[Evshrug]

Please share some of your favorite 820 tracks if you care to.

I made a playlist of tracks I like with the HD 820! The ones I picked mainly show off how much soundstage it has for a closed headphone, the clarity in the highs, how it has richer sub bass than the HD 800S, or just because I felt the track was well mastered or fun

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sennheiser-headphone-synergy-playlists.956900/post-16619135

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

Sennheiser did start a review tour of the HD 820, and will loan them out for TWO weeks, not just one! The only thing is that they want to read your review style, so maybe you can join after you put up at least one review onto your Head Gear Reviews section of Head-Fi.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sennheiser-hd-820-review-tour.960588/post-16655568

I Think the real question that should be asked is; how can the HD820 be considered a true closed back headphone, like the Beyerdynamic T5P and Fostex TH900? I mean is the little window that covers the back of the drivers soundproof? since it's glass I reckon there must surely be some sound leakage?!

The glass is solid, dense, and well dampened; only very low frequencies can pass through the material, though that same truth applies to any solid material. It’s mainly there because it’s even better than plastic, and then it’s shaped with a curve to reflect the back waves from the driver to the sides and some sound traps built into the headphone. There are some bass tubes built into the cups that are critical for tuning the bass, but leave the highs unaffected. The HD 820 was a project that was years in development, and it was quite carefully considered.

Short version: it’s as soundproof as the glass in a recording studio!

 

[ericpalonen]

I Think the real question that should be asked is; how can the HD820 be considered a true closed back headphone, like the Beyerdynamic T5P and Fostex TH900? I mean is the little window that covers the back of the drivers soundproof? since it's glass I reckon there must surely be some sound leakage?!

Great question! A "true" closed headphone is any one that has a sealed design via it's earcups and housing. On paper, creating a closed headphone has very few requirements, actually. Closed headphones have many "sub-genres" if you will, almost always by application: travel headphones, studio headphones, gaming, etc. With regards to Hi-Fi, the 820 certainly has an advantage over an open back model when it comes to sound transmission beyond the seal, really shining when you want some additional focus due to the challenges of noisy neighbors, others in the household watching TV loudly, and distracting noises like running water, footsteps, coworkers, etc. But I would not think of it as a studio headphone for use near a microphone to record vocals, for example. Different application here.

At louder volumes even the best sealed headphones will resonate, regardless of materials used. In-ears are the best option for the least amount of leakage as they're moving the least amount of air. "Soundproofing" can be achieved by almost any material as long as it is dense enough too slow the transmission of sound, but when we are talking about a headphone that needs to be comfortable and wearable, there can only be so much of any one or combination of materials. Most headphone manufacturers rely on a mixture of materials to achieve comfort while minimizing sound transmission as much as possible given the application. In this application the Gorilla Glass reflectors are indeed sealed via their coupling, but they're intended application is a reflector first. Thx for the Q!

(Edited for early morning auto-corrects)

 

[adydula]

I had the hd 800's here for a few days and IMO just too thin etc....sent back. Years later of trying, buying and selling, I have a D8000 Pro, ADX 5000 and HD 650.
The D8000 Pro is very, very nice, heavy but worth the weght....the ADX 5000 is what the HD 800 should have been to me. Light, open, good bass, soundstage etc...
But I have never tried the HD 820's and are willing to give them a try....

Like the ADX 5000's these are often looked over for several reasons...no exotic woods cups, a mediocre review, cost comparison to other cans.

The only thing I dont like is the 4.4 balanced connector...sorry old school I want the 4 pin XLR.....these smaller connectors are just to weak for me.

Hope to try these soon!!

Merry Christmas!

Alex

 

[Steven31]

Great question! A "true" closed headphone is any one that has a sealed design via it's earcups and housing. On paper, creating a closed headphone has very few requirements, actually. Closed headphones I have many "sub-genres" if you will, almost always by application: travel headphones, studio headphones, gaming, etc. With regards to Hi-Fi, the 820 certainly has an advantage over an open back model when it comes to sound transmission beyond the seal, really shining when you want some additional focus due to the challenges of noisy neighbors, others in the household watching TV loudly, and distracting noises like running water, footsteps, coworkers, etc. But I would not think of it as a studio headphone for use near a microphone to record vocals, for example. Different application here.

At louder volumes even the best sealed headphones will resonate, regardless of materials used. In-ears are the best option for the least amount of leakage as they're moving the least amount of air. "Soundproofing" can be achieved by almost any material as long as it is dense enough too slow the transmission of sound, but when we are talking about a headphone that needs to be comfortable and wearable, there can only be so much of any one or combination of materials. Most headphone manufacturers rely on a mixture of materials to achieve comfort while minimizing sound transmission as much as possible given the application. In this application the Gorilla Glass reflectors are indeed sealed via their coupling, but they're intended application is a reflector first. Thx for the Q!

Thank you for your very detailed reply. Very kind of you,
Cheers.

 

[tkddans]

I made a playlist of tracks I like with the HD 820! The ones I picked mainly show off how much soundstage it has for a closed headphone, the clarity in the highs, how it has richer sub bass than the HD 800S, or just because I felt the track was well mastered or fun

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sennheiser-headphone-synergy-playlists.956900/post-16619135


Sennheiser did start a review tour of the HD 820, and will loan them out for TWO weeks, not just one! The only thing is that they want to read your review style, so maybe you can join after you put up at least one review onto your Head Gear Reviews section of Head-Fi.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sennheiser-hd-820-review-tour.960588/post-16655568


The glass is solid and the resonant frequency is above human hearing; only very low frequencies can pass through the material, though that same truth applies to any solid material. It’s mainly there because it’s even better than plastic, and then it’s shaped with a curve to reflect the back waves from the driver to the sides and some sound traps built into the headphone. There are some bass tubes built into the cups that are critical for tuning the bass, but leave the highs unaffected. The HD 820 was a project that was years in development, and it was quite carefully considered.

Short version: it’s as soundproof as the glass in a recording studio!

Ahh I see. I don’t tend to type up reviews anymore on the forum’s review section (I post in the threads usually) as I share reviews on my YouTube channel. I hope they see that as coverage enough to lend me one.

 

[Another Audiophile]

Actually I will look to find a HD820 review unit and do a formal review comparing it to my personal HD800S and other close back headphones. I think what has been going one with this headphone is unfair and exaggerated.

 

[Beagle]

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

Are you here for a particular reason? Or just to troll?

 

[RobertSM]

That's unfortunate. I've known Eric for almost a decade now, and he's a devoted husband, loving father, an all-around great guy, and especially fun(ny) in real life. He's always been candid with me about Sennheiser products that he's liked, as well as Sennheiser products that he didn't like (looking at you there Urbanite ), and I've come to appreciate that over the years. Also, he raps.

I apologize. I didn't mean to be so cold toward your friend. I usually try to not make this very personal hobby so personal.

 

[warrenpchi]

I apologize. I didn't mean to be so cold toward your friend. I usually try to not make this very personal hobby so personal.

Please, no apologies needed. You shared what you honestly thought, as did I.

 

[FastAndClean]

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

very

 

[joshnor713]

Always felt bad for Sennheiser with this headphone. Sure there's people that don't like how it sounds, just like all headphones, but it became popularized to bash this one.

I adore my 820. It was one of my best buys in audio. My 2 cents is for people to only listen to folks who have tried it (hopefully without bias going into it) and to try it yourself before coming to a conclusion.

 

[ericpalonen]

Always felt bad for Sennheiser with this headphone. Sure there's people that don't like how it sounds, just like all headphones, but it became popularized to bash this one.

I adore my 820. It was one of my best buys in audio. My 2 cents is for people to only listen to folks who have tried it (hopefully without bias going into it) and to try it yourself before coming to a conclusion.

The speculation is hilariously off base but those who know, know. Glad you're enjoying it!

Still have your CX 300-B ?

 

[joshnor713]

Still have your CX 300-B ?

I do, and it still works perfectly! It was my first "real" pair of headphones that kicked off the hobby, so will always hold it dear

 

[Art Garfunkel]

Sennheiser's consumer brand was acquired recently so I can't blame the new holder for promoting the products that may have fallen through the cracks. Might they have made some small adjustments that would warrant a reboot?

 

[ericpalonen]

I do, and it still works perfectly! It was my first "real" pair of headphones that kicked off the hobby, so will always hold it dear

Amazing! Fun side story: The "-B" suffix was actually an accident, but stuck and became part of the product's equity as the customer-facing product name. It was originally just an internal suffix for catalog ordering in order to indicate the color of the actual model number "CX 300". (you may recall there was a "-W" and "-S" as well, but the black version was always king).