The HD800 & HD800S thread

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by sorrodje, Oct 11, 2015.

  1. johnjen

    johnjen Doesn’t want to be here but keeps posting anyways

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    505
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Well Grounded
    One 'old' tweak to the stock cable is to cut in half (±) and then re-terminate with a 4pin xlr, then turn the stock connector and cable into an adapter so you can plug it into a SE amp.

    I've found that a ≈5' (1.5m) stock cable is actually quite nice, and for me was a definite step up.

    As for choice of an amp, I REALLY like my Rok amp. It has the ability to deliver subsonic bass with authority where most tube amps have trouble in this region.
    And yes tubes can make the mids sing, but for me this form of distortion, while intriguing and enticing and desirable in many ways is a variable - variable, and will change thru time as the tubes age.
    Not to mention the choice (and rising costs) of which tubes are 'best' (which set of sonic variables best suits your desires).

    And The Roks very low output impedance (0.03Ω) makes for very tight control over the diaphragm, meaning the 800 is aided in creating the musical waveform more precisely than when coupled to a transformer.

    IOW there are always trade offs with any choice, it's just a matter of knowing what your sonic desires
    truly are and then selecting the gear to attain them.

    Just my 2¢
    JJ
     
  2. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,042
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Asia
    Which one do you recommend?

    Also, if I were to use a balanced cable, then use XLR-RCA converter, would that downgrade the SQ? Rather than buying 2 cables (balanced and unbalanced).
     
  3. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2015
    Likes Received:
    38
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Europe
    Probably. The question is if you'd be able to hear it. More so since the XLR and RCA output can have a difference as well.
     
  4. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,153
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Estonia
    Do you mean XLR-TRS?
    Little to none in sound quality change, when quality connectors are used.
    Important bit is to know the output of your amplifier, is it ground referenced or differential or even balanced.
    Balanced output will usually sound different than SE, at least in case of solid state.
    With transformer output, the difference is minimal.
    It doesn't hurt to repeat the following:
    Be careful with adapters that go the other way: SE(hp side) to XLR(amp side).
    These can not be used for balanced output amplifiers other than transformer coupled ones.
     
  5. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,042
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Asia
    Sorry. I got it mixed up with interconnect cable. Yes i mean XLR-TRS
     
  6. SnowPuppy

    SnowPuppy Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2017
    Likes Received:
    219
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Omaha, NE
    By Rok do you mean Ragnarok?
     
  7. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,093
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Suburban DC
    Not to be a big dick, but look at the man’s profile and get your question answered before crapping this thread up. Dislike for laziness. I’m channeling my inner jexby ;)
     
  8. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,284
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Many places.
    Home Page:
    There's one quite known Polish cable maker with good reputation. We use his products at shows as they are priced reasonably, look nice and do what their maker says they do.

    Probably yes. Though a lot depends on products in your setup.
     
  9. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,042
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Asia
    Which Polish cable maker is that?
     
  10. AppleheadMay

    AppleheadMay Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2015
    Likes Received:
    38
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Europe
    Forza
     
  11. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2016
    Likes Received:
    537
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Finland
    Home Page:
    I'm an even bigger fan of my un-modded HD800 True-Fi'd (the EQ correction app) than I was before. The reason is my ADI-2 DAC that lets me hear loads more details from this very capable headphone than my previous, lesser DACs. This app is quite a cheap solution to "make 800 great again" compared to cables, tubes, amps etc., which I believe are mostly fine-tuning anohow. I'm still curious about physical mods, but I wonder how the correction profiles would fit the modded cans.

    Compared to my HD600 (with the same app correcting FR) I hear much, much tighter lows and the obvous soundstage difference, but they aren't worlds apart like they are without EQ correction. I could easily trust either in late night mixing etc. There's a certain - modest but still - metallic/clinical quality to the HD800 highs in comparison. But, all the balance the HD600 has in the trebles, it still sounds somewhat grainy (compared to my LCD-2.1 also).
     
  12. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,226
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Got an HD800 incoming to pair with my Gungnir Multibit/Torpedo III. I have owned this HP before with lesser gear, and was having synergy problems. Now I feel like I've finally gotten it right. It's a tremendous HP and I'm happy to have it back,

    Seller also has a Norne Draug v3 upgrade cable he's offering, but not sure if it's worth it...
     
  13. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,042
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Asia
    Congrats man. It really is a very formidable can. And you already have the proper gears to fully utilize it. I added Loki to increase the sub bass region to make it a bass beast.

    I also tried many TOTL cans and in the end kept coming back to it. At the moment, I sold all my cans, keeping only HD800 and HD650.
     
  14. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,226
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    [​IMG]

    One happy camper.
     
  15. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,709
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    India
    Finally got the chance to compare my 800S to an unmodded 800. I'm going to sell my 800S and get the 800 instead.

    - 800S is warmer in the bass region. But this warmth seems to be coming from distortion, rather than increased bass response. How can you tell? If you enhance the bass response, apart from the added warmth, what you would get is; an improved sense of impact, power and dynamism. And clearly, the 800S did not have any improvements in those aspects. Just an increase in warmth and woolly feeling.

    - As a result of this extra warmth, the 800S' stage lacks a bit of air and doesn't separate instruments as vividly as the 800. The actual size of the stage was the same. Its the openness that the 800S lacks a tiny bit, in direct comparison.

    - Treble on the 800 was brighter, but I couldn't tell the differences in the detail retrieval levels, as it was a slightly noisy room and the low-key details get masked by external noise.

    - Overall the 800 was cooler in tone, cleaner in presentation and was able to display better technicalities than the 800S.
     
  16. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,226
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Pretty much the same conclusion I reached when I compared them a while back.
     
  17. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,130
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    Boring that the HD800 suits me so well partly because of my hearing defects, but...

    When I first heard the HD800 it was a just-have-get-it moment, despite the fact that, even used, it is way beyond my budget. Instant have to have it. Have only heard the HD800S very briefly, but nothing there that I needed to start saving up for!

    But I love the HD800 not only because I can hear some higher frequencies that I can't otherwise, but also, and almost more, because the clarity and resolution that I hear in the bass. I wouldn't want to compromise that.

    I still think that the HD600 is almost as much hifi as anyone really needs to clamp on their ears. Like old-fashioned good speakers. But mine is now living in its box.
     
  18. marcussmj

    marcussmj New

    Joined:
    May 5, 2017
    Likes Received:
    19
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Malaysia
    After having sold the Utopia, I thought I might as well revisit the HD800 once again. Saw one for a good price on the used market and decided to jump on it. I must say, this is quite a happy compromise from the Focal flagship. While it does not have my preferred tone (upper mid emphasis) I found it to be quite a good pairing with the RME ADI-2 DAC. I think I am a happy camper for now. :)
     
  19. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,226
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Out of curiosity, why did you sell the Utopia?
     
  20. marcussmj

    marcussmj New

    Joined:
    May 5, 2017
    Likes Received:
    19
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Malaysia
    It was a lot of cash into 1 product that may get refreshed soon. Might as well get rid of it while I can. Focal doing weird changes to their pricing randomly left a bad taste in my mouth. I do not want to support a company like that.
     

Share This Page