[JamieMcC]

Love both my T1 and HD650's, moving to the  BH Crack really lifted the 650's performance to another level for me. The T1's are technically better in almost every respect bar perhaps comfort. But damn the HD650 BH Crack+Speedball must be one of the most musically beguiling combinations you can find for the money out there.

 

[pdrm360]

  Love both my T1 and HD650's, moving to the  BH Crack really lifted the 650's performance to another level for me. The T1's are technically better in almost every respect bar perhaps comfort. But damn the HD650 BH Crack+Speedball must be one of the most musically beguiling combinations you can find for the money out there.

 
Yes, the HD650 scales very well with the BH Crack but it never reach to the T1, IMO.

 

[pdrm360]

   
Sennheiser will sound rolled-off if you like beer T1 sound signature. I tested HD650, HD800 all with substantial amplification and they all sound dark & recessed compared to the Beyer. Some prefer that kind of warm, "organic" house sound. I also tested HD800 hooked up to Alo Studio 6, a very well-specced tube amp. I also auditioned Beyer with the Alo. The HD800 sound too dark compared to the T1 but has significantly larger soundstage than T1. I think HD800 is great for large orchestra pieces, those trebly Bach violin set pieces and yes, Michael Bay movies

 
-1   The T1 could be brighter on some music though.   

 

[Amictus]

  I upgraded to T1 from hd650. I use a WA2 and the difference was huge, Detail was the most obvious. I was afraid that the T1 would be bass light compared to the hd650. The T1 has great bass with the WA2. I eventually sold the HD650 about a month ago. The T1 does absolutely everything better. I don't know if it is good with the Lyr though - it might deserve something a bit more upscale but ask around, you might get away with it. I know if you don't match the T1 with the right amp it can sound terrible.  
 
I listen to a lot of classical as well - Dvorak, Mahler, Sibelius. The T1 sounds amazing with classical music. I have Hd800 and still use the T1 a lot for classical listening sessions. 

 

  I upgraded to T1 from hd650. I use a WA2 and the difference was huge, Detail was the most obvious. I was afraid that the T1 would be bass light compared to the hd650. The T1 has great bass with the WA2. I eventually sold the HD650 about a month ago. The T1 does absolutely everything better. I don't know if it is good with the Lyr though - it might deserve something a bit more upscale but ask around, you might get away with it. I know if you don't match the T1 with the right amp it can sound terrible.  
 
I listen to a lot of classical as well - Dvorak, Mahler, Sibelius. The T1 sounds amazing with classical music. I have Hd800 and still use the T1 a lot for classical listening sessions. 

 
 

   
Sennheiser will sound rolled-off if you like beer T1 sound signature. I tested HD650, HD800 all with substantial amplification and they all sound dark & recessed compared to the Beyer. Some prefer that kind of warm, "organic" house sound. I also tested HD800 hooked up to Alo Studio 6, a very well-specced tube amp. I also auditioned Beyer with the Alo. The HD800 sound too dark compared to the T1 but has significantly larger soundstage than T1. I think HD800 is great for large orchestra pieces, those trebly Bach violin set pieces and yes, Michael Bay movies

What a marvelous thread this is! Thank you for all your responses to my question. I suppose that I have learned that the HD800 is my more obvious upgrade, when that time comes, but that, like most of you, I am going to want the the T1 as well! It never stops...

 

[NZheadcase]

  What a marvelous thread this is! Thank you for all your responses to my question. I suppose that I have learned that the HD800 is my more obvious upgrade, when that time comes, but that, like most of you, I am going to want the the T1 as well! It never stops...

 
Oh, truth mate. It. never. stops. hahahaha! But it's never boring! Been eyeing the HD800, but I'm holding out for a really great deal. The T1's and the LCD 2.2's have seen a significant drop, and so has the TH900 in the recent months. The HD800 seems to be holding steady with a bit of a dip in price every now and again. Here's hoping in a year or so, they become more accessible. 

 

[DutchGFX]

+1 for JRiver

I am going to get a BH Crack for Xmas and once I build it, I'll be comparing the HD800 and T1 on it. Will be interesting

 

[fonna]

Has anyone tried the T1 with the EF-6?

 

[philo50]

  Has anyone tried the T1 with the EF-6?

the T1 sounds terrific with the EF-6....likes its effortless power.....

 

[NZheadcase]

+1 for JRiver

I am going to get a BH Crack for Xmas and once I build it, I'll be comparing the HD800 and T1 on it. Will be interesting

 
Will be eager to read that once you have it built.  

 

[headwhacker]

Sennheiser will sound rolled-off if you like beer T1 sound signature. I tested HD650, HD800 all with substantial amplification and they all sound dark & recessed compared to the Beyer. Some prefer that kind of warm, "organic" house sound. I also tested HD800 hooked up to Alo Studio 6, a very well-specced tube amp. I also auditioned Beyer with the Alo. The HD800 sound too dark compared to the T1 but has significantly larger soundstage than T1. I think HD800 is great for large orchestra pieces, those trebly Bach violin set pieces and yes, Michael Bay movies

Same here. When I was looking for my first headphone coming from exclusively using iems, I have no idea which one to get. From my initial search and impressions I read here I was convinced that HD600/650 would be the best headphone for me. Then on the local headphone shop I was doing AB comparison of HD600/650 I finally decided to get the HD650.

While on the counter and was about to pay for the HD650 I saw the flagships side by side on display (HD800/T1). I then asked the guy to hold off punching in the HD650 and would like to give both flagships a try.

HD800 really is a big difference over HD650. However, when I started listening to T1 it just hit and couldn't stop listening. No matter what music I play on it, it gave me a new sense of revelation. The details are crisp and the treble is really clean and extended with some nuances I hear for the first time which I could not hear on all HDxxx model. The bass is tight and punchy and not overwhelming which is on par with HD800 but makes the HD6xx sound a little boomy/muddy.

To make the long story short I left the shop both happy and sad. Happy I was taking T1 home with me. Sad I had to spend 3 times more than I was planning to spend on that day.

 

[zackzack]

   
-1   The T1 could be brighter on some music though.   

 
Re:HD800
When I said HD800 is dark, I meant as compared to T1.
HD800 strength is the massive soundstage. I have come
to a conclusion that HD800 is the fussiest headphones
when it comes to amplifier pairing. I tested these with
Lehmann Audio BLC (not powerful enough) and ALO
Studio 6 + Marantz CD 6003 (too much tube sound, 
maybe it is the Marantz, can't tell). OTOH, the ALO/Marantz duo
sounds fast & airy when paired with T1 & Grado PS1000. 
 
T1 already sounds great with mid range amplification like Bifrost/Asgard 2.
There may be some treble peakiness but all you gotta do is EQ.
But when they are powered by Beyer's own A1 amp, fed by a fantastic Naim DAC,
the T1 sounds just right

 
 
Similarly, HD800 should sound its best with its house-tuned HDVD800 amp. 

 

[magiccabbage]

   
Re:HD800
When I said HD800 is dark, I meant as compared to T1.
HD800 strength is the massive soundstage. I have come
to a conclusion that HD800 is the fussiest headphones
when it comes to amplifier pairing. I tested these with
Lehmann Audio BLC (not powerful enough) and ALO
Studio 6 + Marantz CD 6003 (too much tube sound, 
maybe it is the Marantz, can't tell). OTOH, the ALO/Marantz duo
sounds fast & airy when paired with T1 & Grado PS1000. 
 
T1 already sounds great with mid range amplification like Bifrost/Asgard 2.
There may be some treble peakiness but all you gotta do is EQ.
But when they are powered by Beyer's own A1 amp, fed by a fantastic Naim DAC,
the T1 sounds just right

 
 
Similarly, HD800 should sound its best with its house-tuned HDVD800 amp. 

i don't agree at all that the HD800 sounds best with the HDVD800. My WA2 was much better. 

 

[gazar]

My best buddy Jonl Mitchell is sitting right next to me. Have a good Xmas.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

According to Frank I, the HDVD800 is pretty good with the HD 800, The WA2 (with GEC 6AS7G tubes) or the GSX MK2 would probably outperform it though.

 

[Filleri]

Thinking of upgrading my headphones. Currently i have Beyer DT880 and Nuforce HDP as my home setup. I have been looking at T1 or  Sennheiser HD800. I mainly listen to rock and metal. My question is which would be the best choice for me? I really like the DT880 and heard people say that the T1 is like DT880 on steroids. On the other hand HD800 is also very tempting, but i`m worried my HDP won`t do it justice.