is a small caveat, these headphones dont terminate in a standard 3.5mm cable - but rather a 6.35 mm (1/4") TRS single-ended plug. Its the kind that you see electric guitars using and wont fit into a standard audio jack. You can, of course, buy a cheap converter on sites like Amazon, but it wont change the fact that youll still need a lot of power to drive
them properly.

All that being said, we wouldnt recommend these for your very first audiophile-grade headphones if you dont know what youre getting into.
However, if these are your second pair and youre ready to make the jump to some seriously high-fidelity music listening, then the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX is your discounted entry ticket. Looking for some portable power? Check out our guide to the best portable DACs



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/sennheiser-hd800s-too-expensive-these-nearly-id entical-headphones-cost-dollar600-less/


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