Sennheiser HD 800 S

New take on a timeless classic

The HD 800 over-the-ear headphones have been Sennheiser's flagship model for over half a decade. Trust me, that's real staying power in the headphone world. And the fact that they not only still exist, but are still well-loved by Crutchfield customers and audiophiles everywhere speaks volumes to their stellar quality. It also means when Sennheiser created the HD 800 S headphones to improve on the original, they didn't take the updates lightly — if you're going to mess with this kind of success, it better be worth it.

The result of their efforts? A fresh new look and an even more natural sound that reveals the absolute finest of music details... a new Sennheiser flagship.

Updated drivers for optimal clarity

Rather than reinvent the wheel, these open-back 'phones use much of the shape and design of the original, including the unique positioning of the drivers. Sound waves are sent to your ears at a 45° angle, creating a spatial, three-dimensional effect. The 56mm sound transducers — the largest found in any dynamic driver headphones — are also a pretty good starting point. Air moves freely, and rather than "between the ears" sound, your music surrounds you like a set of speakers.

To further fine-tune the sound in HD 800 S, Sennheiser used an innovative driver absorber technology. The acoustical absorber reduces distortion for smoother highs and more nuanced bass. It prevents sharp treble peaks and loud bass from overtaking more subtle sounds, making your tunes sound crystal-clear and true to the recording.

Built with care, from the finest materials

Sennheiser assembles the HD 800 S headphones at their German headquarters with some of the same strong, lightweight materials used to make aircrafts. The drivers are protected by stainless steel, and the headband uses layers of metal and plastic to help dampen vibration. Earcups are oversized, but the weight is distributed so they feel light. And plush, microfiber earpads ensure the fit is first class.

Two high-quality cables included

Another new addition to the HD 800 S is a cable terminated by a balanced 4.4mm connector, for optimum performance with a headphone amplifier like Sennheiser's HDV 820. You also get a cable terminated by a standard full-size 1/4" plug like the one included in the original HD 800. Both have oxygen-free copper center conductors for accurate signal transmission without interference.

The Sennheiser HD 800 S headphones need the power of a headphone amplifier to reach their full — incredibly high — potential.