The HD800 & HD800S thread

Oops, mojo2. I've got some holland amperex orange globes on the way but I was just surprised, I meant this wasn't a Jot that I plugged them in...

Not really keen or have the desire to get another amp since I just got this one replacing a vali 1. Perhaps once I figure out this EQ setup shit that can take the edge off of some recordings. Or just get the S and been done with it.

Funny though, the salesman said he noticed zero difference with the S version. It probably "helped" he didn't have a pair to sell me immediately!

 

Oh, you mean a Mjolnir 2, rather than a Chord Mojo? So you're not completely nuts, just not terribly precise

The S is a mixed bag- it has a Helmholtz resonator that take care of the 6kHz spike, but you can do that with the SDR mod on the original. The "S" also attempts to thicken the bass up with a tiny bit of extra distortion down low- which raises the question of whether it'd sound as good when properly EQed.

I have spent more time with the stock 800 than the 800S this point, but I do notice that a lot of folks who have tried both say that the modified 800 sounds better than the out of the box 800S, especially once EQ is in the equation. Likewise, the out of the box 800S may sound a bit better than the out of the box 800.

I guess it depends on how you feel about messing about, warranty and relative prices. A well looked-after grey 800, bought for a fair price used and carefully modified, may well be the best of the bunch- but you might not be comfortable going that route.

(Hope that made some vague sense.. half a bottle of red later.)

 

I used the 800's with my Mojo amp and a PWD dac and was quite satisfied.

And from my experience it isn't just the amp or the dac etc., but the entire system that feeds the 800's that determines the net results.
IOW as has been stated many times, the signal fed to the 800's is what you'll hear, from the source (music tracks) to that last bit of wire that feeds that signal to them with everything in between.
This 'trait' of delivering, with precision, the signal fed the 800's is the flip side of a hugely scaleable transducer.

Just say'n is all.

JJ

 

http://www.colorware.com/p-626-sennheiser-hd-800-s.aspx $299

 

man, I was so far from considering even auditioning something this expensive until I say those colorway options

Matte black highlighted with some obnoxious neon color has always been a guilty pleasure, my emo phase really left it's mark

 

Considering a used HD800 now costs like $700-800, paying almost half of the amount of that for paintjob alone sounds kinda ridiculous lol.
As for Europeans, I think Custom Cans UK also offer paintjob service for HD800 but don't know how much it costs. Hopefully someone could enlighten me on that since my HD800 is old and the paint has chipped badly.

IMO HD800S' paint feels much better and doesn't seem to chip that easily.

 

When I first heard the HD800S in a store, its paint was already chipped along the edges. I don't think the paint quality is any better. The colorware paint is much harder to scratch.

 

Incidentally, it's really easy to take the HD800 apart & respray if you're that way inclined.

 

Unless you're having it professionally done it's very hard to get a nice surface finish on plastic parts. Even with my days of airbrushing model cars I have never been able to get a perfect surface finish.

Maybe I'm just too much of a perfectionist in my work, though, I don't mind the scuffs on the original finish.

 

So I decided to go for the HD800S as I'm not really into modding. I might be missing something but I'll likely not notice.

Also got a fantastic deal on a new pair. For any Canucks out there, check out Bay Bloor Radio and ask for Charles. No affiliation, just asked what their best price was and it kicked the shit out of everyone else's.

 

I'd say buy used vanilla HD800 and mod it with SDR. Mine cost around 600€ shipped and modded. Pretty damn good value. And remarkably easy to implement.

 

Yeah that's about $900 CDN, which is a VERY good deal with the mod!

 

I'm sure others are curious about this... but any cable recommendations for the HD800s? I have a stock cable, a balanced ZY cable, and a Cardas Cross (on its way back to me from repair) right now. I know @Marvey has stated that he has seen most people with thick copper cables with their HD800s. The Draugv2 also seems to be a very popular option although quite costly as well. I have not done much cable comparisons to reliable say if I can hear a sonic difference or not but I will try when I get my custom HD650 Impact Audio cable later today and when I get the Cardas Cross back with the HD800s.

Edit: I would probably go hardwire once I find the perfect cable.

 

I make my own with Mogami Neglex and WBT silver solder, have never been happier. Dale @ Venus audio, as @sorrodje mentioned above uses the Neglex as well and I have owned cables from him in the past, he offers great value.

The hand of Neglex is quite nice, it isn't tacky feeling like some cables and is thin and doesn't kink easily, zero memory at all. I just ordered supplies to make a new balanced HD6x0 cable and I'm thinking I'll have to order more for the HD800 now if I want to run it balanced.

 

What would be so difficult?
Wet sand the surface. Use spray cans designed for painting cars, a few coats & then a few coats of clear coat/glossy or matte. Sounds easy.

 

http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=243963.0

 

The perfect counterargument to "What difference does it make what headphones look like?". No words needed.

 

Wow... just wow... I'm trying to wrap my head around that link above. My first coherent thoughts go something like this....

1) Buying a $2000 headphone is a "questionable decision" for 95%+ of the general population
2) Painting a $2000 headphone hot pink and blue is (in isolation) an "interesting choice"
3) Doing both BEFORE you know the headphone is for you is "stupid"
4) Selling your mistake will be a "challenge"
5) But you probably don't give a f**k because you are loaded anyway

Hmmm... I wonder what colorware would charge to customize an 800S with a matte black and silver finish?

Edited to add that colorware does some fine work... the finish looks wonderful once my pupils adjust to the colors

 

$299 - and in this case, it would be worth every penny.