Sennheiser HD 800 S – Over Ear Open Back Wired Headphones

Sennheiser HD 800 S – Over Ear Open Back Wired Headphones

The audiophile headphones all others are measured against. With the development of the open dynamic HD 800 S headphones, Sennheiser's engineers have further enhanced the exceptionally natural sound reproduction of the standard-setting HD 800 reference headphones. The HD 800 S features a 56 mm Ring Radiator transducer with a 40 mm voice coil wound in-house, a patented absorber technology to eliminate frequency masking effects, and a vibration damping chassis using aerospace-grade materials. It is precision-built in Tullamore, Ireland from the finest materials and components.

• Wired, over-ear, open-back dynamic reference headphone
• 56 mm Ring Radiator transducer with 40 mm voice coil
• Frequency response: 4 – 51,000 Hz (–10 dB)
• Impedance: 300 Ω
• Two included detachable cables (3 m each): 6.35 mm unbalanced and 4.4 mm balanced, both gold-plated
• Weight: 330 g (without cable)
• Developed in Germany, handcrafted in Ireland
• 2 Year Warranty

Highlights & Key Technologies

56 mm Ring Radiator Transducer
The heart of the HD 800 S is its 56 mm Ring Radiator transducer — the largest ever used in a dynamic headphone. Rather than a single attachment point on the outer circumference, both the outer and inner edges of the ring-shaped diaphragm are secured to the drive unit, leveraging the air displacement advantages of a large diaphragm while maintaining the rigidity that impacts rest and response times. The voice coil is 40 mm and wound in-house to ensure precise shape and consistency. The transducers are encased in stainless steel and manufactured, tested, and measured to tight tolerances. Each HD 800 S includes a frequency response plot unique to its matched transducer pair. The steel mesh found in the baffle is also matched and integrated with consistency in mind, contributing to ultra-low variance in the management of traveling sound waves.

Absorber Technology
The HD 800 S incorporates a patented absorber technology first pioneered in the Sennheiser IE 800 ear-canal headphones. This technology addresses the masking effect — a phenomenon where the human ear struggles to perceive certain high-frequency sounds when louder lower-frequency sounds occur simultaneously. By absorbing the energy of the resonance, the absorber prevents unwanted peaks in the frequency response and allows all frequency components, including the finest nuances, in the music to become audible.

Vibration Damping & Chassis
The transducer system is mounted in a vibration damping chassis constructed from aerospace-grade materials, providing complete stability for audio reproduction. An inert headband damping element further reduces vibrations transmitted through the headband structure. The drivers are mounted at a precise angle, directing sound to the listener's ears at their natural inflection point, contributing to the HD 800 S's spacious open-back soundstage.

Cable & Connectivity
The HD 800 S ships with two silver-plated, oxygen-free copper (OFC) cables, both 3 meters in length, balanced construction, shielded, and reinforced with para-aramid fibers. One terminates in a gold-plated 6.35 mm stereo jack plug (unbalanced, 3-pin) and the other in a gold-plated 4.4 mm stereo jack plug (balanced, 5-pin). Both cables use high-precision ODU connectors at the headphone end for stable signal transmission and secure attachment. An optional XLR-4 balanced cable (Sennheiser CH 800 S) is available as an accessory. The 6.35 mm connector can also be connected to a 3.5 mm stereo jack socket using a standard adapter (not included). The HD 800 S is recommended for use with headphone amplifiers such as the Sennheiser HDV 820.

Comfort & Construction
The HD 800 S features an ultra-ergonomic design with an adjustable metal headband and dual-axis articulating ear cups that conform to the wearer's head structure. All contact points use handcrafted microfiber padding, including the ear pads and headband cushion. The ear pads, internal 3D mesh dust protectors, and headband padding are all user-replaceable. The dust protectors can be washed under lukewarm water and air dried. Premium matte black metal components are used throughout, and the headband and headphone mounting utilize aerospace industry materials for high strength with minimal weight. The HD 800 S is developed in Germany and precision-built in Tullamore, Ireland. A storage box is included.

Details & Specifications

MODEL INFORMATION
Model: HD 800 S
Article number (SKU): 506911

TRANSDUCER
Transducer principle: Dynamic, open
Transducer type: 56 mm Ring Radiator
Voice coil: 40 mm
Ear coupling: Circumaural
Frequency characteristic: Diffuse-field equalized
Maximum value of the static magnetic field at the surface: 10.5 mT

PERFORMANCE
Frequency response: 10 – 44,100 Hz (–3 dB); 4 – 51,000 Hz (–10 dB)
Nominal impedance: 300 Ω
Sound pressure level at 1 kHz: 102 dB (1 Vrms)
Total harmonic distortion: ≤ 0.02% (1 kHz, 1 Vrms)
Long-term input power: Max 500 mW (per EN 60-268-7)

CABLE & CONNECTIVITY
Connection cable: Silver-plated, oxygen-free copper cable (OFC), balanced, shielded, para-aramid reinforced, 3 m
Connectors (gold-plated): Stereo jack plug: 1/4" (6.35 mm), unbalanced, 3-pin; 4.4 mm, balanced, 5-pin
Headphone connector: High-precision ODU connectors
Optional balanced cable: XLR-4 (Sennheiser CH 800 S)

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: Approximately 330 g (without connection cable)
Contact pressure: Approximately 3.4 N ± 0.3 N
Finish: Matte black metal
Ear pads: Handcrafted microfiber, user-replaceable
Headband padding: Microfiber, user-replaceable
Dust protectors: 3D mesh, washable and replaceable

ENVIRONMENTAL
Operating temperature: –10°C to +55°C
Storage temperature: –20°C to +70°C
Operating relative humidity: 10% to 80% (non-condensing)
Storage relative humidity: 10% to 90% (non-condensing)

INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
Sennheiser HD 800 S open dynamic headphones
Connection cable with 1/4" (6.35 mm) stereo jack plug, unbalanced (pre-connected)
Connection cable with 4.4 mm stereo jack plug, balanced
Instruction manual
Storage box