Sennheiser HD800 Appreciation Thread - Page 384  

Further to my most recent posts about using the HD 800 with EQ, with my current EQ settings and Amarra Hifi software instrumental textures are without the HD 800's stock brightness now now sound slightly more natural to me in that respect than before. The stock cable adds a warmth that colours the sound slightly but a decent level of transparency is still there.

The overall sound of what I'm hearing now is like an enhanced HD 600 with greater transient clarity and a more expansive soundstage. It's fun to enjoying the HD 800 in this new way and be able to switch back to the stock sound with a click or two of this trackpad. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Camper 

I've heard these at several meets and at member's homes. I was just not quite in tune with them as I felt they were a little lean. I've had them at home on my tube amp/NOS dac and I got to say I finally hear what many of you have. These are the best dynamic piston driver headphones I've yet heard. I am sorry Lord Sennheiser for doubting your capability. They are running neck and neck with my HE-6 on speaker amps. They both have their own strengths so take your pic.
Duke, Bubu, I have seen the error of my ways.

Cool, Happy Camper - the HD800 are quite awesome indeed.  Had fun with 'em, the HE-6, and the F3 for a long time, never could pick a winner.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Camper 

I've heard these at several meets and at member's homes. I was just not quite in tune with them as I felt they were a little lean. I've had them at home on my tube amp/NOS dac and I got to say I finally hear what many of you have. These are the best dynamic piston driver headphones I've yet heard. I am sorry Lord Sennheiser for doubting your capability. They are running neck and neck with my HE-6 on speaker amps. They both have their own strengths so take your pic.
Duke, Bubu, I have seen the error of my ways.

Glad you found the combination that works for you! I believe the HE6 out of a Marantz 2285 is simply unbeatable for the money (sub $1500), where it takes a Zana Deux/Beta 22 to give me comparable quality with the HD800. Even still, with the proper setup I'd be hard pressed to have to pick between these two phenomenal headphones. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Camper 

I've heard these at several meets and at member's homes. I was just not quite in tune with them as I felt they were a little lean. I've had them at home on my tube amp/NOS dac and I got to say I finally hear what many of you have. These are the best dynamic piston driver headphones I've yet heard. I am sorry Lord Sennheiser for doubting your capability. They are running neck and neck with my HE-6 on speaker amps. They both have their own strengths so take your pic.
Duke, Bubu, I have seen the error of my ways.

I think they're the best dynamic drivers, period. But, I've spent years building a system around the 800s (and HE6s).

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphinxvc 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Camper 

I've heard these at several meets and at member's homes. I was just not quite in tune with them as I felt they were a little lean. I've had them at home on my tube amp/NOS dac and I got to say I finally hear what many of you have. These are the best dynamic piston driver headphones I've yet heard. I am sorry Lord Sennheiser for doubting your capability. They are running neck and neck with my HE-6 on speaker amps. They both have their own strengths so take your pic.
Duke, Bubu, I have seen the error of my ways.

 

Cool, Happy Camper - the HD800 are quite awesome indeed.  Had fun with 'em, the HE-6, and the F3 for a long time, never could pick a winner.  

Where to now sphinx? Does the Stax mafia beckon?

Quote:

Originally Posted by olor1n 

 

Where to now sphinx? Does the Stax mafia beckon?

Well I already used part of the money to go on a short but sweet & adventurous vacation. Leisure funds will build up again soon in the next month or two and then it's on to the Resonessence Invicta DAC.  And I'm already talking to LFF about a pair of Paradox.  And then maybe next year, speakers.  And then más vacaciones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose 

 

I think they're the best dynamic drivers, period. But, I've spent years building a system around the 800s (and HE6s).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Camper 

I've heard these at several meets and at member's homes. I was just not quite in tune with them as I felt they were a little lean. I've had them at home on my tube amp/NOS dac and I got to say I finally hear what many of you have. These are the best dynamic piston driver headphones I've yet heard. I am sorry Lord Sennheiser for doubting your capability. They are running neck and neck with my HE-6 on speaker amps. They both have their own strengths so take your pic.
Duke, Bubu, I have seen the error of my ways.

Do you think this is a result of the Single Power?  Maybe you need to come get the Balanced M^3 as well to compare.  

Shahrose can comment on tube vs. SS with the HD800s

This is a bit of a rush question but since I found a great offer a few minutes ago I need some help quickly.

Would you consider the HD800 to sound good with electronic music such as dance, techno, hardcore, house, trance?

I was considering the Ultrasone PRO 900s but now I can fit the Senns in my budget.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizia 

This is a bit of a rush question but since I found a great offer a few minutes ago I need some help quickly.

 

Would you consider the HD800 to sound good with electronic music such as dance, techno, hardcore, house, trance?

 

I was considering the Ultrasone PRO 900s but now I can fit the Senns in my budget.

The HD800s are better in every way over the Pro 900s except Bass Slam.  The HD800s are better in every other bass category.  The question is how much bass do you want and what do you want to sacrifice for it?

If you can fit the 800s in your budget now. Go for it.  Get the Pro 900s later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizia 

This is a bit of a rush question but since I found a great offer a few minutes ago I need some help quickly.

 

Would you consider the HD800 to sound good with electronic music such as dance, techno, hardcore, house, trance?

 

I was considering the Ultrasone PRO 900s but now I can fit the Senns in my budget.

The HD800s has some of the tightest most high quality bass there is - it's just not excessive. If you're used to bass heavy headphones the HD800 will seem lean at first, it's actually not lean it's just neutral and very tight. Takes some getting used to be then almost everything else will seem bloated by comparison and you won't want to go back.

And there's still nothing that says you can't use a +3db bass boost in your equaliser. The HD800 are vastly superior to the Pro900 - if you have the funds I'd say go for it.

Although it should be said the LCD-2 is pretty damn good for electronica. And T1 and HE-500 aren't bad either

Thank you both.

If I can add more info, my current cans are DT880 and I think bass is ok.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Camper 

prepro,
I'll drop off the tube amp and let you roll some tubes (though the TS5998/WE396A combo is hard to beat, maybe a TS 2c51). The Extreme was the platinum version and I also included BG coupling caps. I think you'll like what they do to the 800. Before I make any statements on here, I'll level match both headphones so that won't be a point of contention.

Take your time HC - enjoy the music.

I picked the HD800s for EDM over even the LCD 2. The texture throughout the spectrum was fantastic, and if you get into more Downtempo Electronic it pulls away even more.