Sennheiser HD 800 S & HDV 820 – a £3500 combo

You may remember in August of last year, we published an article looking at three ‘entry level audiophile' headphones – all around the £150 mark. Well, today we are at the opposite end of the spectrum, as I have upgraded my audio setup with the Sennheiser HD 800 S headphone and the HDV 820 amplifier – a combination that will set you back just under £3500.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

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Specification:

• Color: black
• Wearing style: Headband
• Impedance: 300 Ω
• Audio-XLR connector: XLR4
• Frequency response: 4 – 51,000 Hz (-10 dB)
• THD, total harmonic distortion: 0.02 % (1 kHz 1 Vrms)
• Contact pressure: ~ 3,4 N (± 0,3 N)
• Ear coupling: Circumaural
• Jack plug: 6.3mm/ XLR4
• Cable length: 3m
• Transducer principle: Dynamic Open
• Weight w/o cable: 330 g

We first looked at the HD 800 S headphone in April 2016, when we published a full review of Sennheiser's flagship model. It is a beautifully crisp and clear headphone, with an incredible amount of detail to the treble that is still presented in a smooth, non-fatiguing manner. I even reckon it is great for gaming thanks to the immense soundstage which translates really well in PUBG, for instance.

You can buy it for £1399.99 directly from Sennheiser.

Pros

• Beautifully detailed treble that is not at all sharp or sibilant.
• Clear, transparent mid-range.
• Sub-bass extension is excellent.
• Huge soundstage.
• 4-pin XLR and 1/4in cables included.

Cons

• It is £1399.99.

Sennheiser HDV 820

Specification:

• Dimensions: Approx. 224 x 44 x 306 mm
• Frequency response: < 10 Hz to > 100 kHz
• THD, total harmonic distortion: < 0.001 %
• Weight: Approx. 2.25 kg
• Power consumption: Nominal 12 W (2 x 300 Ω headphones connected to the 4.4 mm outputs)
• Gain: UNBAL input/XLR-4 output:  Adjustable 14 dB, 22 dB, 30 dB, 38 dB, 46 dB. BAL input/XLR-4 output: 16 dB
• Operating voltage (mains): 100 – 240 V ~, 50 – 60 Hz
• Dynamic range: > 115 dB @ 600 Ω load (A-weighted)

Sennheiser's top-end amplifier, the HDV 820 is nothing short of a beast. It is very well made thanks to its anodised aluminium panels, while it sports a total of four headphone outputs. There is also a huge range of input options, including USB, optical, coaxial, balanced XLR and RCA. With a very clean and refined sound, it makes for a fabulous partner to the HD 800 S as the headphone's natural detail is only enhanced by the HDV 820.

You can buy it for £2099.99 directly from Sennheiser.

Pros

• Clean, neutral sound presentation.
• Four headphone outputs.
• More inputs than you could possibly need.
• Very well built.
• Looks very sleek and minimalistic.

Cons

• It is £2099.99.

KitGuru says: It is not a cheap headphone/amp combo by any means – but the HD 800 S paired with the HDV 820 makes for an absolutely incredible sonic experience.

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