The TDK ST800 is a 50mm dynamic driver closed-back headphone with an electronic onboard EQ feature. They are priced at around $150.
Disclaimer: The TDK ST800 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at TDK for giving us this opportunity.
To read more about headphones we have reviewed on Headfonics click here.
Note, this 2-page review follows our latest scoring guidelines which you can read up on here.
I remember the ’80s! Though I don’t readily admit to every aspect pleasing me I still do look for my dose of hair metal and Lost Boy soundtracks as my reference material when I need a good pep up.
The ’80s will never be as stylishly outlandish as the ’70s but for tech freaks, the ’80s was the era of the Casio digital watch, Metal Mickey, Rubik’s cube, and of course the humble but game-changing cassette tape of which the TDK name was to the fore.
TDK made a number of other splashes into the audio market such as some tape decks and until recently some low-end earphones and throwaway PC headsets.
New Products
But something has changed, TDK has gone kind of cool and done something rather interesting by releasing a line of audio gear that has more than a passing nod to the nostalgia of the ’80s with two lines of headphones – the ST800 and the wireless WR700.
They also launched a super bling remake of the iconic boombox (you just have to see it to believe it, very big, very boombox and honestly it just commands you to play Mister Mister from the word go!). TDK is taking this audio lark a bit seriously now but does it stack up against what is already a very competitive market?
The ST800 is perhaps the standout headphone over the wireless WR700 for audio quality so let’s look at that. The WR700 I have tried and enjoyed but really see that as a great functional headset for moving around rather than an involving musical experience.
The ST800 though is pitched in at the $150 – $200 market and as such it is up against the likes of the formidable Sennheiser HD25-1 II, the funky Aiaiai TMA-1, the warm and woody ESW9, and the omnipotent marketing beast that is Monster to name but a few. It’s got its work cut out to be a success in such a hallowed company.
Now the local price of these are just over $150 so I am going to base my opinion on that price entry point and not the US MSRP of $300 because I am going to go right for the jugular and say this is not a $300 headphone – it just doesn’t have the finesse and build for that price.
At $150 it is a much more interesting proposition and to be honest in the local market pricing them at 6k with decent packaging should make a few ripples and grab attention.
Packaging
The one thing to note about the TDK Life on Record ST800 is that the packaging is well thought out for the price. It’s big, square with a nice two-third cutaway and plenty of sexy pics of the headphones adorned on the outside. It’s eye-catching, modern and a cut above some of the more spartan competitor packaging at that price point.
Opening up the ST800 package you get a nice little envelope-type pocket for the warranty and product sheets at the front which drops down at an angle to reveal the cans. The inside is a mock suede contoured tray holding the headphones.
It is none too shabby, to be honest, and you do feel you are getting your money’s worth with the ST800 packing. Some genuine thought has been put into this. Reminds me of the TMA-1 in that respect. I wish some other marquee headphones companies would try this more often at this price range.
Design
Game of two halves here – the ST800 leather-type finish of the band stretching down over the cups is fabulous for a headphone at this range and punches way above its competitors who are still messing around with captain plastic.
So first half to TDK then but then in comes the plastic bits on the cups and I just found them to be a little out of place and a bit cheap compared to the rest of the unit. It sort of feels like it’s not quite as integrated as it could be.
Looks-wise top marks, the touch, and feel of the ST800 plastic though take away from a full thumbs up. Overall though this headphone feels pretty durable, well put together, and certainly, it would be hard to find a headphone as classy looking as this at this price point outside of the ATH-M50.
The ST800 cable is a cord-type clothed covered cable that looks pretty durable and terminated in a 3.5mm silver and gold plug (comes with 1/4 adapter and extension cable also should you need them).
Below the y-split it is blissfully memory-free but sadly the left and right cables from the ‘y’ up the cups on this were a tad more unruly and did on a few occasions it did try to curl up under my chin. The nylon does make it a tad stiffer and heavier and probably would not have minded a light cable for more flexibility.
The ST800 are biggish headphones more in keeping with Beats Studio than Beat Solo dimensions but the thick circumaural leather pads are comfy and the whole thing is quite well balanced once on your head. The leather might leave you prone to a bit of sweat with prolonged play but nothing too irritating. Overall these are relatively comfortable to wear with no unwanted pressure points.
Unique features
TDK Life on record’s drive for a retro rebirth means we have a few unique features on the ST800 that for serious headphone enthusiastic might be seen as an unnecessary distraction but for many other listeners, they might add a touch of fun and flexibility to their listening pleasure.
The first is the little plastic square box halfway down the cord – the EQ box which gives you about five steps of bass and treble which you can separately tune to get your favored EQ setting. They are a tad simplistic but they do work and they do alter the tone of the sq from the headphone. It’s a definite throwback to the ’80s with the simplistic equalizers and tiny LED simplistic displays.
The second one I am not that in favor of is the volume control dial in the right cup of the headphone itself. To be fair it is quite low profile and doesn’t protrude but the control is messy and not very precise and can be cumbersome to use.
I can understand the inclusion of it as a feature to help those with their main volume control – amp or DAP from having to reach in their bags and pockets but personally, I just found the right volume match and let it stay there. It really is just one more barrier to your ears in all honesty.
The EQ activates the volume dial so if you run out of battery juice (note these need 2 AAA in the cup) you can still use them as regular headphones with the eq turned off.
Sound Impressions
The ST800 isolation was excellent for my ears and allowed me to just focus on what was coming out of the cups. They are a bit more challenging to drive than say my ESW9 having forced me to go up about 2 notches on my FiiO E9 and the ALO Audio RX2 porta-amp so be prepared to juice it a bit more if you are trying it out of a headphone jack of your iPod.
So sporting 50mm drivers in circumaural cups and big pads I was expecting a big sound huge quantities of bass. It is a closed headphone so not expecting a massive sound stage but better than average isolation. In actual fact, I was not too far off.
EQ Off
Without the EQ box switched on the ST800 bass, though not as impactful as say an ATH-M50 or colored as the ad700 MK2, was quite capable given the 50mm drivers on offer. It did excel on v-curve friendly music such as electronica, R&B but sadly less sparkling on faster detail orientated rock and metal tracks.
The top-end sounded a bit mute and the smallish sound stage gave a congested feel not allowing the guitar work to soar or flow as I would like. Put it back again into tracks like Daft Punks “The Grid” and that low-end bass puts it right at home again.
It has a relatively warm signature without the eq which is nice and nonfatiguing and I don’t see anyone dropping dead from listener exhaustion from them.
EQ On
So let’s turn on the ST800 eq and see what we got then eh? When you turn it on there is a slight pause while it boots up before allowing you to hear your music and it does remember your previous setting which is nice. But be warned the volume dial on the side of your right cup becomes active so best maybe take it off first just in case you have it on high.
The default is flat on the bass and treble and you can push either up by 5 clicks. Pushing the bass only up to the 5th click gives me something akin to the ATH PRO700 mk2 coloration with just a wall of bass and not much else, to be honest. Cool if you are a bass nut but not so great if you want to hear anything else beyond that.
Pushing up the treble to 5 though was not as extreme as I thought it would be – no piercing or high-end sharpness you would expect with overemphasized treble possibly suggesting the treble is a tad muted.
Now mixing them together was actually more fun to me than the default flat eq. If I am paying $150 I want fun and not analytics to be honest. I found the best match of bass and treble to be around 2/3 – switch that combo either way based on your preference but it seemed to give the best balance between block rockin’ beats and clarity.
Our Verdict
Overall the ST800 is a bit of fun with some sleek retro styling and at 6.5k local and about $150 street price international I would say it’s worth it.
I initially had reservations given that I am not a fan of gimmicks such as eq boxes in the line and a volume dial but the eq box does add a touch of fun to the sq when you need it. As for the volume dial just get the right setting and leave it, it adds little to the setup and is not as accurate as it should be for quick adjustments.
Its warm sq will be enjoyable for many and frustrating for the more discerning with its muted highs and small congested sound stage. It’s a tad big for portability but robust enough to be taken outdoors.
Pair the ST800 with electronica, hip-hop, dance, and R&B and you got a good package worthy of the price. Try to take this further and it may struggle. If your matching with amps and a DAP go for neutral and transparent setups to squeeze every last drop out of the top end and try to avoid existing dark sq sources and amps.
TDK ST800 Technical Details
- Power Source: 2 “AAA” (included)
- Drivers: 50mm
- Sensitivity (IEC): 104 ± 3dB
- Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Cord Length: 1.22m (4ft)
- Plug Type: 3.5mm
Testing gear:
- iPod Nano
- Cypher Labs AlgoRythmn Solo
- ALO Audio Rx2 headphone amp
- FiiO E9/E7
