[golgi]

My current headphone system consists of the following:
Sennheiser HD6xx
Quicksilver Audio Headphone amp
PS Audio Phono
Modded Technics SL1210MK2
Modded DL103r

Overall, this system is very enjoyable to listen to. The sound is well balanced and produces a good amount of detail. While this system also produces a decent soundstage, I can’t help but compare to my speaker system. That system is using planar magnetic speakers and produces an expansive and nearly holographic soundstage.

I’ve been thinking about getting another headphone to go with my headphone system. My goal with it would be to have a significant upgrade in sound compared to the HD6xx. I would like to have a little more detail retrieval as well as a more open/wide soundstage. On a recent trip, I was able to listen to HD800S and some of the high end Stax electrostatic headphones at a store. This was in a large department store setting so not ideal. But both seemed to be upgrades in sound to my HD6xx. But I am not interested in an amp upgrade and the Stax headphones seem to require the Stax amp.

I’m not looking to change/upgrade any of my other components, just the headphones. With that in mind, what are some other headphones to check out? I may just go with the HD800S since I liked the overall sound and I think my headphone amp would handle them. But also open to suggestions.

 

[Tano]

The upgrade stuff is pretty subjective.
For my tastes, the 800s is an "upgrade" from the Sennheiser 600 series.
If you are looking for more detail retrieval and a wider soundstage, that's exactly what you would get with the 800s.
You are gonna loose the intimate vocal presentation of the 6xx and the tonality would be brighter on the 800s, but you could always keep if you ever miss that, cause the 6xx isn't very expensive.

 

[geek707]

First it's hard to go wrong with Sennheiser 800s.
Focal open and Meze 109 Pro are also very nice. I have the 109 Pro and it's great. Light and comfortable.
You can look at planar phones like Audeze, but with the exception of the LCD-5, I found them too heavy.
There is a new 600 model out from Sennheiser you might look at too.

 

[golgi]

The upgrade stuff is pretty subjective.
For my tastes, the 800s is an "upgrade" from the Sennheiser 600 series.
If you are looking for more detail retrieval and a wider soundstage, that's exactly what you would get with the 800s.
You are gonna loose the intimate vocal presentation of the 6xx and the tonality would be brighter on the 800s, but you could always keep if you ever miss that, cause the 6xx isn't very expensive.

Yep, I’ll plan to hang on to the HD 6xx so I can always come back to it. I also have an old pair of HD580.

 

[dunring]

I've had the HD800s and 6XX a bunch of times. If you want to keep what you have but compliment it with a different but fun sound, I'd recommend the Hifiman He5xx to pair with it. Bigger soundstage, comfy and light, and easier to power than the HD6xx so you wouldn't need to change a thing. The HD800s is great, but there's several pairs I'd rather have in a collection for the same money. Like the He5xx for soundstage and planar magnetic speed, Beyerdynamic DT770 250 ohm for deep bass extension and closed back privacy, and a pair of Sennheiser Momentum 3 ear buds for one the go. Whenever I get the HD800s I appreciate how good they are, but it's not a good value compared to having a collection for every mood for that kind of money.

 

[haasaaroni]

Sticking with high-impedance dynamic driver headphones, why not take a look at something from ZMF like the Auteur Classic or (higher up) the Atrium? I find the HD800S to be an amazing headphone, but, unlike the HD6XX, a bit of a genre specialist, particularly with classical/symphonic music. It just doesn't engage me with rock or other more energetic genres. The Atrium damping system is in both the Auteur Classic and the Atrium, and it really presents a wide, deep, and holographic soundstage, but still with tons of impact. The fact that they mate well with tube amps like your quicksilver seems like the icing on the cake here.

 

[bagwell359]

My current headphone system consists of the following:
Sennheiser HD6xx
Quicksilver Audio Headphone amp
PS Audio Phono
Modded Technics SL1210MK2
Modded DL103r

Overall, this system is very enjoyable to listen to. The sound is well balanced and produces a good amount of detail. While this system also produces a decent soundstage, I can’t help but compare to my speaker system. That system is using planar magnetic speakers and produces an expansive and nearly holographic soundstage.

Which speakers? Magnepans? What amp?

I’ve been thinking about getting another headphone to go with my headphone system. My goal with it would be to have a significant upgrade in sound compared to the HD6xx. I would like to have a little more detail retrieval as well as a more open/wide soundstage. On a recent trip, I was able to listen to HD800S and some of the high end Stax electrostatic headphones at a store. This was in a large department store setting so not ideal. But both seemed to be upgrades in sound to my HD6xx. But I am not interested in an amp upgrade and the Stax headphones seem to require the Stax amp.

Stax and all estats need an amp type which will require a purchase. The 800 and 800S are indeed among the best imaging of headphones, a very large step over any Senn 6**.

I’m not looking to change/upgrade any of my other components, just the headphones. With that in mind, what are some other headphones to check out? I may just go with the HD800S since I liked the overall sound and I think my headphone amp would handle them. But also open to suggestions.

The Senn 6*** 8** Series really sound much better with OTL tube amps, next best regular tube, then hybrid, all SS never seems to fit the bill.

 

[bagwell359]

I've had the HD800s and 6XX a bunch of times. If you want to keep what you have but compliment it with a different but fun sound, I'd recommend the Hifiman He5xx to pair with it. Bigger soundstage, comfy and light, and easier to power than the HD6xx so you wouldn't need to change a thing. The HD800s is great, but there's several pairs I'd rather have in a collection for the same money. Like the He5xx for soundstage and planar magnetic speed, Beyerdynamic DT770 250 ohm for deep bass extension and closed back privacy, and a pair of Sennheiser Momentum 3 ear buds for one the go. Whenever I get the HD800s I appreciate how good they are, but it's not a good value compared to having a collection for every mood for that kind of money.

IMO, 5XX as much or more bass light then the 800S. Not close to the 800S in soundstage. XS for a few bucks more has better timbre and bass impact than the 5XX.