The Sennheiser HD 800: The First Listen, The First Review - Page 56

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens

Jude, Drew, and I handed over our stinkin' badges to get 'em in. Evidently people kept telling Al he wasn't me. Me? I need the image upgrade; he can wear my badge anytime.

Originally Posted by immtbiker

I believe it was a 508.24 player. He also demo'd his speakers for me, which was a 6 foot tall speaker box with 30-40 RS-1 drivers built into them.

Originally Posted by mofonyx

I hope APS Audio (Alex) or Moon Audio makes something more affordable.

Stefan AudioArt Home

Originally Posted by TimmyMac

$1400 eh... maybe I'll just pop a pair of those new drivers into my SA5000s and be done with it...

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

I asked Tyll about having my stock HD800 cable re-terminated with a 4-pin balanced XLR plug, and he said "We will be working on a balanced connection cable for them. I have no idea when they will be available. I have no idea what the recables will cost."

I am still thinking in terms of re-terminating the cable, not buying a whole new cable. Certainly not thinking of buying a $1400 cable for a $1400 headphone (don't ask why I have a $300 cable for a $300 headphone).

Originally Posted by immtbiker

Mercuttio, right after my 2006 National meet, I had gone to John's factory to get Bozebutton's GS1000's signed for him, and John was using a Meridian CDP and a balanced RA-1 amp for me to demo the headphones with. He used a balanced to single ended adapter hooked to the balanced RA-1, which was simply 2 RA-1's built into one chassis.
I assume that he used the same components with you.
I could be wrong, but if my memory serves me right, that was his equipment.

I believe it was a 508.24 player. He also demo'd his speakers for me, which was a 6 foot tall speaker box with 30-40 RS-1 drivers built into them.

Originally Posted by The Monkey

I love Nums' resigned smile: "Oh, well, I guess I'm just gonna have to get these..."

Originally Posted by jp11801

After some time with them at CES the HD 800 are spot on and a home run for Senn, they will stand up to any of the legacy top tier headphones that at this point go inflated price points. Now they may or may not be what you are looking for as most of the top tier headphones has a personality they imposed to a degree. The HD800 has the least personality imposition of the upper tier that I have heard, this is a good thing they serve up the music as it is without adding it's own salt and pepper.

The Senns strong points to me were dynamics, transparency, speed good extension and absolutely beautiful midrange. I really wish I was in a better financial place to order a pair of these as I think they are a great bargain at the MSRP. Once these hit the street and are partnered with better amps the reviews will be very positive IMHO. They are going to require a rock solid powerful amp to get them to thier best. When we compared the 650 to the 800 the 650 seemed easier to drive but not by alot that the 800. In a direct comparison I felt the 800 left the 650 in the dust.
I wonder if the availability of a top tier headphone in current production will have any impact on the out production headphones that sometimes get a pass on their faults because they are revered.

Originally Posted by Morph201

I can sum it up in two words..BULL SH*T! If and when I pay 1400+ for headphones I expect them to sound good as hell STOCK! But hey, that's just me. Geez and people wonder why we get laughed at by the "ignorant masses"

Originally Posted by Ynis Avalach

I'd say the connectors Sennheiser use are just normal Lemo FGG.00.302.CLAD35 so 00-serie and with a different housing and no/a different push-pull mechanism.
Got two laying around already^^

Originally Posted by pabbi1

Some of us _only_ have balanced equiptment, so some retermination is required. Most logically, I'll reterminate one of my existing aftermarket cables, and NOT mess with the stock. I have actually ordered a replacement stock as well to reterminate balanced.