[icebear]

I have a Norne Vanquish for my HD800 with Neutrik XX dual 3 pin XLRs.
Currently using a Skoll SE to balanced adapter until the 2014 batch of GSX's is shipping

.
 
As I needed 14ft, there was no other reasonable offer out there. Everyone of the usual suspects was charging an arm and leg for that run of a cable. All aspects of sound quality with the Vanquish are great in my book. No micro phonics issues at all (red sleeving) and light and comfortable. But I never had any issues with the stock cable either -other than the coiling. With my e20 DAC the HD800 has no sibilance if it isn't in the recording and there is no lack of bass. It's accurate and it's not bloated. But then maybe it's just my music preference

.

 

[Justin_Time]

I have a Norne Vanquish for my HD800 with Neutrik XX dual 3 pin XLRs.


Currently using a Skoll SE to balanced adapter until the 2014 batch of GSX's is shipping

.


 


As I needed 14ft, there was no other reasonable offer out there. Everyone of the usual suspects was charging an arm and leg for that run of a cable. All aspects of sound quality with the Vanquish are great in my book. No micro phonics issues at all (red sleeving) and light and comfortable. But I never had any issues with the stock cable either -other than the coiling. With my e20 DAC the HD800 has no sibilance if it isn't in the recording and there is no lack of bass. It's accurate and it's not bloated. But then maybe it's just my music preference

.

 


I may have an alternate explanation: we get used to the sound of our favorite headphones and after some time, it becomes our reference.

There is no simple way to compare headphone sound to the sound of a stereo system or the sound of live (acoustic) music in a concert hall because they are so different. The simplest and least satisfying way is to compare the sound of different headphones.

I had a pair of HP-2 for the longest time and never though there was anything wrong with their sound...until I started to acquire other headphones like the HD800, PS1000, LCD2/3, HE-500/6, Denon 7000, TH-900 and Stax 007. Then I become gradually and increasingly dissatisfied with some aspects of every pair of headphones!

Justin_Time

PS: A man with a single pair of headphones knows what music sounds like, a man with several pairs is never sure...

 

[koiloco]

 

  I have a Norne Vanquish for my HD800 with Neutrik XX dual 3 pin XLRs.
  Currently using a Skoll SE to balanced adapter until the 2014 batch of GSX's is shipping

   
  As I needed 14ft, there was no other reasonable offer out there. Everyone of the usual suspects was charging an arm and leg for that run of a cable. All aspects of sound quality with the Vanquish are great in my book. No micro phonics issues at all (red sleeving) and light and comfortable. But I never had any issues with the stock cable either -other than the coiling. With my e20 DAC the HD800 has no sibilance if it isn't in the recording and there is no lack of bass. It's accurate and it's not bloated. But then maybe it's just my music preference

 


I may have an alternate explanation: we get used to the sound of our favorite headphones and after some time, it becomes our reference.

There is no simple way to compare headphone sound to the sound of a stereo system or the sound of live (acoustic) music in a concert hall because they are so different. The simplest and least satisfying way is to compare the sound of different headphones.

I had a pair of HP-2 for the longest time and never though there was anything wrong with their sound...until I started to acquire other headphones like the HD800, PS1000, LCD2/3, HE-500/6, Denon 7000, TH-900 and Stax 007. Then I become gradually and increasingly disatisfied with some aspects of every pair of headphones!

Justin_Time

PS: A man with a single pair of headphones knows what music sounds like, a man with several pairs is never sure...

+1

 

[MickeyVee]

+100 - Ain't that the truth - but for me, I always come back to the HD800. Not perfect but it's my reference. I should really stop looking for a complimentary pair but what the hey, this is HeadFi so no stopping us.
Quote:

PS: A man with a single pair of headphones knows what music sounds like, a man with several pairs is never sure...

 

[RUMAY408]

  Lucky you.  You save money that way.
 
I cannot afford to be as dismissive of changing cables as my experience is completely the opposite:  of all the headphones I own,  the HD800 (and the PS1000) is just about the most sensitive to cables.
 
My suggestion:  other links in your chain may be the limiting factor (s).  
 
It is true that, in terms of relative impact on the sound,  roughly, source > amp > cable.  But I could still easily hear the difference between the stock cable, silver cable (Silver Widow) and copper cable (Copper Venom) through my home system using the HD800.  But through my much more modest desk-top system at work, the cable made very little  difference. 

I thought the cable would have made little difference till I changed stock to a balanced ALO Green on my HD650.  That was such a big upgrade now I'm a believer.
 
My problem with the HD800, I can't change out cables (on my own) without altering the warranty on the HP, any thoughts about this.  Any experience with ALO cables?

 

[preproman]

Justin_Time

PS: A man with a single pair of headphones knows what music sounds like, a man with several pairs is never sure...

 
Nope - not going to agree.  

 

[midnightwalker]

  Justin_Time

PS: A man with a single pair of headphones knows what music sounds like, a man with several pairs is never sure...

 
Lol you better put YMMV after that but I can pretty sure that a man with only 1 pair of headphone will never has chance to know the differences of a song with different pairs of headphone.

 

[Justin_Time]

  I thought the cable would have made little difference till I changed stock to a balanced ALO Green on my HD650.  That was such a big upgrade now I'm a believer.
 
My problem with the HD800, I can't change out cables (on my own) without altering the warranty on the HP, any thoughts about this.  Any experience with ALO cables?

I never heard of the HD800 warranty being affected if you change the cable?  
 
Are you absolutely positive about that? Or are you just yanking my chain?  Why on earth would Sennheiser make the HD800 cable detachable if it cannot be...detached without affecting the warranty 

. Not that it makes any difference to me. I change the cable if it needs changing.
 
 
Yep, I have tried the ALO cables--good cables--and quite a few others.  But I found my favorite cables with Frank's (Toxic Cables).  That man is on to something.  I get more performance with less money.  Not that some of his cables are inexpensive.  The Silver Widow and Copper Venom are quite pricey though they deliver the performance of cables several times their costs. Drawback: waiting period could be up to several months!
 
 
BTW, some headphones (e.g. the Audeze LCD2/3) are less sensitive to cables than others (HD800; PS1000).  I have no idea why.

 

[bigfatpaulie]

  I thought the cable would have made little difference till I changed stock to a balanced ALO Green on my HD650.  That was such a big upgrade now I'm a believer.
 
My problem with the HD800, I can't change out cables (on my own) without altering the warranty on the HP, any thoughts about this.  Any experience with ALO cables?

 
Where did you hear this?  Unless there is something very special about your pair, I don't think there is any truth to that.

 

[RUMAY408]

   
Where did you hear this?  Unless there is something very special about your pair, I don't think there is any truth to that.

 

  I never heard of the HD800 warranty being affected if you change the cable?  
 
Are you absolutely positive about that? Or are you just yanking my chain?  Why on earth would Sennheiser make the HD800 cable detachable if it cannot be...detached without affecting the warranty 

. Not that it makes any difference to me. I change the cable if it needs changing.
 
 
Yep, I have tried the ALO cables--good cables--and quite a few others.  But I found my favorite cables with Frank's (Toxic Cables).  That man is on to something.  I get more performance with less money.  Not that some of his cables are inexpensive.  The Silver Widow and Copper Venom are quite pricey though they deliver the performance of cables several times their costs. Drawback: waiting period could be up to several months!
 
 
BTW, some headphones (e.g. the Audeze LCD2/3) are less sensitive to cables than others (HD800; PS1000).  I have no idea why.

The HD650 cable is easy to detach, so the HD800 is simple to disconnect?  
 
If I break it putting in new cables the warranty will be intact? 
Why does it take so long for professionals to upgrade the cable?

 

[bigfatpaulie]

The HD800 cable is just as easy: just pull.  The HD800 cable, for re-attaching, is a little better IMHO because it only fits one way.  The HD6X0 cable can be jammed in the wrong way.

 

[RUMAY408]

  The HD800 cable is just as easy: just pull.  The HD800 cable, for re-attaching, is a little better IMHO because it only fits one way.  The HD6X0 cable can be jammed in the wrong way.

Seriously I was not trying to be provocative.
 
Excellent information, I had a refurbished HD800 that fell apart at the hinges but was under warranty, so Crutchfield gave back full credit on them, since then I have taken the view that if I start yanking out cables I might void any warranty.  Very expensive HP's and other HP's (T1) new cables are replaced only with authorized dealers (Moon Audio).
 
If I can replace the cable myself well I'm all over that, thank you 
 

 

[bigfatpaulie]

  Seriously I was not trying to be provocative.
 
Excellent information, I had a refurbished HD800 that fell apart at the hinges but was under warranty, so Crutchfield gave back full credit on them, since then I have taken the view that if I start yanking out cables I might void any warranty.  Very expensive HP's and other HP's (T1) new cables are replaced only with authorized dealers (Moon Audio).
 
If I can replace the cable myself well I'm all over that, thank you 
 

 
The more you know!  

 
 
Just hold one ear piece firmly and and give the cable a steady pull down.  Rinse and repeat for the other side.  
 
Happy listening!

 

[RUMAY408]

   
The more you know!  

 
 
Just hold one ear piece firmly and and give the cable a steady pull down.  Rinse and repeat for the other side.  
 
Happy listening!

Thanks bigfatpaulie 

 (Head-Fi needs to add an HD800 happy face!)

 

[Justin_Time]

The HD650 cable is easy to detach, so the HD800 is simple to disconnect?  

If I break it putting in new cables the warranty will be intact? 
Why does it take so long for professionals to upgrade the cable?

It does not take any skills to remove the HD800 cable: just grab the connector--not the cable--firmly and pull it straight out. It does not void the warranty.

You can order a replacement cable from many reputable places. You should be able to get it in less than a week unless you want some special length or connectors.