[MelvinV]

Quote:

People have to be seriously high if they think the Audeze or HiFiMAN cans have the same build quality as Sennheiser.   They just aren't comparable.  As for the paint, I've yet to chip a Senn, but the likely culprit is EU environmental laws and what ingredients are allowed.

Now that you mention it, probably.
The EU is so pu**y when it comes to chemicals and stuff. If I get ill when I lick my HD 800s because of "dangerous" paint then it's my problem because I'm licking headphones. It doesn't really matter as long as it's not lead paint. If only the EU would take care of some actual problems, instead of wasting tax money on silly things like trying to ban porn on the web and banning "dangerous" paint.

 

[negura]

Quote:

Except when your Audeze headphones crack or a driver blows. Built like a tank, right? The only build quality issues someone can come up with on the Senns is delicate paint and stiff jacks? Excuse me if I believe the opposite regarding tank like quality.

 
The cable is awful too... this is coming from Sennheiser engineers off the record. It's quite a common support issue to them that the stock cable snaps where the plugs meet the rubber part.
 
I've yet to have any build problems with any of my Audeze headphones and I don't treat them like eggs as I do with my HD800s. I am aware there have been various issues in the past, but at least they've taken steps and addressed them?
 
I love my HD800s, but you have to be in serious denial that there are no issues. What steps is Sennheiser taking regarding the paint issue, the cable issue or the fact that the connectors are so damn impossible and you risk headphone damage changing cables?

 

[DefQon]

The only bad thing about Sennheiser is easy paint chips. Other than that, sublime build quality.

 

[dan.gheorghe]

Quote:

 
The cable is awful too... this is coming from Sennheiser engineers off the record. It's quite a common support issue to them that the stock cable snaps where the plugs meet the rubber part.
 
I've yet to have any build problems with any of my Audeze headphones and I don't treat them like eggs as I do with my HD800s. I am aware there have been a lot of various issues in the past, but at least they've taken steps and addressed them?
 
I love my HD800s, but you have to be in serious denial that there are no issues. What steps is Sennheiser taking regarding the paint issue or the fact that the connectors are so damn impossible and you risk headphone damage changing cables?

 
The fact that Sennheiser hasn't done anything about the paint or the cable until now is kind of disturbing...indeed

 

[negura]

Quote:

People have to be seriously high if they think the Audeze or HiFiMAN cans have the same build quality as Sennheiser.   They just aren't comparable.  As for the paint, I've yet to chip a Senn, but the likely culprit is EU environmental laws and what ingredients are allowed.

 
Seriously, a headphone costing well in excess of a thousand name your currency, can't have a proper paint job solution that abides the law?
 
I realize it's pop culture to bash Audeze, but they came a long way while providing great support to folks having issues, have taken the right steps, and I think they are in a very good position right now. I am talking the present, not the past. And comparing today's HD800 and today's Audeze. I could expand the assertion to other cans in the Sennheiser range, notorious for paint and driver issues: Hello HD600s, HD650s?
 
That said, this is not to take away from any of the qualities of the HD800s, but the next time one has to plan ahead how pick them up or put them down veeeery carefully, has to think about how to position their fingers on them so not to touch any squishy parts, or sweat before changing a cable, remember to stop reading out of a Sennheiser leaflet.

 

[Maxvla]

The cable is awful too... this is coming from Sennheiser engineers off the record. It's quite a common support issue to them that the stock cable snaps where the plugs meet the rubber part.

I've yet to have any build problems with any of my Audeze headphones and I don't treat them like eggs as I do with my HD800s. I am aware there have been various issues in the past, but at least they've taken steps and addressed them?

I love my HD800s, but you have to be in serious denial that there are no issues. What steps is Sennheiser taking regarding the paint issue, the cable issue or the fact that the connectors are so damn impossible and you risk headphone damage changing cables?

Link me to a single HD800 driver failure, or a broken frame, or something worthy of getting as breathlessly irate as you seem to be. While it isn't great that the paint is not the best, there is an alternative (Colorware) at the same retail price with tougher paint that you get to customize. As for the stiff connectors that isn't a common issue, but isn't rare either. Just be careful? As for the cable, I don't even use the included cable. It is too long and isn't balanced.

People are still getting Audeze headphones they can't use when the driver blows or the frame cracks at the connection to the headband. Thats a little worse than some dings.

 

[negura]

Edit: Nevermind, I think my point was made in the posting(s) above. 
 
I am glad we're all enjoying the HD800s for how they sound.

 

[Maxvla]

Thanks for playing this down. It's of course in our best interest as consumers... As for Colorware, I hope it's well clear that most of the planet and consumer base nowadays lives outside the US.

You started it by calling Audeze build quality tank like. You do realize what a tank is and does, and ends up looking like right? They end up looking pretty beat up, but it keeps on going. Audeze may get the varnish or leather quality right, but they are more lemon than tank. The one that keeps going despite physical wear? The HD800.

You could probably get Colorwares through a exporting service similar to PriceJapan, etc if they only sell to USA.

 

[DefQon]

If only colorware was still offering the paint service to pre-existing HD800 owners.

 

[panshaoze]

still looking forward to it

 

[technica18]

Hey guys how do you tell a factory new HD800 from a used one? Is the outside box sealed with shrinkwrap or a piece of tape on the opening? Is the cable attached to the headphones? Any other signs that one can use to differentiate a new one from a used one?

 

[Solude]

Serial number.  Current new prod should be 21000+ serial number.

 

[technica18]

Serial number.  Current new prod should be 21000+ serial number.

I thought of that but if it's a recent return item then the serial number can be over 21000. Anything else I can look for?

 

[bearFNF]

No tape on box, cable is connected.  Might be a indication when you go to register it with Sennheiser.
 
Maybe try a reputable vendor so there is no doubt?

 

[DefQon]

Smell the pads and headband. If it smells funky, then it's worn. If it smell likes fresh rubber then its new.