The HD800 & HD800S thread

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

  1. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I used to own the Lyr 3 and didn't think it synergized with the HD 800. Wasn't bad but nothing special. If you're OK with a laid back presentation, the Drop CTH synergizes quite well. In that case I would recommend using the Amperex 7308, brings out some additional details with the HD 800. If you can find the Drop EC Jr, amazing tone with the HD 800 for the price and use the often recommended GE tubes. Haven't tried the other two you listed.
     
  2. fastfwd

    fastfwd Friend

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    In another thread, I mentioned that I didn't have a strong preference for the ZMF Verite over the HD800 SDR -- each sounds different from the other, but they both sound great to me through the right amp.

    But that doesn't fit with the popular idea that the HD800's treble presentation makes it unenjoyable, if not outright unlistenable, especially to someone who enjoys the ZMF sound. So I wonder whether the 6KHz-peak complaints are exaggerated, or if I'm just deaf, or the SDR mod made a bigger difference than I thought, or my HD800 is somehow different from others.

    I got my headphones pretty early -- my serial number is 021xx. Did the HD800's sonic characteristics change over its production run?
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2020
  3. scojoe

    scojoe New

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    Many mixed opinions about this from what I've read.
     
  4. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    There is definitely some production variation, but I don't think it was ever reliably tied to serial number. I know Ogodei had/has a unicorn pair from several years ago that sounded fantastic unmodded (he had another pair at the same time that was almost unlistenable). My first pair I couldn't quite get the way I wanted (this was pre SDR and SBAF) using Tyll's mods, even with a fairly warm tube amp, but my current pair sounds fantastic with SDR and SBAF, even off of solid state amps that aren't exactly forgiving. I'd say I am pretty intolerant of too much treble, upper mid energy, so to be able to listen to an HD800 all day now makes me feel pretty lucky. I will add in that I have had an Auteur on a very extended loaner side by side and I enjoy both quite a bit. Different presentations for different genres.
     
  5. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

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    Agree.

    On a technical perspective, I would choose the HD800. Its openness is very hard to find substitutes. But it is thinner and more diffused. A great complement to the Auteur.
     
  6. Ryanr1987

    Ryanr1987 Facebook Friend

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    The Autuer is a weird one for me I really don't find it technically impressive, I found it less resolving than an LCD-2 by quite a bit for example but it's so easy to listen to it doesn't sound dynamic and almost came across as slightly compressed to me but that adds up to it being easy to listen to which would get more head time than an 800 for sure.

    I much prefer Zachs TPE driver variants for their musicality.

    I do tend to reach for enjoyment over technicalities these days and my 800 gets no head time anymore. I used to use it for gaming but the AKG K701 when pared with some DSP beats it in terms of staging perception, openness so works better for that use.

    For regular listening, I still don't think there's a more capable driver than the HD800's, might just mod mine and paint them when I grow a pair of bollocks to.
     
  7. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Just add a Norne Draugr 3 headphone cable and you can listen all night. Less than $300 delivered. Transform your HD 800. Just ask for the HD 800 tuned version. Be prepared to wait two months.
     
  8. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Even with all the mods I did, I still need this EQ to listen to them. But with this EQ I can listen to them all day long and they are now my go to phone.

    20200630_204517.jpg
    20200630_204543.jpg
     
  9. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Just for personal calibration, presuming "fixed" FR for both how does your HD800 fare against the Focal Clears (still want to get ears on a pair eventually...) in resolution/speed/viscerality? EQ settings look about right what I'd want with the Senns too haha.
     
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    With Clears (modded with front foam) I'm running a touch of subbass boost. HD800 are more forward and brighter. Resolution/speed/viscerality all go to the Senns. They're more clear, detailed, planktonic, and dynamic. Depending on mood and music they can be a bit too much. The Clears are an easier listen, warmer, and have a bit fuller (though less punchy) bass. They can also be used w/o EQ for watching movies/TV directly out of my NAD D3020.

    HD800 are for critical and focused listening. Clear are for more relaxed sessions. HD650M are for mids-focused music that doesn't have much bass.
     
  11. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    I don't know if anyone noticed this , but over at HF someone has been dripping info about a new Sennheiser headphone. Same person leaked hires pics of HD820 before it was announced previously.

    So far the info said poster has teased:
    -Price range is somewhere between 1000-2000 euros
    -It is not a planar
    -when asked if closed- or open-back replied with a non-answer
    -Not a 700"S"
    -A senn sponsor dropped hint "awesome but affordable" (not sure how 1000-2000 euros is truly affordable, but okay)
    -Info was dropped in a thread about the HE-1

    Hmm... Whatever it is if its between 1000-2000 euros you'd think it would be competition for the HD800. On the other hand, if its coming anytime soon you'd think it would not be the right time to be a flagship replacement announcement. Maybe a cost-reduced HD800S or HD820 (easy example: dump the glass on HD820)? The HD820 price has been dropping about 15% lately so, perhaps...
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2020
  12. Huhnkopf

    Huhnkopf Friend

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    That guy is crazy but very reliable. Also hinted a lot of other stuff that became true.
     
  13. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    I wonder what it could be? Seems wrong time of year for flagship type announcement. But he said 1000-2000 EUR
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2020
  14. SSL

    SSL Friend

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    Beyer just announced a "flagship". Their timing may have been more than a coincidence.
     
  15. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    32ohm hd8xx somehow? That would be a play i could see making sense now that you mention it.
     
  16. scojoe

    scojoe New

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    Focal too
     
  17. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    If its actually a whole new sound design and everything (as opposed to impedance or other tweaks) that would be really cool, but Sennheiser typically seems to move at a glacial pace especially with their most popular designs - so I would be very surprised.

    I'm ready to plunk down cash for an addt'l headphone so suffice to say I wont be plunking down anything until I hear more about exactly what this is.
     
  18. mk801

    mk801 Almost "Made"

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    Limited edition HD800S (750 units) with new gold colorway announced. A big meh from me if the changes are limited to just aesthetics.

    [​IMG]


    What did Silver say when it saw Gold walking across the street?
    “Au!”

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2020
  19. netforce

    netforce MOT: Headphones.com

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    [​IMG]
    TSAV got in a few pairs of them. I got one for myself and now that embargo is up, going to send it out to Marv for some measurements.

    Shoot me a PM if you want to pre-order one.
     
  20. Ash1412

    Ash1412 Friend

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    Two questions:
    1. Will the paint be more durable than before?
    2. Is Sennheiser the new Intel/Canon/Xerox/etc?
     

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