[Questhate]

Quote:

If you strongly disagree with everything I'm saying, you  can debate scientific arguments in a forum like hydrogenaudio (because it's dedicated to objectivity & science in audio) , as I'll admit , my technical knowledge on this field is limited.
But you must be aware that they have a strict TOS, and very different from headfi.
Basically, it is the answers I've got from this thread that convinced me to get the HD800 anyway:
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=95106&mode=linearplus
I'm sure the guys from hydrogenaudio, would be able to go farther on the technical
considerations than me.

 
Honestly, I applaud the other guys here for being so diplomatic. You've been in here basically calling everyone fools for deluding themselves into justifying their $1000+ amps, at the same time patting your own back for being such a crafty consumer to get the same level of performance out of your $30 soundcard.
 
But the fact is:
 
a) you have not heard any of the gear that you're criticizing  
b) don't understand any of the objective concepts that you're regurgitating like a mindless drone.
 
So please, unless you either: 
 
a) hear some of the gear to confirm your suspicions and claims or 
b) actually know what you speak of
 
Then please do us all a favor and stop subjecting us to your worthless drivel. You're making yourself look stupid, especially when arguing with more experienced and knowledgable members in this thread.
 
If you really can't contain your pride for being such smart consumer, and just feel the need to stroke yourself then there's much better sites for that (ie. porn). 

 

[grokit]

As far as the Xonar STX card goes, I would think that it's most desirable feature would be the coaxial spdif output, and in that area the 24-bit 192KHz ST model takes the front seat as the "world’s first audio card to focus on precision clock tuning to minimize audio jitter". So it's mid-fi even by computer soundcard standards.

Indeed, the most popular review on Amazon for the ST is titled, "Asus Xonar essence ST sounds better than STX"

 

[extrabigmehdi]

@Anaxilus
Quote:

perhaps you could explain what makes the STX a better source/amp than my X-Fi Elite Pro or even my O2 that I need to hear an STX?

So far the xonar stx has a built in amp, that is able to drive headphone headphone up to 600 ohm , which  is not the case of X-Fi Elite Pro. And also asus provided all the measurements, that show there's nothing to complain about it. But yeah, the X-FI  or O2  could be good, I  don't know.
Quote:

Based on your argument/philosophy, every device that measures below or within a certain threshold is audibly identical so actual listening impressions are irrelevant and only subject to bias and placebo effects.  So why ask for impressions you don't trust or believe in?  

You are right. I  said the hd800 , run fine from my xonar stx, and other people said  the xonar stx is craptastic for hd800. And then we could put an end to the discussion. Never mind, I   was still interested to see how  far people would defend this subjective assessment. I  wish I  could listen the hd800, from one of these "ideal" gear , and notice the difference.

 

[extrabigmehdi]

Quote:

 
 for being such a crafty consumer to get the same level of performance out of your $30 soundcard.

. 170 euros  exactly

 

[Radio_head]

So, here's how I see it:
 
extrabigmehdi likes his HD800 with his STX
others like their HD800 as well, with other amps/sources 
 
So everyone is enjoying their music listening experience.  
 
Cool.

 

[Windsor]

Just finished updating my recent headphone article, which includes the HD 800 as well as the HD 700, LCD-2, and LCD-3. I hope you enjoy it!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/612250/comparing-some-of-the-finest-headphones-sennheiser-hd-600-hd-700-hd-800-hd-25-1-and-amperior-audio-technicas-ath-m50s-and-audezes-lcd-2-rev-2-and-lcd-3#post_8419930

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

I  wish I  could listen the hd800, from one of these "ideal" gear , and notice the difference.

 
So do we.  That being said I've begun to notice one factor that has a huge impact on how people are hearing things.  Track selection for A/B.  At the last meet I was rather taken aback at some of the music people were using to A/B some very 'high-end' gear.  People were claiming to find phones that represented various tracks in more equivalent coloration to be 'better'.  It's fine to 'prefer' gear that makes more of your collection most enjoyable, but that is not a technical capability to desire.  People often dislike the HD800 because it's more revealing of how their tracks were mastered, usually for the worse, only to blame the headphone as being deficient somehow.  I think this is a great way to test for transparency as well, at least the way I define it wrt resolution and not linearity like some seem to be.  Just because one is a component of the other does not make the two synonomous.

 

[reeltime]

Just bought a pair of HD 800's-- moving up from HD 650's.  I looked seriously at the Audeze's (both LCD-2 and LCD-3), but in the end, it came down these factors:
 
1) Too many great reviews for the HD-800's.  The only knock I've read is that you need good amplification.  Got that.
 
2) Audeze headphones are reportedly heavy, and some reviewers sited discomfort with them.
 
3) My HD 650's have been wonderful, I have high expectations for the HD800's.
 
4) The LCD-3s are another $500 dollars.  I think, from what I've read-- these are the real contenders to the HD 800 for best sound (discounting Stax)
 
5) Every time I see them-- every time I see a photo of someone wearing the Audeze, I get an instant Princess Leia flashback.  I can't help but feel I'll look ridiculous wearing them.
 
The only thing that's giving me any cause for debate is that the LCD-3's are said to have the best bass reproduction, bar none.  That's pretty enticing.  But I'm not a bass head.  
 
So there you have it.  Tomorrow they get delivered and I start breaking them in...  

 

[extrabigmehdi]

Quote:

So, here's how I see it:
 
extrabigmehdi likes his HD800 with his STX
others like their HD800 as well, with other amps/sources 
 
So everyone is enjoying their music listening experience.  
 
Cool.

Thanks, but is it really all that matters ?  I  think of all the people that are advised to get a cheaper headphone and a more expensive source. My attempt to contradict that point here was fruitless. I  didn't follow that advice, and I couldn't anyway. I was just thrilled to buy a hd800 in Morrocco, a country where usually you don't find much things in the market.

 

[Windsor]

Quote:

Thanks, but is it really all that matters ?  I  think of all the people that are advised to get a cheaper headphone and a more expensive source. My attempt to contradict that point here was fruitless. I  didn't follow that advice, and I couldn't anyway. I was just thrilled to buy a hd800 in Morrocco, a country where usually you don't find much things in the market.

 
Congrats on your HD 800!
 
As I found out today, you don't need an expensive source to have a great-sounding rig, and now proudly fly the flag that flagship headphones sound awesome, even just out of an iPod Nano:
 

 

 

[extrabigmehdi]

Quote:

 
Congrats on your HD 800!
 
As I found out today, you don't need an expensive source to have a great-sounding rig, and now proudly fly the flag that flagship headphones sound awesome, even just out of an iPod Nano.

Actually, some people reported that the hd800 sound great on a an ipod, so I'm not 100% sure that it's sarcasm (let's say 90%).
I  still consider my xonar stx, to be a serious step  above an mp3 player.

 

[purrin]

Quote:

Thanks, but is it really all that matters ?  I  think of all the people that are advised to get a cheaper headphone and a more expensive source. My attempt to contradict that point here was fruitless. I  didn't follow that advice, and I couldn't anyway. I was just thrilled to buy a hd800 in Morrocco, a country where usually you don't find much things in the market.

 
I don't think anyone told you or even implied that you should get a cheaper headphone and more expensive source.

 

[Windsor]

Quote:

Actually, some people reported that the hd800 sound great on a an ipod, so I'm not 100% sure that it's sarcasm (let's say 90%).
I  still consider my xonar stx, to be a serious step  above an mp3 player.

 
Sincerely, I enjoy my HD 800 straight from my iPhone; I've often used it when at my place and away from my desk. 

 

[grokit]

Thanks, but is it really all that matters ?  I  think of all the people that are advised to get a cheaper headphone and a more expensive source. My attempt to contradict that point here was fruitless. I  didn't follow that advice, and I couldn't anyway. I was just thrilled to buy a hd800 in Morrocco, a country where usually you don't find much things in the market.

You're doing great, now start looking for a decent DAC/Amp that will take advantage of that spdif output. It will be a revelatory upgrade.

 

[maverickronin]

Quote:

That being said I've begun to notice one factor that has a huge impact on how people are hearing things.  Track selection for A/B.  At the last meet I was rather taken aback at some of the music people were using to A/B some very 'high-end' gear.  People were claiming to find phones that represented various tracks in more equivalent coloration to be 'better'.  It's fine to 'prefer' gear that makes more of your collection most enjoyable, but that is not a technical capability to desire.  People often dislike the HD800 because it's more revealing of how their tracks were mastered, usually for the worse, only to blame the headphone as being deficient somehow.  I think this is a great way to test for transparency as well, at least the way I define it wrt resolution and not linearity like some seem to be.  Just because one is a component of the other does not make the two synonomous.

 
That kind of depends.  It shouldn't exaggerate poor mastering either which I think the HD800 does to a degree.  On a perfect transducer you should be able to tell the mastering/mixing isn't up to par but it shouldn't make it into an unlistenable mess just because it's not completely perfect.  Most of the stuff I listen to isn't exactly "audiophile" quality so when I'm pressed for time I mix it up half and half between higher quality tracks to quickly determine technicalities and then stuff that I just really like but isn't the best quality to see if it exaggerates flaws, presents them honestly, or just glosses over them.
 
Compromises, compromises...