John
Marking 75 years in the audio manufacturing business, Sennheiser is set to release a limited-edition take on their HD800 S headphone. The H800 S Anniversary Edition maintains the original’s 5.6cm (dynamic) duofol-transducer membrane – implemented for a frequency response of 4Hz to 51kHz and THD below 0.02% – and its stainless steel mesh outer but coats the headphone’s glass-fibre-strengthened plastic structure in matte gold and laser engraves the serial number on the headband.
From the press release: “Sennheiser’s innovative absorber technology reduces the so-called “masking effect”, an acoustic phenomenon that arises as the human ear is unable to perceive higher-pitched sounds that have low-volumes, while significantly louder sounds in a lower frequency range occur. The patented technology neutralises the energy of the resonances, thus preventing any unwanted peaks in the frequency response and ensuring that even the finest nuances of music remain audible across the entire frequency range. The circum-aural earcups were developed with meticulous attention to detail as well, as the design directs the sound waves to the ears at a slight angle, thus creating an impressively natural and spatial sound experience.”
With a weight of 330g, a light side-clamping force and vegan velour earpads, anyone who has ever worn a pair of HD800 S will know that few rivals can beat the Sennheiser on comfort factor.
The last word goes to the press release: “Brilliant trebles, precise bass reproduction and a particularly clear sound image…make the HD 800 S a firm favorite among the audiophile community.” Note, however, that those ‘brilliant trebles’ need careful amplifier/source matching.
Each Anniversary Edition unit will be made at Sennheiser’s HQ in Wedemerk, Germany and will be limited to 750 pieces worldwide. Pricing says hello at US$1700 or £1400 when shipping begins next week.
Further information: Sennheiser
