Drop + Sennheiser HD 8XX Headphones Discussions | Drop

Mar 25, 2021

Who will offer support like repairs and parts once the warranty period expires? Sennheiser or Drop?

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Mar 26, 2021

WhiteCoatGeekNeither. Take care of ‘em

Mar 26, 2021

WhiteCoatGeekWith zero 'post-warranty support' from either Drop or Sennheiser, its hard to justify buying these $1100 headphones.

Mar 27, 2021

racheskiDrop bought all inventory and has an exclusive contract, so they’ll have service replacements. Treat them like luxurious, flagship headphones, and they will last a long time. My HD 800 are 5+ Years old, only maintenance I’ve needed is pad swaps (which are same as HD 800S and HD 8xx).

Mar 28, 2021

EvshrugBut they will own dip into the service replacements for units still under warranty, right?

Mar 28, 2021

racheskiCorrect! They will reserve some units for warranty. While a few cases needing warranty may happen, as with anything, it’s usually only a handful of people, a very small percent.

Mar 29, 2021

EvshrugI figure if there some chronic problem with the HD8XX, e.g. like the driver failures on the Elex, it is going to manifest itself within 2 years. For durability beyond 2 years, I can look at the longevity of the HD800/S, and from what I can research and my own experience it is very good. The pads will wear out, but those are easily replaceable.

Mar 29, 2021

WhiteCoatGeekMost cars will run for years without any issue and will only need basic maintenance while some will show check engine light within few months. That doesn't mean that its a bad product but electronics/mechanical things do malfunction or breakdown so just because most work fine doesn't mean that none will have issues. You wont buy a car if the manufacturer states that once the car warranty expires, you are on your own when it comes to repairs/parts or do you?

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Mar 29, 2021

WhiteCoatGeekComparing this headphone to a car is just silly - it’s a false equivalence.

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Mar 29, 2021

racheskiYeah, especially since I didn’t go back to Ford or even a Ford Dealer when my old Taurus had problems. I’d say the same about my VW... but the only thing it’s needed in 8 years has been oil and tires, so far. There are 25 year old Sennheiser headphones still in service out there, which never needed any maintenance other than pads.

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Mar 30, 2021

racheskiThe device isn't being compared to a car for it's properties, it's being analogized adequately to highlight the notion of having an avenue to service a product in totality. Unlike cars, which even if they go out of warranty, third party mechanics exist to service the oldest cars with OEM or similarly comparable parts. What WhiteCoatGeek was trying to draw attention to, is the problem facing any servicing that would need to be done after the warranty period of this headphone. Drop doesn't do servicing, they will straight up replace the entire thing if it's under warranty - and if it's past the warranty, they won't do anything at all. Sennheiser likewise won't honor Drop variants for servicing should the need arise. The supposed false equivalence that you insinuate is precisely the problem if that were actually the case. Meaning, at least with cars, you can get them serviced in some way. With these - after the warranty period, there is no place you can send them in for something like a driver swap if something like channel balance issues arise, or something more catastrophic. Even if you accidentally crash your car slightly, you can go get it repaired. The problem with these specific headphones, OEM parts aren't provided to third party repair shops, so even if you wanted to foot your own bill even if you're under warranty - you're simply stuck in a situation where there is no possible way to do so. If you still think there is a false equivalence with respect to his topic of contention, then please list the asymmetry. Otherwise you're going to need another line of reasoning to refute the obvious issue he brings up with these headphones not being serviceable AT ALL beyond the warranty date in the event of any driver issue occurring for example. You're going to need something a bit more than "I researched that HD800's last a good while" as a justification for the pretty awful warranty situation with Drop. Especially because someone could drop and break a single portion (like a grill, or piece of housing, or the driver as previously mentioned).

Mar 30, 2021

JJayJJThe risk of future maintenance for a car vs a headphone are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Owning a car for 2+ years guarantees that at some point you will have to spend cash on maintenance, e.g. oil change, brake replacement, emission inspection, detailing, dent repair etc..., and on top of that insurance. The probability of spending money to fix headphones is far less, in fact, depending on the build quality and how careful the owner is, a headphone may never require maintenance. And this is a headphone without complex electronics (like ANC), nor unnecessary moving parts that could break like a PXC 550. If I knew where to find historical maintenance-related data on HD800/S I would cite it, but I don't...do you? My understanding is that the only difference between the warranty on the HD800S and the HD8XX is the access to Sennheiser's service portal. So what is the access to the portal worth? That is the only question that really matters. To answer that question, we need to know the repair rate of HD800/S, the average cost and time for these repairs, and how they compare to 3rd party repair services (if they exist).

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Mar 30, 2021

racheskiYou just listed multiple unknowns (I'm going to ignore the car maintenence analogy, as that is false equivalence, no one is talking about maintenance, we were talking about warranty service for damages). You said you don't have maintenance related data for the HD800, no repairs costs, no time of repairs, no comparisons to third parties, and no idea if third parties exist. Which is precisely my entire point, and is why you would want to at least have the avenue of Sennheiser doing repairs if need required (because there aren't 3rd party repairs for the HD800 line anyway). Also, most importantly you question the worth of the "service portal" of Sennheiser. Let's compare: HD800S Amazon average price is $1,500 (now increased to $1,700 at the behest of getting these sold on Drop obviously). Includes also a balanced cable (the SKU on Amazon offers the version with a 4.4mm Pentacon balanced termination, which on the Sennheiser official site costs $380).

To make it simple, we have the HD800S cost $1,600 (middle of the former price before this got announced, and the price it currently is, which is silly). Take away the cool box (which Drop skimps on), and take away the balanced cable, and you now have a headphone that costs $1,220 (or $1,320 if you really dont' want to budge on the idea the HD800S is anything but $1,700 at all times).

The Drop Version costs either $120 cheaper, or $220 cheaper. If you add the balanced Pentacon, the Drop version becomes $260 more expensive, or $160 more expensive.

If we take the DROP POINTS value and simply grant the idea you could convert it into cash (even though you cant), with those $200, you now have at the end of it all, the HD8XX with the Sennheiser Pentacon balanced cable that comes with the HD800S - for a final cost of $60 more expensive (if you compare it to a $1600 HD800S), or $40 cheaper (if you compare it to a $1,700 HD800S).

With the cost of these headphones, I don't know of any single sane person who would opt to forgo the possibility of servicing for the potential to save $40 dollars, or at worst, spend $60 more dollars at the end of the day getting the HD8XX. Resale value of course due to this fact will take a plummet, so if you ever thought about off-loading them after some time, you can bet these won't fetch much (if it wasn't already clear by the slow purchase volume by the amount of sold since release). Keep in mind, this price is This is just overall, a product that doesn't make sense for what I would assume are rational people for the most part. To wait all that time for something that won't have a warranty, or accessories, or resale value of the original variant - is not something I can understand why anyone would do.

Mar 31, 2021

JJayJJI don't understand your diatribe. It comes with a 2-year warranty - the exact same as Sennheiser's.

Mar 31, 2021

racheski...Surely you're not this clueless? For the HD800S, you can opt for service after the warranty period for out of pocket costs. But the HD8XX, after those two years are up, and damages, and you're screwed in totality.

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Mar 31, 2021

JJayJJAhem...

Anyways, I value the access to the portal for these headphones less than you, for completely rational reasons. You value the access more than me for completely rational reasons. Sometimes it is OK to disagree.

Mar 31, 2021

JJayJJI understand your gripe, but HD 8XX is something like 95 % identical to HD 800S. Maybe more. I would not be surprised if only the drivers are unique to HD 8XX. It would obviously be a major hassle to get parts for HD 8XX repair by cannibalizing HD 800S, but it would also not be impossible. So one would not be "screwed in totality" as you put it. By the way, your calculation of the "cost" of HD 8XX only makes any kind of sense if you insist on Pentaconn from Sennheiser and for the full price. Which is a bit over the top, but even if the "discount", compared to HD 800S, was basically the balanced cable, which it is not, it would still be worth it to me. I have no desire for the Pentaconn cable and I turned those Drop points into cash by getting THX AAA 789, which has balanced XLR anyway. Not to mention, and this could blow your mind, I do not want HD 800S. I want HD 8XX.

Mar 31, 2021

Yog-SothothThe value of the 4.4mm Sennheiser and the Drop points are about the same, judging by what has sold recently on eBay. I was very surprised that some people are willing to shell out almost $200 for the 4.4mm Pentaconn, but to each his own. And with a little effort one could buy a 6XX/58X and sell. So at the end of the day, it's about $200 cheaper than the HD800S for North Americans, albeit with a ~9 month wait.

Apr 1, 2021

Yog-Sothoth"It would obviously be a major hassle to get parts for HD 8XX repair by cannibalizing HD 800S, but it would also not be impossible. So one would not be "screwed in totality" as you put it." Thank you for enlightening me on this very obvious fact. So now I would need to find a HD800 for parts (with working drivers), and then I would need to send it in to a third part repair center... Very practical. You two have lost your minds. You with the assumption that this is something people should be doing themselves (finding spare HD800 drivers, or expecting third party shops to have them), and expecting this would be something remotely affordable or even reliable. And racheski with his last witty one-liner, with his pedantry.. Ignoring an entire post basically, after failing to grasp a blatantly obvious implication. And now him saying the value of the Drop points and the 4.4mm Sennheiser Pentacon cable are the same after I already provided the calculations which he didn't read obviously, or simply ignored as one might assume with his last one-liner reply to me.

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Apr 1, 2021

JJayJJWhat else should I have assumed when you stated that the HD8XX had no warranty? Don't blame me for your inability to make a coherent argument. I read your estimates and I don't agree with them, and I didn't want to get into it because this thread was about issues with comparing the warranty on a headphone to a car, but here goes... You value the 4.4mm Pentaconn cable at the $380 MSRP - to use a car analogy, that's like saying the value of a brand new car after you drive out of the parking lot is still the MSRP. The value is tied to the re-sell value on the current market, not the MSRP. That is why I looked at recently completed eBay sales and estimated the value at $200. So let's say you buy the HD800S ($1500) & flip the 4.4mm Pentaconn on eBay (-$200), which puts you at $1300 out of pocket (and I'm being generous here by ignoring selling fees on eBay). HD8XX is $1100 & you can buy and re-sell a 6XX/58X with the points. With selling fees/shipping/time spent I value the points at $150. This puts you at $950 out of pocket. Now let's say that you really really want a 4.4mm cable to go with the HD8XX. In your estimate you simply added the $380 MSRP of the Sennheiser cable for a total of $1,480. The person buying that cable at MSRP is not someone concerned about a couple hundred dollars in savings - the more budget minded audiophiles will spend $75-$150 (hell I built mine for less than $50 in parts), but let's call it $150. So HD8XX with a 3rd party 4.4mm cable net net is $1,100 out of pocket, for a total of $200 in savings compared to the HD800S. However, as we know the HD800S gives you future access to the Sennheiser service portal, and does not have a ~9 month wait. The value of these together is inherently subjective. I already have a HD800S and feel no urgency to have the HD8XX, and as discussed before I don't put much value in the service portal. The plan is to compare both models and keep the one I like best, and if it is still the HD800S I can return the 8XX within 30 days for a full refund.

Apr 1, 2021

JJayJJThat is precisely the reason I specifically wrote the words "obvious", "major" and "hassle". I am well aware of what would be necessary to do for HD 8XX out-of-warranty repair. Better than you, considering how ineptly you are trying to explain it to me. "HD800 for parts (with working drivers)" Why HD 800 and not HD 800S? What the hell would be the point of the working drivers? So my HD 8XX drivers get destroyed and to fix them, I am gonna get working HD800 drivers and listen to those instead? Where's the logic in that? And you mention spare HD800 drivers TWICE! You think I secretly want to turn my HD 8XX into HD 800 or something? I am not assuming anything about what "people should be doing themselves" apart from assuming they should decide for themselves. I am also expecting that fixing HD 8XX will be, get this, a major hassle. That has always been my expectation. You have a very strange way of agreeing with me.

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Apr 1, 2021

Yog-SothothGuys... you aren’t going to convince eachother 😂 The HD 8xx has a lower initial barrier to entry (price), and the HD 800S would be easier to repair if you break it. Suffice to say, buy the headphone you want, or whichever makes “more sense” to you. Either way, you have options! Cheers 🍻

Apr 2, 2021

WhiteCoatGeekI am with JJayJJ. I am not sure what wrong with expecting post warranty repairs/parts/service even if its paid. No one is asking them to do it for free so what is the issue? Are the others commenting work for Drop or Sennheiser trying to justify unreasonable service and support policies? Meanwhile, my HD6XX was out of warranty and the suddenly the Right side stopped working. I contacted both Drop and Sennheiser to get it repaired which I was willing to pay for but they gave me the runaround asking me to contact the other party. I called Sennheiser and asked for a replacement driver and I was told that its out of stock and MAY ship after 13 weeks. Also, no returns on driver either. I ended up ordering a new HD6XX with extended extended warranty. Now at least I know what I am getting. Its 250$ for 3 years worth of use and anytime after that is extra. After 3 yrs, I am on my own. Unfortunately, not many people can afford to take that risk with $1100 headphones.

Apr 2, 2021

WhiteCoatGeekWhat exactly are you are you asking? I mean, it is definitely wrong to expect post warranty service after one is told none will be provided. I am not expecting it. I know what I am getting. I can take that risk with a $900 headphone. Thanks for your concern, I guess? What I find fascinating is that even after such an experience with HD 6XX you bought them again. What gives? Why not go for genuine Sennheiser?

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Apr 3, 2021

WhiteCoatGeekNothing is wrong with that, and in fact I have previously posted that it would increase buyer confidence if Drop partnered with 3rd parties that could provide extended warranties and services on all of their products. I just took issue with comparing a headphone to a car....

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Apr 3, 2021

racheskiSeems to me buyer confidence here is pretty great if we look at the story of WhiteCoatGeek and his HD 6XX. It died, he got no support and yet he bought it again.

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postwarscars

1367

Apr 5, 2021

JJayJJJJayJJ, as you know, we don't always see eye-to-eye, but are largely in agreement in most cases, so don't take this too much to heart: "HD800S Amazon average price is $1,500 (now increased to $1,700 at the behest of getting these sold on Drop obviously)." The 800S was $1700 before the Drop announcement, but was on sale at $1400 when the 8XX was released. Looking at the price history they were listed around $1700 as far back as 2016. The info I've found could be incorrect, of course.

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Waynerey

100

May 26, 2021

JJayJJWith the sale of the headphone manufacturing part of the Sennheiser corporation, I would say EVERYTHING is up in the air.

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May 26, 2021

WaynereyInsider info at Sennheiser: they are very happy about Sonova’s partnership over there. It’s still the same engineers and fabrication tools and plants, but now they’re going to have more resources for R&D and maybe experiment with more variations and limited edition products like the HD 8XX. Their official press releases seem to be excited about true wireless in-ears. So far this is looking like a good thing from a very audio focused and respectful company (not a tech giant that just wants to use the brand name and expel all the people that made the products). @postwarscars I would say your info is accurate. Apart from the time the HD 800S went on sale here at Drop during last year’s Sennheiser brand highlight, which until now was the lowest price I had seen on New stock HD 800S, and Amazon’s algorithms lowered their price to match (but not the Drop store credit), the HD 800S price was usually $1700-$1600. The HD 800S is not a high volume product, only a certain kind of customer will dedicate the funds to a high end luxury like that (here’s to the crazy ones!), so the price will usually be higher. The HD 8XX changes things... with it being an exclusive model for Drop, Amazon won’t price match it. From Sennheiser’s perspective, Amazon is great, but it’s a huge store with lower margins, and many US audio enthusiasts have decided to come to Drop to online shop the more “boutique” stuff rather than mass market stuff that starts with a B. Sennheiser can more easily watch and track customer feedback on Drop, see what people react positively to and be able to communicate more in-depth here (and on Head-Fi, but Head-Fi is not a store). There are many “Pros” to working with Drop.

May 29, 2021

WaynereyDon't worry, you'll have people saying this is actually a good thing in terms of potential future warranty issues. Watch the spin gears in action.