For greater than a decade, the Sennheiser HD800 have been the gold normal in reference-grade headphones. With excellent readability and an enormous soundstage, they’re the go-to choice for producers, performers, and audiophiles searching for the very best headphones cash can purchase.
However at $1,699 (£1,149, AU$1,899), they’re not precisely what we take into account inexpensive.
The excellent news is, because of audio retailer Drop, you’ll be able to virtually get the identical precise headphones with some minor tweaks for $1,100 as an alternative.
Drop despatched us a pair to check to see if we might spot any distinction between the 2 and, dozens of audio tracks later, we actually can’t.
Why are the Sennheiser HD800 so good?
Ask any audiophile about Sennheiser they usually’ll record dozen-or-so the reason why the German audio producer is so good. Largely, nevertheless, it comes right down to Sennheiser’s years of expertise crafting audio merchandise, the way in which the model listens to consumer suggestions, and its consideration to element.
The HD800 and its extra trendy successor, the HD800S, symbolize just about the top of Sennheiser’s efforts. Sure, you technically can purchase costlier headphones, however the HD800 have turn into the gold normal and benchmark for nearly all different high-end headphones.
These open-back cans are inbuilt such a technique to let you critically consider music. They’ve a deal with the midrange and highs whereas nonetheless countering sibilance. There’s not an excruciating quantity of bass – which could make them much less interesting for some – however that enables the headphones to be almost distortion-free at any quantity.
Lastly, they’ve a large soundstage. This time period has numerous interpretations and meanings relying on who you ask, however most take into account it to be the flexibility for music to sound prefer it’s being performed dwell and immerse the listener in such a method that they will hear the place specific devices are within the combine. It sounds a bit hokey, nevertheless it’s one thing that you would be able to truly hear with the appropriate sound gear.
There’s no denying that they’re good headphones – however for his or her common value, they had been all the time simply out of attain.
What’s the take care of Drop’s HD8XX mannequin?
Enter the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX, a custom-built pair of headphones based mostly on the HD800S. It’s one in all a number of headphones that Drop and Sennheiser have collaborated on (there’s additionally an HD6XX mannequin that we’re at present testing), which guarantees to cut down the worth whereas nonetheless retaining all of the qualities audiophiles love.
A number of of the HD800S’s specs present up within the HD8XX, together with the 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz frequency response and 0.02 % complete harmonic distortion. The headphones even have a 300-ohm impedance, which implies that you’ll want an amp of some type to drive them as nicely.
The development of the headphones stays nice, and regardless of their massive measurement, they match comfortably on our ears for hours on finish.
Whereas they’re not precisely one-to-one replicas of the Sennheiser HD800 headphones (Drop says that it has modified the tuning barely because of group suggestions), by and enormous, you’re shopping for almost the identical headphones for lots much less.
Ought to these be your first high-end headphones?
At simply over a grand, there’s going to be a number of temptation to make these your very first pair of high-end headphones. Whereas they’re nearly actually going to be a giant soar from what you’ve been listening to, right here’s what it is best to learn about headphones like these before you purchase.
For one, headphones like these require an amp to drive – your cellphone or motherboard in your pc merely gained’t be highly effective sufficient to make them audible. Amps and DACs are bought in many various varieties however, when you don’t have one, be ready to drop at the least one other $200 on one to ensure you’re arrange for achievement.
The opposite problem first-timers may need with the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX is that they’re open-back headphones – which means they let a number of sound in and a number of sound out. Audiophiles don’t thoughts that as a result of we’re usually squirreled away in our listening rooms away from any distractions, however people may need headphones that can be utilized once they’re out and about both on public transportation or in an workplace setting.
Lastly, and this can be a small caveat, these headphones don’t terminate in a regular 3.5mm cable – however slightly a 6.35 mm (1/4″) TRS single-ended plug. It’s the type that you just see electrical guitars utilizing and gained’t match into a regular audio jack. You’ll be able to, in fact, purchase an affordable converter on websites like Amazon, nevertheless it gained’t change the truth that you’ll nonetheless want a number of energy to drive them correctly.
All that being stated, we wouldn’t advocate these on your very first audiophile-grade headphones when you don’t know what you’re entering into. Nonetheless, if these are your second pair and also you’re able to make the soar to some critically high-fidelity music listening, then the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX is your discounted entry ticket.