The HD800 & HD800S thread

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

  1. ufospls2

    ufospls2 Friend

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    Hey Guys,

    I had lived with the WA8 for a while, but sadly, came to the conclusion it just didn’t have enough power for the headphones I owned. I decided to trade it back in at the shop for the HD800S, which I had listened to extensively a few times before. Here is my impression from the day I first tried them.

    “HD800S: I tried these first. WOW! I used to own the regular HD800 and these are a clear improvement (for my tastes.) They take all of the good about the HD800 and keep it, and add in a bit something extra. They are warmer, have a bit more bass, and have better treble than the originals. I wouldn’t say the treble annoyed me on the original HD800 like it does some people, it never did, but the S’s treble is just a bit smoother. The soundstage and imaging are fantastic, just like the originals. Tall and very wide. I ALMOST bought these, they were that damn good. With the prices headphones are commanding these days in the high end market, these are a bit of a bargain. Highly recommended listen if you get a chance. Of course, fit and finish are typical Sennheiser. Wonderful. I can’t say enough good about these headphones.”

    Having now had even more time with the 800S I think I agree with my initial assessment. They are a great “value” in terms of headphones these days. With things seeming to be going the way of $4000us for one pair, these are just super for their price. They are SUPER comfy, and light. I can see why some people might prefer the original HD800, but if you weren’t stoked on them, give the S version a try. I think you might enjoy them.

    I could have gone for the Focal Elear, but it is supposedly (I haven’t heard them yet sadly) more of a warm headphone, with more bass than the HD800S. I already have two headphones that are great for bass and electronic music (which makes up a lot of my listening) so going for the HD800S made sense to me. It is super with classical and jazz etc..The soundstage, to some, is artificial and overly large, but I really enjoy it as a change.

    I’m not sure I would choose the HD800S as my only headphone, but it is a super contrast to the LCD-4 and Abyss.

    Hope this is useful to someone.
     
  2. m17xr2b

    m17xr2b Friend

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    I never thought I would buy a headphone twice but I'm glad I did with the HD800. This time I want to hardwire it. I was thinking about the copper DHC complement 4 but I'm open to suggestions.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2017
  3. BleaK

    BleaK Friend

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    I'm Soon gonna be a owner of a modded HD 800 and I've read that the SD resonator don't impact Soundstage at all, but the felt and sbaf mod does considerably so. I'm gonna experiment myself of course, but are there any here who tried the felt and sbaf mod and didn't feel like keeping them?
     
  4. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    Like you said, I do not find SDR to impact soundstage. In conjunction with SDR, I also did not find the felt ring/trapezoid (or if made with cork) to affect soundstage. The SBAF/rugliner mod, which I personally do not keep in permanently, does lead to a more intimate presentation, but it's still a pretty wide soundstage in comparison to most other open headphones.
     
  5. BleaK

    BleaK Friend

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    Thanks for the answer! That's in tune with what I was thinking. I love a huge soundstage so I'm probably not going to use the SBAF mod. I can see myself switching it in when using it for other not so stellar recordings.
     
  6. Ice-man

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    With the exception of the SDR mod, these mods are easy to apply and to remove. Just try for yourself and decide what works best for you.
     
  7. Sonorus

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    Question.
    What is the next logical upgrade from HD800sdr/HD800s (if there is any) keeping all the positive qualities like sound stage and reference tuning?
     
  8. Robert777

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    I would say upgrade your tube amp. Other headphones may do certain things better but I do not think there is a logical upgrade. The HD800 soundstage is unrivaled. Some may even think it is unnaturally big, like listening to an intimate acoustic trio in a cathedral.
     
  9. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    I'll echo the above poster and say there is no logical upgrade path (doesn't mean there isn't a better headphone for your personal tastes) especially if you want to maintain the large soundstage of the 800 (perhaps time for speakers?). What gear are you running? The 800 is incredibly transparent and will show off different gear very well. Something like a good SET amp would go a long way with the 800.
     
  10. Sonorus

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    Well I am mostly a speaker guy but still like headphones.
    I am running Gungnir Multibit>Valhalla 2 listening to classical music.
    I am not missing much from the 800's just pondering if there is an upgrade keeping all the good things and adding let's say I little more body.
    Excuse the lack of terminology but what is a SET amp , you mean solid state?
     
  11. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    Single ended triode, which is a type of tube amp. Transformer coupled at the output instead of OTL like the Valhalla... ampsandsound, Decware, Eddie Current. Etc etc.
     
  12. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    Not quite. Single ended means one way pulling or pushing the current that is in turn driving your transducer.
    For a SET this is often done with single triode per channel, or paralleled triodes that do the same thing that single, only with 2x the current.
    SET can be capacitor coupled or transformer coupled.

    There are 2 reasons there needs to be cap or trafo: large dc voltage offset and high anode resistance of tubes, which often is not enough to drive dynamic drivers, then a trafo will be used.
    Amps that use tubes, but are not SET usually are push-pull, that again can be either capacitor or transformer coupled.

    Vallhalla 2 afaik is SET, in fact most tube amps discussed here are SETs. Only real exceptions are e-stat amps and few regulars like Laconic NBM (I think it is triode connected pentode).
    On top of that there are pentode and tetrode tube amplifiers that are not very popular here, which again can be single ended or push-pull.

    There is not too much you can do about it. Top dog transformer coupled SET will give HD800 more balls and better soundstage, but it might not be worth it for you, considering these things are expensive.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2017
  13. Sonorus

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    Wow thank you , this was a seminar not just an answer!
     
  14. Sonorus

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    So as I understand there is no upgrade phone at the 2k region worth it.
     
  15. Robert777

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    Not to overwhelm you with options and opinions but I upgraded the tubes in my Valhalla 2 to give the HD800 more balls and a little more weight in the midrange. It is only a small improvement but worthwhile none the less.

    Single Ended Triode amps are the business but out of my price range for sure.
     
  16. AppleheadMay

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    There are different phones, not necessarily better or worse, in varying price regions.
    It's just that you won't find cans with a larger soundstage if that's what you're after.
    And even if it's not ONLY that that you are after, the HD800(S) remain top phones.
    The only general complaint about them is they are not that strong in the bass region.

    My opinion is keep the HD800 and get a second pair of phones if your budget allows it.
    Could be priced as low as a Massdrop Sennheiser HD6XX at $250 for a pair of phones that I consider just as good as the HD800, just very different sounding.
     
  17. AppleheadMay

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    Or as Robert said indeed, a good amp.
    Want to mention the EC Zana Deux S as well. OTL but sure gives you HD800 balls.
     
  18. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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  19. Mithrandir41

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    Thanks for the clarification @Priidik
     
  20. Sonorus

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    What tubes are you using , I tried 6cg7 didn't liked them , currently using jj6922.

    Well HD650 was my previous phone now sold. May be I will try the HD660s.
    Also sold beyer T1.2.

    I'love a zana Deux but it's rather expensive.
    May be in the future.
     

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