Sennheiser HD800 Appreciation Thread - Page 405  

It depends on the amp but I've heard the 007 with the BHSE and some kind of DIY amp. I think it was a T2. Ideally I would like to hear a LL as well.

After the last few weeks I find that the HE6 has a better balance than the HD800 for my tastes so I haven't used it in some time and tbh don't really miss using it. Ofc this is with the Mjolnir amp but don't think another amp would be worth it since for the HD800 the Mjolnir is fairly on the cheap side compared to the other higher end amps by other companies. I could alternatively get the Stax setup without selling anything except my AD2k (I really need to sell those one day). It would just take a  bit longer to save up for.

OK,but recently I read a thread about another head-fier,who spent thousands on a stax set-up,only to find out...it wasn't what he'd expected,and,he was  extremly unhappy with the sound.

I will try to find the link?..,it was about 2 weeks ago??

I was tempted to get the hd800,or,the lcd-3's,but after more listening to the he-6's ,with my mj/gung setup,..I not so sure how much better the sq can be??..{especially now,  with the new silver cable I'm using }

Yesterday I was at a meet with my modded HD800's.  Several folks commented upon how bright they were on their equipment.  And on a few setups I listened to, they were brighter than what my equipment delivers.

Which leads me to think that the source equipment is key in delivering a suitable signal to them.  My setup isn't bright.  Yes it has upper mid range and higher energy where and when the music delivers it.  But it isn't what I'd call bright.

And what prompted me to add the mods to the HD-800's wasn't because they are bright but due to listener fatigue.  And after the mods were installed besides the huge reduction in listener fatigue there was also a huge increase in detail and resolution.  The phrase 'hearing all your music all over again as if it were new' applies.

So if the HD-800's sound bright then perhaps it is due to the source equipment.  Or put another way if the source equipment you already have is 'tuned' to other headphones where a bright signal matches with them quite well, then it could very well be too bright for the 800's

Now I'm not saying that the 800's don't accentuate some of the upper frequencies because clearly they do.  But if the source electronics also boosts the upper end, well that would explain some of the bright comments.

Just a thought or 2.

JJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikek200 

OK,but recently I read a thread about another head-fier,who spent thousands on a stax set-up,only to find out...it wasn't what he'd expected,and,he was  extremly unhappy with the sound.

 

I will try to find the link?..,it was about 2 weeks ago??

 

I was tempted to get the hd800,or,the lcd-3's,but after more listening to the he-6's ,with my mj/gung setup,..I not so sure how much better the sq can be??..{especially now,  with the new silver cable I'm using }

I would have thought the HE6 would be used with your mini X amp. After I got those the Mjolnir is purely HD800. If you can find the link that would be great. I'm still on the fence however as I'm not sure if I should spend the money on Stax. 

As for the HD800 they sound great with the Mjolnir. I'm not sure about the Gungnir since I don't own it but I like it but it sounds different than the HE6. The HE6 has better balance and a bit more engaging but the HD800 would be a headphone everyone should try but takes a lot of experimenting to get it right. My source and amp never was more important than with the HD800.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawrster 

I'm in quite the dilemma. I really like the HD800 and HE6 setup I have but I've been itching for Stax lately. I think I like the HE6 setup a little bit more than the HD800 for pure enjoyment although I feel the HD800 has a slight edge on a technical level. I do want to get a Stax setup and since I can't afford the 009 the 007 and a good amp is something that is tempting me right now. I'm thinking I could sell my HD800, AD2k (I never use them anyway. They are on loan right now and didn't notice a difference) and my Mjolnir and could get a good amount of the cost of the setup depending on the amp. I'm guessing around 2k net for those would buy the 007 if I can find one used. Tax season is coming up soon and I suspect a good amount would be added to that 2k figure so I think I would have a good majority of the amp without any money from my bank..decisions decision :)

 

As for the mod I have no idea. I have only heard the mod on my HD800 and no one elses. Some people have issues with the treble and some don't so it could be some variance with the HD800 or personal preference.

That sounds like a good plan.

I honestly think the 009 is the sensible progression to the HD800. A few may disagree but they were better in every way to me. While the soundstage is smaller I feel it's much more natural, thus better than the HD800. 

Don't get me wrong though, the HD800 is probably still my favorite dynamic...Well, maybe the TH900, but they're very different.

been starting to give my hd 800s more listening time lately, i guess im finally starting to like them

also i dunno what amp works better for them. the WA6-SE or the WA2, its sooo hard to choose! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjen 

So if the HD-800's sound bright then perhaps it is due to the source equipment.  Or put another way if the source equipment you already have is 'tuned' to other headphones where a bright signal matches with them quite well, then it could very well be too bright for the 800's

 

Now I'm not saying that the 800's don't accentuate some of the upper frequencies because clearly they do.  But if the source electronics also boosts the upper end, well that would explain some of the bright comments.

 

Just a thought or 2.

 

JJ

IMHO you have hit the nail squarely on the head.  Criticisms of the HD800 reflect on bad input IMHO.  They are truly revealing & GIGO applies with a vengeance.

So, for me, the DAC is the critical factor.  Poor algorithms in the digital filter or poor jitter control and you will hear it in those Sennies. I'm not trying to say all amps sound the same but the amp will just pass on deficiencies spewed out by the DAC & maybe add a couple as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawrster 

I'm in quite the dilemma. I really like the HD800 and HE6 setup I have but I've been itching for Stax lately. I think I like the HE6 setup a little bit more than the HD800 for pure enjoyment although I feel the HD800 has a slight edge on a technical level. I do want to get a Stax setup and since I can't afford the 009 the 007 and a good amp is something that is tempting me right now. I'm thinking I could sell my HD800, AD2k (I never use them anyway. They are on loan right now and didn't notice a difference) and my Mjolnir and could get a good amount of the cost of the setup depending on the amp. I'm guessing around 2k net for those would buy the 007 if I can find one used. Tax season is coming up soon and I suspect a good amount would be added to that 2k figure so I think I would have a good majority of the amp without any money from my bank..decisions decision :)

 

 

As for the mod I have no idea. I have only heard the mod on my HD800 and no one elses. Some people have issues with the treble and some don't so it could be some variance with the HD800 or personal preference.

If you use the HE-6 almost exclusively, you may as well sell the HD800's. Although, with the Sennheiser stats that seem to be coming in the not-so-distant future; you may want to hang on to your current rig until the Senn stats are out. I currently have the HE6/HD800/LCD3 myself, but if the Sennheiser stats turn out to be amazing (and released soon enough); I'm selling all of my headphones and ending my journey I think.. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikek200 

OK,but recently I read a thread about another head-fier,who spent thousands on a stax set-up,only to find out...it wasn't what he'd expected,and,he was  extremly unhappy with the sound.

 

 

I was tempted to get the hd800,or,the lcd-3's,but after more listening to the he-6's ,with my mj/gung setup,..I not so sure how much better the sq can be??..{especially now,  with the new silver cable I'm using }

Hmm, if you really enjoy your HE-6 ever since putting a silver cable; I think it's safe to say you won't like the LCD-3's very much. The HD800s may be interesting; but again, I use my HE6 more than my HD800 which in turn gets more head time than my LCD3.

I'm also running all these headphones off the mojo/gung (among other things), so it seems to me that you're a bit of a treble head 

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorbidToaster 

I honestly think the 009 is the sensible progression to the HD800. A few may disagree but they were better in every way to me. While the soundstage is smaller I feel it's much more natural, thus better than the HD800. 

I agree 100%! I am really big into imagining, which is why I love the HD800. But if I could swing it, I would move on to the 009 in an instance. What it does not do in sound stage, it makes up for in spades in every other parameter

Quote:

Originally Posted by dleblanc343 

Hmm, if you really enjoy your HE-6 ever since putting a silver cable; I think it's safe to say you won't like the LCD-3's very much. The HD800s may be interesting; but again, I use my HE6 more than my HD800 which in turn gets more head time than my LCD3.

 

 

I agree with dleblanc here. I am an hd800 fan, and last weekend I was ABing HE-6 and LCD-3 and while both are good, I walked away with HE-6 purchase. I preferred the sound sig. And while I was ready to drop the cash on either can, I could not get over the nearly 2000 USD price tag for the performance I was getting from the 3s. For me HE-6 was slightly better but also way less expensive. And To put it in perspective for you, I would pay 5000 for the 009, if/when I save up for them. I am happy to pay more if I think the performance is there -- i.e. I am just cheep.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tassie Devil 

IMHO you have hit the nail squarely on the head.  Criticisms of the HD800 reflect on bad input IMHO.  They are truly revealing & GIGO applies with a vengeance.

 

So, for me, the DAC is the critical factor.  Poor algorithms in the digital filter or poor jitter control and you will hear it in those Sennies. I'm not trying to say all amps sound the same but the amp will just pass on deficiencies spewed out by the DAC & maybe add a couple as well.

Totally, although good amp is also needed. Still, when I moved on from my DLIII to the m51 and installed Amarra, I immediately could tell the difference. It is all about the source. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cante Ista 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tassie Devil 

IMHO you have hit the nail squarely on the head.  Criticisms of the HD800 reflect on bad input IMHO.  They are truly revealing & GIGO applies with a vengeance.

 

So, for me, the DAC is the critical factor.  Poor algorithms in the digital filter or poor jitter control and you will hear it in those Sennies. I'm not trying to say all amps sound the same but the amp will just pass on deficiencies spewed out by the DAC & maybe add a couple as well.

Totally, although good amp is also needed. Still, when I moved on from my DLIII to the m51 and installed Amarra, I immediately could tell the difference. It is all about the source. 

My M51 should be here tomorrow. Going from the Bifrost (with the Mjolnir doing amp duties) to the Gungnir was a significant improvement. It was especially apparent through the HD800. Not expecting as big a jump going to the NAD from the Gungnir, but what ever improvement is presented should be magnified by the HD800. Can't wait to hear it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olor1n 

 

My M51 should be here tomorrow. Going from the Bifrost (with the Mjolnir doing amp duties) to the Gungnir was a significant improvement. It was especially apparent through the HD800. Not expecting as big a jump going to the NAD from the Gungnir, but what ever improvement is presented should be magnified by the HD800. Can't wait to hear it.

exactly 

hmm.i should pay my local dealer tomorrow to place my order since its a special order and im the first one in my country to get the hd800 so it will take a few weeks to arrive. if i bought it used i will pay about $250 taxes so it will be the same as buying a new one. But im still having second thoughts.

i had the k701 couple of years ago and thought it was crap with metallic treble,but loved the open sound. i sold it because of soundstage depth and "artificial" treble. i had the lcd2 r2 and hd650, loved the latter and didnt like the former. lcd2 problems were again soundstage depth,imaging and treble way too dark for me.not to mention the impossible to forget weight.

i loved the hd650 but detail retrieval wasnt good and it was a bit muddy with some materials. i had the d5000 and d7000 and they where both crap,although i liked the comfort and airness.

i listen to vocal/psychedelic trance,ambient,classical,jazz,soundtracks and some light rock. basically i am worried about treble. if it is as artificial and splashy as the 701, then i dont think it will be a wise choice for me to get the hd800. im pretty sensitive to any "peaks" in those regions.

any input will be much appreciated.