[Sennheiser]

When our friend and sound designer @ericpalonen asked us to "pretty please?" spend some extended time with the HD 820, his reasoning was pretty straightforward: "I think it is one of the best-kept wide-open secrets. Oh, and no pun intended."

Since its launch, the HD 820 has found a home with two particular groups of listeners—those that want the DNA of the 800 series in a closed format, and those that prefer closed headphones but are looking to upgrade the generally-predictable closed-back experience. After (finally) getting to know it inside and out, here are his six reasons to consider putting it into your own rotation.



Fellow HD 820 users: are they your go-to cans or task-specific (late-night listening, at work, etc)? Are you using them for their closed properties or open traits? We'd love to know what attracted you to our TOTL closed-backs, or if you're curious, what's on your mind!

 

[killaHz]

How many of the reasons are "we've got all this inventory we need to unload?"

 

[tkddans]

I would love to try one someday. The 800S is at the top of my collection. Long time personal favorite.

I really wonder how I would like the 820. Too bad I can’t afford it right now!

EDIT: That being said, if a review unit could be loaned for a review…

 

[fm540i]

I’d love to try them. How about a par to demo for a week.

 

[Garak]

Let me try guessing without watching the video

1. paperweight
2. something to throw at home intruder
3. something to trick family members into believing all audiophile gear is of equal quality and leaving the rest of your headphones alone
4. they look great on dogs
5. breaking them will actually make you smile
6. you don't need to worry about source gear because it wont help

 

[bflat]

If your head shape is rectangular like the guy in the video, it seals wonderfully. Other head shapes are difficult to get a sufficient seal and yes, it does need to seal.

 

[viffer]

Let me try guessing without watching the video

1. paperweight
2. something to throw at home intruder
3. something to trick family members into believing all audiophile gear is of equal quality and leaving the rest of your headphones alone
4. they look great on dogs
5. breaking them will actually make you smile
6. you don't need to worry about source gear because it wont help

Do you own them and if so, for how long?
Or did you just read some negative reviews mentioning the infamous midrange dip and didn’t even bother to try them?
I have own them for two years and as closed back headphones at this price range go, I am very happy with them

 

[Garak]

Do you own them and if so, for how long?
Or did you just read some negative reviews mentioning the infamous midrange dip and didn’t even bother to try them?
I have own them for two years and as closed back headphones at this price range go, I am very happy with them

I've demod them 4-5 times. Twice at a store, and several times at a friends house. Sorry I don't like your headphone, but I'm glad you're happy with them.

 

[viffer]

I've demod them 4-5 times. Twice at a store, and several times at a friends house. Sorry I don't like your headphone, but I'm glad you're happy with them.

Well, you have not actually listened to mine so, you can’t really say you don’t like my headphones.
Does your friend still own them? If so, he obviously likes them too.
Perhaps owning them, listening on a daily basis and assessing them for what they are (closed back headphones) instead of comparing them with open back equivalents, will help you get a clearer picture as to what they can do and they are not designed for.

 

[Steve1976]

Hopefully the true HD800S successor is just around the corner.

 

[Garak]

Well, you have not actually listened to mine so, you can’t really say you don’t like my headphones.
Does your friend still own them? If so, he obviously likes them too.
Perhaps owning them, listening on a daily basis and assessing them for what they are (closed back headphones) instead of comparing them with open back equivalents, will help you get a clearer picture as to what they can do and they are not designed for.

You make a lot of assumptions. I own a Verite Closed, which is, you know, a closed back headphone. Also only $100 more than the 820, making it "in its price range". It also retains value much better, which technically makes it cheaper to own.

But again, I'm sure your pair is really special, I'm glad you love it.

 

[ericpalonen]

How many of the reasons are "we've got all this inventory we need to unload?"

Zero. I approached them about it. Hoping more and more members looking for a focused headphone with gobs of detail can try it. Continues to grow on me, too. Cheers!

 

[viffer]

You make a lot of assumptions. I own a Verite Closed, which is, you know, a closed back headphone. Also only $100 more than the 820, making it "in its price range". It also retains value much better, which technically makes it cheaper to own.

But again, I'm sure your pair is really special, I'm glad you love it.

Nothing special about my set, I am sure if you were to try mine, they would sound just as ordinary and unworthy of your “specially trained, real audiophile ears” as your friend set or the one you tried in the shop.
You like your Verite, I like my HD820 difference is, I don’t go about dissing other makes or models just because i happen not to like their particular signature. You have a good whatever time of day is in your time zone

 

[Garak]

Nothing special about my set, I am sure if you were to try mine, they would sound just as ordinary and unworthy of your “specially trained, real audiophile ears” as your friend set or the one you tried in the shop.
You like your Verite, I like my HD820 difference is, I don’t go about dissing other makes or models just because i happen not to like their particular signature. You have a good whatever time of day is in your time zone

Yes, you just go about dissing the people. A true gentleman!

 

[ericpalonen]

Perhaps owning them, listening on a daily basis and assessing them for what they are (closed back headphones) instead of comparing them with open back equivalents, will help you get a clearer picture as to what they can do and they are not designed for.

A/B comparisons are what us audiophiles naturally do (over and over), but I agree it was much more rewarding to let them just grow their roots. Otherwise it's truly apples to oranges and drawing a line between open and closed is rarely direct. Glad you are enjoying yours, too! Please share some of your favorite 820 tracks if you care to.