The HD800 & HD800S thread

I do understand that it's more of an feeling than a true loss. But still i'm afraid of that i'm missing out on something (which you said that you didn't care about it)

I will with 99% likely hood go with the HD800S cause in overall it has more positives than negatives compared to HD800 and the "negatives" are a very small changes. And to be honest, it's matter of taste really
Dang it, i have to find a away to test the S-version somewhere somehow...!

But thanks @sorrodje, i appreciate your help!

 

So last night I bought a pair of HD 800s. I'm super excited to get to know them but I need some advice. I'm currently without an amp as I sold my Asgard 2 in anticipation of going to tubes for these. In fact I sold all my audio gear.

I'm thinking I'm going to get a Vali 2 to start with or perhaps a Vallhala 2 to kind of end with if that makes sense. I've looked at some of the Garage 1217 amps as well. I've heard good things about both amps I'm considering with these phones specifically but if someone wanted to share some thoughts on what's a really great match it'd be much appreciated.

I'm going in with the assumption the 6khz peak probably will bother me a bit but I'm not huge on the idea of modding them right off the bat. So my preference would be for something smooth sounding. I've researched the Orange globe tubes and am consideirng a pair of those to go with whatever I pick.

Thanks

Oh and also price is an issue. I'd like to be under 400 dollars. That's part of the reason I'm considering the Vali 2. Layed out a good bit of cash for the HD 800s so it will be a month or so before I can really go crazy with anything else.

 

That was kind of my thinking actually.

I've read quite a bit of good about the Vali 2 just based on it's own qualities even throwing out the low asking price. My only concern was it's ability to drive them but it doesn't seem like it'd be an issue.

 

For you guys with both the HD800X and the HD6X0, how often do you reach for the HD6X0 (in comparison)?

 

I've mostly been rotating my 800S and my TH-X00 lately with my Torpedo & Ragnarok. The HD650's are still on my desk but have taken a distinct backseat to the 800S's.

Meanwhile my stock HD800s were (and still are) sitting in my closet getting no use.

 

Right now my 650's get atleast 95% use, it might change when i get Sorrodje's absorber + cork mod though. We'll see.

 

0% of the time.

 

I had the 650's as my heavy hitter getting a bulk of the use, but now that I've put in SBAF absorber and the Cork Mod I mainly use the HD800's. I feel like the 800's are just a more detailed faster version of the HD650 sound I grew to love.

 

That's a helpful description, thanks.

Out of curiosity, are there any headphones in the $800 used price range you would consider better than the 800X? Ever prefer planars?

(Anyone can answer this)

 

I consider no headphone better than HD800 (or even equal), out of things I have tried, that excludes LCD-4, Stax 009, HE-1000 and Abyss out of flagships for mortals.
Based on gut feeling I might like fully pimped 009 rig as much for different reasons. I have no interest in the top price planars, not my thing. Maybe full powered HE-6, haven't clicked yet, so I assume it's been underpowered and poorly modded.
HD650 is only thing close to HD800 for my tastes. In many occasions even better listening experience because of its softer tonality. Like the new Puscifer album, Money Shot. Most tracks are unbearable with HD800, but all are good with HD650.

Luckily I got to try HD800S in a shop for 30 min or so.
I don't think the HD800S is clear upgrade to regular 800, at least not with a mid-fi chain I got to sample these (OPPO HA-1 (as ddac) and HDVA600). Bass blurriness was apparent next to regular 800. Not as hard hitting, not as clear, I'm talking 5% here, so a small difference, nevertheless easily noticeable. No funky business in treble though. Slightly bright, less than my rug-liner modded HD800. So in many ways like 10% HD650 and 90% HD800. I will know better once I try them out of a proper rig.

 

Before I got back into the hobby I went to a meetup and heard the LCD3, Ether, HD800, Stax 007, Stax 009, T1.2, HE1000...none of them impressed me as much as the HD800 that day in terms of my desires and preferences in audio. I don't think there is anything for $7-900 better used. My ears, my desires though. I have not heard the HE-6 but I'm not sure as a previous HE-500 owner I can really handle the ergos.

 

I chose the HD 800 S over the 800 and the HE-6.

With Yggdrasil and Ragnarok, the S is easier to listen to. I don't miss any details coming from the older 800.

The HE-6 was too shouty, even with Audeze velour pads.

 

I've decided to get HD800S as well. I'll order a pair from the Turkish dealer on Monday. I couldn't like planars.

 

I actually kind of miss the HD800 classic having used the 800S for a week. I know you only give up 5% of the speed / top end but i feel like thats where the magic is. Fatiguing though. Never tried modded HD800s, interested to see whether they can tame the treble and keep the magic.

 

I just snagged a classic hd800. I don't find them overly bright, but nicely balanced.

 

I'm new to the HD800, and SBAF....after reading through this thread, I signed up for Sorrodje cork and foam mod. Can someone tell me how long it may take, or is there something else I need to do to move things along?

Thanks for the help1

 

SuperDupont Resonator that I saw in Tyil's video, I think is what I am after!

Thanks