The Sennheiser HD 800: The First Listen, The First Review - Page 13

But I'm more than sure a certain 'markl' can do something about that

Anyway, OMG...

*droooooooooooools*

I too am out at CES in Las Vegas, where it is now after midnight. (I work in the video side of the consumer electronics business.) Purely by chance, I happened to see a Sennheiser HD800 on static display this evening. The Sennheiser rep declined to let me listen to them before the trade show opens on Thursday. However, I can add a few comments.

These are clearly 21st century headphones. They look quite slick in person, and the build quality appears to be excellent.

The Sennheiser rep told me that the engineers specifically chose not to use metal for the frame because of undesirable reverberations. The Leona plastic they chose is supposedly much better in that regard.

I was briefly able to try the HD800 on my head (not hooked up to any source). I thought the headband comfort was fantastic, but I wasn’t too keen on the earpads. (Of course, other users might feel differently.)

The physical size of the ear space is noticeably larger than the HD580/600/650. If you felt suffocated wearing those, the HD800 should be welcome relief.

The HD800 was amazingly transparent to outside sound. That is, with no source hooked up, it sounded almost like I wasn’t wearing any headphones at all.

The cable appears to be higher quality than the old HD600 series cable, and is said to be silver-plated copper. The cable connectors are definitely non-standard. They use two small pins recessed within round metal surrounds, rather than protruding from plastic as in the old design. The connectors seem much sturdier than the old style, and it might be a while before third party cable makers duplicate them.

I don't expect street prices to get below full MSRP until the HD800 supply exceeds demand. If Sennheiser really is hand making them in Germany, that could be a long wait.

Needless to say, I can’t wait to hear the HD800 at the show.

In any case, I think demand for hd6X0s will go up due to increased interest. Many including me hoped to get the 650 for cheaper with this release. Although a mini "westone 3 effect" may take place where more gear gets put priced to sell quick to save up for the "best of the best." Headphones, amps, dacs, cables, cash flying all over the place in a hd800 frenzy. Oh yeah, it's going to be a mess...I wish.

Awesome news! My wishes come though...
Looks like I am in for a Sennheiser, after all these years.

Very exciting news! I was just looking for a nice way to spend $1000+ I do not have, and now I found it. This is a must have.

I also really like the fact that they are 300ohm. Should mate well with the ZD.

This might be the first sennheiser I will actually buy

Yeah, would have been nicer to know about these before I dropped $1500 on some new electrostatics 1 week ago.

Same here Larry, but although I trust Jude, I'm gonna stand on the side-line to wait for a comparison between some Stax and this baby.

You bought the Jade, Larry?

No worries, I'm sure we'll find some room in there for these bad boys

Unfortunately, thats what happens when u dont wait long enough.

for my phone..i waited a long time before Sony Xperia was announced...it was nearly as i expected my next phone to be.

also sold off my iPhone 3G 16 gb within 2 weeks.

and now loving the phone.

I certainly did. The Jade should ship the third week of January. Will possibly sell my RS-1 to help pay down the HD800 Visa bill if these are as good as Jude says.

Looks butt-ugly compared to HD650s but if the sound truly is world-class, then $1400 isn't much. Who knows if this might be the next R10?

I put more stock in whether or not they're good enough for you than for Jude. We often hear things the same way.

Wowwww

Even with world-class sound, I hope to see woodies and recables and all that stuff for it here!