Sennheiser HD 800 S - High-definition Headphones Manual

Absorber technology
The enhanced sound reproduction of the HD 800 S is achieved through the addition of the innovative absorber technology that was pioneered in the Sennheiser IE 800 ear-canal headphones – a breakthrough that preserved the audibility of very high frequency sounds by eliminating a phenomenon known as the "masking effect", where the human ear struggles to hear frequencies of sound when lower frequencies of a higher volume occur at the same time.
By absorbing the energy of the resonance, the patented absorber technology prevents any unwanted peaks and allows all frequency components – even the finest nuances – in the music material to become audible.

The open, circum-aural design guarantees a crystal clear and spatial listening experience.

The consistently balanced construction ensures reliable signal transmission to the transducers.

The patented absorber technology ensures that even high-frequency sounds are audible at all times.

Features of the HD 800 S

• Open dynamic reference headphones
• Circum-aural, wired
• Natural listening experience – realistic and natural sound field with minimal resonance
• 56 mm ring radiator transducers – unique, innovative dynamic transducer design
• Uncovered ear cups for outstanding acoustics
• Absorber technology allows for the reproduction of the finest nuances
• Finest materials and timeless matt black design combine to meet the highest demands
• Specially tuned symmetrical, impedance matching cable with low capacitance
• Special high-precision ODU connectors
• Handcrafted ear pads, made of high-quality microfiber fabric
• Metal headband with inner damping element
• Developed in Germany
• Handcrafted in Ireland
• 2-year warranty

56-mm sound transducers – the largest ever used in dynamic headphones.

High-precision ODU connectors ensure stable signal transmission and flexible connectivity.

Materials developed in the aerospace industry offer minimal weight and maximum stability.

Important safety instructions

• Read this instruction manual carefully and completely before using the product.
• Always include these safety instructions when passing the product on to third parties.
• Do not use an obviously defective product.

Preventing damage to health and accidents

• Protect your hearing from high volume levels. Permanent hearing damage may occur when headphones are used at high volume levels for long periods of time. Sennheiser headphones sound exceptionally good at low and medium volume levels.
  
• The product generates stronger permanent magnetic fields that could cause interference with cardiac pacemakers, implanted defibrillators (ICDs) and other implants. Always maintain a distance of at least 3.94"/10 cm between the product component containing the magnet and the cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or other implant.
  
• Keep the product, accessories and packaging parts out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidents. Swallowing and choking hazard.
• Do not use the product in an environment that requires your special attention (e.g. when performing skilled jobs).

Preventing damage to the product and malfunctions

• Always keep the product dry and do not expose it to extreme temperatures (hairdryer, heater, extended exposure to sunlight, etc.) to avoid corrosion or deformation.
• Do not place your headphones on a glass dummy head, chair armrest or similar objects for long periods as this can widen the headband and reduce the contact pressure of the headphones. ▷ Use only attachments/accessories/spare parts supplied or recommended by Sonova Consumer Hearing.
• Clean the product only with a soft, dry cloth.
• Use the product with care and store it in a clean, dust-free environment.

Intended use/Liability
These open dynamic headphones have been designed for home use with high-quality audio systems.
It is considered improper use when the product is used for any application not named in the corresponding product documentation.
Sonova Consumer Hearing GmbH does not accept liability for damage arising from misuse or improper use of the product and its attachments/ accessories.
Before putting the product into operation, please observe the respective country-specific regulations.

Package contents

• HD 800 S open dynamic headphones
• Connection cable with 1/4" (6.35 mm) stereo jack plug (connected ex works), unbalanced
• Connection cable with 4.4 mm stereo jack plug, balanced
• Instruction manual
• Storage box

Your HD 800 S

Connecting the headphones

• Select the suitable connection cable for the audio source to which you want to connect the headphones and change the connection cable as described below:
  • 1/4" (6.35 mm) stereo jack plug, unbalanced (can also be connected to a 3.5 mm stereo jack socket by using a standard adapter)
  • 4.4 mm stereo jack plug, balanced
  • *XLR-4 connector, balanced (Sennheiser CH 800 S, optional accessory)
• Connect the headphones to your audio source.
  For optimum music enjoyment, we recommend using a headphone amplifier such as the Sennheiser HDV 820 and a balanced connection cable such as the one equipped with the 4.4 mm stereo jack plug.

Putting on the headphones and using them

• Put on your headphones and then pull the ear cups down until they rest comfortably over the ears. Make sure you wear them the right way round by observing the "R" (right) and "L" (left) markings on the ear cup bands.
• Take the headphones off and use the slide scale on the headband to ensure they sit symmetrically.
• After use, place the headphones into the storage box. Hang the cable up unwound for the first few days after use. After that, you can store the cable wound up loosely.

Changing the connection cable
To detach the connection cable:

• Hold the ear cup firmly and pull the connector straight out of the socket by overcoming a slight resistance. Make sure to not damage the metal gauze of the ear cups.

To attach the connection cable:

• Make sure the "R" (right) and "L" (left) markings on the connectors match the markings on the ear cups.
• Align the latch of the connector with the socket and insert the connector until it snaps into place with an audible click.

Care and maintenance

For reasons of hygiene, you should replace the ear pads, the inside dust covers and the headband from time to time. Spare parts are available from your Sonova Consumer Hearing partner. To find a partner in your country, search at www.sennheiser-hearing.com/service-support.

• Clean the product only with a dry and soft microfiber cloth.
• Store the product in a clean, dust-free place, e.g. in its storage box.

Cleaning and replacing the dust covers made from 3D Mesh

1. Pull the dust covers away from the ear cups without, if possible, touching the transducers underneath.
   Rinse the dust covers under running lukewarm water and let them air dry.
   
2. Put the dust covers back in place and carefully tuck the edges underneath the ear pads.
   

Replacing the ear pads

1. Grasp behind the ear pads and pull them up and away from the ear cups. Make sure to not damage the metal gauze and the transducers on the inside of the ear cups.
   
2. Place the new ear pads onto the ear cups and attach the ear pads by pressing firmly around them.
   

Replacing the headband padding

1. Hold the headband firmly in the middle and detach the headband padding from one side to the other.
   
2. Place the new headband padding onto the headband and attach it to the headband's latches, starting from the middle and moving outwards.
   

Specifications

Frequency response	10 – 44,100 Hz (–3 dB) 4 – 51,000 Hz (–10 dB)
Transducer principle	dynamic, open
Ear coupling	circum-aural
Frequency characteristic	diffuse-field equalized
Nominal impedance	300
Sound pressure level at 1 kHz	102 dB (1 V rms )
Long-term input power	max. 500 mW as per EN 60-268-7
THD	≤ 0.02% (1 kHz, 1 V rms )
Contact pressure	approx. 3.4 N ± 0.3 N
Weight	approx. 330 g (without connection cable)
Maximum value of the static magnetic field at the surface	10.5 mT
Connector (depending on connection cable, see pin assignment on inside cover page), gold-plated	stereo jack plug: 1/4" (6.35 mm), unbalanced, 3-pin 4.4 mm, balanced, 5-pin
Connection cable	silver-plated, oxygen-free copper cable (OFC), balanced, shielded, para-aramid reinforced, 3 m
Temperature range	operation: −10 to +55°C storage: −20 to +70°C
Relative humidity (non condensing)	operation: 10 to 80 % storage: 10 to 90 %