Sennheiser HD 820 Reviews

5 Rating 2 Reviews

About The Audiobarn:

We are passionate about helping you find the best Hi-Fi to bring musical enjoyment. Customer service is our highest priority.

Visit Product Page

Phone:

01279 454 860

Email:

info@theaudiobarn.co.uk

Location:

2 Feltimores Park,
Chalk Lane,
Harlow
Essex
CM17 0PF

Visit Product Page

“Actually I’d give these a 4.5 if I could, more why in a moment.... Although not a dyed in the wool headphonista I’ve used multiple Sennheisers over the years and feel the broad overall tonality is familiar. I suppose I think I know their sound. These are without doubt the best Sennheisers I’ve heard to date. Over a couple of months with both a system comprising legacy Marantz CD17 signature and PM17 amp (for the quarter inch jack), and a Chord Mojo (adapted to 3.5mm output via a curious but very effective Millso adaptor for the gaming market). Through either system the ‘820s sound super-detailed without resorting to any obvious brightness. They are almost obsessively well mannered with every music I’ve tried. CD after CD have revealed countless details and subtleties that have been hidden before. They seem especially good with reverb and fine detail. My usual audio system is fully active ATC, so the unexaggerated neutrality of these ‘820s is very welcome and not to be underestimated. Imaging seems to be retained mostly inside of the glass outers, with only occasional studio effects creeping out further still. These ‘phones leave me with the impression of imaging to the inside of my skull. Bit weird perhaps but there doesn’t seem to be any hyped-up spatial exaggeration. If these headphones were clothing, they’d be the best made to measure suit from Saville Row you’d likely ever owned. The half-star caveat? On my head and ears they are very position and location dependent. I have to squish the big earcups onto the sides of my head slightly to achieve what I would consider the right tonal balance. Otherwise I actually find these a tiny bit bass-light, as if they were missing the last few dBs of presence in the low frequencies. I’ve not previously considered I might have a slightly skewed preference for “exaggerated “ bass (in the manner of Harman’s research), but I might yet explore one day if a mild low frequency boost is my own personal happy place for headphones. I happen to think most hyped-bass low frequency ‘phones sound like garbage anyway. To summarise these ‘820s feel like they’re built to last half a lifetime, and I shudder to think how much more you’d have to pay to get any meaningful sound quality improvements. Just make sure they’re right for you. In my opinion, Jack and Steve are pretty much the best there are out there for service, expertise and advice.....”