The HD800 & HD800S thread

Perhaps it is just the way I hear, but your characterization of the sound stage is completely foreign to me. I find it is extremely precise with many distinct layers and depths so that I know exactly where instruments are and the boundaries of the space (or lack thereof such as with electronic music).

Most speaker setups don't come close to this, and they end up a wall of sound.

 

I think the layering and width of sound stage is good (the best?) but the instruments just lack a certain solidity somehow. It's like I can sense where the instrument are and distinguish them but I visualize them as fuzzy transparent ghosts, despite knowing where they are. That's where I sense and describe as 'diffuseness'. Just the way I hear it. I would have never thought this until I got used to how the HE1000 images things, so this is how I hear the HD800 relative to the HE1000.

 

I think if I had never been exposed to HD800 I would probably still use some pro audio soundcard as source with my Genelecs. In retrospect I'd say my speaker rig scaled many levels up from what it were, pretty much neck to neck with HD800.

The speaker rig had solid images with entry level source (kind of) but lacked spacing which one would still get from HD800 with lackluster Sabre dac, but without the solidity and note weight. Once higher up in the food chain the presentation is shockingly similar bw the two.

 

@The Alchemist: I will see your Ozone 6 and raise you an Ozone 7. Just the standard version for $199 is amazing. The Dynamic Equalizer combines a limiter with an equalizer. It has to be experienced to be believed - truly sophisticated technology that obsoletes the Equalizer module for my purposes. I am kind of back and forth between it and the Dynamics (i.e. pure limiter) module for taming treble on the HD800. Both work very well. I love the flat UI too (like Ozone 6). It really is an impressive piece of software.

 

@cooperpwc Oh cool -I had no idea Ozone 7 was out! Thanks for the heads-up!

I'll have to try the demo!

 

The Ozone 7 Dynamic Equalizer is remarkable for correcting frequency offences of the HD800. This treble setting (Band 5) will remove anywhere from 0 to 8 dB (theoretically) centered on 6.4 Kh, adjusting continuously with the signal. It has the precision of an equalizer with the flexibility of a limiter.



(I also have two milder settings. This is 8 dB with a 40 dB threshold. 7 dB with a 35 dB threshold is also very useful for less hard-hitting music. My 6 / 30 setting does not get much use.)

I am now addressing it with a mild boost, as well as fixing a notch that my HD800 has centered on 250 Hz.

 

The correct settings will depend on one's HD800. The certificate is available online from Sennheiser. This is mine.



(And it is not a mechanical exercise. For example, my bass notch looks to be centered around 260 Hz but centering correction on 250 Hz sounds better. I also did better with a lower Q, i.e. wider correction, than expected.)

 

Rotfl using Sennheiser "certs" for tuning?

How are they usable? You actually hear a notch? Both charts are from my HD800, latter measured on my head with in-ear mics.

 

Ouch... that peak looks like it'll hurt very very badly!

 

@Hekeli I did find it to be a useful starting point. I experiment to arrive at the minimum correction and maximum benefit. What I hear is the improvement which is tangible to my tastes.

 

Your forgot the accompanying pic, Bill;

 

Might as well run a sine sweep and listen that as a base, probably 253 times more useful. Just sayin.

 

Is this a system-wide EQ or just a player with an EQ?

 

Ozone 7 is actually designed to be a mastering software plug-in for a DAW. However, any music player that will accept a VST plug-in you can use Ozone mastering software. Usually the only thing you would use from the program is the EQ (unless using the mastering applications for pre-mastered songs you create), however Ozone has:

Maximizer | Dynamic EQ | Vintage Limiter | Vintage Tape | Vintage Compressor | Vintage EQ | Presets
Dynamics | Codec Preview | Export Formats | Standalone Application | Equalizer and Post Equalizer
Exciter | Imager | Dither | Intelligent Visual Metering | Workflow Highlights

You can read more about it here:

https://www.izotope.com/en/products/mixing-mastering/ozone/

 

Indeed. I would only amend that the Dynamic EQ module in Ozone 7 has entirely replaced the EQ module for playback equalization IMO. It is really impressive.

Another nice thing about Ozone 7 is that the primary modules are no longer dumbed down in the less expensive version. You get the full features for Dynamic EQ and other primary modules for $249. (It was on sale for $199 when I bought it just a few days ago but I see that this has ended...) There is no reason to buy the more expensive $499 version for using with a music player.

FYI In the old days, Ozone 5 was $499 / $999 with the cheaper version having dumbed down features even on the main modules. Ozone 7 is also much better across the board.

 

I agree with @cooperpwc . If using the program for a music player, you only need the primary modules. Since I write, record, and produce music, I use almost all of the modules for mastering - but those are for songs I create myself that are not mastered. Songs that are already mastered i.e. retail songs - really only need the primary modules i.e. the Dynamic EQ.

 

I am back to using the Dynamics module in Ozone 7, i.e. a straight-up limiter, to smooth the treble spikes on the HD800. It and the Dynamic Equalizer are both excellent - I have been going back and forth between them - but right now the limiter is striking me as especially smooth and natural.

(I am leaving bass au naturel; I like it as is.)



Edit: As I informed The Alchemist, I have moved the Thresholds up to -30 dB, i.e. reducing the effect of the limiter slightly.

 

Awesome @cooperpwc! Now that I have Ozone 7 Advanced in my JRiver MC 21 - I am going to have to try your settings. If you have time, do me a favor an PM me your exact settings as you have now (Dynamic EQ, Regular EQ (if you use it), Limiter etc. I would be extremely grateful!

 

@Th

You got mail.

 

Arigato @cooperpwc - san