INTRODUCTION

I’ve been incredibly lucky this year to have access to quite a few headphones – both owned by myself, and loaned by another wonderful NZ Head-Fier (62ohm) – who I’m incredibly indebted to.  So this year for me has been very much a journey of discovery.
 
I started back in January, when I wrote a comparison piece on the two Sennheisers I owned at the time (the HD600 and HD700) http://www.head-fi.org/t/725127/comparison-review-a-tale-of-two-sennheisers-hd600-vs-hd700, progressed to a comparison of the other two headphones I owned (Beyerdynamic’s DT880 and T1) http://www.head-fi.org/t/727739/comparison-review-beyerdynamic-s-siblings-the-classic-dt880-vs-the-flagship-t1., and culminated recently with my comparison of the HD600 and HD650 http://www.head-fi.org/t/740942/comparison-review-part-deux-a-tale-of-two-sennheisers-hd600-vs-hd650 - facilitated by the loan of 62ohm’s HD650.
 
It was during this review that I had a couple of requests for a comparison with the HD800. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Rizki (62ohm), I’ve had his HD800 with me for the last week, and today will write my final thoughts on a comparison of the T1 (which I own), and the HD800 which I’ve finally had a chance to spend quality time with.  In the next few hours I’ll also add my thoughts on the HD800 and the HD600.
 
So take a stroll with me once again on my continued journey of discovery, and see which dynamic flagship will be in my long term plans.  Do I stick with the wonderful T1 which I own, or will my heart be won by Sennheiser’s TOTL dynamic, the HD800?
 
ABOUT ME (or a base-line for interpreting my thoughts and bias)
 
I'm a 47 year old music lover.  I don't say audiophile – I just love my music.  Over the last couple of years, I have slowly changed from cheaper listening set-ups to my current set-up.  I vary my listening from portable (Fiio X5, X1 and iPhone5S) to my desk-top's set-up (PC > coax > NFB-12 > LD MKIV > HP).  I also use a portable set-up at work – either X5 > HP, or PC > Beyer A200p > HP.  My main full sized headphones at the time of writing are the Beyer T1 and Sennheiser HD600.  Most of my portable listening is done with IEMs - and up till now it has mainly been with the Fidue A83 & A81, Dunu DN-1000 and Altone200. A full list of the gear I have owned (past and present is listed in my Head-Fi profile).
 
I have very eclectic music tastes listening to a variety from classical/opera and jazz, to grunge and general rock.   I listen to a lot of blues, jazz, folk music, classic rock, indie and alternative rock.  I am particularly fond of female vocals.  I generally tend toward cans that are relatively neutral/balanced, but I do have a fondness for clarity, and suspect I might have slight ‘treble-head’ preferences.  I am not treble sensitive (at all), and in the past have really enjoyed headphones like the K701, SR325i, and of course the T1 and DT880.
 
I have extensively tested myself (abx) and I find aac256 or higher completely transparent.  I do use exclusively redbook 16/44.1 if space is not an issue.  All of my music is legally purchased (mostly CD – the rest FLAC purchased on-line).
 
I tend to be sceptical about audiophile ‘claims’, don’t generally believe in burn-in, have never heard a difference with different cables, and would rather test myself blind on perceived differences.  I am not a ‘golden eared listener’.  I suffer from mild tinnitus, and at 47, my hearing is less than perfect.
 
This is a purely subjective review - my gear, my ears, and my experience.  Please take it all with a grain of salt - especially if it does not match your own experience.
 
I have used the T1 extensively over the past 6 months, but this is my first introduction to the HD800, so please excuse the relatively short-term listening experiences with it.  I have clocked a lot of hours with the HD800 in the last week.
 

THE REVIEW / COMPARISON

RESOURCES
 
 
For the purposes of this review and comparison, I used both headphones mostly from my NFB-12 + LD MKIV.  Both headphones were volume level matched using an SPL meter and calibrated (twice) with a constant 1 kHz test tone.  This was rechecked periodically during the comparison.  I used the Little Dot mainly because it was easier to swap with the correct volume matching (more precise markings on the pot).  Tracks used were across a variety of genres – and can be viewed in this list http://www.head-fi.org/a/brookos-test-tracks.
 
 
One further note on my audio set-up.  I know many will regard it as “budget” or “entry/mid level”.  I know many people with better gear will probably comment that both the T1 and HD800 scale with higher end equipment.  They may be right.  But this is not the purpose of this comparison.  The purpose is to see how well the two headphones perform on my gear.  I genuinely like my NFB-12 and Little Dot.  They sound wonderful.  And both the T1 and HD800 absolutely shine on this modest set-up.
 
PUBLISHED SPECIFICATIONS
 
FREQUENCY RESPONSE GRAPH
 

Thanks to Headroom for making these resources available.  Click on the graph for a better image.
 
A note on the purpose of the graph.  It is not presented to validate any views I may have throughout the review, nor to give me a term of reference.  I actually added it toward the end of the review – once my notes had been written, and then I went back and referenced the new material where warranted.
 
PACKAGING
 
Both the T1 and HD800 come in very solid cases, with a thin printed outer retail sleeve/box.
 
 
The T1 comes in an aluminium outer case which “screams” quality (to me anyway).  Inside is cut-out shaped foam.  Included with the box is an information card, and small Beyerdynamic booklet.
 
The HD800 box is a reasonably solid black board, with a a cut-out shaped foam inner (similar to that used on the HD600/650 – but this time draped in a satiny fabric. It definitely gives that flagship / luxury feel. The HD800 includes 3 large booklet/manuals.  Rizki’s are still sealed so, I haven’t opened them.
 
 
 
If I was forced to choose, I’d award a tie – simply because I like the T1 aluminium case, but think the HD800 inner padding just looks “right” for the contents.
 
BUILD
 
Both headphones are built extremely well – with the T1 (IMO) looking more traditional/clean/no-frills compared to the HD800’s very stylish space age design.
 
 
The T1 has metal yokes, metal and plastic cups, round and quite soft velour ear-pads, and extremely soft leather over foam headband.  The drivers are angled to deliver sound slightly from the front of the cups toward the rear.  The main selling point of the T1 drivers is the “Tesla” (or very strong) magnets designed to produce more than a Tesla (or 10000 Gauss) of magnetic field. The result should be very good control over the drivers, and very clear sound.
 
 
The cable is a 3 meter OFC dual channel type (Sommer SC-Peacock MKII) which is designed for two completely different channels – so could be split to a balanced connection very easily.  The standard cord is terminated in a Neutrik 6.3mm plug.  The cable is not removable – but would be one of the most heavy-duty cables I’ve ever encountered.  It is also quite pliable – and easy to coil.
 
 
The ear-pads measure (internal) approx 55mm across and are approx. 35mm deep from the bottom of the cup to the top of the pads.  I have no issues with my ears fitting inside the cups, and they’ve never touched the drivers.  The outer ears are close to the pads though (it doesn't bother me) - the HD800 comparatively has more space.
 
 
The HD800 also has a mix of metal and specially molded plastic (Leona) in the assembly, but the overall build is (while not maybe as robust as the T1) still well designed and put together.  The headband top is stainless steel – but the actual sliders are plastic.  The pads are “D” shaped, but the internal measurements are larger than the T1 – approx. 80mm top to bottom, 60 mm front to back, and approx. 25-30mm from the driver to the outer pads.
 
 
The pads and headband have less volume of padding than the T1 – but remain very comfortable with the outer material being alcantara (very soft).
 
The HD800 has its own specially designed driver – employing ring radiator technology, which is designed to minimise distortion.  It also provides better imaging by angling back toward the ears (from a slightly forward position) – similar to the T1.
 
 
The cable is a 3 meter OFC twisted pair with an outer fibre sleeve, terminated in Sennheiser’s own branded 6.3mm plug.  This cable is removable from the cups with a proprietary connection system. These connectors just snap into place (see photos).
 
 
Overall for straight build quality (robustness), I’d give the nod to the T1 – it’s built like a tank. But for aesthetics, I still think the HD800 has a magical style which (up close) I find very attractive.  I also prefer the HD800’s cable for looks – but the T1 cable again for build.
 
FIT / COMFORT
 
The T1 is an extremely comfortable headphone – much like its forebears (DT880 / DT990).  The headband molds nicely around my head, is very soft, and causes no pressure points.  The pads encircle my ears, and give me enough space so that my ears never touch the drivers.  The combination of velour and padding is very comfortable.  The earcups also swivel up and down, and there is enough movement left and right to ensure a good fit.
 
The HD800 though is the most comfortable headphone I’ve ever worn. The alcantara covering is softer than the velour, and the bigger cups just completely encircle my ears without ever coming remotely close to my ears.  They also seem to distribute any pressure perfectly.  The cups have enough rotation (4 ways like the T1) to always provide a secure fit.
 
 
Both headphones are extremely comfortable – but this time I have to give credit where it’s due – HD800 definite winner for me.  Over time the HD800s literally disappear when worn.
 
SONIC COMPARISONS
 
General frequency summary (supported by graph above):
 
These were my general notes before actually downloading the graphs from Headroom.
 
Both headphones are relatively similar with very similar bass quantity.  Both are also relatively balanced overall – bass relative to mid-range, and again relative to treble – although both are what most would catgorise as having a brighter overall presentation (more emphasis in upper mid-range and lower treble.
 
After volume matching, and consistently track after track, I found the T1 (relative to the HD800) sounded slightly brighter, clearer, and more etched.  Those who’ve read my comparisons in the past will know that female vocalists make up around 60% of my total music collection – and whilst both headphones coped magnificently with most of my female artists – it was the T1 which consistently gave a “sweeter” and more euphonic vocal presentation.  This takes nothing away from the HD800’s presentation which is also exceedingly clear – revealing every detail that exists in the recording.  The one thing that I did notice with the HD800 is that it had a tendency to add shimmer to cymbal hits – whereas the T1 was a lot cleaner.
 
Of the two – the T1 consistently was a more vivid listening experience for me – whilst the HD800 still had all the detail, but may have been very slightly laid back comparatively.
 
Soundstage / Imaging:
 
To test soundstage and imaging I used Amber Rubarth’s “Tundra” track from the album Tales of The 17th Ward.  The track is binaural – so it gives good queues anyway – but can be very good for a combination of imaging and soundstage width and depth.
 
Both the T1 and HD800 display very similar soundstage size – in width and depth and height.  The imaging is similar from the perspective of location and accuracy.  Both excel in creating an out of head experience, and a sense of space.  Both also excel at creating real 3D imagery – they’re not extremely L ---- C ---- R with less detail in between (like the AKG K7/Q7 series).  The difference I have noted (and I’m not sure if it’s a by-product of the slightly different tonality), is that the HD800 has slightly more air (reverb/resonance?) around some spatial queues – creating a different atmosphere which is both captivating and entirely believable.
 
The T1 in contrast has the same ability to create space, and place images accurately within that space – but because of the slightly heightened clarity, it has less of this same quality (resonance?) that the HD800 portrays.  Because of this – the stage seems ever so slightly smaller and more precise – whilst the same track with the HD800 appears just slightly larger, and a little more diffuse.
 
I should stress that this is only happening in tracks where the music has been recorded in such a way to create depth.  One track I listened to recently (sorry folks it is youtube) was a Sara K track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmozdrQ4tFM).  Both the T1 and HD800 render this track wonderfully – but the HD800 has a little added “something” that just really connects with me – the tone is subtly more organic and more involving.  I apologise for the way I’ve described this – when I was editing it, I realised how imprecise I’ve described it – but at this stage I can’t really articulate the difference better than I’ve been able to in the last few sentences.
 
Switching to Loreena McKennitt’s “Dante’s Prayer” (with the T1’s back in place), and I’m at my usual spot in the audience – around row 3 or 4 back.  Loreena is center stage, and that beautiful cello is sitting slightly back and over to the right.  Both the T1 and HD800 give similar position and same imaging.  On this particular track, when the song ends, the applause has always been so natural and enveloping (with my HD600) that I can close my eyes, and for a moment I’m actually in the audience.  The T1 handles this well, the HD800 even better.  It’s a magic moment – and one that both flagships manage – with slightly different presentations.
 
Overall on imaging and sound stage – I’d give a very slight nod to the HD800 on stage, the T1 on precision (for the imaging), but overall to the HD800 for the total portrayal.  We’re talking small increments here though.
 
Specific Genre Notes:
 
Rock / Classic Rock / Prog Rock – tracks tested included:

1. “Away from the Sun” – 3 Doors Down
2. “Art for Art’s Sake” – 10CC
3. “The Diary of Jane” – Breaking Benjamin
4. “Hotel California” – The Eagles
5. “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits
6. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day
7. “Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town” – Pearl Jam
8. “Immortality” – Seether (unplugged)
9. “Money” – Pink Floyd
10. “Trains” – Porcupine Tree

 
As I alluded to in the early summary – the differences between the T1 and HD800 with my selection of rock tracks center mainly round the presentation of upper mids and lower treble.  Bass is very consistent in both headphones.  Speed is no problem either – and both headphones cope with faster or more complex tracks admirably – with no smearing.  A staple for me, with any headphone I test or compare, is how they cope with Pearl Jam (I’m an unabashed PJ junkie).  The HD800 captures Vedder’s vocals perfectly – but is a little brash with cymbal splashes sometimes.  The T1 comparatively offers slightly more contrast.  If I could nit-pick, I’d take HD800’s vocal presentation, with T1’s overall contrast.  Porcupine Tree (because of the quality of the recording and mastering) is a great band to test both headphones.  Trains is a fantastic track because of the transitions between guitar, vocal melody, and bass.  With the T1, the track is extremely vibrant with a lot of contrast.  With the HD800 it is a little less vibrant, but more cohesive – transitions are smoother.
 
So for my preferences, this is too close to call.  Both the T1 and HD800 are more alike with rock than different – but once again the HD800 proves more laid back comparatively.
 
Opera / Classical  - tracks tested included:

1. “Nessun Dorma” – Pavarotti
2. “Flower Duet (Lakme)” – Netrebko and Garanca
3. “Moonlight Sonata 1st & 3rd” – Wilhelm Kempf
4. “Op.8, No.1, R.269 "La Primavera" - 1. Allegro” – Anne Sophie Mutter & Trondheim Soloists (Vivaldi’s Four Seasons)
5. “OP 35 1st Movement from Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D” – Julia Fischer

 
This time I started with Netrebko and Garanca and the HD800.  For me this was goose bump inducing.  A perfect blend of soundstage, imagery, and simple tonal excellence.  Restarting with the T1 and I can’t fault this either.  If anything I prefer the vocal presentation with the T1s – but the overall ambience (orchestra and feel of the depth of the auditorium) with the HD800s.
 
Moving to solo piano, and this time for me there was a definite preference.  The HD800 just somehow seemed to capture more emotion, timbre, passion.  Don’t get me wrong though, both headphones present extremely well – but the HD800 somehow just nails the emotion that Kempff brings to the performance.
 
Finally on to straight orchestral – and whist both headphones excel (IMO) with classical – I’m actually finding myself once again preferring the HD800’s overall tonality, but the T1’s clear and clean contrast, and vividness of presentation.
 
I think overall for this genre – it will be very dependent on how you like your classical presented.  Both headphones are expansive.  The HD800 might be slightly better presenting tonality, whilst the T1 gives an added clarity that is very addictive.
 
Jazz – tracks tested included:

1. “So What” – Miles Davis
2. “Gaucho” – Steely Dan
3. “Safer” – Gabriella Cilmi
4. “Love Me Like A Man” – Diana Krall
5. “Ruins” – Portico Quartet

 
I started with Miles Davis, and then progressed to Portico Quartet.  Once again I’m in a quandary over which presentation I prefer, because they are so similar – yet at the same time quite different.  The HD800 seems to give a little less energetic performance, almost relaxed in comparison to the T1, but for instrumental jazz I can’t help but favour this more relaxed style.  So for me – it’s HD800 by the faintest of margins.
 
Switching to female vocals (Krall and Cilmi), and this time it is more clear cut.  Once again (for my preferences) the T1 continues to present a more euphoric overall presentation.  The HD800 is also truly excellent – but just doesn’t have the same level of overall captivation.
 
Pop / Rap / Dub / Electronic / Indie – tracks tested included:

1. “Turning Tables” – Adele
2. “You Know I’m No Good” – Amy Winehouse
3. “Lose Yourself” – Eminem
4. “Aventine” – Agnes Obel
5. “Electric Daisy Violin” – Lindsay Stirling
6. “Little Man” – Little Dragon
7. “Royals” – Lorde
8. “Tui Dub” – Salmonella Dub
9. “God Is Speaking” - The Flashbulb
10. “Dawn to Flight” – Wildlight
11. “Is There a Ghost” – Band of Horses

 
I won’t go into an in depth track by track comparison here – as my findings have become more consistent as I progress. Both the T1 and HD800 are fantastic with bass – clean, clear, articulate, and extended.  And once again the same presentation from my previous notes repeats.  The HD800 displays a slightly more balanced but polite overall presentation, whilst the T1 is more energetic and vivid.  Once again I find myself tending toward the T1’s presentation of female vocals – and this is particularly so with Agnes Obel’s “Aventine” and Wildlight’s “Dawn to Flight”.
 
One note here – because it was of particular interest to me in light of comments regarding the revealing nature of the HD800.  The track “Is There a Ghost” by Band of Horses has some distorted guitar throughout, and it was interesting to note the two different presentations.  Both headphones presented the distortion with no real gloss (it’s supposed to be there), but it was somehow more palatable with the T1.  The distortion somehow seemed a little more “annoying” with the HD800, to the point that I actually turned the volume on the pot down a little.  Is this the famed “unforgiving” nature of the HD800 – or just a frequency which resonates for my own particular tastes?  I’m not too sure.
 
AMPING / SENSITIVITY
 
Using the T1 and HD800 with my LD MKIV OTL tube, and both headphones were actually not far away at the same volume on the pot.  The HD800 was approx. 4dB louder than the T1 (73dB vs 77dB respectively using the test tones).  I did briefly try both headphones with my Fiio X5, and whilst I could get both headphones to good listening levels, both displayed brighter signatures than evident with the LD.  The sound wasn’t awful – but I did prefer the overall signature of the LD.
 
ERRATA – PARTICULARLY REGARDING HD800
 
Before I embarked on this journey of discovery, I had consistently been led to believe that the HD800 was:

1. Overly bright
2. Had a massive soundstage
3. Was very source and amp picky
4. Would lay bare any poor recordings

 
 I thought I’d take a moment to address these points, in case anyone coming from a cheaper set-up (maybe similar to mine) wants an alternate point of view.

• Brightness?
  First please take into account my lack of treble sensitivity.  I was honestly expecting the HD800s to be brighter and more vivid than my T1s.  This proved not to be the case.  If anything, Rizki’s pair is a little more laidback and balanced.  The T1 definitely has the more vivid overall presentation.  Now this may be due to headphone variability – there is some evidence of this in impressions of both the T1 and HD800 threads.  But for anyone not considering the HD800 due to expected brightness, I would encourage you to at least try them.  You may be pleasantly surprised – I was.
• Soundstage?
  I’m not really sure what I was expecting with the HD800 – bigger than the AKG K7xx perhaps?  Both the HD800’s stage didn’t seem much larger than the T1 – in fact they’re pretty close on my equipment.  I’m actually happy about this because the last thing I wanted was something that didn’t sound real, or sounded too distant.  The HD800 do a marvellous job in soundstage size, and imaging ability – totally believable, and very engaging.  You do get some “wow” moments.
• Source and amp picky?
  Good question.  Maybe they are, and maybe I’m just lucky.  I’m sure I’ll get comments that my chain is not good enough to show their true potential. It’s probably not but I shall ignore those comments (nicely) anyway – you’ve been warned.  What I can say is that on my set-up, both headphones absolutely shine (for my preferences). It has been well worth having the T1, and if I decide to get the HD800 I will be running them from the NFB-12 and Little Dot for the foreseeable future.  Why – because I think both combos sound great.
• Revealing?
  Yep – they are.  But they also sound great with 95% of the music I’ve thrown at them.  Don’t be put off by comments that you’ll need to throw out half of your music collection because they aren’t master recordings.  Quite simply – most of my music sounds better with the HD800 than with lesser headphones.  Otherwise there would be no point in owning them.  They are supposed to be a window to better fidelity, and I think they achieve this rather well.

CONCLUSION

Once again (see above section) I approached this comparison initially with some preconceptions which were shattered pretty quickly.
 
The HD800 has proven to be an amazing headphone, but rather than being the reference class show piece reserved for special occasions and critical listening, I could see it easily as a favourite “everyday” go-to headphone.  In fact if I owned one, I may not listen to anything else (more on this in a second).
 
The HD800 has exceptional comfort and fit, a wonderfully balanced tone with fantastic extension at both ends, and a holographic presentation – which with the right recording can literally take your breath away.  It also has a very good build quality, and sounds wonderful with any genre I’ve thrown at it over the last week.
 
The T1 in contrast also has very good comfort and fit, exceptional build quality, good balance with excellent extension and a stunningly vivid overall presentation which is spacious, and images superbly.  The T1 has better overall contrast IMO, but is also slightly brighter – which some may find problematic (I don’t).
 
The question for me was always going to be T1 or HD800, and it’s one I can’t answer ….. yet.  I have one final comparison still to come, and although it is a real mismatch (HD600 vs HD800), it also sets the stage for my final decisions.  At the current value of a used HD800, I can easily afford a T1 and HD600.  The question therefore is whether I get more overall value from the T1/HD600 combo, or if the HD800 would be preferable.
 
If I was to only have one headphone – I think at this stage I would lean toward the HD800 over the T1.  But right now for me it’s a choice of HD800 vs T1+HD600 – and it’s simply too hard to make a call right now.
 
As a final note – I’d like to thank my friend Rizki for the loan – he has been far too generous, and I hope sending him my X5 for a bit of a trial next week might make up for some of the opportunity he has given me.
 
Once again thanks for taking the journey with me – I sit now editing it, this time with the HD800’s on my head, listening to some live Joe Bonamassa, and wondering how exactly they managed to record the ambience of the Vienna Opera House so well that the HD800 captures it perfectly.  Life doesn’t get much better than this sometimes ……… 
 

HD600 vs HD800 – Musings and Observations​

 
INTRODUCTION
 
Rather than go into a full depth review of these two headphones (as I’d originally intended), I decided instead to simply collect some ramblings from side-by-side comparison and listening.
You can read about my preferences in the post above, and I won’t be posting a lot of photos this time, as I’ve covered most of the HD800 photos above, and HD600 photos in previous reviews.
 
I’ve owned 3 pairs of HD600s over the last four years, and even after selling twice (to fund other headphones to try), I always seem to come back to them.  They remain hugely popular even after all these years, and although they are no longer flagship quality (by today’s standards), they would undoubtedly qualify as HiFi, and in my opinion represent one of the best value to performance ratios in headphones today.
 
You can check out other reviews / articles I’ve written on the HD600 here (plenty of photos):
Original review 2011 - http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-600/reviews/5925
HD600 vs HD700 - http://www.head-fi.org/t/725127/comparison-review-a-tale-of-two-sennheisers-hd600-vs-hd700
HD600 vs HD650 - http://www.head-fi.org/t/740942/comparison-review-part-deux-a-tale-of-two-sennheisers-hd600-vs-hd650
 
This shortened post (rather than full review) completes the comparisons I wanted to achieve with the Sennheisers.
 
PURPOSE
 
So why compare the HD800 and HD600 – especially when the technology of the HD800 is so superior, and the pricing has such a gap?  It’s pretty simple really – my current choice at the moment is to sell both my T1 and HD600 and by an HD800 instead, or keep my current T1 and HD600 and continue to enjoy them.
 
LISTENING SET-UP
 
See the HD800 vs T1 comparison.  The set-up is the same : NFB12 > LD MKIV.  Once gain volume matched using a 1 kHz test tone and SPL meter.  It was a lot easier this time, as the HD800 and HD600 had almost the same volume on my system at 1 kHz – so only a very small adjustment required.
 
BUILD / COMFORT / PACKAGING etc
 
You can get a lot of info on build, packaging etc from my previous reviews and articles for the HD600, and the T1 vs HD800 comparison above.  One of the things I will state for those interested, is that the HD600 still has (IMO) one of the best designs of any headphone.  It’s completely modular, and easy to take apart yourself.  So if you break something, or it wears out, simply order the parts and fix them yourselves.  This is true for not only pads, headband, cable etc – but also for the drivers themselves.
 
Although the HD800 is more luxurious, the HD600 I believe is built almost as well (from a design POV).  There is less metal, but the build is no less solid.  Sennheiser really knows there stuff with design.
 
Regarding overall comfort – and Rizki can back me up as he’s tried my HD600s – I’d give a very narrow nod to the HD800s, simply due to the distribution of weight, very soft pads, and larger ear cups.  However – this pair of HD600s even eclipses my T1’s for comfort.  Over time, I’ve made subtle adjustments to the headphone extenders, so that whilst the still sit firmly on my head, their clamp force is very light, and after a while (like the HD800), they also “disappear” when I’m in the right mood.
 
PUBLISHED SPECIFICATIONS
 
 
FREQUENCY RESPONSE GRAPH
 

Thanks once again to Headroom
 
SONIC COMPARISONS
 
General thoughts.
 
Both headphones are actually very similar tonally – in fact it’s one thing that surprised me a lot.  The HD600 doesn’t have the overall extension, especially in the low end.  For me this makes the HD800 actually sound a little darker / warmer with a lot of tracks, and this wasn’t something I was expecting.  The HD600 also has an almost airier presentation in comparison – where the HD800 has the better overall balance.  The problem with some of the air that the HD600 does display is that it can also be slightly grainy (in direct comparison) where the HD800 has a much blacker and contrasting signature.  The funny thing with this is that it was the opposite with the T1 vs HD800 – where the T1 had the more vivid and contrasting presentation.
 
Another thing I have noted is that the HD800 has a tendency (I guess it’s the angled drivers) to put space between me and the vocals, and strangely for many of my tracks – especially female vocals – I’m actually enjoying the HD600’s vocal presentation a little more.
 
Soundstage / Imaging
 
This isn’t a fair fight, and it’s one area the HD600 (as good as it is) just can’t compete.  Here it’s outdone by the greater technology of the HD800’s angled ring radiator drivers.  The HD800’s soundstage is more expansive (not hugely so though), and the imaging within that stage is a lot better.  It’s just more precise.
 
Switching off to Dante’s Prayer for the “audience realism test” – and both are a lot closer, although once again the HD800 is able to immerse more.  One thing the HD600 does get right though (like the HD800) is the sense of 3D space (holograph like).  It’s not to the same level the HD800 can achive – but it’s there.
 
VERY QUICK NOTES – GENRE PREFERENCES
 

1. Rock – HD800, it’s just the portrayal of bass, especially sub-bass.  The HD800 is majestic in this sense
2. Classical / Opera – I’d actually take the HD600 for the vocals, and the HD800 for the orchestral.  Both sound wonderful though – very life like.  And I’d actually also take the either headphone for Kempff’s Moonlight Sonata – both capture the emotion.
3. Jazz – HD800 for the “classic” jazz, HD600 for the female vocal jazz.  I think this is just my individual preference for euphoric female vocals though.
4. Electronic – HD800 every time.  It’s the cleanliness and texture of the bass.
5. Pop / Rap / Dub – depends on the artist.  For female vocals I’m often slightly preferring the HD600, but for anything else (especially if it has a lot of contrast), the HD800 wins.
6. Indie & Female Vocals –for me the HD600 has a slight preference, but it is only slight.  I listen to a lot of both genres, and as technically good as the HD800 is, I can’t really call it “better”.  It definitely extracts more detail – but there is something about the tonality of the HD600 (maybe it is because I know this headphone so well) that just continues to tick my boxes.

 

CONCLUSION

There is no question that the HD800 is a much better headphone technically, and in some areas (staging, imaging, extension, detail), the HD600 is left very far behind.  But in others – tonality, overall presentation, ability to portray realism, and most importantly value – the HD600 more than holds its own.
 
So here I am at the end of my week with the HD800, and it’s time to collect my thoughts.
 
The HD800 is a special headphone, and I likely have to hear it with better upstream gear to find out what it can really do.  But the reality of my own situation dictates that for the time being family and other factors come before my own audio pursuits.  Besides that, I genuinely like the gear I have.  It sounds wonderful with both the T1 and HD600 – and for me that makes my decisions easier.  The HD800 is a headphone I’d love to own at some stage in the future.  But for the here and now, I have all I need with my T1 / HD600 combo.
 
The HD800 will have to wait for another time.

I've read your previous comparisons and I thoroughly enjoyed this one as much as the others. Thank you for your effort, it isn't easy to dedicate so much focus (I know, I've tried). I've owned many of the headphones which you've compared (the only exception being the HD700), hoewever, the rest of the gear remains different.
 
I'll be very amused to find someone declaring a different pair of headphones to be more comfortable than the HD800. They are by a safe margin, the most comfortable headphones I have worn, but they weren't in my everyday rotation mainly due to the thinness of the sound. It is as if the HD800 lacks the body of the T1, however, I felt that the HD800 does have a significantly wider soundstage.
 
At the recent Melbourne meet, I find that many of the guys there have owned the HD800 in the past, but somehow moved away and into the T1s. Many had similar complaints of treble harshness with the T1s but with a simple and reversible mod, it improved the headphones. By the end of the meet, all of us applied the mod (I believe there were 3 or 4 of us who did the mod).
 
I'm not a strong advocate of cables but I have noticed sufficient difference between different cable materials (mainly Cu vs Silver), and also difference between balanced and unbalanced. If you're ever in Melbourne, bring your T1s and you can compare them against a T1 with housing and termination mod (cable remains stock, just reterminated to Neutrik 4-pin XLR).

@Show
 
Thanks.  I have a sister in Melbourne and a brother in Perth, so at some stage I'm definitely keen to get across (hopefully time it with a Meet). I think the one thing I'm definitely really interested in is hearing both the HD800 and T1 on "better" upstream gear - just so I can hear for myself whether the improvements are dramatic.
 
Those mods sound intriguing - although to be honest the T1's brightness doesn't really bother me too much.
 
I'm hoping to get to the next NZ Meet next year as well - so I can hear Rizki's HD800 on his source (he has a balanced set-up as well for his HD650).  Besides that I owe the man more beers than I can count 

brooko said:

 
  Besides that I owe the man more beers than I can count 

 

Click to expand...

 
No you don't 
 
 
As always, very nice review Paul! Neatly written & fun to read, though I have to mention, as seen on Paul's picture here:
 
 
The earpads are getting worn out already. A bit disappointing really, considering it is only 11 months old and, the earpads alone costs $100 USD from headroom. Maybe I was using it too often, but still I expect it to last a bit longer than it is. I have been thinking of replacing the pads since a month ago, which at that point of time was only 10 months old. So it is worth mentioning to potential buyers out there, if you are going to use it as often as me (I can wear it for 10 to 14 hours straight on holidays when I have nothing else to do) you can wore off the pads within 10 months.
 
And I should have sent the individual response graph to Paul though, in case if he wants to examine it.
 

Originally Posted by Brooko /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Regarding overall comfort – and Rizki can back me up as he’s tried my HD600s – I’d give a very narrow nod to the HD800s, simply due to the distribution of weight, very soft pads, and larger ear cups.  However – this pair of HD600s even eclipses my T1’s for comfort.  Over time, I’ve made subtle adjustments to the headphone extenders, so that whilst the still sit firmly on my head, their clamp force is very light, and after a while (like the HD800), they also “disappear” when I’m in the right mood.

Click to expand...

 
Agreed - when I tried your HD600, I thought it feels more like the HD800 than the HD600/650 as it clamps so lightly. I've tried fiddling around with my HD650, and while I've managed to make it much more comfortable (to me, anyway) than the stock HD650, it is still nowhere near as comfortable as your HD600. If I'm honest, I can make it clamp a bit lighter and maybe, it will be as comfortable as your HD600. But frankly, it actually frightens me - I fear the day where the HD800 is no longer the most comfortable headphone in my stable...
 
 
By the way, that table of yours,
 
Did you build that amp stand on the table yourself? It fits impeccably for the amp as well as the (I assume) DAC underneath it.

Thanks Rizki
 
Yeah - I noticed some of the wear on the pads.  I guess that's the more fragile nature of the alcantara.  That cost could get expensive over time!
 
The stands are both Rimu.  The headphone stand I paid $50 NZD for - a friend of ours who turns wood for a hobby. When I asked about building a desk stand for the amps, he was brilliant. Measured both up, and designed for simplicity and maximum airflow.
 
If you need anything, let me know, and I'll see if he's interested

Wonderful reviews and thoughts. Makes me even happier than I own the HD600

Great review Brooko, both the T1 and the HD800 are on my radar but happy to enjoy the 650s right now.

Thanks.  The HD650 are fantastic cans.  HD800 would probably be your next step - unless you like a much brighter presentation (the T1 is very vivid).  I've heard a lot of people graduate from an HD650 to an LCD2 though - so maybe if you like a darker signature that would be worth looking at.
 
I need to find a way to audition one of the Audeze cans at some stage.  Hopefully next year's NZ Meet.

A great read brooko, enjoyed both comparisons. I think you deserve a break from all these reviews! But your work helps the community and gives us an incite to the top tier headphones.

I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't enjoy every minute of it 
 
I just wish my location allowed better access to some of the gear I'd like to audition and compare. Sadly - I'm pretty remote, so sometimes it is difficult.

Your reviews always read very well. Congratulations on your style, and thanks for your efforts.

show said:

I'll be very amused to find someone declaring a different pair of headphones to be more comfortable than the HD800. They are by a safe margin, the most comfortable headphones I have worn, but they weren't in my everyday rotation mainly due to the thinness of the sound.

Click to expand...

I found the TH900 and HD700 to both be more comfortable than the HD800 (by small margins of course).

Brooko I greatly enjoyed this review!

Thanks guys.
 
@Byrnie - agree that the HD700 is very comfortable (haven't tried the TH900).  But from memory of the HD700 - I'd still give it to the HD800.  I guess everyone's physical anatomy comes into play with this though , and likely the condition of the headphones themselves.  Rizki's HD800 fits me perfectly, and the pads are showing a few signs of age.  The HD700s when I had them were quite new, and with pads a little "fuller" and cups a little smaller, for my head, there was a difference.

Great review!!! Nicely done Brooko!
 
Can I ask what the serial numbers of the T1 and HD800 in the review are?