The Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX are the re-tuned update of the Sennheiser HD 800 S and are exclusively available via Drop's website. These audiophile headphones are advertised to have rebalanced mid and treble ranges compared to their original counterpart and an extended bass response. However, they sound warmer than the HD 800 S. The dip in the high-mid to low-treble also hurts the clarity and detail of vocals and lead instruments. On the upside, thanks to their open-back design, they have a spacious and immersive passive soundstage.
Our Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 8XX are alright for neutral sound. They have a warm sound profile that brings extra boom to your mixes, and their passive soundstage is wide, spacious, and immersive. However, vocals and lead instruments are weak and dull. They also lack a thumpy low-bass, which is to be expected from open-back headphones. Their bass isn't as extended as that of the Sennheiser HD 800 S, though.
- Spacious and immersive passive soundstage.
- Prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery.
The Sennheiser HD 8XX are poor for commute and travel, but they're not really meant for this purpose. They're big, bulky, and since they use a 1/4" connector, you need a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter to connect them to your phone's AUX port. However, this adapter isn't included in the box. They also block out virtually no background noise like the low rumble of bus and plane engines, and they leak a lot of sound.
- Comfortable and well-built design.
- Bad noise isolation performance.
- No controls.
- Bulky design that isn't very portable.
- Leaks a lot of audio.
The Sennheiser HD 8XX are disappointing for sports and fitness, although they're not designed for this purpose. They have a very big and bulky design, and they can fall off your head if you're moving. Their audio cable can also get snagged on something, which can pull them off your head.
- Comfortable and well-built design.
- No controls.
- Bulky design that isn't very portable.
- Leaks a lot of audio.
- Can fall off your head with moderate movement.
The Sennheiser HD 8XX are poor for office use. They're big, bulky, and leak a lot of audio, which can annoy others around you. They also don't block out office chatter and lack a mic, so you won't be able to take calls. On the upside, they have a very comfortable and well-built fit.
- Comfortable and well-built design.
- Bad noise isolation performance.
- No controls.
- Bulky design that isn't very portable.
- Leaks a lot of audio.
The Sennheiser HD 8XX are wired-only headphones, and you can't use them wirelessly.
The Sennheiser HD 8XX are mediocre for wired gaming. They don't have a mic, so you won't be able to communicate with teammates. However, if you're looking for an immersive gaming experience, they have a spacious passive soundstage, and their warm sound profile can help bring out sound effects in your gameplay.
- Spacious and immersive passive soundstage.
- Comfortable and well-built design.
- Prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery.
- No controls.
The Sennheiser HD 8XX don't have a mic and can't be used to make calls.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sennheiser HD 8XX come in one color variant: 'Midnight Blue', and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Sennheiser HD 8XX are the re-tuned counterpart to the Sennheiser HD 800 S and are exclusively available through Drop's website. However, they don't sound as neutral as the HD 800 S, and their bass isn't as extended. Their sound profile is warmer, and vocals plus lead instruments sound weak and distant in mixes. On the upside, their passive soundstage seems wide, spacious, and immersive. They also have a great build quality and very comfortable fit.
Check out our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones, the best studio headphones, and the best headphones for music.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S are slightly better headphones than the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX. While both headphones are very comfortable and well-built, the HD 800 S can reproduce audio more consistently, and they come with more accessories. However, they're alike enough that if you find one notably cheaper than the other, both are worth consideration for the same kinds of usages, like mixing audio or close listening.
The Sennheiser HD 6XX are better headphones for neutral sound than the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX. The HD 6XX have a more flat and neutral sound profile with more extended low-bass. They also reproduce audio more consistently, and they come with a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter. However, the HD 8XX are more comfortable and feel significantly better built. They also have a better passive soundstage.
The Sennheiser HD 599 are better over-ears for neutral sound than the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX. The Sennheiser are more comfortable, can deliver audio more consistently, and have a more neutral sound profile. They also come with more accessories, like a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. However, the Drop + Sennheiser have significantly better build quality, and their passive soundstage performance is better.
The Sennheiser HD 650 are better over-ears for neutral sound than the Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX. The Sennheiser have a significantly more neutral sound profile and can deliver audio more consistently. However, the Drop + Sennheiser are more comfortable and feel better built. They also have a better passive soundstage performance.
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