Sennheiser HD 820

Sennheiser HD 820

The new audiophile standard

Critics claim that closed headphones can never sound as immersive as their open counterparts. They argue that physically it just can't be done. To this we simply reply, "listen for yourself!" Developed in Germany, the HD 820 combines an innovative glass reflector and ring-radiator transducer technology for a listening experience that sounds so vivid that it can serve as a reference.

Completely closed yet radically open.

The HD 820 unites our pioneering transducer capability with exceptional ambient noise reduction that clearly transcends the limitations of closed-back headphones. Until now, an audiophile headphone experience could only begin with Sennheiser's open-back models, a model that paved the way for an entire class of fine listening devices. This standard in sound reproduction has continued to evolve, leaving behind hi-fi systems that are exponentially much larger and more expensive. In the process, it also has the merit of not isolating listeners from their surroundings. Thanks to an innovative acoustic system in closed, dynamic headphones, the HD 820 does not have to accept any compromise on details or sound field.

Reflection inward

Closed-back headphones capable of reproducing the wide, natural sound field of an open model must pay close attention to the directional characteristics of sound waves. Although closed-back headphones offer the most privacy, redirected energy can cause resonance and distortion in the ear chamber. That the HD 820's experience serves as a reference is due to its use of high-precision hollow-glass reflectors, one at the end of each ear cup. That functional plate in the outer face of each ring radiator transducer reflects energy from the back of the driver to a specially tuned absorption system. That allows the waves to mimic the behavior they exhibit in open models, such as the HD 800 S. The technical implementation of that glass reflector produces a sound field that could never before be experienced in closed-back headphones, and we can speak of a striking visual asset on top of that.

The Power of the Ring

The 56 mm ring radiator in the HD 820 is an achievement in itself. It obviously has the great advantage of a wide aperture transducer, especially air displacement, without sacrificing rigidity that is beneficial in rest and response times. Instead of a single mount on the outer circumference of the transducer, both the outer and inner edges of the "ring" are firmly attached to the driver. The voice coil vibrates the diaphragm connected to the V-shaped groove near the center of the ring. The headphones' vibration-damping frame and headband provide complete stability that results in stunning speed and accuracy across the frequency spectrum. What goes into the HD 820 is also exactly what you take out. Each transducer is manufactured, tested and measured out to deliver extremely reliable performance within extremely tight margins without fail. Each HD 820 also includes the unique frequency response curve for that serial number. Matter of not missing opportunities to dig up even the most critical details from every nook and cranny of your music collection.